The President Muhammadu Buhari Federal Government, has on Tuesday, presented a certificate of registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics, CONUA, a separate body from the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to now be in charge of Public Universities in the country, amid the ongoing indefinite strike by ASUU,
The Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Oshundun Olajide, had earlier sent invitation to news houses to witness the event.
The invitation stated that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, will do the presentation of the certificate at the Hon. Minister Conference Room, Federal Secretariat, Phase 1, in Abuja, by 2pm, today.
CONUA, a separate body of Academic Unions with a presence in a few Federal Universities, is led by its National Coordinator, Niyi Sunmonu, a Lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife.
The message by the Ministry of Labour had read: “The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, cordially invites you to the recognition and presentation of Certificate of Registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics.
“Your media organisation is invited to cover the event and strictly by invitation.”
The Federal Government also registered the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics, NAMDA.
The Minister stated that the two bodies will exist along aside ASUU.
He further stated that the two Associations will enjoy the rights and privileges accorded to other Academic Unions in the Tertiary education system.
Recall, that ASUU and the Federal Government have failed to reach a resolve for many months now, as the Federal Government has refused to grant its many demands, resulting in long months of ongoing strike, which has kept Public University Students idle at home.
Recall also, that despite a ruling by the National Industrial Court on September 21, 2022, ordering members of the Union to call off their strike and return to work, the University Lecturers have remained adamant, approaching the Court of Appeal instead.
More news later…