Abdulfattah Olajide
9 July 2009
The Federal Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off its ongoing strike in the interest of the nation's students.
The Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyili made the appeal in Abuja yesterday while briefing newsmen after the Federal Executive Council meeting.
She noted that the government has done well so far by agreeing to three of the four issues raised by ASUU, saying 75 percent of the problem has already been solved.
"Of the four problems of ASUU,we have solved three.That translates to 75 % of the issues being addressed. Negotiations are still on at the highest level and it's only a matter of time before the problem will be solved. Our children have been roaming the streets doing nothing, and so we appeal to our lectures to go back to work in the interest of these children. ASUU should reciprocate the gesture of government and return to work as the issues are being resolved", she said.
The government had last week accepted three of the four demands made by ASUU. These include granting universities autonomy, approving improved funding for tertiary institutions and approving 70 years as retirement age for lecturers. The outstanding issue is the 109 percent salary increment being demanded by ASUU.
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if have not seen the effect of the seven point agenda of mr president,we can now see how effective it is now.for the highest educational institution to be in crises for a whole 4 weeeks and the president is aware without carry-out a prolific measure to annul the changes yiu can see that nigeria is experiencing bad governance.to talk about the salary scale which the lecturers are requiring for higher payment,the government is now telling us that they need to look inside the government pocket before an agreement can be reached.This is unfair.PLS FG rise to our aid.