Ebonyi State University (EBSU)
Ebonyi varsity chapter rejects ASUU strike
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ebonyi State University (ASUU-EBSU) have rejected the one month industrial action declared by the national body of the Union.
Chairman, Caretaker Committee, ASUU-EBSU, Dr Nwambeke Godfrey, made the position of the branch known on Thursday evening, while briefing Journalists in Abakaliki.
The branch called on all their members to go about their normal official duties, and urged students to remain in campus as lectures and other academic activities would continue to go on uninterrupted.
The branch hinged her reason for not partaking in the strike to the alleged indifference of the ASUU-NEC to the issues concerning the chapter which, according to the branch, ought to have resolved ever since.
“You may recall that ASUU-EBSU in its Congress of 16th September, 2021, suspended from office indefinitely, the former Acting Chairperson, ASUU-EBSU, Dr Ikechuku Igwenyi for acts inconsistent with ASUU constitution, financial impropriety and usurpation of the office of other executive members. The Congress then directed the Acting. Chairperson, Dr Ikechuku Igwenyi to within two (2) weeks from the date of suspension transmit various annual report of financial/activities to the Congress, failure to which shall be viewed seriously, in addition to sanctions and legal actions meted at him.
“The suspended acting Chairman refused to meet up with the resolutions of the Congress which forced another Congress of ASUU-EBSU to unanimously sack the executive and set up a Caretaker Committee to drive the affairs of the Union and conduct fresh election to put the Union in proper footing.
“In all these, the National Office of ASUU was put on notice since 17th September, 2021, and up till today, 17th February, 2022, ASUU NEC has abandoned the branch to her fate over the crises deliberately caused by ASUU NEC. How? Recall that ASUU NEC in breach of ASUU constitution extended the tenure of the suspended former acting chairperson, Dr Ikechuku Igwenyi for over 32 months running. Who does that? This is not to the best interest of the State, university, and students. Things must be done well in citadels of learning that churn out future leaders, otherwise, we will only groom bunch of confused graduates.
“It is therefore based on these and other reasons that ASUU-EBSU Caretaker Committee as constituted wish to state categorically clear that we are not partaking in the national strike and urge all members of ASUU-EBSU Congress to shun any call to join the industrial action as canvassed by the suspended former Acting Chairperson, Dr Ikechuku Igwenyi. Any academic staff who obeys the call does so at his own peril and ASUU-EBSU as constituted will not come to the rescue of such staff if anything happens,” Nwambeke explained.
Recall that National Leadership of ASUU on February, 14, 2022, declared one month strike to press home her demands for improved university system in Nigeria.
