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General News of Monday, 11 January 2021

Source: legit.ng

Coronavirus: Nigerians fault ASUU for saying it is unsafe to reopen universities

ASUU is concerned over the risks of COVID-19 in universities ASUU is concerned over the risks of COVID-19 in universities

Some Nigerians on social media have criticised the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for saying it may be unsafe to reopen universities due to the risks of COVID-19 infection.

The union claimed an assessment of COVID-19 protocols in the universities showed that the tertiary institutions were not ready for safe reopening even though lecturers are eager to start work.

However, the statement by ASUU has sparked huge criticisms from Nigerians on Twitter.

Many citizens who reacted to the report questioned why the union would make such a statement when it just called off its nine-month strike.

One of such commentators is a user identified as Imported Alhaji Eagle who accused the lecturers themselves of flouting COVID-19 guidelines.

He said: "ASUU conducted a meeting of over 20 officials without social distancing, some people didn’t put on face mask just to come out and declare it’s unsafe to open universities because of Covid. Honestly, at this point, nobody can convince me that ASUU is always fighting for students."

A popular actor, Gabriel Afolayan, in his reaction said ASUU was acting as a stumbling block to Nigerian students.

He said: "One Time ASUU call off strike for students to resume. Another time same ASUU said it's not safe to resume because of covid 19.

"But our market places are always filled. I have always known there is a hidden agenda behind all this. Seems ASUU is Nigerian students problem."

Another Nigerian with the username @MFaarees questioned why universities should be shut when gatherings were taking place in other places.

He said: "Every kind of gathering is taking place in this country, but ASUU is telling us that it's unsafe to open the universities now, if I tell you ASUU is the main problem you won't agree, just look at what they're doing, just trying to destroy the education system of the country. Sad!"

Meanwhile, an emerging report indicates that lecturers in public universities may soon begin another strike if the federal government fails to fulfil its own part of the agreement reached in December 2020.