Connect with us

Education

ASUU strike: FG invites VCs, Governing Council Chairmen of federal universities for a crucial meeting

Published

on

From editor

The Federal Government has invited pro-chancellors, vice-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils  of federal universities to a meeting in Abuja on September 6 as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The meeting was convened by the National Universities Commission, which stated that participants would review actions of the government on the strike.

The letter  inviting the heads of the universities to the meeting was signed by the NUC’s Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration, Chris Maiyaki and obtained by one of our correspondents on Tuesday.

This came to the fore as the strike by ASUU entered the 198th day amid the decision of the university lecturers to declare a comprehensive industrial action.

Stakeholders, particularly parents berated ASUU and the government, lamenting that the future of their children was being toyed with.

An analysis of an academic session by one of our correspondents reveals that a session is close to nine months; divided into first semester which is popularly known as harmattan semester and the second semester which is also regarded as rain semester. Most Nigerian public universities,  on the average,  spend nine months per session.

ASUU on February 14 began the strike due to what it described as “failure” on the part of the government to meet  its demands.

its  invitation letter, the NUC the meeting on September 6 with pro-chancellors and vice-chancellors would review actions taken on the strikes by university unions with a view to reaching a consensus.

stated, “As the pro-chancellors and chairmen of councils and the vice-chancellors are quite aware the industrial action by University-based unions has led to the closure of the institutions since February 2022.

“You are also aware that the non-teaching unions have suspended their industrial actions with effect from 24th August, 2022, while a final decision is being awaited from the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

“It has become necessary for the governing councils and the managements of the universities to be briefed on the decisions and actions taken by the Federal Government so far to allow for a well coordinated review of the situation including building consensus around succeeding actions.

“Consequently, I am to invite the pro-chancellors and chairmen of councils as well as vice-chancellors of federal universities to a special interactive meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education on Tuesday, September 6,2022.”

Although the letter did not contain the detailed agenda of the meeting, The PUNCH gathered that it would discuss options for financing universities, including the N10,000 levy suggested by the Parent-Teacher Association, in view of the cash crunch and budget deficit the government was battling.

A source in the commission stated, “We will discuss ways we can end the strike and universities can be better financed.”

Parents, lecturers

A professor at Adekunle Ajashin University, Victor Olumekun in an interview in Abuja, blamed the government for the loss suffered by the students.

PUNCH

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

News2 days ago

Custody Saga: I didn’t Abduct My Biological Daughter – Zaki, Bauchi Commissioner

 From Paul Orude Bauchi Bauchi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Honourable Nuhu Zaki has denied the allegation that he kidnapped...

News3 days ago

Group Petitions National Hajj Commission Over Re-instatement Of Usman Kumo

BY NAJIB SANI, GOMBE A petition has been submitted to the chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)...

News1 week ago

Sade Expresses Confidence In Minister Of Works, Umahi To Deliver Standard Service

From Paul Orude Bauchi A seasoned media consultant and public Affairs analyst, Alhaji Abdulrahman Sade, has expressed satisfaction with the...

News1 week ago

Defamation: Bauchí High Court Fixes Date For Ruling In Case Filed By ATBU Lecturer

From Paul Orude Bauchi The Bauchí State High Court 7 Presided over by Justice Lamido Kabir Umar  has fixed February...

News2 weeks ago

Bauchí Govt Approves N8 Billion For Infrastructural Projects

From Paul Orude Bauchi Bauchí State Executive Council has approved the sun of  N8.1 billion  for various infrastructural projects across...

News3 weeks ago

Bauchi Govt Purchases 10,000 Doses of Anti-Rabies Vaccines

From Paul Orude Bauchi The Bauchi State government has purchased 10,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines to prevent rabies caused by...

News3 weeks ago

Ohaneze Election: Igbos Happy With Emergence of Senator Mbata – High Chief Okeugo, President IDA

From Paul Orude Bauchi The President of Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA), Chief Kenneth O. Okeugo JP, has described the election of ...

News3 weeks ago

You Jailed Dr Idris For Criticizing Your Policies—WikkiTimes Publisher Blasts Bauchi Governor For Intolerance Of Criticism

From Paul Orude Bauchi WikkiTimes Publisher Haruna Mohammed Salisu has lambasted Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for jailing a...

News4 weeks ago

AIG Owohunwa  Decorates Six Newly Promoted Officers

From Paul Orude Bauchi The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, AIG Idowu Owohunwa,...

News4 weeks ago

Flood Displaced 85,000 People in Bauchi in 2024 –  Red Cross  

From Paul Orude Bauchi No fewer than 85,000 people have been displaced by floods in Bauchi State in 2024 The...

Trending