The comments of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) on Monday, that tertiary institutions are not safe to resume due to lack of concrete steps to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the institutions have sparked outrage on the social media.
The zonal coordinator of ASUU, Lagos Zone, Prof. Olusiji Sowande, at a press conference held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, said it would be suicidal to reopen tertiary institutions without adequate preparation by the Federal Government.
Prof Sowande noted that government issued bailout funds to airline operators and other private institutions but public universities are yet to receive such funds.
“Presently, hostel accommodations are inadequate, no facility on the ground to carry out physical distancing in large and crowded classes, water and electricity supply are not reliable, etc,” he said.
“Reopening tertiary institutions without taking concrete steps to address these issues would be suicidal. While the government made arrangements for special bailout funds for airline operators and other private entities, no such arrangement was made for public universities.”
Students of public universities in the country have been at home since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statement by ASUU Lagos Zone Chairman has dashed the hopes of many students, who were expecting that schools would resume in the coming days.
Many Nigerians are asking why other sectors of the economy are reopened and public universities cannot open.
See reactions:
ASUU said its Its suicidal to re-open University now, but if the FG pays the bill and clear everything, it becomes safe & not suicidal. I don't know if they are taking Nigeria student for fools or think the little they've learned is just how to toast their children…. Nonsense!
Places that are currently open 1. Churches 2. Mosques 3. Restaurants 4. Malls 5. Markets 6. Intrastate travel 7. Interstate travel 8. International travel (not sure) 9. All offices
But ASUU says opening school is suicide. Nobody can tell me they have our interests in mind https://t.co/tOMXum2AWW
I sincerely don't understand this LOTS! Suicidal?!!??… They are not ready to work! They'll keep lying under the pretense of caring for Nigerian students whilst collecting salaries. The only two things ASUU does best is STRIKE and OPPOSITION.
ASUU said its suicidal to re-open University now, but if the FG pays the bill and clear everything, it becomes safe & not suicidal. I think ASUU has been a curse to Nigeria Varsity's. The Association are only fighting for their own pocket and not for the students benefit.@NGRSena pic.twitter.com/8sEQiEootJ
International flight can Resume Why school remains Shut .Covid 19 Started from where please And The Assu or Ass hole You people should just go and Fuck yourself #ASUU
Dear ASUU if this is the end of schooling in this country please let's know on time so we can go else where or atleast find another way of life… Which one is sucidal abeg? pic.twitter.com/2IjoPz4WsZ
ASUU should stop using covid-19 as an excuse for not reopening of Universities, it has always been a suicidal attending a Public Universities in Nigeria in first place, taking of numbers of student pet room, lecturer intimidations….@mog_dayo@AAdeayo@adeolujus
ASUU termed it suicidal to reopen schools. How about worship places, markets, airports, hotels, etc which has been opened? Is it not also the students that goes to all those places? They are talking as if we students have been seated steel at home since March?
Direct your anger to govt for not keeping to its over 10yrs agreement with ASUU and for also not following its own guidelines on COVID-19 on the reopening of schools. ASUU is just reminding govt to do the necessary things first in order not to endanger the lives of stds & staff.
If international flight is opened… Markets opened…. Churches is special because it should always be opened…. Interstate traveling opened… So tell me why schools shouldn't be opened?? Or does Corona wants to resume school too??
