There are strong indications for the resumption of Academic activities, in the Abia State University very soon, as the Vice Chancellor, Distinguished Professor O. M ogbulu, and other members of the University Management, held a heart to heart engagement, with the Executive members of the joint Staff Unions of the University.
Addressing the meeting, convened at the instance of the Vice Chancellor, Distinguished Professor O. M Ogbulu, welcomed members to the new year, and thanked God for his divine mercies for all, in the past year, and throughout the festive period.
He explained, that the meeting is to appeal to the Union members to give the new administration the benefit of doubt, and suspend their strike action for School to resume, and see if management will not go a long way in clearing the salary arrears, and addressing other demands of the unions, within a specific time frame.
While thanking the Governor and Visitor to the University, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, PhD, for his support, especially releasing another tranche of bail out, which was used to pay one month salary during the festive period, assured of further intervention from the Government soon, and pleaded they reciprocate the gesture, by suspending their strike action for School to resume.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, every State, or University has their peculiarities and solicited their support to assist the management address the peculiar challenges of the University.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman, ASUU- ABSU, Dr V. U Nkemdirim, his SSANU counterpart, Ojo Ezichi, and that of NASU, and NAAT, Onuoha Canice, and Elder Ndimele Okoro, respectively, thanked the Vice-Chancellor, for his sincerity and openness, promising to relay his message to the joint Congress of the Unions on Monday, 11th January 2021, and invited him to the meeting.
A member of the ASUU- ABSU board of Trustees, and former Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences in his vote of thanks, assured the Vice-Chancellor of the support of the Executives to persuade members to give the administration the benefit of doubt as he requested and prayed for the sustenance of such family and open interaction with the Unions.
The full complement of Management, including the Registrar, Dr Achor Elendu, Bursar, Elder Chuks Vine Nwaogwugwu, and the University Librarian were all in attendance at the meeting.