By Ovat Abeng
The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka branch (ASUU-UNIZIK), has expressed worry over the same salary structure for members in the past sixteen years.
The Union expressed their dissatisfaction while protesting in front of the University gate by Enugu-Onitsha expressway Awka, on Tuesday to call the attention of the public on how, since 2009, the dialogue with the federal government has not yielded any results.
The protestors where seen carrying placards with various inscription such as; FG pay us our 3/12 months salary, stop suffocating University lecturers, lecturers welfares matters, FG honour Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Agreement, pay us our worth, pay us fairly, support quality education, blame FG for another long strike, we teach, we care, we deserve better pay, among others.
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Speaking further in a press conference shortly after the protest, the ASUU-UNIZIK branch chairman, Comrade Innocent Nnubia, appeal to students, parents and other lovers of education to join in the struggle for a better education system in Nigeria.
According to the chairman, “As members of the fourth estate of the realm and partners in progress, you have remained steadfast in addressing issues raised by our union, and we will always be grateful for your support, understanding and your cooperation. Three months ago, at National Secretariat of ASUU, Abuja, a press conference entitled: “The Most Powerful Weapon Against Poverty, Extremism and Ignorance was not the Bullet, but Education” was addressed and ASUU warned against complacency in addressing issues affecting our members.
“In the said press release, ASUU specifically raised the following issues: conclusion of the Re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement. Immediate payment of three and half months withheld salaries. Sustainable funding of our universities. Revitalization of public universities. Victimization of our colleges in LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University) and FUTO. Outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, Promotion Arrears for over 4 years Third party deductions.
The government made promises to address these issues. Regrettably, we are here to inform the general public, through our dear compatriots in the press, that these issues are still lingering.
“We in ASUU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Branch, address this press conference to inform the government and the general public that time is running out and we should not be held responsible if there is a breakdown of industrial harmony in our campuses.
On the RE-NEGOTIATING OF THE 2009 ASUU-FGN AGREEMENTASUU NAU calls for the immediate conclusion of the re-negotiation process by signing the draft agreement. The 2009 Agreement was due for renew in 2012, but here we are still in the same salary after 16 years. Is this not a show of shame? As 2009, a professor earns about $3000 in salary but today it is less than $400, this is pitiable and unacceptable.
RELEASE OF OUR WITHHELD THREE AND HALF MONTHs 2022 SALARY ARREARS, We hereby demand immediate release of our 31/2 months salaries held by the Federal government during the 2022 National Strike.
“The government cannot beat a child and urge him/her not to cry. The government instigated the strike by failing to honour agreements entered with the Union in various Memoranda of Understanding and Action.
Moreover, our members have long completed all the outstanding academic works and demand their payments.
“PAYMENT OF OUTSTANDING 25-35% SALARY ARREARSIt is really disturbing that despite the hardship being faced by members of ASUU, payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears is still outstanding. ASUU NAU demands the immediate payment of these arrears.RELEASE OF OUR THIRD PARTY DEDUCTIONS.
“As a survival strategy, some of our members embarked on thrift contribution of part of their salaries payable to some cooperative societies. These contributions were requested to be deducted from source, and remit same to the cooperative societies. It is disturbing that the federal government, after the deductions, failed to remit same to the cooperative societies.
“This to us is a deliberate act to strangulate/frustrate members of Union, hence, ASUU NAU demand the immediate remittance of these monies to the respective cooperative societies. It is a criminal act to withhold third party deductions RELEASE OF ARREARS OF PROMOTION FOR OVER FOUR YEARS Several members of our Union, who were promoted several years ago are yet to receive their promotion arrears. This has drastically affected the productivity of many members. How can one expend energy serving his or her nation in all honesty and still be denied of having access to part of his or her hard earnings? Members have really endured all sorts of manmade hardships in the hands of our so called leaders, and this has to be put to an end. Let members of ASUU who are entitled to promotion arrears be duly paid is also our demand. SUSTAINABLE FUNDING OF UNIVERSITIES. It is well known that without sustainability in funding of our universities, the university system in the country will continue to suffer. The harm lack of funding has caused in our universities are enormous. ASUU has in several occasions continued to remind the Government of the need to properly fund our universities but this seemingly continued to fall on deaf ears. Government should through her appropriate agencies do the needful by being responsible enough to properly fund our universities. Education budget in Nigeria should not be less than 26%.
VICTIMIZED MEMBERS, We also call on the Governments, both federal and state to stop the victimization of our members in some universities including Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU) (now Prince Abubakar Audu University) and Federal University of Science and Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Anambra State.
“Government cannot continue with its delay tactics forever. The general public is invited to note that ASUU has shown great patience and has reach her limits The general public should also note that ASUU has written several letters to the FGN drawing its attention to the need to resolve this crisis amicably. Lamentably, the FGN has always turned a deaf ear to all our pleas. We can no longer guarantee industrial harmony as our members are tired, hungry and weak. The time to act is now, Nnubia warned.
Addressing the protesters in response to their demands, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Carol Arinze Umobi, while commending the Union for conducting themselves peacefully during the process, promised to transmit the message to the appropriate authority.
The Acting VC was represented by one of the Varsity’s council member, Prof Pius Okoye.
