After having waited endlessly for the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to end its ongoing strike over the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement it entered with the government, the Federal Government on Saturday, again, appealed to the protesting lecturers to call off its over four months strike, for the interest of the nation.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, made the appeal on behalf of the government at the Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu. The appeal came while she was speaking with journalists after she was been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Accounting by the University.

Also conferred with the Honorary Doctorate Degree was the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi. The CBN governor was honoured with Doctorate Degree in Economics. The ceremony was attended by special dignitaries, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and former Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Bashir Awotorebo.

Okonjo-Iweala in her appeal said, “I am appealing to ASUU to call off the strike in the interest of the students. The government, on its part, is committed to tackling the rot in the education sector. The Federal Government has acceded to most of the demands made by ASUU.

“Federal Government has set aside N220bn yearly for the development of tertiary institutions in the country. This is part of measures by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration to develop the education sector.”

Calling on well-meaning Nigerians to invest in education, the Minister said that any investment made towards the growth of eduction would affect the entire economy positively.

Recall that ASUU in its last meeting with President Jonathan had asked for more time to consult with stakeholders and zonal branches on the latest offer by the government.