IBRAHIM SHEHU
The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, says the months-long strike will be called off in a few days.
Professor Osodeke disclosed this after a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the National Assembly
Osodeke said the leadership of the union has taken note of what has been covered by the meeting and would get back to their members and do everything possible to resolve the matter amicably.
“We have actually met briefly in the speaker’s office and looked at all issues and he briefed us. And we have taken note of what they have covered. But my union you know we operate bottom up, we don’t take decisions on their behalf without having their consent. So, we have agreed that between now and tomorrow we are going to get some documents signed that we can take to our members and we will do that as quickly as possible in the interest of all of us Nigerians and the students so that this thing can be resolved as quickly as possible.“ Osodeke said.
He said the ASUU hopes this is going to be the last of the strikes in Nigeria.
We want to have a university in Nigeria where we have to get money from students all over the world and to pay in hard currency as they pay that, the system will grow. That is why we are in this struggle. We want to have a university where the remuneration is enough to attract lecturers from all over the world just as our people are going out. As we speak today, we are having problems, we don’t notice it, we are creating so many universities but there are no good people, qualified people to teach in those universities but the good ones are leaving. We just put people there which is not good enough. We must create the environment, we are the giant of Africa and we must act like the giant of Africa, we see people coming in droves not we leaving. That’s why we are here.” He said.
He advised the government not to allow strikes to linger long before taking action.
The Speaker Mr Femi Gbajabiamila stated that all demands made by the union have been met.
“I’m very hopeful and very excited that this strike will be called off in a number of days. We met in my office and the outcome is going to be positive. This is a recap to seal the deal on what has been a long fought battle, long hard road for everybody both for ASUU, the students and the government. As you would recall, some weeks ago the House got involved in this crisis and we had long, tough, intense meetings AUSU. We had meetings with those on the government side and we are happy to report that as the result of the consultation and intervention of the House, very significant progress has been made and we are more or less at the end of the road.
He revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari has assured to look into the no work no pay policy implemented.
He added that following a meeting with the leadership of the house on Friday last week, president Buhari would make a pronouncement on Tuesday on the ongoing ASUU-FG face-off.