The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) has set up a team on the Federal Government (FG)-Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) face-off.

Ex-Secretary-General and Team Co-coordinator, Prof. Michael Faborode spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Faborode said no serving VC or pro-chancellor is included in the peace body, adding that membership was based on the record of service.

The members are Prof. Jibril Aminu, ex-VC, University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID); Emeritus Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, former VC, University of Ibadan (UI); Prof. Ekanem Braide, President, Academy of Science; Dr Nkechi Nwagogu, ex-Pro-Chancellor, University of Calabar (UNICAL); Prof. Fatima Mukhtar, ex-VC, Federal University, Dutse; Prof. Akpan Ekpo, ex-VC, University of Uyo (UNIUYO).

The rest include Prof. Joe Ahaneku, ex-VC, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK); Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, Secretary General, CVCNU; and Prof. Michael Faborode, ex-VC, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

Faborode noted that the scholars would no longer watch as “our house collapse on us as elders.”

He noted that they had no industry other than the university system and were ready for talks.

The professor said whatever can be done to broker peace, using the Prof. Nimi Briggs committee recommendations as the fulcrum, will be worth the effort.

Faborode disclosed that the “Peace Team of Elders” would operate under the auspices of the CVCNU/CPC.

The coordinator said both the FG and ASUU are being reached to accept the intervention of the independent team.