Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday warned the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union against further foisting its unpopular leadership on members of the university so as to improve academic excellence of the students and welfare of its members.
The union in a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Usman AbdulRaheem, also berated the ASUU NEC over its recent comment against the appointment of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the UNILORIN, Professor Ish’aq Oloyede as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The statement read in parts: “What the ASUU NEC is lamenting is its serial failure to foist unpopular leadership on the branch. Majority of our members had insisted and are still insisting that ASUU NEC will continue to fail woefully and sulk until it embraces the elementary democratic principles in the election of leadership.
“We advise the executive of the union to retrace its path back to the dreams of our founding fathers- Mahmud Tukur, late Festus Iyayi and Attahiru Jega; embrace democratic norms and meritocracy.”
“We consider the recent negative observation by ASUU-NEC, as published in some sections of the media, on Oloyede’s well deserving appointment, as baseless, reckless and ill-conceived.
“It is yet another evidence of the meddlesomeness of a union that has lost track of the laid down objectives of its cherished founding fathers. Otherwise, what kind of reasoning will produce such an outburst over a well and widely acknowledged appointment!”
The union added that, “The purging of UNILORIN of anarchy, academic idiocy and laziness, which the ASUU NEC is grieving over, has yielded positive result in terms of academic productivity, integrity and stable calendar in the university.
“These have been widely acclaimed and appreciated by Nigerians and non-Nigerians. This feat has become the envy and goal of many higher institutions in Nigeria. Oloyede‘s achievements and antecedents in other areas are iconic, intimidating, as well as outstanding. His records are impeccable; he stands tall. Therefore, he is not only suitable and fit for this current position, but even for higher challenges at national and international levels.”
The statement added: “The ASUU NEC’s directionless and selective attention of recent is worrisome. For example, when due process was being trampled upon in the selection of a new vice-chancellor in OAU, ASUU looked away because its preferred candidate was favoured; the same with federal government’s attempt to violate university autonomy through its directive on post-UTME.
“The union was apparently jerked into consciousness in order to issue a belated reaction and the union would rather go on an excursion to organise a symposium on Western Sahara, or advocate socialist governance in Nigeria now! We know the national ASUU has its eyes on our check-off dues, which they are painfully missing.
“The check-off is a decision of our congress and so, it is legitimate. It has been, over the years, well managed and accounted for. The evidence is obvious, with secretariat, shopping complex and student hostel accommodation to show for it.
“It is therefore ridiculous and scandalous of ASUU-NEC to misinform the public that UNILORIN branch of the union is not functioning and on the contrary, the branch is virile, focused and effective by every definition of labour unionism.”
The union therefore congratulated Oloyede on his well-deserved appointment.
