Blueprint NG
For the umpteenth time, the House of Representatives’ leadership, spurred by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila last week began another intervention exercise, aimed at resolving the almost seven months strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU) over disagreements with the Federal Government. JOSHUA EGBODO writes on the discordance and uncertainties surrounding the engagements.
A repeat intervention
The ongoing intervention by leadership of the House of Representatives in the lingering strike by ASUU would not be the first time Gbajabiamila is leading a resolution move. During the industrial action of the union before the ongoing, his intervention and engagement with key stakeholders of both parties largely contributed to the end of the rift.
Expanded engagement
This time, however, the Speaker in the opinion of followers of the developments, appeared to be more focused on seeing a semblance of permanence in the expected resolution, and for this purpose, he had extended invitation to all government agencies that had anything thing to do with the issues at stake.
At his first meeting with ASUU, and the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday 20th September, 2022, the Speaker made it clear that it was not time to beat about the issues, but finding solutions.
“We’re not here to rehearse the problems. We’re not to be asking what happened, or why are we where we are? We all know the issues, and we have to resolve the issues once and for all, for our children to go back to classes.
According to him, the way to resolving the issues was for both parties to shift grounds in the interest of the students, urging ASUU to make it known, its minimum acceptable conditions. “My interest of conversation is with the ASUU. Most people are with you. We’re with you”, the speaker stated, and appealed that emotions be put aside so that the needed solution could be arrived at.
Court confirms ASUU’s fears
At the opening of the meeting, ASUU through its National President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke accused the Federal Government of opting for punishment of its members, rather than addressing the issues that led to the strike action. He also drew attention of the House’s leadership to a pending court case instituted by the government with the intent to compel lecturers back to work, pointing out however that the move will be counterproductive…
