The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Tuesday called off its over five months old strike after deliberations that started on Monday morning and lasted till the early hours of Tuesday.
The Union’s President Dr. Nasir Fagge, told journalists at the press briefing, held at the Science Complex building of the Federal University of Technology, Bosso Campus, Minna, Niger State, that it accepted the resolutions signed between ASUU and the Federal Government on the 11th December, 2013 with the President of Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Finally, NEC resolved to suspend the strike embarked upon on 1st July 2013, with effect from Tuesday December 17th, 2013 and directs its branches to resume work forthwith”, he said.
Fagge however condemned some universities’ Vice Chancellors, who tried to sabotage the efforts of the Union.
According to him, “We condemn, without any reservation, Vice Chancellors, who made efforts to undermine and, in some cases, attempted, to break ASUU’s strike”.
Fagge said as part of its expectation, the National Executive Committee expects the government to implement fully the resolutions reached and signed with the Union.
He said, “First we expect that implementation monitoring committee which has already been constituted to the satisfaction of government and ASUU, will work assiduously so that the process of revitalisation of Nigerian universities will receive the much needed boost, and our students and their parents will begin to see the fruits of the ASUU struggles.
“Our members expect the immediate beginning of the revitalisation process, given, the letter FME/PS/398/C.I/Vol 1.1/110, of 12th December 2013, titled ‘Opening of a Dedicated Account for the Revitalisation of Nigerian Universities.”
Earlier, the ASUU President apologised to the Nigerian Union of Journalists especially the journalists, who were assaulted by some of the university lecturers on Monday at the FUT, permanent campus, Minna.
“I apologise to you for what transpired yesterday; it is not in our habit to chase away the press. We felt mosquitoes were biting you guys and you were outside in the cold.
“Please, whatever transpired between you (media) and ASUU was not in our nature, on behalf of the NEC and the whole ASUU, I tender an unreserved apology,” Fagge said.