Polytechnics Boil as ASUP Roles Out Demands From F.G In A Communique

COMMUNIQUE FROM AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF POLYTECHNICS (ASUP) ZONE D HELD AT THE RICHCREST HOTELS ENUGU FROM 14^TH TO 16^TH OF JANUARY, 2014. Enjoy the content

Member chapters of ASUP ZONE D, comprising of Polytechnics and Monotechnics in the South East and South South geopolitical zones met on an emergency note at the RichCrest Hotels Enugu from the 14^th to the 16^th of January 2014. The meeting reviewed the state of its chapters in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Federal Polytechnic, Oko , Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Enugu as well as Akwa Ibom State College of Arts and Science, Ikono.

The following observations were made:

1.     The sustained non payment of staff salaries in Abia State Polytechnic for 7 months

2.     The recent increase in the subvention of the Abia State Polytechnic from N25 Million to N90 Million by the Abia state government.

3.     The attack on the Chapter in Oko

4.     The comatose state of IMT chapter as well as the on going judicial action between the Management of IMT and ASUP

5.     The unlawful dissolution of the chapter leadership in Akwa Ibom College of Arts and Science, Ikono.

6.     The impending appointment of Rectors in some chapters in the zone.

The following resolutions were made.

1.     The ASUP Zone D condemns in strong terms the nonpayment of staff salaries in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba for over 7 months. ASUP zone D notes that this is tied to the poor state of the finances of the Institution reported to be in debt to financial institutions to the tune of over N1.4 billion. While the zone is appreciative of the kind gesture of the Abia State government in increasing the monthly subvention of the Institution to N90 Million, it however notes that practical and urgent steps must be taken to clear the backlog of salaries and debts owed to banks as well as ensuring that the finances of the Institution are better managed.

2.     The zone equally notes the disturbing degeneration of Industrial relations in OKO chapter. The zone particularly frowned at the attack on Union officials in Oko during the pre NDC Chapter congress of 22^nd October 2013, palpable witch hunting of union officials and members, persistent efforts by management of Federal Polytechnic, Oko towards dividing the union as well as the unsavoury media publications against the union and its officials. The Union is worried at the gradual but persistent degeneration of Oko into a theater of industrial disharmony. It is our guided conviction that with these disturbing events coming towards the end of the tenure of the Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu and the principled position of the chapter in Oko for the next Rector to be appointed from within the sector at the expiration of his tenure in March 2014, these events could be related. The zone identifies with the chapter in the face of such persecution and at the same time insists that the age long position of ASUP National that Rectors of Nigerian Polytechnics should be sourced from within the sector is non negotiable, in Oko and other Polytechnics. The zone equally resolved to pursue the immediate suspension of the aggressors who masterminded the attack on Union officials during the congress at the next NEC meeting of the Union.

3.     The Union condemns in strong terms the reign of terror in IMT Enugu with the continued suspension of the chapter chairman and ongoing efforts to cripple the Union in IMT through stoppage of check off deductions and a judicial process instituted by the Rector of the Institute against the Union. While we affirm our belief in the judiciary, it is noteworthy to point out that these steps may degenerate into interminable industrial disharmony in the Institute that is just recovering from an earlier crisis. We insist that the Rector, Prof. M. Iloeje should be held responsible by the Enugu state government in the event of a relapse of the Institute into crisis as there is no justification for the current disharmony.  

4.     The zone equally condemns in strong terms the dissolution of the chapter Exco in AKWACASS, IKONO by a group without recourse to the constitution of the Union, warning that acts of indiscipline cannot be tolerated. It was resolved that all parties to the dispute in AKWACASS should revert to the status quo ante pending the visit of the Zonal Officials.

5.     The zone endorsed efforts by chapters in Uwana, Oko, and AbiaPoly to ensure the appointment of Rectors for their respective Institutions from the sector, in compliance to NEC directives and on-going national strike. The zone encouraged the affected chapters to remain resolute and promised to pursue NEC endorsement in this regard.

   

Dean, Student Affairs, University of Ilorin, Prof. Lawal Omotesho,  said today that the publication of the names of  24 expelled students was to serve as deterrent to others.
Omotesho told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that the university expelled the students for various acts of  misconduct.
“The fact that the university expelled the student is not new, but their names had to be published to serve as warning to fresh students.
“This is also necessary as orientation programme for fresh students is holding today,” he said.
He said  the expelled students were from various faculties while their offences included  forgery of  certificates and examination malpractice.
Omotesho said  the institution had  its rules and regulations which must be followed strictly by students, adding that failure to abide by  them  would result  in  dismissal.
Management, he added, had directed the students to keep away from the campus and submit all the university’s property in their possessions. (NAN)
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