By: Gift Emmanuel, Abuja The Federal Government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) thus, paving the way for ASUU to call off its five months old strike.
Speaking on the agreement, ASUU president Dr Nasir Fagge Isa, assured that the union would consult with its National Executive Council, which is the second highest ruling organ of the union and within one week, would communicate with Nigerians on their decision, expressing optimism that it would be positive.
Even though, the details of the MoU are not readily available, it was however signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr MacJohn Nwaobila, on behalf of the federal government while ASUU President, Fagge, signed on behalf of the Union.
The historic signing was witnessed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Abdulwaheed Umar and five Vice Chancellors.
In attendance were the Vice Chancellors of University of Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Kano as well as the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okojie and the former Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Prof Mamohood Yakubu.
Speaking further on the MoU, ASUU President said the agreement captured the main areas of the union’s demand including the deposit of N200 billion in a dedicated account to Central Bank of Nigeria, the non-victimisation clause, infrastructural development among others.
A visibly excited Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike described the occasion as ‘historic’ and the happiest day in his tenure as the supervising minister of education.
“All contending issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, we are partners in progress and there is no victor no vanquish as our struggle is in the interest of the country, Wike said”.
The minister however expressed the government appreciation to all stakeholders that contributed in the resolution of the crises.
He spoke further, “but let me say clearly that today is not just historic but one of the happiest day in my life since I became the Supervising Minister of Education. As you are all aware ASUU has been on strike for well over five months on the account of their resolve to bring about a new lease of life to all public universities.
“Following Mr. President’s personal intervention, the marathon meeting he had on 4th November, 2013 with the leadership of ASUU and other union leaders, all residual issues were resolved. Nigerians from all walks of life had expressed optimism that the strike will soon be called off.
“Unfortunately and sadly too this was not to be due to ASUU insistent that the Federal Government must take further practical steps or show good faith to the implementation of the Agreement.
“As a responsible and responsive government, we have the duty to restore normalcy to our university system so that our children can resume back to school to pursue their educational careers, consequently the Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities were directed by the Pro-Chancellors to immediately reopen the universities for academic activities while the minor discrepancies are being sorted out”.
Continuing, Wike said, “today I’m very pleased to announce that all contending issues between the Federal Government and ASUU have been resolved to satisfaction of the parties.
“Let me emphasized that we recognize and appreciate ASUU’s patriotic role and commitment toward ensuring that our universities are well-funded, resourced and run like their counterpart in the world, thus we are all partners in progress and there was no victor no vanquished in the struggle of this nature so as long as our goals remain noble, not accentuated by parochial interest and targeted at moving our nation forward”.
