They Are Inconsequential – ASUU President Reacts To Registration Of Rival Unions By FG

The president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke has reacted to the registration of two factional unions in the university by the federal government.

After four years of informal existence, the federal government had on Tuesday officially registered the National Association of Medical and Dental Academic and Congress of Nigerian Union Academic to begin full operation with immediate effect.

The registration was said to be coming at the time ASUU has been at a loggerhead with the federal government over the non implementation of agreements signed with the Union.

The development also came at a time many Nigerians are already expecting a logical end to the strike that has lasted for over 8 months.

The registration of the two university unions which has been a major topic since Tuesday is expected to break the rank of the Academic Staff Union of Universities which has been the major Union championing the course of lecturers and students with the federal government.

According to the minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, the unions will operate alongside ASUU in the academic system.

While responding to the recognition of the two factional unions, ASUU President, professor Emmanuel Osodeke said the registration is inconsequential and does not affect his union in any way. He noted that the sky is big enough for bird to fly. 

In other words, the federal government can register as many unions as possible to operate within the academic system, it will still not affect the activities of ASUU.

Osodeke made this statement in a chat with Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday.

“We are a disciplined and focused union and we know what we are doing and what we are after. Let them register as many unions as they like. That is inconsequential as far as we are concerned. We are not also in any way threatened. The sky is big enough for birds to fly.

“We know our members, we know our strength and we also know what our vision and mission are. Our members are not saboteurs or bootlickers. Our struggle is for a better educational system in the country. If the system is good, all of us will benefit and it is not only ASUU members’ children and wards that are going to benefit from improved funding and the provision of better facilities in our institutions.”