NUC Executive Secretary: ASUU Calls For Immediate Removal

Written By Blogger on Sabtu, 27 Juli 2013 | 00.42

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) chapter Friday called for the immediate removal of the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okogie.

The union also asked the federal government to compel Okogie to give account of the over N100 billion annual stabilisation fund set aside for the revitalisation of the university system.Chairperson of the ASUU -UNN, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Abada told newsmen shortly after the congress of the union in Nsukka that Okogie has by his conducts and outbursts shown that "he has outlived his usefulness and bereft of innovative ideas and aptitude to turn universities around".
He added that, "His stay has become a baggage too heavy for the university system," insisting that under the watch of the executive secretary, the nation's university system has been reduced to the lowest ebb with many universities crying for infrastructure.

The union also expressed dismay over the handling of the current industrial action by the federal government, describing government as deceitful, irresponsible and unreliable, declaring that it will not re-negotiate the 2009 agreement they both entered since government never signed the agreement under duress.

The union however noted that it would not return to the classrooms until the 2009 agreement was fully implemented, adding "ASUU cannot be blackmailed by any unbridled campaign as currently being paddled by the federal government.
"The union and Nigerians are worried by the insincerity of government and condemns this perfidy in its entirety," ASUU said.
ASUU called on education stakeholders, clergy and traditional rulers to prevail on government to respect the 2009 agreement it entered with ASUU.

"We are not asking government to fill our pockets with money but that universities should be well funded.
"If the 2009 ASUU agreement is met it will impact positively on the quality of our graduates, classrooms are not the only academic features of universities.

"Laboratories, libraries and researches remains the most fundamental
"We are tired of producing half-backed graduates because of ill-equipped libraries, laboratories, lack of classrooms while some politicians squander money meant to develop the country", the union said

Also speaking, Dr Chidi Osuagwu, who is the Zonal coordinator ASUU Nsukka Zone, which includes, UNN, NAU, ESUT, EBSU, ANSU said ASUU had exercised enough restrain since 2009 when the agreement was entered into, adding that government should implement it if it wants lectures to go back to the classrooms.

"ASUU will not attend any re-negotiating meeting called by government.
"If government had known they cannot implement the agreement why did they enter into it.
"What government is doing is teaching Nigerians to always be insincere as well as renege in any agreement it signed, which is every bad example", he said.