Francis Okeke
2 July 2009
Abuja — Three of the four major demands of the striking Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities [ASUU] were accepted by the Federal Executive Council [FEC] at its meeting in Abuja yesterday, with government saying it was still studying the fourth, very important demand for a wage hike.
Speaking after the FEC meeting, Information and Communications Minister Professor Dora Akunyili said "Government has accepted autonomy for the universities, increased funding and approved 70 years as the retirement age for lecturers." With regards to ASUU's first demand, a 109 percent pay hike for university teachers, Akunyili said "that one is being discussed."
She said, "We must first go and look at what we have, the nitty gritty of it, our revenue profile. Can we afford it?" She was however confident that the matter would soon be resolved, saying, "We will soon get to the end of it by the grace of God. It's a matter of dialogue, and dialogue is never automatic."
According to Akunyili, President Umaru Yar'Adua would hold a meeting with relevant stakeholders on the issue of salary increment for the striking ASUU members before a final decision is made. She also said no one is happy that the universities are closed by the ASUU strike.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday asked President Umaru Musa Yar'adua to personally intervene in the ongoing strikes by some unions in the country's university system.
NLC's General Secretary Comrade John Odah said NLC opted to write personally to the President for him to intervene. He said, "We have followed keenly the long drawn negotiations between the Federal Government Negotiating Team led by Mr. Gamaliel Onosode and ASUU, an affiliate union of the NLC. Even when problems arose during the negotiations especially over the non-recall of the forty nine professors and lecturers of the University of Illorin victimized for joining a national ASUU Strike, Your Excellency, we prevailed upon ASUU to continue the negotiations.
"It is therefore unfortunate that the Government side at the end of such long drawn negotiations spanning over two years would not sign the agreements reached. This negates the whole concept of dialogue, negotiations and collective bargaining, which are essential ingredients for a harmonious industrial relations system."
NLC also said "the proposal by the Government side to unilaterally review such negotiations is strange to industrial relations. Your Excellency, it is sad that simple negotiations and industrial relations in a sensitive sector like the university have been handled in such a manner as to lead to the on-going avoidable strike that has paralyzed the university system."
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It is a disgrace/slap on Nigeria ("gaint of African") if for any reason F.G would stand out there and wait until an indefinite strike was declared b/4 making a decision on their request. It shows their concern about the university's welfare.
It is a disgrace/slap on Nigeria ("gaint of African") if for any reason F.G would stand out there and wait until an indefinite strike was declared b/4 making a decision on their request. It shows their concern about the university's welfare.