The governor of Gombe state, Muhammadu Yahaya, has made a passionate appeal to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Gombe State University branch, to suspend their planned strike action.
The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, made the plea during a visit from the ASUU National Executive Council visitation panel to the Gombe State Government House on Thursday.
The state government promised to meet the union's demands, including the payment of Earned Academic Allowance, responsibility allowances, postgraduate study grants, and other expenses including outstanding promotion arrears for the years 2020-2023, totaling N947,669,909.13 million, by Monday.
According to the governor, this move aimed at addressing the lingering issues that have led to the threat of strike action by the union.
Governor Yahaya assured the union that the issue would be given expedited attention during the State Executive Council meeting on Monday, saying that if nothing happens after that, the union could proceed with its plans.
He urged ASUU to be patient and not embark on a strike, stating that it would not solve any problems.
The governor acknowledged the union's concerns and promised to address them promptly.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining a cordial relationship between the government and the union, stressing that strike actions would only lead to unnecessary disruptions in academic activities.
Earlier, Professor Daniel Gongula, who led the NEC visitation panel, commended the governor for prioritising education but emphasized the need for the government to fulfill its promises within the stipulated timeline.
He noted that other states had implemented the minimum wage without referencing the National Minimum Wage table and that lecturers, like other workers, use the same market.
Gongula stated that the panel would submit its report to ASUU principal officers and expressed the need for conviction regarding the government's promises.
He reiterated the union's commitment to ensuring that the welfare of its members is prioritized and that academic activities are not disrupted unnecessarily.
The meeting between the government and the union has raised hopes that a resolution can be reached, and the planned strike action can be averted.
