The newly formed university lecturers’ union, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), rising from its maiden National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held between January 20 and 22, 2023, at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said uninterrupted academic calendar for the nation’s universities is possible.
In a communique signed by the union’s national president, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, and made available to Blueprint, Sunday, at the end of the meeting, CONUA agreed that education is central to development of any nation, Nigeria inclusive.
“CONUA is of the strong opinion that education can be made ‘cheap’ by ensuring uninterrupted academic calendar in the Nigerian Ivory towers,” the communique reads in part.
The union therefore, urged the government to ensure proper utilisation of university autonomy, adding that it must, as a matter of urgency, contain seemingly unseen corruption and fix accreditation fraud in the universities.
Members were drawn from 15 federal and state universities while members from 11 universities were absent due to some logistics.
Also at the maiden meeting was Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. (Dr.) Chris Nwabueze Ngige, who was represented by one Mr. Clement Fatoki.
The highlight of the meeting was the adoption of the constitution for the union after a satisfactory deliberation.
“The constitution was adopted after “having satisfied the purpose of the union, for now, ” Dr Sunmonu said.
The national leadership of the union who were nominated and ratified by the NEC are as follows: Dr. ‘Niyi Sunmonu, as National President; Dr. Abdulhameed Salawu, National Vice President; Dr. Henri Oripeloye, National Secretary; Dr. Issa Abdulraheem, Assistant National Secretary; Dr. Ernest O. Nwoke, National Publicity Secretary; Dr. Aminu A. Isyaku, National Liaison Officer, among others.
On the general election in 2023, Sunmonu said government should ensure transparent, free, fair and credible election.
“Since the country runs a democracy, INEC must ensure that political parties evolve to the point of clear ideologies so that Nigerians can have better choices.
“CONUA totally condemns the burning of INEC offices in various parts of the country as this portends a grave threat to our democracy. It also encourages all Nigerians of voting age to participate in the forthcoming election,” he said.
On National Security, CONUA applauded all the various security agencies for their sustained efforts at curtailing the security threats in the country, and encouraged them to do more to secure the nation.
“CONUA frowns at banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats in the country but strongly encourages the government to reduce the out-of-school children thereby reducing the massive unemployment without further delay,” he said.