Industrial Court: NGO lauds FG’s action against ASUU

An NGO, the African Youth Assembly for Peace has commended the legal action instituted by the Federal Government against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the lingering strike action.

Mr Abdul-Aziz Yusuf, the Head of Communications of the group told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the action was filed at the National Industrial Court.

“ In our opinion, the government took the right step by going to the court first in this matter; we believe that the resort to litigation at this stage will provide the much needed amicable settlement of the dispute.

“ This litigation initiated by the government is not ill advised as seen in some quarters in the context of the industrial dispute between the government and the ASUU.

” It is instructive to note that Federal Government in the suit wants the court to interpret in its entirety the provisions of Section 18 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN2004).

“ Especially as it applies to the termination of the strike once a trade dispute is held by the Minister of Labour and Employment, while conciliation is ongoing.

Yusuf urged the parties involved to ensure accelerated hearing in the matter to get the university students back to classes.

According to him, the strike has renders about 1.8 million active youths idle presently.

NAN reports that the group had earlier called on the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reach a compromise with a view to ending the ongoing strike action by the union (NAN)