President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi has completed his three-year tenure, capping a period where the union flexed its muscles as ever in its dealings with the government.
Mr Ogunyemi delivered his valedictory speech on Friday at the union’s conference held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
In the speech, Ogunyemi thanked the minister of labour and employment Chris Ngige, the Nigeria Labour Congress and others.
He also noted that 30 ASUU members died of COVID-19 and other issues during the period under review.
“In line with the provisions of our constitution, we are here to review our activities in the last three years with a view to charting a new course at this critical juncture of our national life,” the university don said.
“As a point of departure, we must place on record that COVID-19 did not spare our campuses. Many of our infected members had had to combat the Covid attack with resources from colleagues and other people of goodwill because their salaries and emoluments, as well as the union’s check-off deductions, were either withheld by the office of the accountant-general of the federation over the rejection of the discredited integrated personnel and payroll information system.
“Our other comrades suffered the same fate in the hands of overzealous state university vice-chancellors and visitors. As a matter of fact, we lost at least 30.”
Ogunyemi led ASUU in one of the longest strikes in the nation’s education history which ended in December 2020 after nine months. The union embarked on strike following disagreements with the Federal Government.
Ogunyemi’s successor is expected to emerge on Sunday at the Awka conference.
