Teachers won't call off strike until after consultations, says leader
After 13 hours of negotiations with the Federal Government, the
Academic Staff Union of Universities
(ASUU) got yesterday another offer towards the resolution of the
crisis that has crippled the campuses for
over four months. But ASUU President Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, did not
disclose the new Federal Government's offer, insisting
that its members have the final say on the issue. Lecturers were
holding meetings on the various campuses last night over the
government's offer. Speaking with State House correspondents after the
meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the
First Lady's Conference Room in the Presidential Villa, Fagge said the
meeting was working towards
tackling the problem of university education. He said: "Well, we have
had lengthy meeting with Mr. President, rubbing minds on how best to
address the
problem of university education in this country. "And we now have a
message from Mr. President we are going to take to our members. And we
are
expecting that our members will respond appropriately to the message
of Mr. President." On whether the lecturers are going back to the
classroom, he said: "That is up to our members." Asked what the
message was, he said: "I can't tell you. Its not for you. It is for
our members." If impressed with the message, he said: "Don't put words
into my mouth. Our members will determine
that." Also speaking at the end of the meeting, Minister of Labour
Emeka Wogu said: "We made progress; the
President of ASUU told you that they are going back with a message
from the Federal Government to their
members. And the message is full of high expectations and hope." On
whether the strike will be called off, he said: "That is why the
message is full of high expectations and
hope. So, our prayers is that they come back with positive outcome.
They might not even come back to
meet us; they might take decisions there that will meet your
expectations." "Nigerians should be patient for ASUU to finish their
meetings and come out with a message to Nigerians." Asked whether the
government made a fresh offer, Wogu said: "Well, the offers we made
are the offers
they are taking in line with the 2009 agreement. The issues that led
to the strike are issues contained in
the 2009 agreement and we did not go beyond the agreement." Before the
meeting started on Monday afternoon, President Jonathan had assured
the lecturers that the
strike would be resolved . Jonathan, who took charge of the Federal
Government's negotiations with the lecturers, while exchanging
pleasantries with the ASUU team, led by Fagge, said: "My president,
all the problems will be over today, all
our children must go back to school." Also greeting the NLC President,
Comrade Abdulwahab Omar at the beginning of the meeting, President
Jonathan said: "My president, with you around today, there will be no
problem; our agreement is signed,
sealed and delivered." On the Federal Government team were Vice
President Namadi Sambo; Wogu; Supervising Minister of
Education Nyesom Wike; Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim;
National Universities Commission (NCC) Executive Secretary Prof Julius
Okogie and Minister of Finance
and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Also in the government team are the Chief of Staff, Chief Mike
Oghiadhome and the Permanent Secretary
in the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Mac John Nwaobiala. For ASUU
were its Vice President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, three past presidents
of ASUU, Profs. Festus
Iyayi, Dipo Fashina and Abdullahi Sule-Kano. Others included Prof.
Suleiman Abdul; Dr. Victor Igbum and Prof. Victor Osodeke. The ASUU
team also had Omah and Trade Union President Bobboi Kaigama. The
Presidency, on September 19, took over negotiations with the striking
lecturers with Sambo heading
the government's side.
--
Faith Olaniran
Mobile lines: +234-8062723258, +234-8074695684,
www.faitholaniran.blogspot.com
Twitter:@olaniranfaith
facebook:Faith Oluwalose Olaniran
A Seeker of the Unknown to man but Known to God.
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