The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) chapter, Anambra State, has said its members will not return to the university, even as the institution plans to resume academic activities.
The Chairman of ASUU in the institution, Prof. Okey Aniebo in his briefing with newsmen, called on parents not to bother bringing their wards to the institution as it would be a waste of time.
Prof. Okey, stated that part of the reason for the strike was because of poor pay, while insisting that the recent high cost of fuel, and the multi-campus nature of the institution, ensure their take home pay no ‘longer take them home’.
“The Congress of ASUU-COOU resolved today to sustain the union’s struggle. ASUU members are, therefore, not part of the planned resumption of academic activities in the University as announced by the COOU Management.
ASUU members will not engage in any form of teaching, examinations, supervisions and statutory meetings within the pendency of the national industrial action. No amount of threat will deter the union from prosecuting this selfless and reasonable course of action to get government do the needful in public universities in Nigeria.
“ASUU-COOU is therefore, using this opportunity to inform students that her members will not resume academic activities on 21st September 2020. Parents are by this advised to withhold their wards from returning to the University, while the industrial action is still on because this will give them an opportunity to engage in nefarious activities.”
The union gave reasons for its action, debunking insinuations that they were on solidarity strike with national ASUU, stating the decision to down tools was based on lack of basic learning supports in the institution and non-payment of some allowance to its members.
However, in the same vein, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Greg Nwokoby has denied the claims by the lecturers, insisting the institution will go ahead with the resumption of academic activities.
Recall that Lagos state had announced that all tertiary institutions in the state will be reopen for academic activities on September 14,2020, while other states across the country followed suit to announce school reopening according to their own peculiarities.
