ASUU strike: FG begs striking lecturers to return to class

The Federal Government, yesterday begged university lecturers who are currently on strike to return to class, promising that it was working towards living up to their demands. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, gave this assurance in Abuja during a meeting between government’s representatives and Chairmen of the Governing Councils of both federal and state universities. The SSG while reading out a number of agreements held between government and the executives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities since the industrial action began, said the striking lecturers were being selfish with their demands. Anyim said, “Government is making every effort to revitalise the university system by this demonstration of clear commitment to revitalise the university system. Government hereby urges every staff of the nation’s universities to return to work as all issues are being resolved.” Anyim said most of the issues contained in the 2009 agreement, which resulted into the current strike had been fully settled; except for the earned allowances, which ASUU claimed was N92bn. He said, “On July 2, 2013, ASUU declared what it called, total and indefinite strike over issues it says have remained unresolved pertaining to an agreement it reached with government in 2009. “It is pertinent to narrate the genesis of the 2009 agreement; ASUU went on strike action in 2006 based on their request for a review of personnel matters; on account of this, government initiated a need Assessment of the University System comprising federal and states universities; the negotiations led to the 2009 agreement. “Some of these issues bothered on amendment of pensionable retirement age of academics in the professorial cadre, Consolidated Peculiar Allowances,” he added.