A new wave of optimism has arisen after yesterday’s meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The meeting, which reportedly lasted 13 hours, ended with the President of the academic body, Nasir Isa Fagge, saying that the members of ASUU would deliberate on the new offer made by the government.
This can be seen as a sign of progress as all the previous meetings have ended up deadlocked. Dr. Fagge however declined to make any comments as he insisted that the entire membership of ASUU would decide on whether to take the offer or not.
The Nation Newspaper reports:
Speaking with State House correspondents, he said that the meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan discussed how to tackle the problem of University education system in the country.
He said: Well we have had lengthy meeting with Mr. President, rubbing minds on how best to address the problem of University education in this country.
And we now have a message from Mr. President we are going to take to our members. And we are expecting that our members will respond appropriately to the message of Mr. President.
On whether the lecturers are going back to the classroom, he said: That is up to our members. Asked what the message was, he said: I cant tell you. Its not for you. It is for our members. If impressed with the message, he said: Dont put words into my mouth. Our members will determine that.
Also speaking with journalists at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu said: We made progress, the President of ASUU told you that they are going back with a message from the Federal Government back to their members. And the message is full of high expectations and hope……
