The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has asked the Professor Emmanuel Osodeke-led National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities to retrace its steps “as the union has derailed and is fast losing its steam and the support of students and indeed Nigerians”.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, Vice President, National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Ezenagu Victor, said the students were unhappy with the development at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, where some lecturers were reported to have been involved in extorting money from students to check their results, cash for grades, and sex for grades.

The students said the allegation, which they have confirmed to be true, is most unfortunate considering that Osodeke, who is the ASUU President, happens to come from the university, and nothing has been done to address the situation, to give an example.

The NANS Vice President, Ezenagu Victor, recalled the recent crisis allegedly caused by ASUU at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), when the Union asked the Vice Chancellor to resign over unfounded allegations, noted that all these issues coupled with the prolonged strike by ASUU have contributed to the Union losing the support and sympathy of Nigerians.

“Who will bell the cat? Certainly not ASUU under the failed leadership of Professor Emmanuel Osodeke’s NEC; the earlier the Union retraces its steps, the better for its members.

“NANS will soon declare Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, who led ASUU, a persona non grata if the happenings in his school continue unabated,” Victor said.

Part of the statement read: “ASUU is obviously witnessing her most unpopular time ever. Before now, ASUU was among the most popular unions in the country.

“At some point, it was even difficult to tell which of the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) and ASUU was an affiliate of the other.

As it stands now, the Union has been relegated to the background among the list of formidable Trade Unions in the country. No thanks to the man currently steering the wheels.

In 1980–1981, it was this Union that successfully resisted Shehu Shagari’s government’s attempt to usurp the privilege of the university council, and in 1986, the Supreme Court gave a judgement in her favour.

This same ASUU helped the National Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) fight and defeat the Buhari-Idiagbon government in 1985.

“The likes of Dr Festus Iyayi and Dr Agbonfoh B, who were detained in 1987 over the struggle before the first prescription of the Union in 1988, will be wondering how Professor Emmanuel Osodeke emerged as the current President of ASUU.

“In fact, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Dr Dimono, and Dr Amade, who were detained with their passports seized, will not forgive those who brought someone like Professor Osodeke to have a reign as the President of the Union.

“When ASUU was proscribed the second time on August 23, 1992, the government had to deproscribe the Union because of the kind of support she enjoyed from the public, professional organisations, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and other well-meaning groups.

“The overwhelming support arose from the fact that those who steered the wheel at the time were focused. They weren’t easily swayed by their personal, political, or selfish motivations.

“Today’s ASUU, led by Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, has derailed from the norms. Unlike what was obtainable before now, the Union is a shadow of its old self. Not too long ago, ASUU embarked on an eight-month strike.

“During this period of industrial dispute, members of the Union wallowed in abject poverty and struggled to survive.

“The President of the Union appeared on live television and referred to her members in some Universities who, due to hardship and other prevailing circumstances, had to back out of the industrial dispute as quacks!

“This happened to be the beginning of the end of their unity. Even when the journalists tried to remind him of the weight of his choice of words, he didn’t budge.

“As if that was not enough, Osodeke was allegedly caught on air telling Nigerians which party not to vote for. An action that was inimical to the struggle.

“The actions and inactions of Prof. Osodeke made ASUU an object of hatred to many of her members. Instead of using a diplomatic approach in her bid to attain its expected end, the Union’s leadership resulted in political vendettas and intimidation.

“ASUU started losing the support it enjoyed from the public as well as from institutions.

“The same ASUU that was able to fight the military government to a standstill couldn’t even convince the erstwhile minister of labour, Senator Chris Ngige, why her members deserve better welfare than they receive,” NANS stated.. (Nigerian Tribune)

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