According to Elder Statesman Edwin Clark, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, should take up negotiations over the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ strike.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, the elder statesman stated that Adamu was in a better position to reach a sensible compromise with ASUU.
He stated that education issues should be handled by someone who understands the impact of the strike, adding that it is hurting every fibre of the economy.
According to him, in addition to the long-term impact, the strike has skewed the school calendar, increased crime rates, and impoverished communities that rely on schools, among other things.
“The Federal Ministry of Education should take over negotiation from labour because the labour ministry is treating ASUU case like any other industrial matter.
“ASUU is not fighting for their personal interest alone. I learnt it is only now they are including the review of their own salary, otherwise the 2009 agreement they are talking about is for infrastructure development.
“In every country, education is number one on the list. Once the people are educated, other sectors of the economy will have fewer challenges.
“The Accountant-General, who was supposed to have generated this payment, is alleged to have embezzled N80 billion.
“That is about half of what ASUU is demanding for to largely develop our education system.
“ASUU is demanding for about N200 billion, that is not too much to fix a critical sector like education,’’ he said.
