Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU has called on the Federal Government to commence implementation of agreements reached with the union to avoid industrial actions any time soon.
President of ASUU Professor Emmanuel Osodeke made the call during a colloqium in Keffi Nasarawa State.
The colloqium which was organized by the Nasarawa State University Keffi Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities was aimed at finding solutions to unethical conducts in Nigerian Universities as well as updating the lecturers to the principles and workings of ASUU.
Addressing the participants who were mostly leaders of Academic Staff Union of Universities from across the country, the President Professor Emmanuel Osodeke said ASUU will not be deterred in their demand for improved infrastructure, better funding and absolute independence of public universities in the country.
Professor Osodeke stated that while the union had decided to give time for President Bola Tinubu to commence implementation of agreements especially on revitalization of public universities in the country, there was need for the federal government to pay lecturers salary arrears withheld by the last administration for embarking on strike.
Guest Speakers in the colloqium Professor Nasir Fagge and Professor Biodun Ogunyemi who are former Presidents of ASUU stressed the need for stiffer penalties for lecturers who indulge in soliciting for sexual gratification in exchange for marks from students as part of measures to end unethical conducts in the university system.
Nasarawa State Branch Chairperson of ASUU Dr. Sam Allu noted that inadequate attention to the welfare of lecturers was one of the factors responsible for unethical conducts hence the need for the state government to do the needful.
Vice Chancellor Nasarawa State University Keffi Professor Suleiman Bala called on ASUU to imbibe the virtues of patriotism and selflessness in their quest for a better university system.