A close associate of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo
A chief of the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Mr. Ayo Adebanjo, has said if necessary, the Federal Government should borrow money to meet the demands of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities . Speaking with our correspondent on Friday on the telephone, Adebanjo stated that the strike action was tantamount to gambling with the future of students because of FG’s failure to implement the agreement it entered with the union in 2009. Adebanjo said, ‘‘If it means borrowing money to sanitise the university system, the Federal Government should do it. What the people (ASUU) are saying is that the strike is not only about money but to revive the nation’s university education to make it world class. Whatever it will cost the government to stop the strike, it must do it. We should not gamble with the future of our future leaders.’’ He also stated that it was wrong for the FG to ask for a fresh negotiation from the union when it had yet to fulfil the one it made. According to him, it was doubtfull if the government would fulfil any new agreement when the one it made earlier is yet to be implemented. He said, ‘‘For you (government) to tell them to come and renegotiate after you failed to implement the agreement you made with them in
2009 is not right. Things are not done that way. How are we sure you will fulfil the terms of any new agreement you make with the union?’’ Besides, Adebanjo said one of the things the government could do was to channel its efforts towards reviving university education as the nation observes its 53 years of independence next month. ASUU embarked on strike since July 1 to protest the non-implementation of the key issues contained in the 2009 agreement it made with the FG.
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