: Much Awaited: Fg, ASUU Resume Talks

The much-awaited meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) finally took off yesterday at about 7.30pm at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja.
Executive members of the union, led by the National Chairman, Prof. Ukachukwu  Awuzie were the first to arrive at about 5.30 pm. Others in the team were the Vice Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Fegge, former National Chairmen, Dr. Dipo Fashina and Abdullahi Sule-Kano, among others.
Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole came later, just before 7.00pm, while the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, Permanent Secretary, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, Chair of the Federal Governmen t/ASUU Negotiating Team, Mr. Gamaliel Onosode; Director Tertiary Education, Dr, Jamila Suara, and other members of the negotaiting team, arrived at about 7. 27pm. Oshiomhole apologised for the late commencement of the meeting saying this was due to another meeting that was held after the meeting he earlier had with the union.
THISDAY also learnt that the minister came from a meeting held at the Presidential Villa. Before requesting newsmen to leave,   Oshiomhole said, "this meeting was convened so that we can revisit the dispute between the Federal Govern-ment and ASUU and the aim is to find a common ground to proceed so that the dispute can be resolved and the universities restored. I don't think it will be helpful to say more than that at this moment."At about 9.30pm the meeting was suspended to allow muslims among them observe their prayers. Unlike in the past, THISDAY however noted that after about two hours of meeting, representatives of both sides displayed mutual respect while coming out of the meeting.