Hendrix Oliomogbe
The Ambrose Alli (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed concern over the composition of the recently constituted Truth and Reconciliation Panel set up by the university authorities.
In a letter to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Dr. Omo-Ehijele Frank Odafen through the new Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Olowo, the union wrote that it was extremely disturbed that the school's Acting Registrar, Mr Ambrose Ehi Odiase, who served in the defunct Special Intervention Team (SIT) of the university is still in office, appending signatures to important documents and memoranda, including the Truth and Reconciliation Panel's circular.
The letter by the chairperson of the local chapter of ASUU, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele and Dr. William Odion, the assistant secretary, the duo also faulted the inclusion of the Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics (CONUA) in the panel, without clear evidence of registration as a trade union.
Despite their misgivings, Onogbosele and Odion however welcome the development as part ongoing efforts by the Governing Council to address the multidimensional crisis facing the state owned tertiary institution.
In the letter dated September 10, 2024, they maintained that the inclusion of Mr. Odiase as a member of the panel largely, it raised questions on his authority to sign circular dealing with the constitution of the panel, given that his term of office as registrar has since expired.
They penned: "Our union strongly observed that the continuous stay in office by Mr. Odiase as Acting Registrar has serious legal and moral consequences too grave to be ignored.
"Largely, it raises questions on his authority to sign circulars dealing with the constitution of the panel, given that his office as registrar has expired. This lapse in procedural integrity raises concern about the legality of his action and the potent threat to the panel's ability to effectively address the crises."
Onogbosele and Odion insisted that the inclusion of CONUA in the panel, without clear evidence of registration as a trade union was deeply troubling and objectionable to the union, considering the fact that the body has no evidence of registration as a trade union.
They queried: "Is CONUA a registered trade union? If so, can they provide evidence of registration to operate within our university? The absence of clear and flawless answers to these questions would erode confidence in the panel's ability to legitimately, genuinely and effectively address the crises in the university."
While challenging the university authorities to provide clarity on CONUA's registration status as a trade union, the chairperson and scribe noted that a duly constituted Truth and Reconciliation Panel must ensure that its composition is legal and truly representative of duly recognized primary stakeholders of the university, adding:
"We believe that a legitimate, genuinely representative and transparent process is essential for healing the wounds and resolving the crises within our university. Sir, we look forward to your prompt response and resolutions of these concerns."
Citing the laws establishing the erstwhile SIT.which stated that the tenure of SIT appointees are to end with that of the SIT, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the school amplified ASUU, describing the continuous stay in office of the acting registrar as an unnecessary delay, especially as others like him had been removed.
A letter by the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) to the pro-chancellor remarked that their members and others in the university community have been grumbling over the delay in removing Mr. Odiase from office as he is still very loyal to the defunct SIT.
The unionists advised that in appointing a new acting registrar, the Governing Council should follow order of seniority; which is the due process.
They added: "We implore the Governing Council to act fast on this matter as his continued stay as Acting Registrar will result in industrial disharmony in the university."
The letter was signed by Comrade B. Omoikhoje, chairman (NAAT); Comrade C. Odiamehi, chairman (NASU); Comrade CO. Onofua, chairman SSANU; Comrade J.N. Nweke, secretary (NAAT); Comrade S. Akhimehn secretary (NASU); and Comrade E.O Omokhafe, secretary (SSANU)
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