By Moh Bello Habib, Zaria
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has expressed it's dissatisfaction of what it termed victimization and harassment of it's members by some Universities in the Country,
This is contained in statement by Kano Zone of the Union, Professor Abdulkadir Muhammad which he made available to Journalists in Zaria at the wkend.
The Statement read partly "ASUU deeply disillusioned and saddened with the incessant victimization, intimidation, harassment and dehumanization of its members in a number of public universities ostensibly on their insistence on due process and adherence to the rules and regulations governing the operation of the Nigerian university system.
"The victimization is mainly perpetrated by the universities' administrations with tacit and, at times, open endorsement of the Chairmen of the Governing Councils and Visitors of the affected universities.
"The obnoxious, unjust and callous victimization and degradation of our members are more pronounced in Kogi State University (KSU), Anyingba; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojoo; and Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki. Others include: Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma; Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO); and Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam.
Kogi State University (KSU).
"In KSU, 120 members of ASUU have been unjustly dismissed for over seven years now, largely for demanding conducive working condition, better welfare package, payment of backlogged salaries and allowances and adequate funding of the university. The affected members sought legal redress and unfortunately the court ruled against the victims and in favour of the University.
"ASUU-Kano Zone is particularly disturbed by the travesty of justice in this judgment delivered against our innocent members. However, the Union will continue to explore all legal avenues to ensure reinstatement of the sacked members in KSU.
"In Lagos State University (LASU)
In September 2017, the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of ASUU-LASU were illegally dismissed by the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Lanre Fagbohun, mainly because of the Unions insistence on strict observance of due process in the running of the university affairs. In September 2019, the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the union were also dismissed on the basis that they requested for the reversal of the wrongful promotion of Dr Fagbohun to the rank of professor.
"To add insult to injury, the Treasurer of the Branch was, on same date, also dismissed for demanding that her well-deserved promotion be properly dated. In February, 2022, under the new administration of Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, two separate committees were set and their final reports absolved the five ASUU leaders of any wrongdoing. Consequently, the Governing Council directed for their unconditional reinstatement with immediate effect. Following these tyranny and arbitrariness, the Visitor of LASU, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, set up a visitation panel and all the relevant stakeholders, ASUU inclusive, submitted memoranda. Alas, the Governor has adamantly refused to release the White Paper of the Visitation Panel. Up till now, the affected members are yet to be reinstated.
The Coordinator further alleged that in Ebonyi State University (EBSU)
, the Immediate Past Chairperson of the Branch, Comrade Ndubuisi E. Idenyi, was suspended by the university administration for convening a meeting of ASUUs Ethics, Grievances, Conflict and Crisis Management Committee. In the same vein, the Branch Chairperson, Comrade Ikecheku Okorie Igwenyi, was also suspended for convening an online meeting to convey NEC resolutions to members of the Branch, adding that the Chairperson was also denied his promotion to the professorial cadre since 2017. Worse still, the university administration had banned the Union's activities on the campus, which was a clear violation of the fundamental right to freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Conclusion.
Professor Muhammad complained that the victimization of ASUU members and gross violation of university rules and regulations were not peculiar to KSU, LASU and EBSU but we're also obtainable in many others.
"ASUU-Kano Zone frowns at the dehumanization, denial of promotion, non-payment of backlogged salaries and arrears, travesty of justice, denial of freedom of assembly and association, increased violation of other fundamental human rights of its members and all forms of victimization in many public universities. We, therefore, call on the respective university administrations, Governing Councils and the Visitors of the affected universities to respect the university laws, respect freedom of assembly and association, end victimization of innocent intellectuals and their families, recall all the illegally suspended members and reinstate those unjustly dismissed." The statement concluded.
