about the ongoing ASUU strike. It's been four long months (Quite
shameful I must add) with no apparent resolution to the conflict
in sight...and some people are blaming the Minister of finance Dr
Okonjo Iweala for what's going on.
Some people in ASUU have been distributing flyers with abusive
messages against Dr Okonjo-Iweala and now the ministry is
issuing a statement about it, saying the minister is not the
problem. I'd rather read about when ASUU is calling off this strike
to be honest. Find the press statement below
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
