Reps To Meet ASUU Over Prolonged Strike
AFNews Reporter
Sep 19, 2022
The House of Representatives and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow to proffer ways to resolve the prolonged strike, THE NATION reports.
READ ALSO: Finally, Akwa Ibom Court Rules On Corps Member Who Allegedly Killed Her Boyfriend | DETAILS
This was contained in an invitation letter by the speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila to ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke.
READ ALSO: Double Trouble: Metuh sentence to 7 years imprisonment, to forfeit N375m to FG
The House resumes tomorrow after its annual recess.
READ ALSO: Education and Empowerment
According to the Speaker, the House is worried by the failed negotiation between the Federal Government and the union.
READ ALSO: Otti Declares Education the Key to Nigeria's Future at Nile University Convocation
ASUU is expected to submit a written presentation of its perspective on the matter to the House ahead of the meeting which is at the instance of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
READ ALSO: Floods: FERMA Seeks N100bn Intervention Fund For Road Repairs | READ DETAILS
The Federal Government had dragged the union before the National Industrial Court last week.
READ ALSO: Wife Reportedly Kill Her Husband With Iron For Impregnating Another Lady In Lagos | READ DETAILS
But, despite the litigation, the government and ASUU said they would not foreclose dialogue aimed at resolving the industrial crisis.
Also, counsel to ASUU, Femi Falana (SAN), explained that out-of-court negotiations can still facilitate the resolution.
READ ALSO: RECOGNITION REVEALED: UNILAG Honours Dr. Desmond Anyaso with Bronze Partnership Award
He said: "The pendency of the referral submitted to the National Industrial Court has not foreclosed negotiations with respect to the ASUU strike.
READ ALSO: Amid EFCC Arrest Reports, Saraki Attends Wedding Function In Abuja
"Hence, President Buhari met the committee of pro-chancellors of public universities last Friday and said that he would consult with other stakeholders with a view to resolving the ASUU strike.
READ ALSO: FG Warns Nigerians As COVID-19 Cases Rise By 630% In 10 Days | READ DETAILS
"The House of Representatives has invited ASUU leaders and other stakeholders to a crucial meeting on Tuesday, September 20 with a view to resolving the crisis in the universities.
READ ALSO: Oxford Dictionary Adds 'Mammy Market', 'Amala', Other Nigerian Words To Glossary
"I expect that both parties will shift positions and resolve the crisis as soon as possible.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Nigerian Scholar, Jonathan Earns Second Master's Degree with Distinction in the UK
Gbajabiamila also explained in the letter signed by the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, that the lawmakers were "more worried by the negative consequences of the strike on the future and quality of education of our teeming youths.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Finally, Akwa Ibom Court Rules On Corps Member Who Allegedly Killed Her Boyfriend | DETAILS
The letter marked 'NASS/HR/LEG/03/11/065,' reads: "The Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, hereby invites you to a stakeholders meeting towards finding a lasting solution to the lingering strike embarked upon by ASUU since February 2022.
READ ALSO: Double Trouble: Metuh sentence to 7 years imprisonment, to forfeit N375m to FG
"The House of Representatives is deeply concerned about the renewed strike which seems to have defied all efforts made to find a solution or reach an agreement between the Federal Government and the striking university teachers.
READ ALSO: Education and Empowerment
"The House is more worried by the negative consequences of the strike on the future and quality of education of our teeming youths who have been kept at home for over seven months despite the intervention of the House and several well-meaning Nigerians over time to see that the matter was resolved.
READ ALSO: Otti Declares Education the Key to Nigeria's Future at Nile University Convocation
"In the light of the foregoing, the House hereby requests for another opportunity to come together with stakeholders and leadership of ASUU to seek an amicable resolution without prejudice to the fact that the matter is already in the (National)Industrial Court.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Floods: FERMA Seeks N100bn Intervention Fund For Road Repairs | READ DETAILS
Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Agenda, Henry Nwawuba, said members would not sit back and watch the strike linger.
READ ALSO: Wife Reportedly Kill Her Husband With Iron For Impregnating Another Lady In Lagos | READ DETAILS
He said: "If anybody told me we would be in the situation we are today with ASUU strike, just the same way we didn't see COVID-19 coming and even the insecurity that we have in Nigeria today, it's difficult to believe it.ÔÇØ
Osodeke, who confirmed the invitation to The Nation yesterday, said: "Our policy is that anybody that invites us, we go. We will attend the meeting on Tuesday.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: RECOGNITION REVEALED: UNILAG Honours Dr. Desmond Anyaso with Bronze Partnership Award
He, however, insisted that university teachers would not return to the classrooms till their demands were met.
READ ALSO: Amid EFCC Arrest Reports, Saraki Attends Wedding Function In Abuja
His words: "Returning to work before the government addresses the issues is not an option.
READ ALSO: FG Warns Nigerians As COVID-19 Cases Rise By 630% In 10 Days | READ DETAILS
"In seven months, they (the Federal Government) didn't address the issues. Now they are saying we should go back and that they will address the issues. Does it not sound somehow?
READ ALSO: Oxford Dictionary Adds 'Mammy Market', 'Amala', Other Nigerian Words To Glossary
"If when we are on strike the government refused to address the issues, is it when students have resumed that we will have the time to do anything? It is so sad.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Nigerian Scholar, Jonathan Earns Second Master's Degree with Distinction in the UK
Some of the contentious issues that led to the strike include the non-release of funds for the revitalization of federal universities, non-payment of earned allowance (or earned academic allowance) of lecturers, renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement between the government and ASUU, and the non-release of White Paper for visitation panel.
READ ALSO: Finally, Akwa Ibom Court Rules On Corps Member Who Allegedly Killed Her Boyfriend | DETAILS
Others are the non-payment of minimum wage arrears and the inconsistency occasioned by the use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as well as the government's insistence on the no-work, no-pay rule.
READ ALSO: Double Trouble: Metuh sentence to 7 years imprisonment, to forfeit N375m to FG
The government had a week ago sued ASUU, seeking an order compelling its members to resume work.
READ ALSO: Education and Empowerment
Last Friday, the court adjourned the hearing till today.
READ ALSO: Otti Declares Education the Key to Nigeria's Future at Nile University Convocation
The House of Representatives and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow to proffer ways to resolve the prolonged strike, THE NATION reports.
READ ALSO: Floods: FERMA Seeks N100bn Intervention Fund For Road Repairs | READ DETAILS
This was contained in an invitation letter by the speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila to ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke.
READ ALSO: Wife Reportedly Kill Her Husband With Iron For Impregnating Another Lady In Lagos | READ DETAILS
The House resumes tomorrow after its annual recess.
According to the Speaker, the House is worried by the failed negotiation between the Federal Government and the union.
READ ALSO: RECOGNITION REVEALED: UNILAG Honours Dr. Desmond Anyaso with Bronze Partnership Award
ASUU is expected to submit a written presentation of its perspective on the matter to the House ahead of the meeting which is at the instance of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
READ ALSO: Amid EFCC Arrest Reports, Saraki Attends Wedding Function In Abuja
The Federal Government had dragged the union before the National Industrial Court last week.
READ ALSO: FG Warns Nigerians As COVID-19 Cases Rise By 630% In 10 Days | READ DETAILS
But, despite the litigation, the government and ASUU said they would not foreclose dialogue aimed at resolving the industrial crisis.
READ ALSO: Oxford Dictionary Adds 'Mammy Market', 'Amala', Other Nigerian Words To Glossary
Also, counsel to ASUU, Femi Falana (SAN), explained that out-of-court negotiations can still facilitate the resolution.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Scholar, Jonathan Earns Second Master's Degree with Distinction in the UK
He said: "The pendency of the referral submitted to the National Industrial Court has not foreclosed negotiations with respect to the ASUU strike.
READ ALSO: Finally, Akwa Ibom Court Rules On Corps Member Who Allegedly Killed Her Boyfriend | DETAILS
"Hence, President Buhari met the committee of pro-chancellors of public universities last Friday and said that he would consult with other stakeholders with a view to resolving the ASUU strike.
READ ALSO: Double Trouble: Metuh sentence to 7 years imprisonment, to forfeit N375m to FG
"The House of Representatives has invited ASUU leaders and other stakeholders to a crucial meeting on Tuesday, September 20 with a view to resolving the crisis in the universities.
READ ALSO: Education and Empowerment
"I expect that both parties will shift positions and resolve the crisis as soon as possible.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Otti Declares Education the Key to Nigeria's Future at Nile University Convocation
Gbajabiamila also explained in the letter signed by the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, that the lawmakers were "more worried by the negative consequences of the strike on the future and quality of education of our teeming youths.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Floods: FERMA Seeks N100bn Intervention Fund For Road Repairs | READ DETAILS
The letter marked 'NASS/HR/LEG/03/11/065,' reads: "The Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, hereby invites you to a stakeholders meeting towards finding a lasting solution to the lingering strike embarked upon by ASUU since February 2022.
READ ALSO: Wife Reportedly Kill Her Husband With Iron For Impregnating Another Lady In Lagos | READ DETAILS
"The House of Representatives is deeply concerned about the renewed strike which seems to have defied all efforts made to find a solution or reach an agreement between the Federal Government and the striking university teachers.
"The House is more worried by the negative consequences of the strike on the future and quality of education of our teeming youths who have been kept at home for over seven months despite the intervention of the House and several well-meaning Nigerians over time to see that the matter was resolved.
READ ALSO: RECOGNITION REVEALED: UNILAG Honours Dr. Desmond Anyaso with Bronze Partnership Award
"In the light of the foregoing, the House hereby requests for another opportunity to come together with stakeholders and leadership of ASUU to seek an amicable resolution without prejudice to the fact that the matter is already in the (National)Industrial Court.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Amid EFCC Arrest Reports, Saraki Attends Wedding Function In Abuja
Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Agenda, Henry Nwawuba, said members would not sit back and watch the strike linger.
READ ALSO: FG Warns Nigerians As COVID-19 Cases Rise By 630% In 10 Days | READ DETAILS
He said: "If anybody told me we would be in the situation we are today with ASUU strike, just the same way we didn't see COVID-19 coming and even the insecurity that we have in Nigeria today, it's difficult to believe it.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Oxford Dictionary Adds 'Mammy Market', 'Amala', Other Nigerian Words To Glossary
Osodeke, who confirmed the invitation to The Nation yesterday, said: "Our policy is that anybody that invites us, we go. We will attend the meeting on Tuesday.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Nigerian Scholar, Jonathan Earns Second Master's Degree with Distinction in the UK
He, however, insisted that university teachers would not return to the classrooms till their demands were met.
READ ALSO: Finally, Akwa Ibom Court Rules On Corps Member Who Allegedly Killed Her Boyfriend | DETAILS
His words: "Returning to work before the government addresses the issues is not an option.
READ ALSO: Double Trouble: Metuh sentence to 7 years imprisonment, to forfeit N375m to FG
"In seven months, they (the Federal Government) didn't address the issues. Now they are saying we should go back and that they will address the issues. Does it not sound somehow?
READ ALSO: Education and Empowerment
"If when we are on strike the government refused to address the issues, is it when students have resumed that we will have the time to do anything? It is so sad.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Otti Declares Education the Key to Nigeria's Future at Nile University Convocation
Some of the contentious issues that led to the strike include the non-release of funds for the revitalization of federal universities, non-payment of earned allowance (or earned academic allowance) of lecturers, renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement between the government and ASUU, and the non-release of White Paper for visitation panel.
READ ALSO: Floods: FERMA Seeks N100bn Intervention Fund For Road Repairs | READ DETAILS
Others are the non-payment of minimum wage arrears and the inconsistency occasioned by the use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as well as the government's insistence on the no-work, no-pay rule.
READ ALSO: Wife Reportedly Kill Her Husband With Iron For Impregnating Another Lady In Lagos | READ DETAILS
The government had a week ago sued ASUU, seeking an order compelling its members to resume work.
Last Friday, the court adjourned the hearing till today.
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— AFNews Reporter