ASUU-NAU Declares Solidarity with Victimized Lecturers at Ojukwu Varsity, others
Education
By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) chapter, has declared September 10, 2024, as Victimized Lecturers’ Day, in solidarity with colleagues unjustly persecuted in various Nigerian universities.
At a press conference held at the ASUU Secretariat, NAU, Awka, Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji, Chairperson of ASUU-NAU, expressed deep disappointment and dismay at the failure of university Visitors to address management crises and victimization of lecturers.
He highlighted the plight of victimized lecturers, citing cases of illegal termination of appointments, withholding of salaries, denial of promotions, and other forms of oppressive treatment.
Ubaoji specifically mentioned institutions like Kogi State University (KSU), Anyingba; Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojoo; Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma; Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO); and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, where ASUU members continue to suffer unjustly.
The ASUU-NAU Chairperson condemned the prolonged court cases and delayed justice, which have inflicted severe hardship on affected members.
He cited the case of Kogi State University, where ASUU members have endured seven long years of waiting only to face an unjust judgment.
Similarly, he expressed concern about the protracted court cases concerning ASUU members at Lagos State University (LASU), who have been unlawfully dismissed for over five years.
Ubaoji urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to fulfill his promise to address the issues at LASU and ensure that unjustly dismissed colleagues are reinstated immediately.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the Lagos State Government’s refusal to release the White Paper on the LASU Visitation Panel more than two years after the exercise.
Ubaoji called on the Visitors to Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and other state universities where ASUU members are being victimized to take decisive steps to resolve these lingering matters and breathe new life into these institutions.
He appreciated the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) but emphasized the need for decisive action from the Visitors.
The ASUU-NAU Chairperson emphasized that the unchecked tyranny of certain Vice-Chancellors must be curtailed to protect academic freedom and labor rights in Nigerian universities.
He declared that this day is dedicated to standing in solidarity with persecuted members across the nation, recognizing their struggles, and calling for justice.
Ubaoji vowed that ASUU will continue to fight for its members until justice is served, emphasizing that the plight of victimized lecturers must end.
He called on all stakeholders to join ASUU in demanding justice and fairness for academic staff in Nigerian universities.
