OAU ASUU, breakaway group get new executives

OBAFEMI Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and newly-formed Congress of University Academics, CONUA, on Tuesday elected a new set of officers.

At a well-attended congress held at the ASUU Cooperative Hall, OAU, Dr Egbedokun O. A. was returned and declared as the new chairman of the union.

He succeeds Dr Caleb Aborisade whose executive’s tenure ended.

Incidentally, the newly-formed Congress of University Academics (CONUA) also inaugurated its executive that same day at another venue on the campus.

Tribune Education recalls that the internal crisis that hit the local chapter of ASUU in the buildup to the appointment of the vice chancellor for the university last year eventually factionalised the union.

After series of near physical confrontations between the breakaway faction and the nationally recognised executive, the aggrieved members of the union last week announced that they had formed CONUA as an alternative to ASUU.

They accused ASUU, both local and national, of corruption, high-handedness and arbitrariness.

In fact, a member of the breakaway group, now CONUA, at the venue of the inauguration of the new group said on Tuesday that ASUU had become “a cathedral of contradictions.”

Also speaking, the chairman of UNILORIN ASUU, Dr Usman Raheem, who attended CONUA’s inauguration, said “ASUU is being run by a cabal, and the rule of a cabal never lasts.

“We had contemplated this (sprouting of a new body to rival ASUU); and if we’re witnessing this today, I think there’s going to be an exodus very soon.”

The chairman of the Kwara State University chapter of ASUU, Dr Isa Abduraheem, was also around to identify with the new body.

But the zonal vice president of ASUU, Dr Alex Odili, who monitored the ASUU OAU election on behalf of the national executive of the union, in an interview, described members of CONUA as people who lack academic culture.

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He challenged them to present evidence to substantiate their allegations of corruption against ASUU.

Odili described the election, which was witnessed by chapter chairmen of ASUU from many universities in the Southwest, including the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, and Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, as “free, fair and orderly.”

Members of the new executive of OAU ASUU are Dr Egbedokun O. A., chairman; Dr Omotoso M. O, vice chairman; Dr Komolafe O. A, Assistant Secretary; Professor Onipede, Investment Officer; and Dr Sapere O. R, Welfare Officer.
Others are Dr Oladipo O. T (Financial Secretary), Dr Amusan E. A (Internal Auditor), Dr Atilade K. A (Secretary) and Dr Adesunkanmi O. S (Treasurer).

The new chairman, Dr Egbedokun, in his inaugural address, promised on behalf of his team to uphold the constitution of the union.

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He conceded that the internal crisis that had dogged the chapter since last year had led to the breaking away of “esteemed members” but promised to ensure that it does not degenerate further.

He thanked his predecessor in office, Dr Aborisade, “for fighting a good fight.”

He also thanked chairmen of other branches for their support and appealed for cooperation from all.

“ASUU OAU will rise again,” he said.