BY SEYIFUNMI LUMEKO
Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors in various universities across Nigeria have waded into face-off between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government over the lingering industrial action by universities lecturers.
The meeting was held at the National Universities Commission, and vital issues such as the issue of funding, that is, the release of the revitalisation fund, the withheld salaries, adjustment of salaries and most importantly ending strikes permanently in universities. were raised.
The peace team comprises past vice-chancellors and pro-chancellors such as the former pro-chancellor of the University of Calabar, Senator Nkechi Nwagogu; former vice-chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof J.D. Amin; and former vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Emeritus Professor A.O. Bamiro, among others.
Meanwhile, former vice-chancellors, in a communiqué made available to The PUNCH in Abuja on Wednesday, hailed the Federal Government for approaching the National Industrial Court in a bid to end the strike.
The communiqué partly read, “We are aware that the Federal Government has sought a legal interpretation of the nature and character of the dispute as a way of breaking the deadlock.
“This is novel, and we applaud the move as civilised, however, both parties will faithfully abide by the provisions of Industrial Arbitration as enshrined in the International Labour Organisation Conventions.” Read more at the Credible News:
- NANS Protests Over ASUU Strike Grounds Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
- STRIKE: Falana Leads ASUU’s 46 Law Professors At Industrial Court Against The Federal Government
- ASUU vs FG: Court Adjourns Suit Until Sept 16
- ASUU Meets FG In Court Today Over Prolong Strike
They proposed a middle ground where the government can resolve the trust issues by taking action to propose to the National Assembly its decision on improved funding.
The Credible News reported that the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities has entered its seventh month.
Recall that the union, on February 14, 2022, embarked on a strike following what it described as the failure of the government to meet some of its demands.
ASUU wants the Federal Government to improve the condition of service of university lecturers, release earned allowances for lecturers, and release revitalisation funds for universities, among other things.
You can read more of such stories at the Credible News website.
