By Idowu Adelusi - 24.06.2007

THERE are indications that the three-month old industrial action embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities to press home some demands may be called off soon.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the Presidency was worried by the perennial ASUU strike which is impacting negatively on the image of the country.

Special Adviser to Mr President on Media, Mr Segun Adeniyi, revealed that negotiations were already going on between the Presidency and the ASUU leaders, so that the strike could be called off and students would return to schools immediately.

Describing President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as a man who will not take short-cut approach to national and sensitive issues, Adeniyi revealed that the president, almost single-handedly, is now on the verge of resolving the contentious issues that led to the strike at a meeting he had with the lecturers last Thursday night in Abuja.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the meeting, which lasted till 2a.m., looked into the demands of ASUU and Mr President, who abhorred incessant strike in the academic circle, said he wanted permanent solution to the problem.

The lecturers, who have been on strike since 14 March, 2007, are asking the Federal Government to improve the facilities in the universities to make teaching and learning process more effective.

The lecturers also want the government to take steps that would arrest emigration of the nation’s intellectuals to other lands.

The ASUU was of the opinion that until this is done, the much desired development of the country may turn out to be a mirage.

ASUU also condemned reforms in the educational sector, particularly the privatisation of schools, saying this would shut the doors of education against the poor and the disadvantaged.

The body also called for the stoppage of the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry as only a handful of people are benefitting from the programme.