The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria has suspended its strike over the concession of King’s College, Lagos.
The suspension was announced in a communiqué on Wednesday after a meeting in Kano on Tuesday involving the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and zonal coordinators of the Unity Colleges.
The meeting reviewed the agreement between organised labour and the Federal Ministry of Education and the concession document for King’s College, and agreed to halt the action to give room for a seven-member committee to examine the document.
The union said the action is being called off about two weeks after the ASCSN and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) shut the colleges to demand reversal of the concession of King’s College to its Old Boys Association.
The schools were due to resume on September 13, but the union told members to stay away from work, saying the concession posed a threat to the Unity College system.
According to the communiqué, the concession has now been stepped down pending the report of the review committee, which has two representatives from the ASCSN.
“Considering the above, the Zonal Coordinators of the Unity Schools agreed with the National Leadership of the ASCSN that the strike be suspended immediately while awaiting the report of the committee,” the communiqué read.
Based on that assurance, the zonal coordinators agreed with the national leadership that the strike should be suspended immediately pending the committee’s report.
The communiqué was signed by Omidiji Kunle, Lagos; Abubakar Muhammad, North-West; Yusuf S.A., South-West; Tanko Augustine, North-East; Udop Ogbodim, South-South; Nosike F.O., South-East; and Amodu Isiaka, North-Central.
In response to the suspension, the PTA Chairmen Association of Federal Unity Colleges has proposed Sunday, September 27 for students to resume.
In a statement on Wednesday by its South-West Zonal Coordinator, Farmer Ayopo Somefun of FTC Ijebu Mushin, Ogun State, speaking for parents and guardians nationwide, the association described the suspension as a chance for dialogue and said parents are ready to support the quick restoration of academic activities.
The PTA said the proposed date will still need confirmation from the Federal Ministry of Education and asked the ministry to make its position known quickly so parents can prepare for their children’s return.
“The suspension of the strike should provide the necessary atmosphere for meaningful dialogue between the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, labour, school authorities and other stakeholders,” the statement read.
It also asked all parties to allow the review committee to work without pressure.
The association urged parents nationwide to remain calm while awaiting the ministry’s confirmation and said children should return on September 27 if the ministry agrees.
