The federal government says the court order directing the
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to stop its strike will not prevent
negotiations with the lecturers on their demands.
Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, said this on
Wednesday when members of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental
Academics paid him a visit in Abuja.
The national industrial court, earlier on Wednesday, ordered
the striking lecturers to resume at their duty posts.
ASUU has been on strike since February 14 over concerns
around university funding, allowances for lecturers, salary review, among other
issues.
Speaking on the court ruling, Ngige said the federal
government is still open to negotiations with ASUU.
“The court ruling does not preclude us from going on with
further negotiation and consultations,’’ he said.
“It is no victor, no vanquished.
“You doctors in
academics are for now members of ASUU. But you are here, even though you have
dissociated yourselves and you are working.
“We want to thank you for working and teaching your
students.”
The minister also spoke on the recent meeting between ASUU
and the leadership of the house of representatives, and commended Femi
Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, and other lawmakers for their efforts.
After the meeting involving the lawmakers, Gbajabiamila had
said the leadership of the house of representatives would hold a meeting with
President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter.
“Since the house has
showed interest now, it is good and wonderful. When they bring that proposal,
the executive will not have any problem,” Ngige said.
“ASUU should also know that this is a step in the right
direction. All these things have been promised them by the minister of
education at their last meeting.
“For me, they should do the needful and go back to the
classroom.”
Ngige added that the federal government would soon direct
vice-chancellors to reopen the universities in compliance with the order of
court.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com