Vice- Chancellors of private universities are to intervene in the ongoing crisis between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Prof. Adebayo Adeyemi, the Chairman, Committee of Vice Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities (CVRPU) stated this on Wednesday at a press conference.
Adeyemi dismissed insinuations that the private universities were benefiting from the ongoing impasse, saying, “the development is a national embarrassment which nobody is proud of.”
He said that the decision was not connected with the recent threat by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to shut down private universities over the crisis.
“It is true that the students have made the statement but I think it was made out of annoyance. I am sure that commonsense would have prevailed on them now.
“Our decision is, however, not connected with their threat. It is just that the situation is an ill wind that blows nobody good,“ he said.
Adeyemi said that his group had already been making some underground moves and expressed optimism that the crisis would be resolved soonest.
He, however, urged the two parties to consider the nation as a priority and shun acts that could truncate the ongoing peace talks.
The chairman stressed the need for an agreement that could be implemented and constant dialogue between the Federal Government and ASUU to forestall future crisis.
Adeyemi, who is the Vice Chancellor, Bells University, Ota, Ogun State, announced that the 5th convocation ceremony of the institution would hold between November 1 and 2, 2013 at the school premises.
He disclosed that 207 students would be graduating with 14 of them passing out with first class honours.
The VC added that the convocation lecture, entitled: “Towards a Sustainable Value System for Economic Growth,” would be delivered by former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji.
