Winifred Bosa.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the membership of government team to renegotiate the 2009 agreement with the staff unions in the Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

The aim of the approval is to engender sustainable peace and industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.

The 16-member team is chaired by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Wale Babalakin. He was adjudged the best pro-chancellor at the time of the negotiations in 2009 and also headed the agreement implementation committee then.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said that the re-negotiation team would dialogue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Non Academic Staff Union of Associated and Allied Institutions (NASU).

The government team comprises the following; Dr. Wale Babalakin- SAN; (Chairman), Professor M.M. Jibril- Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lafia, Professor Nimi Briggs- Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, Senator Gbemisola Saraki- Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke, Lawrence Ngbale-Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi and Prince Alex Mbata- Pro-Chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri. 1Others are; Professor Olufemi Bamiro- Pro-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Representatives- Federal Ministry of Education, Representative, Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment; Representative, Federal Ministry of Finance; Representative, Federal Ministry of Justice; Representative, Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning; Representative of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and Repres1entative of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

In a related development, President Buhari also approved the reconstitution of the governing councils of University of Port Harcourt and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, which were dissolved in the recent crises that engulfed the two institutions.

The new governing councils would serve for a term of four years, with from effective December 28, 2016.

The new chairmen and members of the governing councils of the two universities are; Obafemi Awolowo University-1 Ile-Ife : Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi-Chairman Ogun S/West,  Professor Felix U Madubuike- Anambra S/East , Mr. Inowei Akono -Bayelsa S/South and Mr. Adekunle Sanni -Oyo S/West. Others are; Muhammad Bello Kaoje-Kebbi N/West, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Mvendega Jibo-Chairman of the governing council from Benue N/Central, Johnson Okafor-Imo South East, Mr. Joseph Fafi- Bayelsa S/South, Mr. Lubabatu Lawal Ammani from Zamfara N/West and Mr Bello Dukku from Gombe N/East.

Source: Agencies