ASUU Strike: Ngige Begs Varsity Lecturers To Have Mercy On Students
By Okerinmodun Faith Olusegun
The Minister of Labour & Employment, Chris Ngige has pleaded with the striking varsity teachers to show mercy on students by calling off their strike.
This was made by the Minister at a Local Radio Station in Akwa, Anambra State.
Speaking further, he said “the problems of ASUU was not caused by President Muhammadu Buhari, but were bequeathed to the present administration by the previous governments based on agreements reached in 2009”
“I appeal to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Labour to have mercy on students and be patient. As far as I’m concerned, we have treated Labour well. And they should also know I’m a comrade and that is why I always intervened on matters that concern them.”
It should be recalled that the Lecturers under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), began a nationwide strike since November, last year, over some issues between the union and the Federal Government.
Also speaking on the issue of the minimum wage, Ngige ascertained that the Federal Government would pay a minimum wage, adding that things were being worked out by the Committee saddled with that responsibility.
“The Federal Government and Labour representatives adjourned their meeting till today after a five-hour deliberation last Friday. At the end of the meeting, the minister said substantial progress was made and that all that is left is a final resolution”
“Federal Government will comfortably pay minimum wage, we want to pay it, but there must be balancing because figures were bandied and we are asking Labour to exercise patience” he said
“What Buhari is doing now is what I did in office as governor in Anambra, which was mainly my offence that brought the problems. So, Buhari is not the architect of salary issue in Nigeria.” he added
