Strike: FG, ASUU agree on some contentious issues

There were indications late on Thursday that the Federal
Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities had agreed
on some demands of the union in the efforts to resolve the strike
by the lecturers.

The meeting, which began around 1.30pm, ended around 11pm as
both parties were initially adamant to shift grounds on some
contentious issues.

Our correspondent learnt as of press time that a memorandum had
been signed by both ASUU and the government.

In attendance on the government’s side were the Minister of
Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; the Minister of Education,
Mallam Adamu Adamu; and the Minister of State for Education, Prof.
Anthony Anwuka.

The ASUU nine-man delegation was led by the union President,
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi.

Earlier, the education minister, Adamu, identified the
contentious issues as earned academic allowances and the
revitalisation of public universities.

“Most of the issues between the government and the union have
already been dealt with. The two most important and contentious
issues are the earned allowances and the revitalisation of
university system.

“We have already reached an agreement on one and we hope to
reach an agreement on the other,” the minister added.

Also, labour minister, Ngige, said the meeting would “break down
the areas of mistrust” between the government and the union.

He said, “We last met on August 17 and we agreed you would get
back to your members and you would give us your proposal. Between
then and now, a lot of things have happened and some contacts and
meetings were held between you and the Minister of Education.

“Some appreciable and tangible results were achieved. We are
convening this meeting with this in mind; to smooth the rough edges
and enable you to call off this strike, which will be one month in
a matter of days. This will not augur well for the academic
calendar of universities.

“We want to address and break down the areas of mistrust between
us.”

The ASUU President, Ogunyemi, said, “Once we are able to resolve
the contentious issues, we are willing to go back to our members in
earnest and take the final decision on this action.”

As of the time of fling this report, the communique between the
two parties had yet to be released to journalists.

There were indications late on Thursday that the Federal
Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities had agreed
on some demands of the union in the efforts to resolve the strike
by the lecturers.

The meeting, which began around 1.30pm, ended around 11pm as
both parties were initially adamant to shift grounds on some
contentious issues.

Our correspondent learnt as of press time that a memorandum had
been signed by both ASUU and the government.

In attendance on the government’s side were the Minister of
Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; the Minister of Education,
Mallam Adamu Adamu; and the Minister of State for Education, Prof.
Anthony Anwuka.

The ASUU nine-man delegation was led by the union President,
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi.

Earlier, the education minister, Adamu, identified the
contentious issues as earned academic allowances and the
revitalisation of public universities.

“Most of the issues between the government and the union have
already been dealt with. The two most important and contentious
issues are the earned allowances and the revitalisation of
university system.

“We have already reached an agreement on one and we hope to
reach an agreement on the other,” the minister added.

Also, labour minister, Ngige, said the meeting would “break down
the areas of mistrust” between the government and the union.

He said, “We last met on August 17 and we agreed you would get
back to your members and you would give us your proposal. Between
then and now, a lot of things have happened and some contacts and
meetings were held between you and the Minister of Education.

“Some appreciable and tangible results were achieved. We are
convening this meeting with this in mind; to smooth the rough edges
and enable you to call off this strike, which will be one month in
a matter of days. This will not augur well for the academic
calendar of universities.

“We want to address and break down the areas of mistrust between
us.”

The ASUU President, Ogunyemi, said, “Once we are able to resolve
the contentious issues, we are willing to go back to our members in
earnest and take the final decision on this action.”

As of the time of fling this report, the communique between the
two parties had yet to be released to journalists.