By Awesome Ekene
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter, has declared September 10 as Victimized Lecturers’ Day, in solidarity with colleagues unjustly persecuted in various Nigerian universities.
Chairperson of ASUU-NAU, Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji at a press conference at the ASUU Secretariat, NAU, Awka, expressed disappointment over failure of university Visitors to address management crisis and lecturers’ victimization.
He 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 he alleged that ASUU members continued to suffer unjustly
He said the day was dedicated to standing in solidarity with persecuted members across the nation, recognizing their struggles, and calling for justice.
While pledging ASUU’s resolve to continue the fight for its members until justice was served, Ubaoji called on all stakeholders to join ASUU in demanding justice and fairness for academic staff in Nigerian universities.
The statement reads in part: “The plight of victimized lecturers has reached an alarming level, and we, as a union, can no longer remain silent. For this reason, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, has declared today, Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Victimized Lecturers’ Day, a day to stand in solidarity with our colleagues unjustly persecuted in various Nigerian universities.
“At the heart of this declaration is ASUU’s firm stance that workers have the fundamental right to embark on industrial action to press for better working conditions. This right, enshrined in both national and international labor laws, must not be criminalized, and we must not allow the exploitation and victimization of lecturers to continue unchecked.
“ASUU-NAU wishes to express deep disappointment and dismay at the failure of the respective Visitors of public universities to address the unending management crises and the victimization of our colleagues. These institutions include, but are not limited to:
• 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)
• Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam.
“In these and other institutions, our members continue to suffer through illegal termination of appointments, withholding of salaries, denial of promotions, and other forms of oppressive treatment. ASUU-NAU finds this utterly unacceptable.
“Particularly concerning is the travesty of justice in Kogi State University, where our members have endured seven long years of waiting only to face an unjust judgment. Similarly, we are troubled by the protracted court cases concerning our colleagues at Lagos State University (LASU), who have been unlawfully dismissed for over five years.
“The unnecessary elongation of court proceedings in these cases amounts to justice delayed, which, as we all know, is justice denied. These delays have inflicted severe hardship on our affected members, putting their livelihoods and lives on hold indefinitely.
“ASUU-NAU also expresses deep 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. This prolonged silence is unbecoming of a government that claims to be democratic. We, therefore, urge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to fulfill his promise to address the issues at LASU and ensure that our unjustly dismissed colleagues are reinstated immediately.
“Furthermore, we are disturbed by the situation at Ebonyi State University (EBSU), where, despite a court ruling in favor of our colleague, the University has opted to appeal the decision, delaying justice even further. While we appreciate the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), we call on the Visitors to EBSU and other state universities where our members are being victimized to take decisive steps to resolve these lingering matters and breathe new life into these institutions.
“In light of these developments, we urge the Governing Councils and Visitors to state universities to take a proactive interest in the proper application of the laws governing their institutions. The unchecked tyranny of certain Vice-Chancellors must be curtailed to protect academic freedom and labour rights in our universities.
“This day is, therefore, dedicated to standing in solidarity with our persecuted members across the nation, recognizing their struggles, and calling for justice.
We stand firm in our belief that the plight of victimized lecturers must end. We shall continue to fight for our members until justice is served.”
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.
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.
