September 12, (THEWILL) – The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the Bayelsa-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), has declared solidarity with members of the association being victimised by several public universities across the country, urging State Governors of affected Universities to take a special interest in the alleged high handedness of some University Vice Chancellors.
The ASUU, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Comrade Oyinkepreye Lucky Bebeteidoh (Chairman, NDU Chapter) and Comrade Victory Owede (Secretary, NDU Chapter), expressed sadness over the plight of their members in the Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo, Kogi State University (KSU) Anyingba, Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University (COOU) Igbariam and Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, who are facing victimisation, intimidation and various forms of harassment.
According to the ASUU, NDU Chapter, “In these universities as mentioned, our members were unjustly sacked and their salaries withheld for several months and years for reasons best known to them. At the National Executive Council (NEC), Meeting of the Academic Staff Union of the Union of Universities (ASUU), held at the University of Ibadan from 17th – 18th August 2024, NEC discussed the level of victimisation of lecturers in some universities and resolved to hold a solidarity rally and other activities on 10th September 2024, to draw attention to the suffering of our members.
“ASUU NDU is particularly not impressed with the mockery of justice after seven years of waiting in the judgement delivered against our members, who were illegally sacked at the Kogi State University Anyigba. We, therefore, call on the Government of Kogi State, to without further delay initiate the process of reinstating our sacked members and paying them all entitlements up to date.
“In a similar vein, some of our colleagues illegally sacked for about five years now at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, are also facing extended periods of court proceedings, which has brought untold hardship to them and their immediate families. Justice delayed is Justice denied. We call on the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, who is a visitor to the university to release the White Paper on the Visitation Panel to LASU more than two years after the exercise was held.
“Similarly, in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University (COOU), Igbariam, the Management has unilaterally withheld the salaries of ASUU faithful members for a period of up to twelve months, suspended our members, who opposed violations of academic standards by the university authority without following due process.
“Regrettably, the university administration also locked up the Union’s Secretariat and prevented members from holding Congresses at the COOU Branch of our Union. This is not right at all and the management should know that power is transient.
“We are unhappy with the developments at Ebonyi State University, where the university administration has refused to implement a valid court judgement to reinstate our sacked colleague, who happens to be the Chairperson of the Branch. We appeal to the Governor of Ebonyi State, to direct the Governing Council and the University Administration to as a matter of urgency obey the judgement of the National Industrial Court.
“We at ASUU NDU call on the reconstituted Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), to as a matter of urgency weigh into the issues of victimisation of our members by the University Administration and bring every such issue to an end. We encourage university administrations and Visitors to State Universities to take interest in the application of Laws Governing their respective institutions and ensure that dictatorial tendencies of certain Vice Chancellors are curbed.”
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
