The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University (IMSU) Chapter, Comrade Stephen Oguji, has appealed to the State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to implement the promise he made to them during their recent meeting at the Government House, Owerri.

Oguji made the appeal while speaking to journalists at a press conference organised by ASUU, Owerri Zone, held at the ASUU-UNIZIK complex in Awka on Thursday.

He said the promise, if fully fulfilled by the governor, would ameliorate the hardship his members are currently facing in the university.

According to him, “During our recent courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Owerri, he gladly promised to provide financial support to all ASUU members in the university. This, he noted, was part of his electioneering campaign to ensure quality education for the people of Imo State. We strongly hope and believe that he will keep to his word.

“What he promised during our meeting with him would reduce the financial burden we are currently experiencing.

“We urge you, the media—our partners—to also help us remind him of the promise,” Oguji appealed.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the conference, moderated by the ASUU Owerri Zonal Coordinator, Prof Dennis Aribodor, was also convened to draw public attention to critical issues affecting public universities in Nigeria, particularly ASUU as a union, and to demand urgent and sincere action from the Federal and State Governments.

The demands include: re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement; sustainable funding of universities; revitalisation of Nigerian universities; settlement of 25–35 per cent salary arrears; promotion arrears outstanding for over four years; provision of a Tertiary Institution Staff Support Loan; and a total end to the victimisation of members at Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). (Nigerian Tribune)