Strike: Rep calls on FG, ASUU to resume talk
Bola Badmus, Abuja - 23.09.2009

THE Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have been called upon to return to negotiation table and resolve their differences in the interest of the nation and the students, considered as leaders of tomorrow.

Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Education, Honourable George Jolaoye, made the call while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday in a telephone chat.

The lawmaker stated that education was quite important to the development and growth of the country and urged both the Federal Government and ASUU to cooperate, for academic work to resume immediately in the universities.

Hon. Jolaoye, who recalled the intervention of his committee in bringing the ongoing ASUU strike to an end in the interest of the nation and students, argued that closure of universities for a period longer than necessary would do more harm than good.

Jolaoye representing Ayedire, Iwo and Ola- Oluwa Federal Constituency of Osun State, said that the Federal Government could not be blamed alone for the rot in the education sector but should be seen as a collective guilt.

However, he noted that “it is important to note that the government of President Umaru Yar’ Adua places priority attention on education as part of his seven-point agenda and had been trying its best towards the realisation of Vision 20- 2020.”

Hon. Jolaoye promised that the House of Representatives was resolved to continuously meeting with both the Federal Government and ASUU, so as to ensure that agreement reached between the two parties were no longer breached in the overall interest of the country.

“It is our duty to ensure that agreements between both the Federal Government and ASUU are no longer allowed to be observed in breach and this is to see that our university system runs smoothly and efficiently”, he said.





http://www.tribune.com.ng/23092009/news/news14.html