By Ikenna Nwokedi 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Chapter on Tuesday, 10th September 2024 held a solidarity rally in protest against the victimization of teaching staff members in various branches across the country.

Speaking to Journalists in the  aftermath of the solidarity rally held at the ASUU NAU Secretariat complex, the Chairperson of the branch, Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji, informed that the rally was to call on State and Federal Government to end the constant intimidation, harassment and victimization of their members across public universities in the country.

According to Comrade Ubaoji, ASUU-NAU convene today to draw Nigerians’ attention to the persistent victimization of academic staff across the country.

"The plight of victimized lecturers has reached an alarming level, and we, as a union, can no longer remain silent. For this reason, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, has declared today, Tuesday, the 10th of September, 2024, Victimized Lecturers’ Day, a day to stand in solidarity with our colleagues unjustly persecuted in various Nigerian universities.

"At the heart of this declaration is ASUU’s firm stance that workers have the fundamental right to embark on industrial action to press for better working conditions. 

"This right, enshrined in both national and international labor laws, must not be criminalized, and we must not allow the exploitation and victimization of lecturers to continue unchecked.

"ASUU-NAU wishes to express deep disappointment and dismay at the failure of the respective Visitors of public universities to address the unending management crises and the victimization of our colleagues. These institutions include, but are not limited to Kogi State University (KSU), Anyingba; Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojoo; Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma; Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam.

"In these and other institutions, our members continue to suffer through illegal termination of appointments, withholding of salaries, denial of promotions, and other forms of oppressive treatment. ASUU-NAU finds this utterly unacceptable.

"Particularly concerning is the travesty of justice in Kogi State University, where our members have endured seven long years of waiting only to face an unjust judgment. 

"Similarly, we are troubled by the protracted court cases concerning our colleagues at Lagos State University (LASU), who have been unlawfully dismissed for over five years.

"The unnecessary elongation of court proceedings in these cases amounts to justice delayed, which, as we all know, is justice denied. These delays have inflicted severe hardship on our affected members, putting their livelihoods and lives on hold indefinitely.

"ASUU-NAU also expresses deep dissatisfaction with the Lagos State Government's refusal to release the White Paper on the LASU Visitation Panel more than two years after the exercise. This prolonged silence is unbecoming of a government that claims to be democratic. 

"We, therefore, urges Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to fulfill his promise to address the issues at LASU and ensure that our unjustly dismissed colleagues are reinstated immediately.

"Furthermore, we are disturbed by the situation at Ebonyi State University (EBSU), where, despite a court ruling in favor of our colleague, the University has opted to appeal the decision, delaying justice even further. 

"While we appreciate the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), we call on the Visitors to EBSU and other state universities where our members are being victimized to take decisive steps to resolve these lingering matters and breathe new life into these institutions.

"In light of these developments, we urge the Governing Councils and Visitors to state universities to take a proactive interest in the proper application of the laws governing their institutions. The unchecked tyranny of certain Vice-Chancellors must be curtailed to protect academic freedom and labor rights in our universities.

"This day is, therefore, dedicated to standing in solidarity with our persecuted members across the nation, recognizing their struggles, and calling for justice.

"We stand firm in our belief that the plight of victimized lecturers must end. We shall continue to fight for our members until justice is served," Ubaoji stated.