The Academic Union of Universities – ASUU says they were not defeated in their struggle with the federal government.
The National Chairman of ASUU, Comrade Emmanuel Victor Osodeke stated this at a One-Day Special Congress/Protest Rally organized by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike chapter of ASUU, adding that at least, the “federal government has budgeted N470 billions for Nigerian universities”.
According to him, the federal government should pay all, based on their agreement, adding “the federal government is dragging its feet on education. They don’t want to pay”.
In their press statement afterwards, the lecturers demanded the sack of Ngige, while condemning what they called “Divide and rule”, and pro-rata payment of salaries.
Carrying placards with the inscriptions, “We are rejecting it”, “Nigerians beware of Ngige – enemy of education”, “”Take it or leave it” principle is against the principle of collective bargaining”, “Education is the bedrock of dedeveloping nation” and “On NIMI Briggs agreement we stand”, among others, the lecturers marched throughout the vicinity, chanting labour songs.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Owerri Zone, Comrade Uzo Onyebinama said since the strike ended, the federal government has “refused to abide by the and has jettisoned it and called us names even at some point, decided to take us to court instead of us taking them to court “.
Representated by the immediate-past MOUAU chairperson, Prof. Chinyere Echendu, Onyebinama said not minding, “we are back to teaching and examination is on.
“We go borrowing and living by borrowing. We are not labourers, but the struggle continues”.
Addressing the Congress before the rally, the MOUAU chairperson, Chike Ugwuene said “When we came back, the government rewarded us by paying pro-rata as if we are casual workers. Government decided to reduce us.
“In MOUAU, we started with 2021/2022 examinations, but government didn’t regard that but adopted ‘no work, no pay’. We have shown patriotism”.
Addressing the lecturers after the rally, Ugwuene said, “Ngige must go”.
In their separate lectures, Prof. Irene Ejeh and Prof. C. O. Offor urged the federal government to do all it can to improve the conditions of universities in the country.
