ASUU call off Strike Thursday

Nigerian striking lecturers, The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, may call off its over four-months’ strike on Thursday..
It has been revealed that the Union’s plan is to suspend the strike after the National Executive Committee of the body meets on Wednesday night to deliberate over the outcome of the congresses held in over 50 universities across the country on the new offer extended to ASUU by the Federal Government.The Union leadership had after its meeting with the Federal Government delegation last week promised to take President Jonathan’s message to all members and resolve on whether to call off the strike or not.
The ASUU leadership had since then briefed the zonal coordinators on the offer, and consequently directed the local branches to organise congress meetings between Friday last week and Tuesday (tomorrow) to deliberate on the new offer and make their final position known this week.
However, information gathered from the different Universities after their various congresses showed that the lecturers are now willing to call off the strike, even though they are unsure of government’s commitment to abide by the terms of the new agreement. Some of the lecturers disclosed the strike will be likely suspended this Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Ibadan Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Adesola, has confirmed that the NEC meeting has been scheduled to hold on Wednesday. However, he did not disclose whether the strike would be called off after the meeting or not.
“Yes, the NEC will hold on Wednesday evening, but ASUU has a process which we are going to follow. NEC reserves the right to call off the strike after due consultation with members and this is why congresses are being called in all the chapters of the union. Please, wait till after the congress,” he disclosed.
Sources say most of the lecturers have argued that the strike be called off, having seen the President’s commitment. They have said that the new agreement has been made public with the involvement of President Jonathan, hence the need to call off the strike. They have argued that such an agreement cannot be twisted even at the long run.Meanwhile, the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike has claimed its biggest casualty as renowned writer, university teacher and activist Festus Iyayai died in a road accident on his way to the national congress of ASUU in Kano.
ASUU President Dr. Nasir Fagge confirmed his death to SaharaReporters. He said the sad news was broken to the union a few hours ago. The professor died on a failed portion of a Nigerian highway around Lokoja in Kogi state according to ASUU.