21-DAY ULTIMATUM TO FG: MEET DEMANDS OR FACE INDUSTRIAL ACTION
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By Okeke Sunday O.
Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has issued a 21-day Ultimatum to FederCOEASUal Government to address her existing demands which are overdue. The ultimatum was served to the Federal Government on the 9th May 2022, which was a product of referendum conducted across all Chapters Congresses nationwide and ratified by National Executive Council (NEC) of the Union at Okene, Kogi State on the 6th May 2022.It is disheartening and worrisome that Federal Government appears to have developed deaf ears to the yearnings of COEASU. This is evidenced in her unseriousness in the resolution of festering issues raised which affects Colleges of Education Sector to a very great extent. Notable among the grievances of COEASU against the Federal Government are:Non commitment of Federal Government to renegotiation of COEASU-FGN 2010 agreement.Poor funding of Colleges of EducationNon release of ₦15 billion revitalization fund pledged by Federal GovernmentPoor conditions across State-owned Colleges of EducationForceful enrolment of COEs into IPPIS thereby causing more havoc to tertiary institutions than good.This lackadaisical attitude of Government towards addressing the grievances left COEs in both the Federal and State levels in sorry states. NEC is hopeful that well-meaning Nigerians and relevant stakeholders in Education will prevail on Government to do the needful by attending to the lingering issues. Should government fail to show seriousness in addressing the demands of COEASU at the expiration of 21 days, COEASU will be left with the option of embarking on Industrial Action. To this end, various Chapters of the Union in the South East both at Federal and State Colleges are hereby informed to await and key into the next directives from NEC at the expiration of 21 days.