From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja (UniAbuja) branch, has accused the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, of running the institution like his personal property.
The Union said the VC had turned himself into a sole administrator and running the institution without the input of the Senate and also taking some decisions that run contrary to the Act establishing the institution.
It, however, justified its recent decision to embark on strike to raise national and global awareness on the ills being done to the institution and its systems by the VC.
Chairman, UniAbuja ASUU, Dr. Sylvester Ugoh, who spoke told Daily Sun that the VC had decided to disregard the place of the Senate of the University, ASUU and other processes in the school, which, he said, could spell doom for the institution.
He said: “Last week, we took the decision to embark on strike. This was well thought out and the national leaders/organs of the Union are aware, and in support of the industrial action, which commenced last week.
“We have made several suggestions to the school management regarding the issue of recruitment process for the soon-to-be vacant post of Vice Chancellor. The process so far, obviously violates the Act establishing the institution, and we have raised the concern, but the school management chose to go ahead with the process.
“Another issue is the deanship election, which has not been conducted for years. Even the zonal and national officers of ASUU have visited and engaged the VC on the matter. Promises were made, but up till now, none has been fulfilled.
“The establishment Act of the university stipulates that positions of Deans and Provost are strictly by election, but that has not been done, and some of those acting have been there for more than two years, and the University has refused to do what is lawful.
“We can’t remember the last time the Senate of the institution met to deliberate on issues of the school. Neither regular nor emergency Senate meetings has been held lately to discuss issues of the school.
Similarly, the ASUU chairman called the attention of the public to the massive recruitments that have happened in the institution recently, which was done without due process, apparently in violation of the Act establishing the institution.
“Over 300 staff were recruited into the university system lately. Sadly, all the newly recruited staff are from one part of this country. This is a serious violation of the university law, federal character, and the spirit of inclusion. This should be corrected for the benefit of all.”
Dr. Ugoh maintained that the Union would not back down until the right things were done regarding the issues raised in his letters to the university management, not excluding the issues that concern the UniAbuja Microfinance Bank.
The VC in a message posted on the Facebook account of the school yesterday, asked the university community to disregard the efforts of some persons to disrupt academic peace and harmony in the school.
He commended academic staff, who chose not to join the strike, describing them as “gallant” academic members, who have the interest of the school at heart.
Part of the post read: “This clique of strike-mongers at UniAbuja are not the genuine ASUU members that I know, honour, and respect; they are not the ASUU I pay monthly dues to as a member.
“Nevertheless, I have received messages of solidarity supporting the majority UniAbuja academic staff, who have stood against the small clique of strike-loving group.”
The VC stated that most of the demands of the members had been met, but they chose to disrupt the academic peace and harmony in the school.
He, thus, assured the university community of continued peace and security on campus, warning the clique against threatening staff to leave and abandon their work. “It’s unacceptable. They can’t be threatening to discipline staff as if they are the employers of those staff.”