FG mounts pressure on lectures to return to the classrooms

ASUU strike: FG mounts pressure on lecturers ASUU EDUCATIONIndications have emerged that the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has come under intense pressure from the federal government, to call-off its ongoing strike. Specifically, Saturday Mirror learnt that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,SGF, Senator Pius Anyim Pius, and the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, are among other functionaries persuading the union to suspend the strike, and give room for further negotiation on phased implementation of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement. An impeccable source at the Federal Ministry of Education,who pleaded not to be named,assured that no effort will be spared in ensuring that the lecturers returned to the classroom. He said:”The ongoing strike action by ASUU is giving the federal government cause for concern, and that informs why the minister has been up and about to ensure that ASUU leadership reasons with government to suspend this strike. “I know that the minister and the SGF have been in communication with the leadership of ASUU, and sooner than later, a more productive and resulted-oriented meeting will be held,” the source stated. The source who said the meetling would likely hold next week said the exact date had not been arrived at. In spite of government’s efforts, our correspondent gathered that ASUU has not shifted grounds, as its president, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, insists there is no going back. It will be recalled that a meeting between ASUU and Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on education,was deadlocked, as the executive members of the union insisted on total implementation of the outstanding agreement.