From Magnus Eze, Abuja
The Federal Government and striking university lecturers will, again, meet today to possibly resolve the face-off that has grounded academic activities in the nation’s universities for two weeks.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) downed tools over contentious issues regarding previous agreements with government in 2009 and 2013.
A statement by spokesman of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere, in Abuja, yesterday, said the minister, Senator Chris Ngige, will in furtherance of efforts at resolving the lingering industrial action, lead government delegation to meet with the President and Executives of the union.
He named others that would be at the meeting to include Minister of Education, Minister of Finance, Chairman, National Income Salaries and Wages Commission, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission and President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
ASUU had, during its last meeting with government delegation on August 17, 2017, promised to take the Federal Government’s offer back to its members with the hope of getting back to the government within a week.
That period, however, elapsed last Thursday, but Ngige has called on the union to show good faith as the federal government had already demonstrated commitment to addressing their grievances.
The minister noted that government had been on its toes to resolve the issue and ensure that students resume their degree and promotion examinations.
ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, told Daily Sun that their various organs had reviewed the offers made by government, but declined to speak further.