Holds Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Imo
The General Secretary, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities in Nigeria, Peters A Adeyemi has warned that the union will not hesitate to embark on a full-blown strike if nothing tangible was done by the federal government in implementing agreements it had with the union.
Adeyemi made this statement while fielding questions from Newsmen during the quadrennial delegates conference of the union at Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Imo state.
He said the union embarked on five days warning strike to draw the attention of the government to its demands and that the strike was only suspended as a result of the fruitful discussion the union had with the re-appointed Minister of Labour, as well as officials of Federal Ministry of Education.
He said the union encompasses all federal and state-owned universities, as well as inter-university centres and that it holds the delegates conference every four years to take stock of its activities in the last four years, set up agenda for the next four years, review events that affected its members within the period and elect new officers to pilot affairs of the union for the next four years.
In her welcome address, IMSU branch Chairman of the union, Comr. John Anoruo Chijiago Eugenia expressed joy at having their members from different parts of the country converging at her university for the conference and praised God for granting them journey mercies. She also used the opportunity to congratulate the re-elected and freshly elected branch executives of the union.
“My little advice to you is that the welfare of your members and unity of the union must be your priority. Trade groups’ council elections never do or die affairs. Let’s embrace the spirit of sportsmanship as we conduct our national congress tomorrow.
“May we also at this juncture thank our vice chancellor for her support towards the hosting of this UTGC conference, despite the short notice”.
In her remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adaobi Obasi expressed joy at hosting NASU officials from all over Nigeria at IMSU. She disclosed that the conference was not originally scheduled to hold at IMSU, but she allowed it to hold there when they could not find a venue.
She described NASU as a strong union which fights for the interest and welfare of their members who cannot fight for themselves and disclosed that in IMSU, she makes sure that welfare of every staff is given priority attention whether academic or non-academic.
By Jennifer John
