Education

ASUU: We’ll Do Everything Possible To Call Off Ongoing Strike – Opiah

Goodluck Opiah, the minister of state for education, has promised to use all available means to work with President Muhammadu Buhari to end the strike being carried out by the four university-based unions.

Opiah, who was the former member of the House of Representatives and Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, added that he would do his part to help Nigerians experience the benefits of democracy.

BRANDNEWSDAY recall that the nation’s public universities have been on strike due to unresolved issues with the federal government, including the refusal to renegotiate the 2009 Agreement and dispute about the platform for wage payment, among other things.

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the Non-Academic Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) are the unions that are on strike.

At the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President swore in seven new ministers, including Honorable Opiah.

Opiah told journalists in a statement that after taking an oath to serve the nation as a minister, he would work with his colleagues to uphold set standards and growth-oriented mechanisms for the system.

He added that the President had given them the responsibility to do their fair share to nation building and that he would get to work right away in the Ministry’s most crucial areas.

According to him, “President Buhari has informed us that we have much to do, hence I am prepared to move into action quickly.

“There are key areas that will be of importance in line with the desire of President Buhari administration aimed at improving on the quality of education Nigerians get.

“I promise to deliver in my job using all resources available. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to serve our country under the administration of our dear President Buhari.”

While appreciating the President for the opportunity to serve, Opiah expressed gratitude to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his support.

Before the ministerial appointment, Opiah, who represented Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, was the Commissioner for Petroleum, Imo State.

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