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| Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello |
The Academic Staff Union of Universities on
Friday accused the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, of recruiting holders of
the Nigeria Certificate in Education to replace about 150 lecturers dismissed
from the Kogi State University.
The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Owerri Zone, Prof.
Ike Odimegwu, stated this at a press conference in Awka, Anambra State.
ASUU, Owerri Zone comprises Chukwuemeka Odumegwu
Ojukwu University, Uli; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Imo State
University, Owerri; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Odimegwu said the governor’s action was capable
of destroying Nigerian university education and ridiculing its certificates in
the global community.
Odimegwu said, “This arrogant display of power
and abuse of office by Mr. Yahaya Bello speaks volume about the extent to which
some political office holders could go to crush perceived opposition to fulfil
their ambition towards destroying the public education system.
“After the sacking of over 150 seasoned
lecturers, Mr. Bello resorted to the recruitment of unqualified individuals,
such as laboratory attendants, members of the National Youth Service Corps, NCE
holders and even undergraduate students, to replace them.
“These actions amount to gross violation of
International Labour Law, the Constitution of Nigeria and all known best
practices in the university system.”
Describing the crisis in the Kogi State
University as a recurring incident, Odimegwu alleged that it was caused by
inadequate funding and erosion of university autonomy.
He said, “In July 2017, the governor, who is the
Visitor to Kogi State University, Anyigba – announced the proscription of all
ASUU activities in the university. This was followed by the sacking of over 150
academic staff members, who were on a lawful struggle to press for the payment
of the backlog of their salaries running into several months.
“These lawless actions are clear manifestations
of arrogance and very high level of ignorance on the side of Mr. Bello
vis-a-vis the limits of his power as the state governor and failure of
appreciation of the essence of a university.”
He accused the governor of humiliating ASUU
member, and using students to threaten their lives.
He said those were clear indications of the
deplorable state of affairs and mismanagement of the state-owned universities.
The union also accused the Vice Chancellor of the
Lagos State University of victimisation of ASUU members in the university,
calling on the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, to intervene and save the
university from impunity and dictatorship.
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