Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) immediate past president, has stated that the union will continue to engage the Federal Government on the union’s requests and academic challenges.

After the union called off its last strike, the federal government has neglected to execute several of its commitments with the union.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who took over as national president from Ogunyemi yesterday, said his successor would continue the union’s purpose where he left off.
“My successor was among the final national officers of the union,” Ogunyemi stated in a phone conversation with The Nation. And  he’s well-versed in every aspect of our remarkable mission.

We have concerns with the government, which, as you mentioned, are not totally resolved.
“However, the union has resolved to continue engaging the administration as we have in recent months. I am certain that the incoming president will be able to carry on.” The former ASUU leader claimed he was leaving the organization more united and focused, and that whatever achievements were made under his leadership were done as a group.

“So, every decision, every action that you see the national president making or taking must have been approved by the appropriate organs of the union and they will be part of the process.“

“So, I will say that our set of national officers of the union enjoy the fullest cooperation of the National Executive Council (NEC). And all the mums that our members placed before us, we succeeded in tackling.
“We may have some that are outstanding, but it is not because we did not push.

“So, the union, in the last five years that I have coordinated its activities, has become more focused, more engaging and more united. So, I believe my successor will take it up from there to address the outstanding issues that we were not able to resolve.”

Source : The Nations