After two months at home, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU has suspended its nationwide strike for what it calls a “cool-off-period of 60 days”.
In a communique jointly signed by COEASU President, Smart Olugbeko and General Secretary, Ahmed Baza, the teachers say the suspension which takes immediate effect is to give government the opportunity to perfect the progress made so far into tangible achievements that are acceptable to the Union.
Also Read: COEASU begins strike today
COEASU notes that the Federal Government has yielded to the Union’s demand to constitute a committee of critical stakeholders including but not limited to representatives of the Union, to, among others, draw modalities for the disbursement of the N15 billion revitalisation fund to Colleges of Education without further delay.
It reveals also that on the Renegotiation of COEASU-FGN 2010 Agreement on which the government has been dilly-dallying over time, talks have eventually commenced and the Union is satisfied by the progress made so far.
COEASU also commends actions of some State Governments including Imo, Kwara, Osun, and Oyo towards the resolution of lingering issues in their respective colleges of education while meaningful talks are ongoing on others with outstanding issues, notwithstanding the need for pressure on a few recalcitrant ones.
COEASU appreciates critical stakeholders for their intervention and dogged commitment to the resolution of the issues, as evident in the enormous progress made towards the amendment of the Colleges of Education Establishment Act.
COEASU used the opportunity of its National Executive meeting to decry the high level of insecurity in the country, as evident with the increase in the spate of kidnapping, banditry, killings, and other social vices as it calls on Government at all levels to address the situation more proactively by beefing up security on all campuses, as the system is being reopened for teaching and learning.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
