Victoria Mbangwa
The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on, Leaders, unions and civil society organizations to advocate for the immediate reinstatement of wrongfully dismissed members and also the victimization of over 200 of its members.
At a press conference yesterday, ASUU’s Zonal Coordinator, Professor Oyebamiji Oyegoke, specifically accused the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), of targeting members who opposed the controversial awarding of a professorship to Dr. Isa Pantami, the former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.
Professor Oyegoke condemned what he described as an ongoing attack on the integrity of public universities, with administrators allegedly perpetuating these violations. He also raised concerns about the broader mistreatment of ASUU members in several universities, including Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU), and Ebonyi State University (EBSU).
He said: “Despite a Visitation Panel’s recommendation for their reinstatement, the situation remains unresolved after seven years.
“In Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, the branch secretariat is reportedly locked, preventing members from holding congress meetings, while salaries have been withheld for up to 12 months.
“Similarly, in Ebonyi State University, the administration is appealing a court judgment favouring victimized members instead of implementing it.
“The union is calling on opinion leaders, traditional and religious figures, media, labor movements, student groups, and civil society organizations to advocate for the immediate reinstatement of wrongfully dismissed members and to halt all forms of victimization.”
