Contrary to claims made by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige that 204 lecturers of the College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra did not join other members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to go on strike in 2023, it was learnt that the lecturers indeed partook in the industrial action.
A letter dated March 30, 2023, addressed to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and signed by Ngige, asked the finance minister to direct the Accountant General of the Federation to exempt the 204 lecturers and “be paid the outstanding arrears of their full salaries during the strike period from February 14, 2022 to date”.
The Muhammadu Buhari-led government has refused to pay ASUU members their salaries for the period they were on strike.
But Ngige, a former Anambra governor, referring to a “letter dated March 24, 2023 and a letter dated February 2, 2023, co-signed by Deans of the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, and Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, of the above-named University”, said the lecturers should be paid.
He said, “The Vice-Chancellor has forwarded the letter by the Deans with attachment of documents to indicate that the lecturers of the Medical Faculties/Medical and Dental Academics carried out their duties in the University during the period of the protracted eight (8) months strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“By the letters under reference the lecturers are requesting for the payment of their salaries withheld under the provisions of Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act CAPT 8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 (No Work No Pay Law) which was invoked due to the strike embarked upon by the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on February 14, 2022 and which lasted for eight (8) months.”
Ngige had added, “On receipt of the letters, I directed my Ministry's State Controller, Anambra State to confirm the authenticity of the requests and the response was in the positive - Letter of affirmation by the Anambra State Controller of Labour is attached. Attached also are the lists of these Medical Lecturers engaged in the three (3) Faculties of the College of Health Sciences at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University with their respective IPPIS numbers.
“The attached lists represent each of the three (3) Faculties and are marked as Appendix 1 (125 persons). Appendix II (30 persons). Appendix III (49 persons).
“In view of the above, please direct the Accountant General of Federation to exempt the Two Hundred and Four (204) Lecturers Nnamdi Azikiwe University, College of Health Sciences, whose names are attached herewith from the application of Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act and be paid the outstanding arrears of their full salaries during the strike period from February 14, 2022 to date.”
But contrary to the claim made by Ngige, it was learnt that the lecturers of the school joined the strike that took place last year.
The university management ordered the closure of the school on March 21, 2022.
A memo from the office of the Registrar to students which was dated March 21, 2023, said, “Sequel to the Strike embarked by the Academic staff Union of Universities (ASUU) , in February 2022, the University management, on behalf of Senate approved the suspension of normal academic activities.
“In view of this, students were, as reported by campusinfo.com.ng, instructed to vacate their hostels and return to their respective homes with immediate effect.
“However, year one students who are not done with their clearance are advised to use this opportunity to do so to enable the University catch up with the Deadline set by Jamb for conclusion of Admissions.
“The University shall duly communicate the students on the new date of resumption.”
And on October 17, 2022, the school management announced the resumption date for the continuation of academic activities for the 2021/2022 academic session.
“This is to inform Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka staff and students that, following the suspension of strike actions by all University Staff Unions, the University Management has directed that Academic Activities in the University resume immediately in order to complete the 2021/2022 Academic Session,”myschoolgist.com reported.
“As a direct result of this, students are required to resume academic activities beginning on Monday, October 17, 2022.”
On Friday, May 19, SaharaReporters reported that Ngige had directed salary payments to members of the ASUU faction loyal to the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
“On ASUU and Federal Government face-off, the Minister of Labour has directed salary payments to ASUU faction in the good books of the government,” a source had told SaharaReporters.
The university lecturers’ union (ASUU) in January considered taking legal action against the federal government over the withheld salaries of its members.
Members of the union have been at loggerheads with the government since it ended its eight-month strike last October, over non-payment of their salaries for the period the strike lasted.
Amid the face-off, the Buhari government announced plans to pay the withheld salaries of lecturers under the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), a breakaway faction of ASUU.
CONUA, which was officially registered in October 2022, has consistently maintained that its members were not part of the strike.
The government in a recent letter asked Niyi Sunmonu, national coordinator of CONUA, to send a list of members and their details to the accountant general’s office to facilitate payment of the withheld salaries.
This has continued to elicit mixed reactions, with lecturers under ASUU faulting the move.
Speaking on the development, Femi Falana (SAN), who is the counsel for the Union said ASUU was waiting for the government to pay lecturers under CONUA before taking action.
“We don’t have instruction to go to court yet but you are aware that the government is planning to pay lecturers under CONUA. So, we are waiting for that to happen,” he said.
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