NASU commends Jonathan over increase in education funding

By Ali Abare Abubakar

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have commended President Goodluck Jonathan for showing commitment to the funding of the educational sector through steady increase in budgetary allocations.

NASU stated this in its communiqué issued at the end of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held recently in Ilorin, Kwara State, jointly signed by Comrade (Mrs) Ladi Iliya and Prince Peters Adeyemi, national president and general secretary respectively.

NASU described as commendable the recent release of N30 bn to federal universities and inter-university centres for the payment of the first tranche of earned allowances, noting however that the balance of the earned allowances is yet to be paid, urging for the release of the balance.

On the various agreements NASU signed with the federal government in respect to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and research institutions in 2009 and 2010, the union declared that such are now due for review, with NASU calling on Jonathan to direct the constitution of renegotiation teams without further delay.

The union equally commented on other national issues like the insurgency ravaging the North east as well as corruption, with NASU urging the federal government to rout the insurgents from every inch of the border towns and villages said to have been overrun by the rampaging terrorists while also lamenting the rising profile of corruption in the country.

On the purported plan by some state governments, like that of Rivers, Bauchi and Benue who threatened to cut salaries of workers of state-owned establishments, NASU condemned the plan, warning that such attempt would throw up serious labour crisis of unimaginable proportion which could lead to a breakdown of law and order in those states.

Having reviewed activities of the union, the NEC passed a vote of confidence on the leadership, particularly Mrs. Ladi Iliya, the national president and Peters Adeyemi, the general secretary,  for their dedication,  commitment and qualitative leadership.