Strike: ASUU, FG Conclude Negotiation

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have concluded negotiations, with strong indications that the on-going strike embarked upon by the union since December 4, 2011 may be called off soon.

This was the outcome of a meeting coordinated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, with executive members of the union in Abuja.

It would be recalled that among the issues ASUU tabled before the Federal Government was the agreement both parties entered into in 2009. The agreement revolved around improvement in universities funding, review of the process of appointing Vice Chancellors, review of the retirement age of lecturers to 70 years, among others.

It was also gathered that based on this the Senate last week extended the retirement age of professors in Nigerian universities from 65 to 70.

Meanwhile, the President of ASUU, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, who declined comments on the fresh term of agreement with the Federal Government, said such information would be tabled before the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union before a definite decision would be taken concerning the strike.

Awuzie gave this indication, shortly after the meeting which lasted almost four hours, saying that the meeting was fruitful and that the union’s NEC would be convened soonest to decide on the next line of action for the union.

He was, however, not specific on the actual date ASUU’s NEC would meet to decide on the strike.

He said: “We have discussed, we have looked at the issues government has made its offer and we have to take it to our principal, I will do everything possible to brief my principal soonest.

“Government placed their card on the table and I have to take it to my principal, they have done their best which is what they believe is available by government, we are all Nigerians, we did not go on strike just to destroy the system, so we have listened to them, they have made their offer, they have told us why they took certain decisions.

“We will take it to our principal, and of course you know this is the first time we have been able to get this thing far through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation interceding. So we are going to take it to our principal and I want to assure you that we meet with our principal soonest."

Speaking to journalists, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, who was part of the deliberations, also gave a hint to an early resolution of the impasse.

She said: “As mentioned by the President of ASUU, we have just concluded our discussion with them, the series of meetings we had and as he said they are going back to have their NEC meeting and its only after that meeting that we hear their outcome.

“We are very hopeful that the strike will be called off soon, that’s one thing we saw after this meeting but as it stands now, we cannot say whether they are calling it off immediately, but we are very hopeful that they will call off the strike which will depend on the outcome of their NEC meeting."

Source: THISDAY