Opinion: Of KSU And The ASUU Action – Lecturer

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The social media has in the past few days been awashed away with write-ups, rejoinders and reactions on Kogi State University, KSU, and ASUU – KSU current action. While some of the contributions are engendered by true concern to see to the growth and development of the institution and her products, others have transcended the normal glaring inaccuracies associated with ‘unconfirmed reports’ to downright lying, while many others passed judgment without the slightest inkling of the issues at stake.

This piece is therefore not meant to engage in any disputation but to rather set some records straight in order to stem the seemingly overwhelming tide of misinformation, disinformation, misrepresentation and in some cases outright propaganda.

This unofficially declared polemical warfare, has presented ASUU – KSU, as a body that is not only incautious but highly incorrigible in their incurable appetite to whet their selfish and self-centered insatiable demands, not minding the economic climate, nor sharing a shade of feeling for the students placed under their time-bound academic tutelage.

Part of the accusations against ASUU – KSU ranges from – the rapidity/constancy of demands, the new found penchant for labour activism, the unfathomable clamour for “total tax exemption” and the “show of ingratitude for receiving substantial part of salary arrears (80%)”, in a state where many others have taken far less percentage of their pay.

The furore generated by the above presentation has further culminated in whipping up untoward sentiments, serious innuendoes and indescribable indignant from many quarters against ASUU – KSU whom some traducers have labeled as engaging in socially unacceptable behavior bordering on impropriety, while some others (i.e. Nazir Yusuf Ochi, Kogidecides) branded lecturers who are leaving for greener pastures as “architects of intellectual backwardness” and therefore wished that “the present crop of lecturers, who are mostly backbenchers in our institutions then” should “be removed and replaced with brilliant minds”. While a certain banker, Alori J. went further to recommend that the “State government should declare their position vacant…if.”

To lay the records straight, ASUU (KSU or at any level) is peopled by individuals, some of whom in their private capacities are parents, guardians and even students pursuing their Post Graduate (PG) programs and who ordinarily would not want an iota of ‘suffering’ for any of the aforementioned, or be-burdened themselves with extra works and worries associated with break in academic calendar arising out of industrial dispute.

Every ASUU – KSU action has been a product of genuine desire for the building, attainment and improvement of the desired educational standard, to see KSU as a “centre of academic excellence second to none” (Late Prof. Francis Idachaba).

It is also important to note that ASUU – KSU never embarked upon any action impulsively, as they have always been by-products of a process of protracted consultations, considerations and negotiations, usually characterized by different stages of dilly-dally, delay, show of unconcern and indifference, which at the tail end culminates in hurried arrangements that are unable to stand the test of time.

For example, the present No Pay, No Work action only highlighted the issue of persistence delay or non-payment of monthly salary, which ASUU sees as one of the greatest disincentives that is making the University to so easily lose irreplaceable and non-interchangeable academic assets procured from extensive sources and developed at invaluable costs.

It is therefore not just a matter of what goes into the pocket, but stemming this threatening tide as a matter of immediacy. It is a cause for serious reflection for a University to lose up to 60 (sixty) top – level lecturers within a short spate of time. THE ASUU- KSU ACTION IS BORNE MORE OUT OF COMMITMENT THAN DISLOYALTY as being misconstrued.

KSU has not gotten up to 40% of the required Senior Lecturer(+) category, far below NUC benchmark for accreditation. To further lose any of them (not to talk of in high numbers), will be a serious danger signal of an ailing institution, close to atrophy. This is the stem and root of present ASUU agitatiin. Though there are other issues of importance such as:

Over-taxation (in which KSU staff pays almost 400% of what their contemporaries in other higher institutions in Kogi State and beyond pay as tax), and NOT “ungodly request for tax freedom” as Sunday Oni puts it, or as is being erroneously portrayed by many.

Pension issues – where there is no definable pension policy in place;

Arrears of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) of 2009 – 2014, which all other Universities have extensively enjoyed, and to which KGSG has reneged severally on the agreed modality for liquidation.

Working Environment and conditions – that it should be made conducive and congenial enough to attract and retain the best of hands to produce graduates who can hold their head high in any gathering of minds.

Finally, ASUU – KSU is of the high believe that the hardworking, New Direction administration of H.E. GYB, with his team of young, vibrant and dynamic Advisers can achieve these expectations, especially given the expected savings from the goodly and godly screening exercise, plugging of financial holes and alleged access of funds from different sources.

ASUU – KSU is for industrial harmony, ASUU – KSU is desirous of a holistic solution to stem the tide of installmental death to which the institution is being gradually condemned to.

For clarity purposes, ASUU – KSU action has no POLITICAL UNDERTONE whatsoever, and can therefore NOT be used by anybody or group for that purpose.

The understanding of H.E. Governor Yahaya Bello, his team, students of KSU and all other stakeholders is therefore important.

– Dr. Johnson Juwon Orugun


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