Musa Na Allah Sokoto
On Saturday, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) cautioned the Federal Government to stop victimizing its members across public universities in the country.
The Union urged the government at all levels, especially the federal government, to honoured the agreement reached with the union for public universities to breathe.
Addressing newsmen at the Nigerian Union of Journalists Press Center in Sokoto, the ASUU Zonal Chairman, Professor Abubakar Yabo, said the memorandum of action sealed between the union and federal government leading to the suspension of their 2022 strike which was part of the 2009 Nimi Briggs agreement has not been honoured.
“Part of the agreements include the release of withheld three and a half months salaries due to the 2022 strike action, the release of unpaid wages for staff on sabbatical, part-time and adjuncts appointment affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
“Others according to him are the 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 have resulted in victimization and outright emotional assault of our members.
“ASUU noted 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 current economic hardships occasioned by the unpopular policies of governments at all levels have made teaching and learning environment so unconducive and unbearable and the government must protect and respect academic freedom.”
Prof. Yabo disclosed that 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 calls on the concerned universities to thread the path of civility and global best assigned by treating university academics with the decorum they deserve.”
The Union further 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 breathe, Mr. President,” he added.”
The ASUU Sokoto zone comprises Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Kastina, Katsina State University of Science and Technology, Sokoto State University, and Federal University, Dustin-ma.
Others are Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Federal University Gusau, Shehu Shagari University of Education Sokoto, and Federal University Zuru.
