NLC To Resolve ASUU/FG Face-off

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday said it will ask the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resume negotiation with the Federal Government for the resolution of their differences. NLC President, comrade Abdulwahed Omar, spoke after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. He said there were reports that the union had issued a statement to withdraw from the negotiations with the Federal Government.



Omar said: “Congress resolved at the meeting that we are also going to make consultations to ensure that the negotiations resume immediately. We want to ensure that they are resumed to resolve the issues, not to resume and continue to dangle around without making any headway. We are also going to study the situation and make some proposals.

“We are all aware that ASUU has issued a statement saying it will withdraw from the negotiation with the Federal Government following the government’s failure to make a headway in the negotiation.

“According to the paper I read, it was also due to the lack of seriousness on the part of government concerning the negotiation. I think it is a very serious situation we are facing today, that we allow the lecturers to remain on strike for upward of two months without resolving the issues. I think it is a very serious issue.” Interior Minister Abba Moro yesterday urged ASUU to reduce its demands.

He said university students should also advise their teachers to review downwards their demands and yield to government’s position.