Governor Bello: of Kogi State

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU), has advised the Governors of Lagos and Kogi States not to plunge the nation into avoidable academic crisis by recalling their members that were recently sacked by the management of two Universities owned by the two States.

The Coordinator of the Benin Zone of ASUU, Prof. Anthony Monye-Emina, who gave try advise on Wednesday in Benin, while addressing journalists over alleged sack of about 127 of its members in the two Universities, also faulted the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello’s proscription of the State varsity ASUU declaring that the latter’s action is “laughable.”

Recall that about 150 lecturers in Kogi State University and another seven in Lagos State University, Ojoo, were recently sacked by the management of the Universities.

Also, the Kogi Governor had in July, announced the proscription of the varsity’s ASUU, following a seven-month strike action by lecturers of the institution over issues bordering on welfare and unpaid salary arrears.

In his address, Monye-Emina, who said that the Kogi State Governor “has been intoxicated with power and all sense of decency has been thrown to the winds,” added that whereas, “the salary arrears in dispute have not been paid to date and a reign of terror suffuse the University community.”

According to him, the denial of rights to lawful assembly and freedom of association, a fundamental human right  in this age and time is highly condemnable.

“The governor’s action is an indication of the level of ignorance and poor understanding of the laws and institutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by political office holders like Yahaya Bello.

“The people who swore on oath to uphold the Constitution of the land are the worst violators.

“Yahaya Bello should understand that ASUU is a national trade union chartered by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not Kogi State; and he has no power to proscribe the union,” he stated.