There are indications that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, will next week convene a meeting aimed at resolving issues surrounding the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Ngige disclosed this to a newspaper correspondent in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Those expected to be part of the meeting are the leadership of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council co-headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; and the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev Samson Ayokunle; the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; and some other officials.
It had earlier been reported that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), during a meeting with NIREC, mandated Ngige, Adamu and Gambari to look into the demands of ASUU.
The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in an interview with The PUNCH had said his union did not trust the government to implement its demands despite the promise by the President.
Ngige said, “Like I said, we were surprised ASUU went on strike despite telling NIREC that they wanted to go and consult with their NEC. We were expecting feedback from their NEC when the news about the declaration of strike came through.
“However, as soon as I return to the country on Sunday, I would convene a meeting with NIREC, Minister of Education, the Chief of Staff to the President and we would reach out to them.”
Source: The Punch