ANNOTATION TO ASUU PRESIDENT INTERVIEW: By Shamsuddeen Suleiman Malami

"ASUU as an association, has the right to operate in the nation with limitations and restrictions in some aspects. They have the right to take action for their unfulfilled promises but they do not have the right to force any university to operate under them." Malami.

"The ASUU Chairman has no reason to call these universities quacks and irrelevant. The statement is therefore, defamatory, due to the untrue nature of the statement and therefore, the Chairman should apologize and refrain from making such defamatory statements. The Universities he called quacks and irrelevant are NUC accredited."

 

Education is the backbone of every developed country. Education has never been a setback rather; it serves as a lead to success.

As such, the academic staff saddled with the responsibility of imparting knowledge to students cannot be underestimated; they lead students to the right path.

In Nigeria, the educational system is diminishing on a daily basis due to the continuous strike by ASUU.

ASUU is an association that has the right to operate in the nation with limitations and restrictions in some aspects. They have the right to take action for their unfulfilled promises but they do not have the right to force any university to operate under them. You can acquire your academic degree in any University you wish, whether public or private owned institutions that are not part of ASUU and still, your certificate is valid if it has the accreditation of the National University Commission, NUC. It is not compulsory for any university to operate under ASUU. 

In a recent interview, the chair of ASUU, Prof. V .E Osodeke referred some state universities as quacks and irrelevant because, they are not fully active on the ongoing strike. The interview called the attention of so many citizens.  

He made the statement due to the lack of participation of state universities on the strike as some are still furthering their academic activities. The Kaduna State University, KASU been among the victims that are facially participating. Initially, Governor el-Rufa'i had disclosed that all their needs are been catered by the state government which include their salaries and allowances. He clearly halted the strike done by KASU staff and directed them to be back at their respective place of work. If ASUU is fully active in fighting for the students’ right and its members then, in 2019, Governor el-Rufa'i paid KASU staff half of their salaries due to their participation on ASUU strike, what then did ASUU, as the National body, do?  They have not done anything positive for the outstanding balance, and it is because of ASUU strike.

The ASUU Chairman has no reason to call these universities quacks and irrelevant. The statement is therefore, defamatory, due to the untrue nature of the statement and therefore, the Chairman should apologize and refrain from making such defamatory statements. The Universities he called quacks and irrelevant are NUC accredited. These universities have produced highly recognized graduates around the globe and therefore, no one has the right to call an NUC accredited university a quack or irrelevant.

Let us not forget that some students are regretting for not studying in some state Universities like KASU because, their calendar is moving faster than other federal universities.

Students are not backing the strike and they do not have option rather than to wait and those with options have gone to study abroad. 

It is now vividly clear that the ASUU President does not value its members. 

It is an advisory!

 

SHAMSUDDEEN SULEIMAN MALAMI

Is a youth activist and political advocate.

Email: shamsuddeensmalami@gmail.com