LAGOS,Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) –The Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN), a body of journalists across print, online, and broadcast platforms, will on Sunday host a virtual forum to engage critical stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, over the ongoing warning strike by workers’ unions in the universities.
According to a statement on Saturday by EWAN, the Presidents of both Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Muhammed Ibrahim, and Ibeji Nwokema, respectively, have confirmed their participation in the virtual program.
The statement, endorsed by the Chairperson of the planning committee, Elizabeth Osayande, noted that the forum, which will take place via Zoom, is scheduled to hold between 4 p.m and 5:30 p.m on Sunday, 24 March.
READ ALSO: Strike: FG Meeting With SSANU, NASU, NAAT Ends In Futility
Osayande emphasized the importance of journalistic responsibility in reporting and facilitating dialogue on critical issues affecting the nation’s education sector. “As a body of journalists, we have a responsibility not just to report but to report fairly and possibly create avenues for stakeholders to engage and offer the public opportunities to intervene before matters degenerate,” she stated.
EWAN’s intervention became necessary to gain firsthand knowledge of the situation and report the issues fairly. Osayande noted that the disruptive effects of the prolonged industrial actions in 2022 were not palatable and should not be allowed to repeat itself. “Shutting down the universities for about eight months in 2022 caused a major setback for the nation’s university education, and we cannot fold our arms to allow another round of indefinite industrial action to jeopardize the future of our country. Like every other person, journalists also have a role to play.”
It would be recalled that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and other Associated Institutions (NASU) commenced a seven-day warning strike to press home its demand for the payment of members’ withheld four months’ salaries since 2022. The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) also embarked on a warning strike over the same issue. The development, which disrupted activities across various campuses nationwide, reportedly led to the death of a student at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, for being unable to access the institution’s healthcare center when he was ill.
READ ALSO: Labour Backs NASU, SSANU 7-Day Warning Strike
Amidst growing concerns over the impact of the strike action on students’ academic progress, Mrs. Osayande reiterated the importance of finding swift resolutions to the issues at hand. “The prolonged disruption of academic activities not only affects students’ learning outcomes but also undermines the reputation and credibility of our educational institutions,” she emphasized. “It is imperative that all stakeholders prioritize the welfare of students and work towards restoring normalcy in the university system.”