The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has said the registration of two new trade unions by the government for academic staff in the university system is inconsequential and does not pose any threat to its existence.

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this in a chat with Vanguard while reacting to the registration of the two new unions.

“That does not in any way affect us. We are a disciplined and focused union and we know what we are doing and what we are after. Let them register as many unions as they like. That is inconsequential as far as we are concerned. We are not also in any way threatened. The sky is big enough for birds to fly.

“We know our members, we know our strength and we also know what our vision and mission are. Our members are not saboteurs or bootlickers . Our struggle is for a better educational system in the country. If the system is good, all of us will benefit and it is not only ASUU members’ children and wards that are going to benefit from improved funding and the provision of better facilities in our institutions,” he said.

Allegation of complicity in corruption

Osodeke, who also reacted to the allegation by the Presidency that ASUU members are complicit in the corrupt practices in the university system, described such as unfounded.

“As a union, we have been championing transparency and accountability in the university system. That is why we are calling for the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, UTAS, as the payment platform in the university system. Those indicted for misappropriating over N100 billion through their IPPIS, are they our members?

“Moreover, one of our demands is that Visitation Panels be set up to probe the activities and the finances of universities in the country. If we don’t want corruption stamped out, we would not be asking for that, ” he explained.

CONUA’ s reaction to registration

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of CONUA, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, described the registration as monumental and historic.

“The registration of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), as a trade union in the Nigerian university system, is monumentally historic. The hurdles we have faced to get here, since 2018 when we submitted our application for registration, have been seemingly insurmountable. The registration is therefore the validation of the power of the human will. It asserts the value of courage, initiative, focus, tenacity, patience, forbearance and persistent positive thinking.

“We are immensely grateful to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, and his team of diligent staff for insisting on merit, due process and thoroughness all through the processing of our application for the registration of CONUA. The very strict and dispassionate review of our application brought out the best in the membership of the union.

“We regard the registration of CONUA as a sacred trust, and pledge to reciprocate by devoting ourselves unceasingly to the advancement of university education in this country. We would make the details of our programmes available to the public in due course. For now, we are giving the assurance that we would work to ensure that the nation is not traumatised again by academic union dislocations in the country’s public universities.

“We are also deeply grateful to the numerous personalities and well-wishers whose good counsel and concrete actions have facilitated the success we have witnessed today. We believe in the saying that to whom much is given, much is expected. We would therefore constantly strive to make them all proud of CONUA.

“We appreciate the entire membership of the union for believing in the righteousness of the CONUA cause and for believing in the leadership of the union, and thereby remaining statutorily steadfast, even when disconcerting and demoralising situations arose.

“In this journey, the invaluable role of the media cannot be discounted. We are truly grateful to the media, and look forward to further mutually beneficial interactions as we strive for the development of this nation.

“Above all, we are absolutely grateful to Almighty God for granting us this grace.


“God bless you all.”

Maxymilliano:
Buhari is just creating more problems to already existing ones.

Can CONUA call off the strike it didn't declare ?

Maxymilliano:
Buhari is just creating more problems to already existing ones.

Can CONUA call off the strike it didn't declare ?

Maxymilliano:
Buhari is just creating more problems to already existing ones.

Can CONUA call off the strike it didn't declare ?

Youngwiz71:
This man is just fooling himself...... Does he really think ASUU will remain strong Just recently I saw one of my lecturers, a Dr for that matter he was a taxi driver(I did not say bolt oo), will such choose to remain with ASUU??..

See hunger is a very powerful weapon, and this evil govt will do all they can to utilize it, like I said before, in war you should know when to retreat, it's not weakness, ASUU should have done that after that last round of discussions in August before they went indefinite....

When the govt ordered the schools to reopen about last week, ASUU said schools can reopen but it's members are on strike, now another association in Conua has been created, just watch the massive exodus that will happen from ASUU to Conua if they refuse to call of their strike....

This govt is evil and wicked, I just hope the discussion of the speaker with Buhari will yield positive results...

Kessy090:


CONUA doesn't need to call off any strike, for them to be registered means they've agreed to resume.

ASUU doesn't have a say in CONUA.

Watch how FG will instruct varsities to reopen and CONUA will go back to work.

See how ASUU lecturers will move to CONUA like they're being Swapped as an asset.

Kessy090:


CONUA doesn't need to call off any strike, for them to be registered means they've agreed to resume.

ASUU doesn't have a say in CONUA.

Watch how FG will instruct varsities to reopen and CONUA will go back to work.

See how ASUU lecturers will move to CONUA like they're being Swapped as an asset.

Jman06:
Prof Osodeke and the rest of ASUU leaders are not very wise!

I was supporting ASUU before but withdrew my support when it became obvious that wisdom had taken a back seat in the struggle.

The best thing would have been to obey court order and return to class while negotiation continues.

zarathustra:
When nothing has been achieved?

Kessy090:


CONUA doesn't need to call off any strike, for them to be registered means they've agreed to resume.

ASUU doesn't have a say in CONUA.

Watch how FG will instruct varsities to reopen and CONUA will go back to work.

See how ASUU lecturers will move to CONUA like they're being Swapped as an asset.

zarathustra:
and that will make the universities better?

zarathustra:
and that will make the universities better?

Youngwiz71:
This man is just fooling himself...... Does he really think ASUU will remain strong Just recently I saw one of my lecturers, a Dr for that matter he was a taxi driver(I did not say bolt oo), will such choose to remain with ASUU??..

See hunger is a very powerful weapon, and this evil govt will do all they can to utilize it, like I said before, in war you should know when to retreat, it's not weakness, ASUU should have done that after that last round of discussions in August before they went indefinite....

When the govt ordered the schools to reopen about last week, ASUU said schools can reopen but it's members are on strike, now another association in Conua has been created, just watch the massive exodus that will happen from ASUU to Conua if they refuse to call of their strike....

This govt is evil and wicked, I just hope the discussion of the speaker with Buhari will yield positive results...

Badb0y4lyf:


Do you know what academicians are Government trying to play politics with people that impacted knowledge and thought them ABC these are professors in every field politics, Law, religion, Media Etc you name it. the government can never win.
those lecturers will lose noting cos there are jobs waiting for them in any country of their choice

Jman06:
You're delusional!

Badb0y4lyf:


Do you know what academicians are Government trying to play politics with people that impacted knowledge and thought them ABC these are professors in every field politics, Law, religion, Media Etc you name it. the government can never win.
those lecturers will lose noting cos there are jobs waiting for them in any country of their choice

RomanGreen:


Weaponizing hunger is one of the reasons Nigeria and the black race will remain backwards and underdeveloped, the govt clearly knows the tool they want to use to weaken the resolve of the hungry folks amongst ASUU members, I dare say they are just very foolish and stupid to fall for such, they want to enjoy temporarily and suffer permanently.

ASUU remains the group to beat and they are fighting a just cause

Kessy090:


CONUA doesn't need to call off any strike, for them to be registered means they've agreed to resume.

ASUU doesn't have a say in CONUA.

Watch how FG will instruct varsities to reopen and CONUA will go back to work.

See how ASUU lecturers will move to CONUA like they're being Swapped as an asset.

Jman06:
Prof Osodeke and the rest of ASUU leaders are not very wise!

I was supporting ASUU before but withdrew my support when it became obvious that wisdom had taken a back seat in the struggle.

The best thing would have been to obey court order and return to class while negotiation continues.

RomanGreen:


Weaponizing hunger is one of the reasons Nigeria and the black race will remain backwards and underdeveloped, the govt clearly knows the tool they want to use to weaken the resolve of the hungry folks amongst ASUU members, I dare say they are just very foolish and stupid to fall for such, they want to enjoy temporarily and suffer permanently.

ASUU remains the group to beat and they are fighting a just cause

hope4nigeria:
all the comments against ASUU are Fulani herdsmen Cows, they never see anything good in education so they are rejoicing, now tell me, How do you want buhari who never been to University, even waec result sef he no get. Forget about them

Badb0y4lyf:


Do you know what academicians are Government trying to play politics with people that impacted knowledge and thought them ABC these are professors in every field politics, Law, religion, Media Etc you name it. the government can never win.
those lecturers will lose noting cos there are jobs waiting for them in any country of their choice