The Academic Staff Union of Universities Calabar Zone, which encompasses Ebonyi State University, Abia State University, Akwa Ibom State University, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, University of Calabar, Cross River University of Technology, and the University of Uyo, has recently voiced its concern over the victimization of its members across various Nigerian universities.
This includes complaints from institutions such as EBSU, Kogi State University, and Lagos State University.
According to The PUNCH, in a recent protest held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, members of ASUU from the Calabar Zone rallied to express solidarity with their colleagues who have faced mistreatment.
The demonstration highlighted ongoing issues of unpaid entitlements and other forms of intimidation experienced by university lecturers.
At the end of the protest, the Union released a communiqué titled, ‘Lecturers’ Victimisation Day’, undersigned by key figures including Comrades Happiness Uduk of ASUU-Calabar Zone; Slessor Mbah, Chairperson of ASUU-ABSU; Inyang Udosen, Chairperson of ASUU-AKSU; Ikechuku Igwenyi, Chairperson of ASUU-EBSU; Patrick Ushi, Chairperson of ASUU-CRUTECH; Peter Ubi, Chairperson of ASUU-UniCal; and Opeyemi Olajide, Chairperson of ASUU-UniUyo. The communiqué decried the adverse effects of harassment and intimidation on the quality of university education in Nigeria.
“We are here to show solidarity with our EBSU branch and protest the unwarranted victimisation of our members in the branch. We are pained by the intimidation and victimisation of our members who are fighting for positive outcomes in Nigerian universities,” the statement read.
The communiqué emphasized the gravity of the situation, likening the plight of Union leaders to those “sent to the market with salt, only for the rainmaker to be consulted to send down the rains.”
The statement also announced the establishment of an annual “Victimised Lecturers’ Day” to bring attention to these issues, with a particular focus on the EBSU branch.
The statement detailed the distressing case of the “KSU 120,” a group of 120 academic staff from Kogi State University who have been dismissed since 2017 for participating in a legitimate protest advocating for better working conditions, including salary payments, university funding, and academic freedom.
This dismissal has led to severe hardship, including loss of accommodation and salaries, with some members passing away due to the prolonged struggle.
“Although some of the victimised members, with support from the Union, have obtained additional degrees during this period, Comrades David T. Adamo, Noah Daluba, John Iyere, and Timothy Oshadare are no longer with us. They passed away during this ongoing imbroglio. What a shame! We mourn our fallen heroes and pray that their embattled souls find rest in the bosom of our Lord and join us from the other side in the fight for justice for those still being victimised in KSU and our other branches,” the communiqué mourned.
ASUU also called for the reinstatement of the dismissed members, criticizing the way university administrations manage public universities as private entities.
They demanded that Kogi State University’s administration adhere to the recommendations of the White Paper from the Visitation Panel, which calls for the immediate recall of the 120 sacked staff.
“Compatriots, we are saddened by the way university administrations and visitors to universities manage public universities as though they were private and personal enterprises, without recourse to procedures and due process. The Union frowns at this and demands, as contained in the White Paper of the Visitation Panel to KSU, that the sacked 120 members be reinstated forthwith,” the statement concluded, urging a swift resolution to restore peace and industrial harmony at Kogi State University.
