By Olayinka Owolabi
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Chapter on Tuesday embarked on a peaceful protest over poor salaries.
Leaders of the union in the university, and thousands of lecturers marched from the ASUU secretariat through to the Enugu-Onitsha and ended at the administrative blocks of the university, where they demanded audience with the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Carol Arinze-Umobi.
The protesting lecturers are calling on the Government not to allow their patience to burn out with its continued delay in concluding the re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement and its subsequent signing into law.
Speaking during the protest, the ASUU-NAU Chairperson, Comrade Innocent Nnubia said the protest was to alert the government and the public that time is running out and the ASUU should not be held responsible if there is a breakdown of industrial harmony on its campuses.
“Three months ago at the national secretariat, ASUU held a press conference and specifically raised the following issues:Conclusion of the Re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, immediate payment of three and half months withheld salaries sustainable funding of our universities. He said
The union said its members do not enjoy embarking on strike, but said it remains their last option.
“The government made promises to address these issues, but regrettably, we are here to inform the general public, through our dear compatriots in the press, that these issues are still lingering.
“We in ASUU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University branch, address this press conference to inform the government and the general public that time is running out and we should not be held responsible if there is a breakdown of industrial harmony in our campuses.”
