NEWS
ABSG Clarifies ASUU-ABSU Agreement, Reaffirms Commitment to Transforming Abia State University
…as State Govt. Clarifies Issue Of Suspended Lecturer
The Abia State Government has reaffirmed that the implementation of agreements reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abia State University, Uturu chapter, was not a response to the recent industrial action by the union, but part of the deliberate and longstanding commitment of Governor Alex Otti’s administration to reposition the institution and address challenges inherited from previous administrations.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Hon. Ferdinand Ekeoma, made the clarification while responding to questions on issues surrounding the recently resolved ASUU-ABSU strike.
Mr. Ekeoma said the administration of Dr. Alex Otti has demonstrated genuine commitment to the welfare of staff and the overall development of Abia State University since assuming office.
He noted that the present government cleared 11 months of salary arrears owed to ABSU staff by the previous administration, while also embarking on a number of landmark projects aimed at improving infrastructure and strengthening the capacity of the institution.
He further pointed to the successful resolution of the long-standing challenge that prevented graduates of the Faculty of Law from proceeding to Law School after completing their studies, describing it as one of the significant interventions of the Otti administration in the University.
According to him, the government’s interventions in ABSU have been guided by sincerity, planning and a genuine desire to restore the institution to its proper place among leading centres of learning.
Addressing suggestions that the implementation of the agreement with ASUU was prompted by the strike action, Mr. Ekeoma dismissed the claim, maintaining that the process had already been agreed upon before the industrial action.
“These implementations are not happening because they embarked on strike. This government has been very sincere. You can confirm from them whether there was an agreement for this payment before they embarked on strike.
On the issue involving the suspension of an ABSU lecturer, the Special Adviser stressed that the matter falls within the internal administrative and governance structures of the University.
He explained that Abia State University operates with established statutory organs, including its Governing Council and Senate, which are empowered to handle disciplinary and other internal matters in accordance with the rules and regulations guiding the institution.
“On the issue of the lecturer that was suspended, ABSU is an institution of its own. It has a governing council, it has everything. It has the senate and the rest of them.
“People have been suspended, people have been investigated, found guilty and expelled.
“The Governor is too big to condescend
too low to direct the university to suspend anyone.
“The university if they had reasons to suspend any lecturer, we believe that they would use the same internal mechanism to solve whatever the problems are.
“So, the state government will not not get involved, the Governor will not get involved
The suspension of the lecturer has nothing to do with the state government,“ Hon. Ekeoma stated.
Hon. Ekeoma maintained that it would be inappropriate for the Governor or the State Government to interfere in the internal disciplinary processes of the University, particularly where mechanisms already exist for investigating allegations, determining responsibility and resolving disputes.
The clarification further underscores the position of the Abia State Government that while it remains fully committed to providing support, funding and strategic interventions for the growth of Abia State University, the autonomy and institutional processes of the University must also be respected.
The Otti administration, he said, remains focused on building a stronger ABSU through improved staff welfare, infrastructure development, academic reforms and practical solutions to challenges that have for years affected students, lecturers and the wider University community.
The government’s position is that its ongoing efforts to transform the institution are part of a broader agenda to rebuild the education sector in Abia State and ensure that students can learn, graduate and advance in their chosen careers without being held back b
y avoidable institutional challenges.