President Goodluck Jonathan this afternoon maintained that the protracted over four months’ old strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would be resolved today.
Jonathan, who took charge of the Federal Government’s negotiations with the lecturers, gave the assurance while shaking hands with the lecturers just before the meeting commenced at the First Lady Conference Room in the Presidential Villa.
Exchanging pleasantries with the team led by ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, who were already seated with the Leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, Jonathan said: “My president all the problems will be over today , all our children must go back to school”
When greeting the NLC President, Comrade Abdulwahab Omar, President Jonathan said: “My president with you around today, there will be no problem, our agreement is signed, sealed and delivered.”
On the Federal Government team include Vice President Namadi Sambo; Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu; Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim; Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof Julius Okogie; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Also with the Federal Government team are the Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadhome, and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Mac John Nwaobiala.
Members of ASUU team at the meeting include its Vice President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, three past presidents of ASUU, Profs. Festus Iyayi, Dipo Fashina and Abdullahi Sule-Kano.
Other members of ASUU delegation included Prof. Suleiman Abdul; Dr. Victor Igbum; Prof. Victor Osodeke.
The ASUU negotiating team also have the NLC President, Comrade Abdulwahab Omah; the Trade Union President, Bobboi Kaigama in attendance.
The Presidency, on September 19th, took over negotiations with the striking lecturers with the Vice-President Namadi Sambo spearheading the Federal Government side.
Source: The Nation
