Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, had last week announced that all trade unions in the state owned University have been prescribed. Dr. Ikechukwu Igwenyi, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ebonyi State chapter, has reacted to the proscription of ASUU in the state and called on the state government to prioritise university education in the state.
He pointed out that labour matters are in the exclusive legislative list in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and unreasonable for a Governor to proscribe a national union duly registered and given a charter to operate.
“We are just a branch of ASUU and the national body of the Union is very much aware of the situation in Ebonyi“, he said.
The associate professor, Head of department of Biochemistry, Ebonyi state University and ASUU Chairman, Ebonyi Chapter said the staff of the institution are being owed four months salaries.
However, Onyebuchi Chima, the state Commissioner for Education, said approval had been made for the release of N500 million for the payment of staff salaries.
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ASUU Chairman, Ebonyi Chapter went further to explain that public officers do not have interest in the development and maintenance of public schools because most of them send their wards abroad for their tertiary education.
“Most public office holders are not interested in our public schools and they do not invest in the institution because all their children are studying overseas,” he explained.
He called on the staff of the university to remain determined in their quest and students to be patient with them until their demands are met.
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