There is some slight hope in the horizon over the three month plus strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU).

The Federal Government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities will hold a reconciliatory meeting on Thursday in an effort to resolve issues that led to the ongoing strike called by ASUU.

ASUU president, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, said at the end of the last meeting held at the Ministry of Labour and Employment that there was an agreement to adjourn until Thursday after the leadership of the ASUU must have met other members to discuss the new government position of its demands.

“We have set of information for our members. Until we tell our members. We are making progress and the progress we are making is for everybody’s interest and stakeholders will benefit at the end of the day. We will be meeting on Thursday (today). We have trashed all grey areas so the progress we have made must first be related to our members.”

While confirming that both parties would meet for another meeting, Acting Director at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Iliya Rhoda, said in a statement that Dr Chris Ngige would preside over the meeting.

The statement said, “Furtherance to efforts at resolving the on-going industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, is scheduled to hold a conciliatory meeting with the executive of ASUU.”

 

 

Earlier In December… NANS Urged ASUU To Negotiate With Federal Government

The National Association of Nigerian Students on Saturday urged the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities to go back to negotiations with the Federal Government.

NANS was reacting to a statement reportedly issued by the ASUU where it threatened not to honour any further invitation for a meeting with the Federal Government.

“There is a need for ASUU to continue its negotiations with the Federal Government to find a common ground to resolve issues that led to the union’s ongoing strike,’’ NANS National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, said.

Okereafo, who made this known in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu, said: “We consider this decision as devilish and not in the best interest of Nigerian students.

“We wonder how the lingering disputes will be resolved if meetings are boycotted.

“We are calling on the leadership of ASUU to reverse its decision and consider returning to the negotiation table.’’

The students’ umbrella body urged the lecturers to work towards resolving the dispute and suspend the strike before Jan. 1, 2019 in the interest of Nigerian students.

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