The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has reacted to the registration of two new unions in the university system by the federal government, noting that it is not a threat to it.
The new unions are the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA).
The President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said this during an interview with Vanguard.
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Reacting to the registration of the two new unions, he said;
“That does not in any way affect us. We are a disciplined and focused union and we know what we are doing and what we are after. Let them register as many unions as they like.
“That is inconsequential as far as we are concerned. We are not also in any way threatened. The sky is big enough for birds to fly.
“We know our members, we know our strength and we also know what our vision and mission are. Our members are not saboteurs or bootlickers .
“Our struggle is for a better educational system in the country. If the system is good, all of us will benefit and it is not only ASUU members’ children and wards that are going to benefit from improved funding and the provision of better facilities in our institutions.”
On allegation by the Presidency that ASUU members are complicit in the corrupt practices in the university system, Osodeke said;
“As a union, we have been championing transparency and accountability in the university system.
“That is why we are calling for the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, UTAS, as the payment platform in the university system. Those indicted for misappropriating over N100 billion through their IPPIS, are they our members?
“Moreover, one of our demands is that Visitation Panels be set up to probe the activities and the finances of universities in the country. If we don’t want corruption stamped out, we would not be asking for that.”
