Staff Welfare: UNIZIK Lecturers Protest FG Complacency, Warns Against Looming Industrial Crisis

By Praise Chinecherem

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state on Tuesday staged peaceful protest over federal government’s complacency in addressing issues affecting its members.

The protesters who carried placards with varying inscriptions marched round major roads in the campus through the main gate before rounding off at the administrative block.

Speaking shortly after the protest, Chairperson, ASUU NAU, Prof Innocent Nnubia regretted what he described as lingering and overdue 2009 renegotiation issues, stressing that time was running out on them.

He said the protest was to inform the public that members should not be held responsible if there is a breakdown of industrial harmony in our campuses.

He appealed to the university authority to take their demands to the federal government and any other authority that supposed to address their concerns.

He said, “We in ASUU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Branch, address this press conference to inform the government and the general

“We the ASUU NAU members are grieved. You know what’s obtainable in western countries. When there’s problem in the system, they run to the academia for solution. But in Nigeria the reverse is the case.

“This issue of renegotiation has lingered since 2009 and overdue. We’re talking about funding of our universities.

“We’re here to request you take our demands to authorities that’s supposed to address our concerns. We can’t continue to die in silence anymore. We’re tied of packaging.”

Responding on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Carol Arinze-Umobi, a Council member, Prof Pius Okoye commended the lecturers for their orderly and peaceful conduct, assuring that their demands would betreated with dispatch.

“We’re all witnessing and experiencing the difficulties. Acting VC is one of us. She didn’t fall from heaven. Some of us have even lost their lives during the last strike for lack of money to buy drugs.

“I want to assure you that if there’s anything we can do in our capacity as council members to better the welfare of our members, we will do it.

“The ones we can’t handle, we’ll transmit it to the Acting VC. The way we present her matter in council and pro-chancellor you’ll agree she’s a blessing to the university.

“She has the power, conviction and what it takes to make wonderful presentation and convey same through the pro-chancellor to concerned authorities to act urgently,” he said.