BREAKING: “I Hope ASUU Strike Will End Today” – Goodluck Jonathan

There have been indications that after today’s meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the four month strike of the lecturers may finally end. A closed- door meeting has started on Monday at 2:40 pm inside the First Lady Conference Room, Presidential Villa, Abuja. It has in attendance the President, Vice President, Namadi Sambo; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim; Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike; and Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu among others. The ASUU is presented by its Chairman, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, Prof. Abdulahi Sule-Kano, Prof. Dipo Fashina and Prof. Festus Iyayi, Prof. Suleiman Abdul, and Prof. Abdullahi Sule-Kano. President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Abdulawahid Omar and that of the Trade Union Congress, Bobboi Kaigama, are also there. Indication that the strike that is now into its 5th month may be resolved has emerged when the President stated, while shaking hands with Fagge: “My president, I hope it will end today. Our children have suffered enough. We must find a solution.” All those in attendance responded with a loud “amen.” When greeting the NLC President, Abdulwahab Omar, Jonathan said: “My president with you around today, there will be no problem, our agreement is signed, sealed and delivered.” This is the first meeting between the lecturers and Jonathan since the beginning of the strike. The Presidency took over negotiations with the striking lecturers September 19, with the Vice-President Namadi Sambospearheading the FG side. The lecturers were seen meeting among themselves in their bus during the break that has started at 6.30 pm. No details of there discussion have been yet made known.