The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, ASUU-NAU, on Tuesday took to the streets of the Awka campus to protest what it called the insensitivity of the government to the plight of university lecturers.
The lecturers converged on the ASUU-NAU secretariat, Awka, from where they moved around the university, chanting protest songs and showing solidarity with their colleagues being subjected to all forms of inhumane treatment.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, had declared Tuesday, 10th of September, 2024, the Victimized Lecturers’ Day; a day to stand in solidarity with university lecturers unjustly persecuted in various Nigerian universities.
Addressing newsmen after the protest, the ASUU-NAU Chairperson, Comrade Kingsley Ubaorji said they are angry with the government for ignoring their members being victimized for just speaking out against the denial of their rights.
He said ASUU firmly believes that workers have the fundamental right to embark on industrial action to press for better working conditions.
According to him, this right, enshrined in both national and international labor laws, must not be criminalized, and they will not allow the exploitation and victimization of lecturers to continue unchecked.
“ASUU-NAU wishes to express deep disappointment and dismay at the failure of the respective visitors of public universities to address the unending management crises and the victimization of our colleagues. These institutions include, but are not limited to 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,” he said.
Ubaorji revealed that in these institutions, ASUU members continue to suffer illegal termination of appointments, withholding of salaries, denial of promotions, and other forms of oppressive treatment.
Noting that some of the cases are in court, the ASUU-NAU boss regretted that the unnecessary elongation of court proceedings in these cases amounts to justice delayed, which is justice denied.
He said these delays have inflicted severe hardship on our affected members, putting their livelihoods and lives on hold indefinitely.
The ASUU body urged the Governing Councils and Visitors to state universities to take a proactive interest in the proper application of the laws governing their institutions.
“The unchecked tyranny of certain Vice-Chancellors must be curtailed to protect academic freedom and labor rights in our universities.
“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,” he said.
