The Presidency made an attempt to prove that it has actually paid the sum of N200bn into an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria designated for funding dying universities across the country.
Dr. Doyin Okupe, the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, made the appropriate statement at a press briefing in Abuja on December 4, 2013, Wednesday.
He said that the account, a “revitalization of Universities Infrastructural Account,” was authorized by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation on November 13.
“I state categorically that I have personally seen the balance in the account as of today and confirm that it contains the requisite amount and disbursement will commence as soon as ongoing administrative processes are sorted out,” Dr. Okupe said.
Therefore, he called on the striking university lecturers to return to classrooms.
He said he wanted to re-affirm that the President and the administration have no credibility issues whatsoever.
“Mr. President has always honored his words and obligations to the Nigerian people as and at when due,” the presidential aide said.
Dr. Okupe also dismissed the four items mentioned by ASUU as preconditions for calling off the strike, stating that none of them “remain substantially pending or weighty enough to justify” the continuation of the strike even one day longer.
“Having come this far, we believe it is time that we all come together once again as major stakeholders in the affairs of the country and the educational sector in particular to move on and begin to chart a new course for advancing the sector and improving the standard of our institutions for higher learning.
“There are no victor or vanquished in this protracted disagreement,” Dr. Okupe concluded.
