The Federal Government (FG) on Monday in Abuja inaugurated a 14-man
committee chaired by Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) to end incessant and protracted strikes
in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with a declaration that it does not see the
unions as an enemy, reports ITRealms.
The committee is expected to re-negotiate the 2009 agreement
between government, Academic Staff Union of Universities; Senior Staff
Association of Nigerian Universities; National Association of Academic
Technologists and Non-Academic Staff Union of Associated and Allied
Institutions.
Members of the committee include Prof. Munzali Jibril, Pro
chancellor, Federal University, Lafia; Prof. Nimi Briggs, Pro. Chancellor,
Federal University, Lokoja; Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Pro chancellor, Federal
University, Otuoke; Arc. Lawrence Ngbale, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Birnin
Kebbi; Prince Alex Mbata, Pro chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri and
Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun.
While inaugurating the the committee, the Minister of
Education, Malami Adamu Adamu, said the re-negotiation team was significant
government was committed to keeping to its promise and ensure an environment
that is conducive for learning, teaching, research and community service
"engendered through lasting industrial harmony."
He encouraged the team to undertake the responsibility with
patriotism, dedication, mutual trust and selflessness because the future and
stake of the university system will be affected by its successes or otherwise.
"Today’s inauguration kick-starts our drive
for re-negotiation across the three segments of the tertiary education
sub-sector-universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, starting with
universities.. Subsequently, the teams of the re-negotiation with the
polytechnics and colleges of education, would be constituted as soon as their
respective governing councils are put in place", he said.
"The inauguration of the re-negotiation team is
significant as it confirms to the unions that government is committed to
keeping its own side of the promise. It wants to ensure that an environment
that is conducive for teaching, learning, research and community service is
engendered through lasting industrial harmony in all our tertiary institutions.
Babalakin, assured the unions of its commitment towards
ensuring that there would be no stalemate between the two parties and pledged
that the committee's objective will be in creating a better educational system.
He said, "A conducive environment in the tertiary
institution is the bedrock for the development of a nation's intelligentsia. A
nation's development can be seriously enhanced by the active participation of
the intelligence in the pursuit of the country' developmental goals.
"We also want to assure you that we intend to rise
beyond your expectations for the fourth realms of tertiary education in
Nigeria. This task should not be underestimated and with the commitment of all,
it could provide a serious enhancement for education in Nigeria."
Uj. N. Dom/GEE
No comments:
Post a Comment