The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, is calling for an immediate halt to the alleged victimization and dismissal of its members in various public institutions, including Ebonyi State University, EBSU, in Abakaliki.
It was reported yesterday that the Union had urged the Kogi State Government to reinstate 120 academic staff of Kogi State University, KSU, Anyigba, who were dismissed in 2017.
This demand was made by the Calabar zone of ASUU during a solidarity rally held on Tuesday at the EBSU permanent site in Abakaliki.
The union’s zonal coordinator, Happiness Uduk, said the rally was part of the events to mark the “Victimised Lecturer Day”.
Uduk said that ending the victimisation and sacking of union members would help to engender peace in institutions.
“We are here to show solidarity with our EBSU branch and protest the unwarranted victimisation of our members.
“Pained by the intimidation and victimisation of our members, who are fighting for positive outcomes in the Nigerian universities, we are here to speak in the interest of peace.
“We, therefore, call for the reinstatement of the 120 academic staff of Kogi State University, dismissed illegally for over seven years from 2017 to date,” said Uduk
She criticized the harsh treatment faced by staff at these institutions, including suspensions, denial of promotions, unpaid salaries, and dismissals.
Uduk noted that among those affected are employees from Lagos State University, Kogi State University, Abia State University, and Uturu.
“They were sacked for participating in a legitimate action, demanding better welfare for members, especially payment of backlog of salaries and allowances, proper funding, university autonomy, and academic freedom.
“In EBSU, many infractions have been experienced by a handful of our members, which include victimisation. The EBSU branch chairperson, Ikechuku Igwenyi, was suspended,” she said.
“Comrades Idenyi and Igwenyi have remained suspended without trial for 34 months,” Uduk said.
(Vanguard)
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