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Alex Ekwueme University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo
By CHARLES IWUOHA
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Alex Ekwueme University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (ASUU-AEFUNAI) chapter has directed its members to boycott the special convocation being planned by the university management.
The union made this known in a statement on Friday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.
The university management, it was learnt, has planned a special convocation for December 15.
But the union in the statement vowed not to be part of the event.
The statement was signed by the Chairperson and Secretary of the Union, Ogugua Egwu and Moses Alo.
Rising from its congress, the union said the convocation is unnecessaryandawaste ofscarceresources sincenostudentwasgraduatedin2020bothatPostgraduateandUndergraduatelevels.
The union further argued that the obvious lack of funds in the institution should have been another germane reason not to hold such exercise.
The union, while describing the planned exercise as an act of insensitivity and misplaced priority advised the school management to instead utilise the funds for the convocation for more important things like welfare of staff.
“CongresswasinformedthatManagementhasgoneoutofitswaytosolicitforfundstocarryoutthe saidConvocation.MeanwhilethesameManagementhadnotmadeanyefforttopaythearrearsofhonoraria forourColleaguesinvolvedinteachingthreesemestersofGeneralStudiescourses(GST)andonesemester eachforLanguageenhancementProgramme(LEP),Entrepreneurship(ENT),Pre-degreeandJointUniversity PreliminaryExaminationBoard(JUPEB)courses,” the statement said.
The union said that since ASUUisstillontotal comprehensiveandindefinitestrikeaction, it completelydissociatesitselffromthesaidconvocationandtherefore directed its membersnottoattend
“Congresshasalsousedthismediumtoaskmanagementtosourcefundsandpayallarrearsofhonoraria beingowed its deservingmembers as itwillhelp them copethrough this trying period of no salaries,” ASUUS said.
“Remember, the darkest part of the night is that before dawn. No force can undermine the strength of a united front,” the union added.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Chinedum Nwajiuba, did not take calls or reply to text messages seeking his reaction to this report.
