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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Fidelis Edeh, has tasked the Academic Staff Union of Universities on the need to be involved in national development.
Edeh added that members of ASUU channeling their intellectual capacity towards national development would help in shaping the future of Nigeria.
The MOUAU Pro Chancellor stated during a reception in honour of Prof. Victor Emmanuel Osodeke, immediate past National President of ASUU, held at the ASUU Secretariat, MOUAU.
Edeh praised ASUU’s long-standing efforts in securing university autonomy, noting that the union had successfully achieved nearly 80 percent of that goal.
He however emphasized that autonomy must be matched with transparency, accountability, and integrity in university administration.
“It is time to move from struggle to strategy. ASUU must now take ownership of this country God has given us, not by standing aside, but by fully participating in its rebuilding,” he said.
He lamented ASUU’s absence in the drafting of the 1999 Constitution, which, he said, had long-term consequences for the academic community.
He urged the union to actively engage in the programmes and policies of government, stressing that national governance should not be left solely in the hands of politicians.
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Professor Osodeke said the union under his leadership fought several battles to keep education system alive in the country which he said would have collapsed if not for ASUU’s resilience.
“We encountered a lot of difficulties during the era of Ex- President Mohammadu Buhari, may his soul rest in peace; anchored by Chris Ngige who created a lot of confusion when we were struggling for the good of our education system.
“Our struggles have kept our public Universities where they are today and saved them from collapsing like other public institutions like Nigerian Airways and Nigerian refineries.”
He explained that ASUU was able to achieve the removal of Universities from the IPPS system while a number of Professors now retire with their full pay.
The immediate-past ASUU President stated that despite the poor treatment meted to university lecturers, public Universities still offer quality education than private ones, adding that 95 percent of University students’ population in Nigeria are still found in public Universities.
The current National President of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna defending Osodeke over the last ASUU strike, said such action was a universal tool that can not be taken off the table but only applied if the government fails to honour its agreements with ASUU.
Describing ASUU struggle as a collective initiative for the interests of lecturers, students and their parents, Piwuna
promised to sustain the demand for University autonomy, academic freedom and other general conducive environment for ASUU members.
The Chairperson of ASUU, MOUAU branch, Comrade Chike Ugwuene praised Professor Osodeke for making MOUAU and the nation proud.
Ugwuene spoke of the harmonious relationship between the management of MOUAU and ASUU in Umudike.
Receiving the former ASUU President, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe said the institution was proud of the roles Professor Osodeke played as President of ASUU.
