SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA UNIVERSITIES (SSANU)

ACOMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A TWO-DAY NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING OF THE SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES (SSANU) HELD AT OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY, AGO-IWOYE,OGUN STATE ON 13TH AND 14TH JULY, 2017.

The National Executive council of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SSANU), at its meeting held on Thursday 13th and Friday, 14th July 2017, at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, deliberated extensively on critical issues affecting the Union, the Educational Sector, University sub-sector, and the National as a whole.

NEC at the end of its sitting came out with far-reaching conclusions which are products of its deliberations as follows:

  1. HATE SPEECHES AND CALLS FOR VIOLENCE FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY

NEC in Session, observed with anxiety, the various hate speeches and calls for violence by members of t6he elite class and power mongers in the country, SSANU is convinced that the drumbeats of war resonating from different sections of the country are not in the interest of the Nigerian masses and agreed that Nigerian workers should be united against poverty, deprivation and exploitation by members of the elite/ruling class. NEC further noted that while members of the ruling class have other places or countries to run to, the average Nigerian does not, NEC therefore urges Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as common fodder by the elite class who promote all these divisions for personal, selfish and exploitative ends. Observing however, that there are imbalances and inequalities in the Nigerian system, which need urgent redress, NEC urges the Nigerian people to promote dialogue with a view to deepening the National conversation, instead of violence which would bring along with it, gave consequences and repercussions.

  1. STATE OF INSECURITY AND ATTACKS ON UNIVERITY OF MAIDUGURI

NEC in Session, condemns the spate of bombing in the University ofMaiduguri leading to wanton destruction of lives and property of staff and students. While SSANU appreciates the security forces and the Federal Government for achievements so far recorded in curtailing the menace of insurgence, it urges them to do more in intelligence gathering and tasks the Federal Government to provide equipment and adequate funding to protect our Universities from violence being wreaked by these miscreants.

  1. VICTIMIZATION AND ILLEGAL TERMINATION OF APPOINTMMENTS OF THE BRANCH CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY OF SSANU AT UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA

NEC in Session, noted with dismay and shock, the branches and administrative infractions perpetrated by the Authorities at the University of Abuja, leading to the illegal suspension and eventual terminations of appointments of the Branch Chairman and Secretary of SSANU in the University, NEC noted that the process leading to these actions were unprocedural, unlawful and unconstitutional. NEC therefore urges the Honorable Minister of Education to prevail on the Governing council of the University of Abuja to immediately recall our illegally terminated offices to avert a National and Industrial crisis.

  1. ABANDONMENT OF LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY BY ITS PROPRIETORS

NEC in Session, notes with bewilderment, the abandonment ofLadoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) owned jointly by Oyo and Osun States jeopardizing the careers of our members, lives of student and other members of the University community. While the two State Governments have gone ahead setting up their own Universities, LAUTECH should not be left to rot in a country where the existing Universities cannot absorb the teeming prospective entrants into Universities. NEC in Session noted the potentials of the university and its past contributions to national development and painfully wondered why such institution should be abandoned for any reason. SSANU therefore urges the immediate takeover of LAUTECH by the Federal Government to halt this painful and embarrassing action of Oyo and Osun Governments. NEC appeals to stakeholders in the Educational Sector, Traditional Rulers in the Southwest, political leaders and concerned Nigerians to take more than a passing interest in the issue of LAUTECH in the interest of our Nigerian children and the future of the Nation.

  1. DEFIANCE OF COURT JUDGEMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON UNIVERSITY STAFF SCHOOLS

NEC in Session, vigorously condemns the contemptuous action of the Federal Government in defiance and disrespect of the rule of law by bluntly refusing to implement the judgment of the National Industrial Court that clearly directed that Staff Schools are integral part of the University as contained in the SSANU/FGN 2009 agreement. NEC expressed disappointments with the recent guidelines in the 2018 personal Budget Call Circular dated May 5, 2017, signed by Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budgets and National Planning, wherein directives were given that workers in Staff Schools affiliated to institutions should not be included in the personal Budgets of such institutions. NEC noted this directive is a gross defiance of the Court judgment in respect of University Staff Schools, and an affront to democratic institutions and Rule of Law which the Federal Government professes to uphold and protect. NEC demands that the Federal Government swiftly reintegrates the workers in the University Staff Schools into the University system by including them in the budget and according them their proper status without further delay to avoid nationwide industrial action.

  1. FLOODING IN VARIOUS PART OF THE COUNTRY

NEC in Session, observed with concern, the spate of destruction of properties and loss of lives occasioned by the horrendous flood in Lagos, Niger and some coastal States. SSANU while commending Government and various Environmental Agencies for earlier predictions, warning and precautionary steps against the floods, urges Government to intensify efforts in providing relief materials and proactively guard against future occurrence by strictly monitoring dams, drainages and enforcing environmental laws.

  1. STATE OF THE ECONOMY VISA VISTHE NIGERIAN WORKER

NEC in Session, noted the precarious and pitiable state of the Nigerian worker in the face of present economic realities and calls for urgent fixing of the Nigerian economy, NEC noted that the cost of food and basic essentials for existence are beyond the reach of the average Nigerian worker while building materials have become so exorbitant that the common man cannot afford a decent home. NEC advices Government to, for purposes of transparency and accountability, announce the various billions of Naira recovers from alleged looters and immediately plough back these huge amounts into the Nigerian economy, as keeping these monies in reserve or as savings while Nigerians starve, makes no meaning. SSANU further advices Government to promote policies that will attract investors and prevent oligopolies in the food and building industries to save masses these bleak situations. SSANU further advices Government to urgently negotiate with the Nigerian Labour Congress for review of the National Minimum Wage and ensure Nigerians are given living wages.

In similar vein, NEC in Session, demands as a matter of urgency, the implementation of the payment of Earned Allowances being owed members of SSANU arising from the SSANU/FGN 2009 Agreement, as the continued delay is a breach of a Collective Bargaining Agreement and a dishonorable act by Government

Samson C. Ugwoke, fcpaSalaam Abdussobur O.

National PresidentNational Public Relation Officer