CONUA Demands Withheld Salary Arrears Of Members, ASUU

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has urged the Federal Government to pay the withheld salaries of its members and those of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

CONUA said it was not part of the strike by ASUU and so its members should be paid because they did not refuse to teach.

It also urged the government to tackle accreditation fraud in universities.

These are contained in a communique issued by its President Dr Niyi Sunmonu at the end of its maiden National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the weekend.

It was held at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The union urged the Federal Government to make education cheap by ensuring an uninterrupted academic calendar in universities.

CONUA also urged the government to reduce the number of out-of-school children and curb massive unemployment without further delay.

Sunmonu said: “CONUA has consistently maintained before now, that it didn’t declare any strike and by the provision of Section 43 (1B) of the Trade Dispute Act, ‘no work, no pay’ should not affect us.”

He insisted that CONUA was not established to destabilise ASUU.

Sunmonu said: “CONUA was founded on strong ideologies that emanated from flagrant disrespect for the constitution.

“He who comes with equity should do so with clean hands.

“If you want to tackle or engage government, you must also not have issues within yourselves.”

On the forthcoming general election, CONUA urged the government to ensure a transparent, free, fair and credible elections.

It said: “Since the country runs a democracy, INEC must ensure that political parties evolve to the point of clear ideologies so that Nigerians can have better choices.

“CONUA totally condemns the burning of INEC offices in various parts of the country as this portends a grave threat to our democracy.

“It also encourages all Nigerians of voting age to participate in the forthcoming election.

“On security, CONUA applauds all the various security agencies for their sustained efforts at curtailing the security threats in the country and encourages them to do more to secure the nation.”

“CONUA frowns at banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats in the country but strongly encourages the government to reduce the out-of-school children thereby reducing the massive unemployment without further delay.”