As members of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday concluded their zonal meeting to deliberate on the offers made by the Federal Government last Thursday in Abuja members have kept sealed lips on the outcome of the discussions.
It would be recalled that the national executive of the union had directed its members on Sunday to meet at zonal levels nationwide to discuss on the fresh offers by the Federal Government for acceptance or to continue with the strike.
It was gathered that the conduct of the meeting though generated a lot of heated arguments on the fresh proposals, it was, however, disclosed that agreements were reached.
Though outcome of the meeting in all the zones were not disclosed, Dr. Adelaja Odukoya, University of Lagos (UNILAG) ASUU chairman confirmed the meetings were held in all the zones nationwide.
According to him decisions reached, which were not for public consumption now, have been sent to the National Executive Council (NEC) for collation and decision, saying that the outcome of the exercise would guide the next direction of the strike.
Emphasising that the strike continues nationwide until the government and well-meaning Nigerians address issues facing public university education as it concerns all the issues raised by the union.
The Federal Government had during the meeting with the ASUU leadership in Abuja offered to pay N23 billion and a monthly payment of N1.5 billion pending the outcome of the forensic audit being carried out by the Ministry of Finance.
It was also gathered that the government had also yielded to other demands by the ASUU leadership led by its President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, Vice-President, Emmanuel Osodeke, a former union president, Dr. Dipo Fashina, and another member.
However, sources said part of the issues that generated heated arguments during the zonal meetings was the issue of the position of Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour’s rejection of the union’s demand for exemption of universities from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
It is expected that the outcome of the zonal meetings that will go through a rigorous scrutiny and extensive deliberations would be tabled before the NEC of the union for deliberations next week.
It would be recalled that the national executive of the union had directed its members on Sunday to meet at zonal levels nationwide to discuss on the fresh offers by the Federal Government for acceptance or to continue with the strike.
It was gathered that the conduct of the meeting though generated a lot of heated arguments on the fresh proposals, it was, however, disclosed that agreements were reached.
Though outcome of the meeting in all the zones were not disclosed, Dr. Adelaja Odukoya, University of Lagos (UNILAG) ASUU chairman confirmed the meetings were held in all the zones nationwide.
According to him decisions reached, which were not for public consumption now, have been sent to the National Executive Council (NEC) for collation and decision, saying that the outcome of the exercise would guide the next direction of the strike.
Emphasising that the strike continues nationwide until the government and well-meaning Nigerians address issues facing public university education as it concerns all the issues raised by the union.
The Federal Government had during the meeting with the ASUU leadership in Abuja offered to pay N23 billion and a monthly payment of N1.5 billion pending the outcome of the forensic audit being carried out by the Ministry of Finance.
It was also gathered that the government had also yielded to other demands by the ASUU leadership led by its President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, Vice-President, Emmanuel Osodeke, a former union president, Dr. Dipo Fashina, and another member.
However, sources said part of the issues that generated heated arguments during the zonal meetings was the issue of the position of Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour’s rejection of the union’s demand for exemption of universities from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
It is expected that the outcome of the zonal meetings that will go through a rigorous scrutiny and extensive deliberations would be tabled before the NEC of the union for deliberations next week.
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