“We Must End The Matter Today, Our Children Must Go Back To School”, Jonathan Tells ASUU President

President Goodluck Jonathan Monday told the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that the four months old university strike must come to an end.

Jonathan made the sarcastic remark while greeting the delegation of ASUU on entering the First Lady’s Conference room for the much talked about meeting between the union and the president.

“My President, we must end the matter today, our children must go back to school”, Jonathan said.

He also told the NLC President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar that “my President, with you around, everything will be over today, signed sealed and delivered”.

The meeting between the union and the Federal Government has since began at 2.40pm.

On the team of the Federal Government are Vice President Namadi Sambo, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadome Representing the Federal Government at the negotiating table.

Also attending are: Ministers of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Education (acting), Nyesom Wike, Labour and Productivity, Emeka Worgu, NUC Executive Secretary, Prof Julius Okojie, Director of Tertiary Education in the ministry of education, Dr Hindetu Abdullahi, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Mac John Nwaobiala  and few Presidential aides.

The ASUU team is being led by the Union’s National President, Nasir Isa Fagge. Also in the delegation are: Prof Dipo Fasina, Prof Festus Iyayi, Suleiman Abdul, Prof Abdullahi Sule-Kano, Prof Victor Osodeke, Biodun Ogunyemi, Victor Igbum, TUC president, Comrade Boboi Kagama as well as NLC president, Abdulwaheed Omar.

READ: Strike: ASUU President Bares It All, Exposes Okonjo-Iweala, States Condition For Call-Off

Meanwhile, the Senate President David Mark earlier today held a closed door meeting with leaders of the union in a bid aimed at resolving the lingering strike action.

The meeting which lasted over three hours was held at Mark’s National Assembly office with ASUU President, Nasir Fagge and other top officials of the union in attendance.

Speaking after the meeting, ASUU President, Dr Nasir Fagge described the intervention of the Senate President in the strike as a welcome development.

Fagge told journalists that the Senate President invited them to brief him about the issues at stake

He noted that Mark wanted to understand what the problems are

He said, we have used the opportunity of our meeting to inform him what the problem is to enable him take appropriate step in the matter.

We robbed minds and we keep saying that every intervention to get this problem resolved and allow us to go back to our classes and teach the students will be acceptable to the union.

Stay updated with Abusidiqu.com, a member of the NIGERIANEWSBEAT team.  Follow us on TWITTER or be our fan on FACEBOOK

Do not hesitate to leave your opinion in the comment section below.

To contact Abusidiqu.com for Article Submission and Advertisement or General inquiry, send a mail to info@abusidiqu.com