Posted by Prof Abayomi Fasina, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, has stated that some academic elders are already trying to merge the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics, CONUA.
Individuals who are ecstatic about the division in the rank of university academics in the country, according to Fasina, will be disappointed soon.
On Monday, he made this revelation while delivering his speech at the FUOYE’s Division of Students’ Affairs’ leadership retreat in Ede.
The retreat is attended by newly elected university student union leaders.
The FUOYE VC, who insisted that the ASUU leadership had learned vital lessons from the crises that led to the foundation of CONUA, adding that diplomacy, rather than confrontation, should have been the strategy.
“I know ASUU has learned from this (division).” We must be courteous while remaining flexible in our approach. The lesson here is that we do not have to be strict. Listen to what others have to say and avoid being combative because others are watching as well.
“We don’t have to destroy ourselves as a family.” A situation in which you want to attack someone because they did not listen to your perspective; nevertheless, you do not need to do so.
“You must be united as a family.” Nobody will come in to ruin you after you’ve bonded. But I can tell you that the ASUU/CONUA issue will be revisited. It is simply a matter of time.
“I know some people are relieved that ASUU has been split in two, but they should not be overjoyed.” The elders are trying hard, by God’s grace, to figure out how to bring the two together.”
Fasina also praised President Bola Tinubu for removing federal tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, or IPPIS.
According to Janescope, President Bola Tinubu directed last week that Federal Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education be withdrawn from the IPPIS.
The Presidential directive is also welcome news for the Academic Staff Union of Universities, or ASUU, which has been at odds with the Federal Government over the IPPIS.
ASUU has argued that the IPPIS was opposed to the country’s ivory tower seeking autonomy.