MinÂister of Labour and EmployÂment, Senator Chris Ngige has said negotiations between the leadership of the AcademÂic Staff Union of UniversiÂties (ASUU) and the federal government are at a closing stage, noting that the government has met 98% of the demands put forward by the striking lecturers.
“We have met about 98% of the request of ASUU, The remaining two percent is what you can call promissory notes” Ngige said.
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Ngige said the progress recorded in the ongoing talks has raised hope that learning will resume in the nation’s 48 states and 44 public universities in January 2021.
The Minister spoke during the launch of Ngige Free Medical OutÂreach at the Community’s Health Center in Alor, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State, Monday.
Ngige said, “So, I am very hopeful that by midnight toÂday, there are some works we are supposed to get on to do. They also have some work they are supposed to do on their side with their people.
“Tuesday, we will meet in the afternoon and we will compare notes. We will put everything on the table and compare. I beÂlieve that we might have come to the end of the strike when we meet tomorrow.”
Ngige, who agreed that the crisis had carried on for too long, said he’s optimistic about resolving issues surrounding the industrial action.
“It is a journey of a thousand miles which you will have to take one step first. Tomorrow, all things being equal, we will agree now to agree because we were disagreeing before.”
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