*Gbajabiamila schedules meeting with ASUU, FG, Finance Minister, others today
*Expresses concern over strike that seems to have defied all efforts at finding solution
*NANS’ protest over ASUU strike paralyses activities at Lagos Airport
*As court fixes tomorrow to rule on FG’s suit against striking lecturers
By Aaron Ossai
As various stakeholders in the education sector continue to seek solution to the over seven months strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has scheduled a meeting with the union and other stakeholders at the National Assembly Complex today.
According to a statement issued by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the meeting is geared towards finding a lasting solution to the lingering strike.
“The House of Representatives is deeply concerned about the renewed strike which seems to have defied all efforts made to find a solution or reach agreement between the Federal Government and the striking University lecturers.
“The House is more worried about the negative consequences of the strike on the future and quality of education of our teeming youths who have been kept at home for the past seven months despite the intervention of the House and several well-meaning Nigerians overtime to see that the matter was resolved.
“In the light of the foregoing, the House hereby request for another opportunity to come together with Stakeholders and leadership of ASUU to seek an amicable resolution without prejudice to the fact that the matter is already in the Industrial Court”, the statement read.
Furthermore, the statement said the Minister of Education is required to submit a written presentation of ASUU’s perspective on the matter to the House.
In a related development, members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS yesterday morning stormed the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos in protest against the lingering strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU paralyzing activities at the Airport.
The protest was said to have attracted the presence of the African Action Congress, AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who joined the students and assured them of support.
It would be recalled that NANS is asking the Federal Government to resolve the ongoing strike action by ASUU, which began on February 14, 2022.
Meanwhile the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has fixed Wednesday to rule on an application by the federal government seeking to end the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
At the court sitting on Monday, Counsel to the federal government, James Igwe argued that his application is seeking an order of the court restraining ASUU from further continuing with the ongoing nationwide strike.
He said section 18(1)E of the Trade Disputes Act provides that employees cannot be on strike when a matter is before the industrial court.
