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
Why
is dis woman tryin to appeal to emotions. What is our business if she talks to her parents everyday. Is it her parents who make the decisions for this country. Irresponsibility of the highest order.
The coordinating minister should stop us bullshit and represent Nigeria interest rather than that of the western powers. Her policies are killing people in this country than ever.
Wow we have never been told all these in the past sha. Well now we can think towards the statements made by many that the whole strike has been politicised by few miscreants. Madam please in your next publication make some of there paper works open on air let every1 know more about there quest. Let us all watch and see were it will take them to. The word is enough for the wise
The people who would call Ngozi Okonjo Iweala’s actions acts of irresponsibility have obviously never occupied any position of leadership, or if they have, must have failed woefully at it. Her actions are nothing short of praise-worthy and should be commended.
Madam minister is only trying to whip up sentiments.The issue is that of the FG honouring a negotiated agreement.By saying messages againt the minister are shared in mosques, there is a criminal intent of trying to give religious coloration to the strike.This will not work for you.
Nigerians will like to know why the original agreement signed in 2009 by this same Government can not be honoured. This is more important than all these excuses been peddled around. The students as well as the parents (in fact, all Progressive Nigerian) are tired of all these blame-pushing exercise.
If an Administration can not honour its own agreement, why will anybody believe in its promises especially on behalf of future Administration.
The policies of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala is quite a commendable one. Though it may be difficult to adapt to initially, but once done, will take our Nation to another level. Bravo Mrs. Finance Minister!
ha,is something somewhere the FG should installf.
ha,their’s something somewhere the FG should install
ASUU should go back to work. Their attempt at painting at painting the govt black has failed. Even the uninformed knows that ASUU is being sed by the opposition parties.
We need to understand the difference between an agreement and a demand. Federal government just have to honour itself by implementing the agreement it signed back in 2009.
Ngozi has not been working to the benefit of the country. Can we point at any successful policy or project she has embarked on since she assume office. First she got paid in dollars, she approved 2bn to feed 2 families annually, check the profile. Stop deceiving people in the name of soliciting for her
Haba what bring mosque in the issue of ASUU strike is it because fagge is a muslim, but during the 2009 ASSU strike
When the president was a Christian church was not mentioned. pls let’s not be using religion, ethinic or political differences on a matter like this let the Christian members of ASSU go back to class then since it has turn to be a religion & political affairs.
Well done Madam minister for clearing the air wave because your comments really provoked ASUU, who sew they not to retaliate they just human made of imperfections. Thank you
Asuu hav bin denied itz entitlement,federal goverment has nt been honest. but should the great Nigerian students suffer for this? Asuu! in the interest of students please reconsider and call off the strike.
pls, lets nt blame d f-minista, asuu or fg for d strike.
until naija privatize all ha univasities, strike must nt end.