By Adesina Wahab
The Congress of University Academics, CONUA, has said it is relevant in the nation’s university system as a registered staff union and that it is being accorded due respect by the federal government.
The union, in a statement on Sunday by Dr. Nasiru Yunusa, Zonal Coordinator (North-West) & Chapter Chairperson, CONUA, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, said a recent comment by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, that CONUA is irrelevant as far as the nation’s university system is concerned, is not only misleading, but borne out of envy that CONUA now exists as a union in Nigerian university system.
“The attention of the leadership of CONUA has been drawn to a publication by the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday, 14th November, 2024 (You’re not relevant, ASUU knocks CONUA – Tribune Online). Ordinarily, CONUA would not have joined issues with ASUU on the matter of the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement because at no time did our request put before the Federal Government on the need to include CONUA in the negotiation committee refer to ASUU. But if we fail to make this intervention, the lies and half-truths spewed by ASUU, as has become its modus operandi, will pass for the truth.
“So, CONUA considers this intervention a patriotic duty to our nation by putting the facts before the public to let Nigerians be the judge.
CONUA had advanced the rationale for seeking its inclusion in the renegotiation committee and this has been put before the Federal Government, noting that up and until October 2022, including the time the 2009 agreement was signed, ASUU represented the interests of all academics being the only registered union of academics as at then.
“It naturally follows that the proprietorship of the agreement extends to CONUA (after it was registered as an academic union) and all the issues to be discussed and renegotiated will have a bearing on CONUA members. The interest of CONUA members can only be served when it is adequately represented by the officials of the Union where all issues relating to the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement will be thoroughly brought to the fore and discussed; and the resulting agreements will be a fair representation of CONUA’s perspective.
“We considered the non-inclusion of CONUA as an oversight on the part of the government. It is quite ridiculous that a union could be celebrating this knowing well they alone can no longer represent all the academic members in the universities. A union that is looking for a total solution to the issues of welfare in the universities will be open to inclusive negotiation with all concerned,” the Congress said.
Giving a background to its eventual registration after about four years of struggle, it noted that ASUU’s opposition to its registration was thrown out by the court.
“ASUU challenged the registration of CONUA before the NICN on 26th October, 2022 (NICN/ABJ/336/2022) and in the judgement delivered by the NICN on 25th July, 2023, the court had this to say on the third relief sought by ASUU which is that “the registration of the third (CONUA) and fourth (NAMDA) defendants . . . is illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.” The court ruled that “…… the reliefs prayed for by the claimant, i.e. ASUU are not grantable. They must fail. All the reliefs are accordingly dismissed, as is this suit.”ASUU is yet to appeal the judgement till date!
“What qualifies ASUU as a union of academics is her registration as a trade union, and this is also true of CONUA, having been duly registered as a trade union. CONUA will advise that if ASUU has any axe to grind with the former Minister of Labour and Employment, it should be bold enough to address those issues to him directly, rather than using CONUA. This is a dawn of a new era where our universities are free from the shackles of incessant closures, and ASUU should smell the coffee and get used to the new realities.
“CONUA is a new kid on the block, and it started with fighting for equity, justice, fairness and improved welfare for its members and has maintained that path consistently, and posterity will adjudge CONUA on the path of morality and decency.” (Vanguard)