Chancellors Order Universities To Reopen

The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of
Federal Universities on Tuesday called for
the immediate re-opening of all shut
down universities across the country.
This is contained in a communiqué signed
by the committee’s Chairman, Prof. Kimse
Okoko, released in Abuja on Tuesday.
The communiqué was issued at the end of
the committee’s meeting to discuss the
lingering strike by the Academic Staff
Union of Universities (ASUU) and other
issues affecting the Nigerian University
System.
It stated that the call for the re-opening of
the universities was unanimously agreed
by all Pro-chancellors in the interest of
the country.
The communique directed all the Vice-
Chancellors to comply with the decision.
It commended the efforts by the Federal
Government to address the major issues
that led to the strike and lauded the
personal intervention of President
Goodluck Jonathan in the resolution of
the dispute.
It also expressed satisfaction with the
outcome of the referendum conducted in
all the branches of ASUU nationwide,
which voted 60-40 in favour of the
suspension of the ongoing strike.
The communique explained that the
committee’s decision was based on the
negative impact the strike had had on the
university system, students and the
parents.
It, however, appealed for the
understanding from the leadership and
members of ASUU to ensure speedy
restoration of academic activities on
campuses.