N:B: The pamphlet being distributed in
some mosques in the northern part of
the country is above.
Read below press release from federal
ministry of finance on the truth about
government position on ASUU strike.
The problem is not with Federal
ministry of finance neither is Dr. Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala the issue
Contrary to some recent media reports,
the Federal government has not
adopted a take-it-or-leave-it approach
in its negotiations with ASUU. Rather,
the approach is focused on positive
engagement and achieving sustainable
solutions to the challenges facing
higher education in the country. That is
why President Goodluck Jonathan
recently appealed to ASUU to respond
to government’s positive steps by
calling off its strike in the interest of
suffering students and parents.
Despite this, for several days now,
some elements in ASUU have been
distributing pamphlets and flyers with
abusive and inflammatory messages
against the Coordinating Minister for
the Economy and Minister of Finance,
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in mosques and
other places. This is taking academic
unionism to a new low and infusing it
with unnecessary politics. I am sure
majority of ASUU members are not in
support of this.
These messages are directed at using
falsehood to demonize 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 Dr Okonjo-Iweala has
insisted on a “take-it-or-leave-it
approach” in the negotiations with
ASUU. Nothing could be further from
the truth.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is the daughter of
two retired professors and her father is
presently a member of ASUU’s Board of
Trustees and has been one for a long
time. She speaks with her father
everyday on the issue so how can be
insensitive to issues concerning the
sad state of tertiary education in the
country? She understands and
sympathizes with the plight of both
students and lecturers. She wants our
children back in school as soon as
possible. Remember she is a mother
and two of her young relatives are
sitting at home due to the strike.
This is why government is working
hard, under the leadership of the
President, to seek practical and
sustainable solutions to the challenges
facing higher education in Nigeria. The
President 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. This 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. The Coordinating Minister
is fully part of this.
Against this background, ASUU
elements who want the strike to
continue should have a heart and
rethink their current take-it-or-leave-it
approach to negotiation. 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.

Paul C Nwabuikwu
Special Adviser to the Coordinating
Minister and Minister of Finance

Source; www.jaguda.com/2013/10/22/truths-governments-position-ASUU-strike-federal-ministry-finance/

Pamphlet