The Federal Government yesterday advised the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end its four-month old strike by rethinking its “take-it-or-leave-it approach to negotiation”.

Talks between the government and the teachers broke down when ASUU accused the government of being uninterested in implementing the 2009 agreement.

In a statement yesterday, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, accused ASUU leaders of “distributing pamphlets and flyers with abusive and inflammatory messages against the Finance minister in mosques and other places”

The minster described ASUU action as “taking academic unionism to a new low and infusing it with unnecessary politics”.

The statement added that the messages contained in the pamphlets and flyers “are directed at using falsehood to demonise the minister as callous and unsympathetic to the plight of students and parents”.

The major lie being peddled in the pamphlets and flyers is that Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala has insisted on a “take-it-or-leave-it approach” in the negotiations with ASUU.

Contrary to some recent media reports, the Federal government the statement said, has not adopted a take-it-or-leave-it approach in its negotiations with ASUU.

Rather, the government’s “approach is focused on positive engagement and achieving sustainable solutions to the challenges facing higher education in the country”.

It said government “has demonstrated its commitment to improving the university system. And it is even ready to do much more going forward. ASUU should listen to the voice of reason and the yearnings of Nigerians on this issue.

“Government is working hard to seek practical and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing higher education in Nigeria.”

“Already, President Goodluck Jonathan has made available N100 billion a year, in the first instance, to repair hostels, laboratories and classrooms and other facilities. An offer has also been made to ASUU of N30 billion towards their earned allowances. In fact, negotiations have even gone further than this.”

The statement added: “It is the first time, in years of negotiating with government, that significant sums of money have been put on the table for ASUU and universities on this particular set of issues and the coordinating minister is fully part of this.”

Magic Bishop: [size=18pt]Muslims and their lies[/size]

alaoeri:
Oloriburuku somebody.

nero2face: Dear okonjo-iweala, am from the "east" and also a christian but I'll be de last person to agree with this ur claim, please dear minister, don't drag religion into this issue, its better u step aside if ur best isn't enough 4de resolving of this issue,...ASSU isn't a muslim organisation,..I wish u all de best...long live 9ja

utumunta: Much as we know this to be true, the Minister should steer clear of negotiations with ASUU. She did not attend a Nigerian University and none of her kids are in a Nigerian University. She has no rights, whatsoever, to talk about ASUU or Nigerian Universities because she does not understand how it works, neither is she an affected parent.
She should concentrate on her ministry, before she plays into the hands of her detractors like the minister of aviation.
In my thinking, the FG should raise the bar, a bit, for ASUU and ensure close monitoring of the monies made available. ASUU, as usual is going to show themselves for the huge fraud they are, by embezzling the money. It is only then, that govt can weild whichever big stick they want over them and refuse to meet their demands. For now, ASUU would claim a saint until proven otherwise.
On a last note; SHAME on Nasir Faggea for his extreme disposition that is unbecoming of an informed mind.

Magic Bishop: [size=18pt]Muslims and their lies[/size]

Magic Bishop: [size=18pt]Muslims and their lies[/size]