FG Directs Vice Chancellors To Reopen Varsities
THE Federal Government, yesterday, directed Vice Chancellors of the federal universities to re-open the institutions and allow students resume lectures immediately.
A letter signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts of National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, in Abuja yesterday and addressed to all vice chancellors, Pro-Chancellors and chairmen of Governing Councils of federal universities, called on them to re-open the universities and “ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures, restore the daily activities and routines of the various university campuses.”
ASUU had embarked on strike on February 14 to press home its demand for improved funding for universities and a review of salaries for lecturers, among others.
Several meetings between ASUU and the Federal Government were deadlocked due to failure to reach an agreement in the demands.
The federal government later to the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja to challenge the strike, which last week ordered ASUU to suspend its seven-month action.
Justices Polycarp Hamman, in a ruling on government’s application for an interlocutory injunction against the ongoing ASUU strike, order the lecturers back to work after dismissing their objection to the application.
The union, through its lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has reportedly appealed the ruling, praying for a stay of execution.
