Towards a final resolution to the face-
off between the Federal Government
and Academic Staff Union of
Universities, ASUU, the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) has written to the
Accountant-General of the Federation,
confirming the execution of the N200
billion in the Revitalisation of
Universities Infrastructure Account.
The confirmation was conveyed through
a memo to the Accountant General,
dated December 10.
ASUU had insisted that it would not call
off its over five months strike action if
there was no official confirmation from
the CBN indicating that it had received
the N200 billion part-payment it
requested.
A copy of the memo, signed by CBN’s
Deputy Governor (Operations), Tunde
Lemo, was circulated by the Senior
Special Assistant to President Goodluck
Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin
Okupe yesterday.
Lemo’s memo said: “I write to confirm
the execution of the following mandates
by the Central Bank of Nigeria for
funding of the above mentioned
accounts.
“I wish to further confirm that the
available balance in the aforementioned
account is N200, 000, 000, 000 (Two
Hundred Billion Naira only)”.
Okupe, who spoke with journalists
yesterday, said with the execution of the
mandates, there was no reason for the
strike to continue.
The presidential aide also withdrew the
FG’s threat to sack the lecturers
following pleas from eminent Nigerians
and stakeholders just as he said the
sack threat became unnecessary because
about 70 per cent of the lecturers
complied with the directive to return to
the classroom.
Okupe also maintained that President
Jonathan is fully committed to the
implementation of the agreements
reached with ASUU leadership and that
as a sign of commitment, a Needs
Assessment Implementation Committee,
which has ASUU representatives on
board, would be inaugurated today to
fast track the utilisation of the released
funds and tackle infrastructural decay
in the university system.
He said: “Government has received a
number of representations from eminent
Nigerians and stakeholders on the need
to temper justice with mercy regarding
the ultimatum issued to the striking
lecturers.
“Government appreciates the fact that
some universities have either resumed
academic activities or announced
resumption dates in line with the
directives earlier issued by the
Committee of Pro Chancellors.
“Now that evidence has been provided as
to the availability of N200 billion for
immediate disbursement to universities,
we expect that ASUU will call off this
strike so that normalcy will fully return
to our campuses.
“Government does not intend to victimise
anyone who participates in a legitimate
strike action”.
Okupe assured ASUU on its three other
demands, saying government has no
reason to reject the conditions.
off between the Federal Government
and Academic Staff Union of
Universities, ASUU, the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) has written to the
Accountant-General of the Federation,
confirming the execution of the N200
billion in the Revitalisation of
Universities Infrastructure Account.
The confirmation was conveyed through
a memo to the Accountant General,
dated December 10.
ASUU had insisted that it would not call
off its over five months strike action if
there was no official confirmation from
the CBN indicating that it had received
the N200 billion part-payment it
requested.
A copy of the memo, signed by CBN’s
Deputy Governor (Operations), Tunde
Lemo, was circulated by the Senior
Special Assistant to President Goodluck
Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin
Okupe yesterday.
Lemo’s memo said: “I write to confirm
the execution of the following mandates
by the Central Bank of Nigeria for
funding of the above mentioned
accounts.
“I wish to further confirm that the
available balance in the aforementioned
account is N200, 000, 000, 000 (Two
Hundred Billion Naira only)”.
Okupe, who spoke with journalists
yesterday, said with the execution of the
mandates, there was no reason for the
strike to continue.
The presidential aide also withdrew the
FG’s threat to sack the lecturers
following pleas from eminent Nigerians
and stakeholders just as he said the
sack threat became unnecessary because
about 70 per cent of the lecturers
complied with the directive to return to
the classroom.
Okupe also maintained that President
Jonathan is fully committed to the
implementation of the agreements
reached with ASUU leadership and that
as a sign of commitment, a Needs
Assessment Implementation Committee,
which has ASUU representatives on
board, would be inaugurated today to
fast track the utilisation of the released
funds and tackle infrastructural decay
in the university system.
He said: “Government has received a
number of representations from eminent
Nigerians and stakeholders on the need
to temper justice with mercy regarding
the ultimatum issued to the striking
lecturers.
“Government appreciates the fact that
some universities have either resumed
academic activities or announced
resumption dates in line with the
directives earlier issued by the
Committee of Pro Chancellors.
“Now that evidence has been provided as
to the availability of N200 billion for
immediate disbursement to universities,
we expect that ASUU will call off this
strike so that normalcy will fully return
to our campuses.
“Government does not intend to victimise
anyone who participates in a legitimate
strike action”.
Okupe assured ASUU on its three other
demands, saying government has no
reason to reject the conditions.
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