- * Commends Gov Soludo For Providing Good Academic Environment In COOU
- As Anambra NUJ Chapter Pays Solidarity Visit To Commemorate Union's Congress
By Rose Nwankwu (Anambra State Correspondent, in Awka)
The Vice-Chancellor of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, in Anambra state, Professor Greg Nwakobi, has disclosed reason why his institution withdrew from the on-going strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Recall that when ASUU commenced their warning strike in February this year, ASUU COOU had declared that the University would not participate in the earlier one month warning strike backed by the parent body.
ASUU has been at loggerheads with the federal government following the government's refusal to fulfill the agreements it reached with the Union since 2009. Part of the agreement include the replacement of Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) with the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS); release of the reports of visitation panels to federal universities; and improved funding for the revitalization of public Universities and others.
Speaking during the Anambra state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) July Congress, held at Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nwakobi, explained that the union took the decision in the interest of staff and students of the institution.
Prof Nwakobi who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Osita Chiaghanam, explained that, unlike the federal government, the State government provides adequate funding to the State Universities including prompt payment of staff salaries, infrastructure and enabling environment for academic activities.
Explaining further, he said: "Salaries of the Federal Universities are funded hundred percent by the federal government, whereas the State Universities work out their salaries from subvention and internal revenues.
"Had the State University participated in the strike action and at the end of negotiation, an agreement is reached, the federal government implements immediately while we at the State Universities will have to meet the governors to renegotiate for the implementation. It is like the N30,000 minimum wage. It is assumed that civil servants at all state level are paid N30,000 minimum wage, but I can count the number of States that are implementing it.
"It is not just the issue of joining strike but after the strike, the federal government will start implementing it immediately but it will take long for the governors to implement at the state level. We have studied the system, understood it, and at every point in time, we know how best to present our matter to the governing council and to the appropriate authority for solutions," the Vice Chancellor said.
Meanwhile, the COOU Vice Chancellor, Professor Greg Nwakobi, has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for providing an enabling environment for academic activities to thrive in the school, which, he said, has made the institution to remain one of the best state-owned Universities in the country.
Professor Nwakoby stated this while addressing journalists during their July congress at the Godwin Ezemo International press center, Awka.
According to Professor Nwakoby who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Professor Osita Chiaghanam, there has been a lot of improvement in the school in terms of infrastructure , quality teaching and learning and overall administration of the school .
He said that the school is not interested in joining the ASUU strike by denying students the opportunity to study and graduate as and when due, noting that they are fully funded by the state government.
Professor Nwakoby who commended the NUJ executives for changing the narratives in the union, however said that it is of utmost importance to prioritize the welfare of the members, just as the management of the institution holds welfare of its workers in high esteem.
Speaking earlier, the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Ph.D, outlined various activities of his executive in ensuring that the Anambra NUJ waxes stronger, especially in terms of welfare of it's members .
Comrade Odogwu urged members of the union to always apply work ethics and to be professional in their reportage. He commended the leadership qualities of the Vice Chancellor's of COOU and the successes recorded so far by him. NNL.
