The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop the alleged victimisation of its members across public Universities in the country.
The Union calls on government at all levels especially the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency fulfill all its agreements with the union to enable public Universities to breathe.
Speaking while addressing newsmen at the Nigerian Union of Journalist Press Centre in Sokoto, the zonal chairman of the Union, Professor Abubakar Yabo, said the memorandum of action signed between the union and the Federal Government led to the suspension of their 2022 strike which was part of 2009 Nimi Briggs agreement has not been addressed.
“Some of the agreements include release of withheld three and a half months salaries due to the 2022 strike action, release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time and adjuncts appointment affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
“Others include release of outstanding third party deductions such as check -off dues and cooperative contributions, funding for revitalization of public universities captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget among others”
ASUU said rather than addressing what was mutually agreed upon, the government through some visitors of some state Universities in conjunction with some tyrannical vice-chancellors of some Federal Universities and their Governing Councils has resulted in victimisation and outright emotional assault of our members.
“The Union notes with disdain that while government and respective university administrators are supposed to uphold the truth and protect the sanctity of public university system, they now serve as agents of destruction of the same system they are meant to protect and promote”
The Union further disclosed “that the current economic Hardships occasioned by the unpopular policies of governments at all levels have made teaching and learning environment so unconducive and unbearable and as such, government has a duty to protect and respect academic freedom”.
The statement said the union is amazed at the attitude of “some overzealous University Vice Chancellors in the zone who have become intoxicated with power and thus , resort to the unwholesome antics of tyranny and victimization of innocent members of our union.
“The zone hereby calls on the concerned universities to thread the path of civility and global best assigned by treating university academics with the decorum they deserve”
It however called on the federal government to stop its anti-intellectual posture forthwith and treat public universities with dignity and respect by fulfilling what it agreed with the union.
“The survival of this nation is umbilical tied to the survival of public universities, therefore, let them breath, Mr President ” he added.
The ASUU Sokoto zone comprises Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Kastina, Kastsina State University of Science and Technology, Sokoto State University, and Federal University, Dustin-ma.
Others include Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Federal University Gusau, Shehu Shagari University of Education Sokoto, and Federal University Zuru.
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