ASUU President Biodun Ogunyemi Ends 3-year Tenure

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Biodun Ogunyemi, has ended his 3-year tenure as the president of the union.

Prof Ogunyemi delivered his valedictory speech on Friday at the conference of the union held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, The Punch reports.

In his speech, he thanked the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and others.

Reviewing the activities and events of the last three years, he said 30 ASUU members died of COVID-19.

“As a point of departure, we must place on record that COVID-19 did not spare our campuses. Many of our infected members had had to combat the COVID attack with resources from colleagues and other people of goodwill because their salaries and emoluments, as well as the union’s check-off deductions, were either withheld by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation over the rejection of the discredited Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.

“Our other comrades suffered the same fate in the hands of overzealous State University Vice-Chancellors and Visitors. As a matter of fact, we lost at least 30,” he said.

Ogunyemi said during his tenure, ASUU enjoyed tremendous goodwill from numerous quarters.

“The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission is also another rare breed who projects his clear understanding of ASUU’s mission at every meeting with the government. May their race multiply!

“We equally appreciate the intervention efforts of the Hon. Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu as well as his Labour and Employment counterpart, Sen (Dr) Chris Ngige when it mattered,” he said.

He also thanked President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari as well as the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba.

He said he appreciates the privilege to serve and considers the ASUU struggle a lifelong project.

“For us, the ASUU struggle has become a lifetime project. We, therefore, appreciate the privilege to serve you and pledge our continued loyalty and support for this great union of intellectuals. So, as we say, the struggle continues”, he said.

Ogunyemi’s successor is expected to emerge on Sunday at the Awka conference.