ASUU Strike: Why We Didn’t Allow Gowon, Soyinka Others Speak At UNIABUJA Event – Umaru

The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, Dr Kasim Umaru, has said the union has no regret for disrupting anti-corruption event in the institution.

Until pplstart to see that it's nt a party vs party thing, we'll continue to remain retarded! ASUU&ASUP is on strike asking for the revitalization of Infrastructure FG says no money, yet a wise guy is sharing millions of $ as trademoni… Where's the logic there?

— Jermaine Olusola (@Jerry_godbrand) December 13, 2018

Naija News understands that the union led by Umaru prevented Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), and former Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili from speaking at the event.

The ASUU Chairman while speaking in an interview yesterday said that the union disrupted the programme because of the ongoing strike.

He also  said such magnitude of programme could not hold in the institution because lecturers were also involved in the event.

“Those eminent personalities for the programme are all aware of our plight and did nothing; we disrupted the event because we are on strike,” he said.

Naija News recalls that the federal government earlier this week said it has reached a partial agreement with the striking lecturers. 

I hope Companies are taking note of the incessant strikes in tertiary institutions in Nigeria before they start setting ridiculous age as the requirement to apply for a job. Secondly, can the FG and #ASUU come to a reasonable conclusion and allow our youths get back to school?

— ♥Lady of Substance♥ (@whurmie) December 12, 2018

The convener of the event and National Coordinator of African Initiative Against Corruption and Exam Malpractice AFICEM, Dr Francis Abioye, regretted the action of the ASUU, saying they erred by disrupting the event.

Abioye said the management of the university had earlier approved the institution’s auditorium as venue for the anti- corruption programme.

He said the programme was not an academic event, but was organised to educate Nigerians, especially students against corruption and related cases.

Abioye, who is also the General Manager, Zoology Garden in Owerri, Imo State, urged the federal government to fund education, saying that Nigeria could not progress without a stable educational system.

In his remarks, the university Student Union Government (SUG), President, Mr. Chizurum Anabaronye, said the development was regrettable and disappointing.

“It is unfortunate because students would have benefited immensely in the programme considering the personalities involved in the programme.

“Wole Soyinka is a person every student wants to see and the only opportunity to hear him speak was disrupted; we mobilised the students for the event but later communicated to them on the development,” he said.