ASUU Berates Ondo, NUC Over Varsities' Funding, Teachers' Welfare

Benin City — The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone has berated the Ondo State government and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for what it described as an attempt by the pair to reduce university education to a ridiculous level in the country.

In a statement yesterday by its Benin Zonal Co-ordinator, Anthony Monye- Emina, the union called on the state government to immediately defray the arrears of workers of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko and Ondo state University, Okitikpupa.

Monye-Emina, who lamented the dearth of infrastructure and gross under-funding of tertiary institutions in the state, particularly frowned on the closure for months of the institutions owing to the problems of salaries and under-funding.

He faulted the NUC for accrediting 'universities that fell short of required standard'. The National Universities Commission should not be complicit in the attempt by the government of Ondo State to reduce university education to a ridiculous level. The commission should pay investigative visits to these so-called universities established by the state to ascertain their true state and take necessary action.

"Staff of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko are owed arrears of salary and deductions running into months. Between November 2015 and now, the university has not received a dime from the state government for the payment of salaries and other running costs that are begging for attention. The case of Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitikpupa is very pitiable. The last time the staff received salary was in January 2016," he stated.

Monye-Emina vowed that ASUU at all levels of operation will continue to push for quality tertiary education that contrasts evidently with the present efforts of governors to turn university education to political patronage.

"For a state that does not have a relatively well-off financial base and that is highly dependent on federal allocation to own three universities is simply absurd.

"Education is not a revenue-generating sector and so a heavy financial burden has been placed on the state. The consequences can be counter-productive. This explains the current challenges witnessed in the two older universities," he decried.