The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) chapter, has declared September 10, 2024, as Victimized Lecturers’ Day, in solidarity with colleagues unjustly persecuted in various Nigerian universities.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
Speaking at a press conference held at the ASUU Secretariat, NAU, Awka on Tuesday, Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji, Chairperson of ASUU-NAU, expressed deep disappointment and dismay at the failure of university Visitors to address management crises and victimization of lecturers.
He said the rally was to urged the Federal Government to stop intimidating, harassing and victimized their members across public varsities in the country.
He highlighted the plight of victimized lecturers, citing cases of illegal termination of appointments, withholding of salaries, denial of promotions, and other forms of oppressive treatment.
Ubaoji specifically mentioned institutions like Kogi State University (KSU), Anyingba; Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojoo; Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma; Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO); and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, where ASUU members continue to suffer unjustly.
The ASUU-NAU Chairperson condemned the prolonged court cases and delayed justice, which have inflicted severe hardship on affected members.
He cited the case of Kogi State University, where ASUU members have endured seven long years of waiting only to face an unjust judgment.
Similarly, he expressed concern about the protracted court cases concerning ASUU members at Lagos State University (LASU), who have been unlawfully dismissed for over five years.
Ubaoji urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to fulfill his promise to address the issues at LASU and ensure that unjustly dismissed colleagues are reinstated immediately.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the Lagos State Government’s refusal to release the White Paper on the LASU Visitation Panel more than two years after the exercise.
Ubaoji called on the Visitors to Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and other state universities where ASUU members are being victimized to take decisive steps to resolve these lingering matters and breathe new life into these institutions.
He appreciated the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) but emphasized the need for decisive action from the Visitors.
The ASUU-NAU Chairperson emphasized that the unchecked tyranny of certain Vice-Chancellors must be curtailed to protect academic freedom and labor rights in Nigerian universities.
He declared that this day is dedicated to standing in solidarity with persecuted members across the nation, recognizing their struggles, and calling for justice.
Ubaoji vowed that ASUU will continue to fight for its members until justice is served, emphasizing that the plight of victimized lecturers must end.
He called on all stakeholders to join ASUU in demanding justice and fairness for academic staff in Nigerian universities.
“The plight of victimized lecturers has reached an alarming level, and we, as a union, can no longer remain silent.
” For this reason, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, has declared today, Tuesday, the 10th of September, 2024, “Victimized Lecturers’ Day”, a day to stand in solidarity with our colleagues unjustly persecuted in various Nigerian universities.
“At the heart of this declaration is ASUU’s firm stance that workers have the fundamental right to embark on industrial action to press for better working conditions.
“This right, enshrined in both national and international labor laws, must not be criminalized, and we must not allow the exploitation and victimization of lecturers to continue unchecked.
“This day is, therefore, dedicated to standing in solidarity with our persecuted members across the nation, recognizing their struggles, and calling for justice.
“We stand firm in our belief that the plight of victimized lecturers must end. We shall continue to fight for our members until justice is served’. the ASUU-UNIZIK chairperson,” concluded.
