The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd) on Tuesday lauded the efforts of late academic, Emeritus Professor, Nimi Briggs, towards the resolutions of the issues that led to the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities in 2022.
Buhari described the late Emeritus Professor, as an academic who was passionate about the stability of the academic calendar in Nigerian universities.
Buhari, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, said this at the Official Memorial Ceremony for Briggs, in Abuja.
“In his two main major areas of expertise -academic and medical, he stands out. He has brought his unparallel life abilities to the scene of academic positions.
”It will be deserving of mention his gratitude for leading the federal government team of negotiations with our academic labour unions on improving our university system in the country in 2022. He worked hard to ensure that the strike was called off and all issues resolved,” he said
The president also described him as a man of humility, devotion, and a perfect gentleman who had left a mark to be filled by others.
The President, of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the death of Briggs was not just shocking but disheartening, to say the least.
Osodeke, represented by the Investment Secretary of the union, Prof. Austin Sado, said Briggs was a distinguished leader empowered by the Federal Government to renegotiate the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement.
He praised the deceased for approaching the role with unequaled dedication and faithfulness.
”We commend the late Briggs as he earned respect for his honest commitment to this assignment. His contribution sets him apart for honour and will forever be missed,” he said
He said that the late Briggs through his works, immortalized his name and would never be forgotten.
According to a statement by his family, Prof Briggs passed away in the early hours of Easter Monday, aged 79 years.
Until his death, the late Briggs was the 5th Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Pro-Chancellor of Federal University, Abakaliki, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, and Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.
