KASU knocks ASUU president for labelling state varsities ‘quacks’

Kaduna State University (KASU) says the description of the institution as a quack by the president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is enough to pull out of the union.

A number of state-owned varsities including Kwara State University (KWASU), Osun State University, Ekiti State University (EKSU), and Lagos State University (EKSU) had continued academic activities despite ASUU’s strike.

Earlier in August, KASU defied the protracted strike to resume the second semester for its 2020/2021 session.

Victor Osodeke, ASUU president, referred to some varsities that resumed despite the union’s ongoing strike as “quacks” while responding to questions about the impact of the federal government’s “no work, no pay” stance.

“When you are providing data, look at the background. KWASU is not a member of ASUU, Osun State University was suspended for its behaviour, you can check,” the president said during an Arise TV interview.

“We are in court with LASU because they sacked all our executives five years ago so they are not part of this struggle.

“Ekiti State University’s government has the right to say [they] have reopened just as it has happened in Gombe State University, Yobe, and Kaduna State University. So, don’t cite those examples as they are irrelevant.

“Talk about the issue, is the University of Ibadan on strike? Is the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on strike? Is Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) on strike? Is Bayero University Kano (BUK) on strike?

“Is Maiduguri University on strike and the University of Lagos? Let’s talk about real universities, not those quacks.”

Adamu Bargo, KASU’s PRO, in reaction, described Osodeke’s remark as “irresponsible, misleading, and derogatory”.

Bargo argued that KASU is the second most-sought state-owned university and the fastest-growing in Nigeria.

The PRO further said the varsity has the best lecturers who are recognised both locally and internationally.

He added that the remark by ASUU’s president was enough reason for the varsity to pull out of the union.

“The world’s number four best polymer chemist is in KASU and our lecturers have attracted grants both locally and internationally and are highly rated,” Bargo said in a statement.

“KASU has members in ASUU. It is unfortunate if the union’s President is saying that they are quacks while enjoying monthly check-off fees from their salaries.

“Does this not give a good reason for every reasonable academic staff in the university to pull off from the union for this labeling and stereotyping?”

Bargo said KASU has nothing to do with how lecturers were paid in the country and, hence, cannot stop its operation over what it described as an “unreasonably insensitive” strike.

“Also, the release of the white paper on visitation panels, has nothing to do with state universities and KASU should not stunt its progress in a protracted strike that is becoming unreasonably insensitive,” he added.

“ASUU in KASU joined the strike in 2019 and the government paid the 40 percent salary for work done for the month,

“ASUU national did virtually nothing positive beyond ranting for the outstanding 60 percent which had not been paid till date.”