By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the lifting of the ban on union activities at the Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma and all other state-owned institutions of higher learning across the state, with immediate effect.
metrowatchxtra.com recalls that the state government had, following a protest by students of AAU over the lingering nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended all union activities across all state-owned tertiary institutions.
Other unions affected by the action at that time aside ASUU included the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NAPS), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP).
However, in a statement announcing the lifting of the ban on their activities by Barr. Osarodion Ogie, Secretary to the State Government, on Tuesday, he said the latest development is due to the restoration of normalcy to the various tertiary institutions in the state, particularly AAU, Ekpoma.
The statement reads in part: “The Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the suspension of the ban on union activities across all state-owned tertiary institutions.
“The lifting of the suspension, which takes immediate effect, is due to the restoration of normalcy to the various tertiary institutions in the state, particularly the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
“By this notice, all affected unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and all allied unions operating across the state-owned tertiary institutions are urged to embrace responsible unionism.”
Ogie noted that the Governor Obaseki-led administration was conscious of the role of education in driving economic growth and advancement and remain committed to sustaining the investment and reforms across all levels of education, working with all relevant stakeholders.
