ASUU Chairperson NAU present end of term report 2023

It is with a heart full of gratitude to God and you, my dear comrades of ASUU NAU, that I present this End of Tenure Report. This report covers the activities of the Branch between 14th July 2021 and 11th July 2023. Following a successful Branch election held on 13th July, 2021, I assumed office for second tenure as the Branch Chairperson. This report highlights the progress made, challenges encountered within the period and possible way forward for our dear Branch. Membership and Solidarity.

The membership strength of our Branch grew from about 1500 to above 2000. All academic staff of UNIZIK who are receiving salary are now members of ASUU. On the University record we have about 2300 academic staff, but irregular remittance of check off dues by IPPIS has made it impossible for us to specifically give the exact numerical strength of the Branch. As the membership strength is growing, the comradeship and solidarity is also growing; however members need to increase their commitment. This is because a lot of our members are actually yet to fully appreciate and understand the ideology of ASUU as a Union. There is an urgent need for memberships orientation and reorientation on the ideology and principles of our Union for a better engagement of members and appreciation of ASUU and university education in Nigeria. Beyond the expected leadership training, members are encouraged to always be present, punctual, consistent and active at Congress meetings as a way of commitment to the Union that makes each and every one of us strong. Conditions of Service, Appraisals & PromotionsThe new University Conditions of Service is now in operation for appraisal exercise. With regard to appraisals and promotions, there is great improvement in the area of timely appraisal and return of results from external assessors for Readers and Professors. To the glory of God, almost all delayed external assessment results have been announced, ASUU is tracking the remaining few. The 2022/2023 appraisal exercise has commenced and with the current digital appraisal platform to fast-track the process, the issue of unpaid salary by promotion should be history. Participation in Zonal and National ProgrammesComrades, our Branch has continued to live up to expectations and, at the risk of sounding immodest, has become a reference point and shining example at both zonal and national activities of ASUU.

This was recently testified by the Immediate Past ASUU President, Comrade Abiodun Ogunyemi and the ASUU President, Comrade Emmanuel Osodeke, during the occasion of the Foundation Laying Ceremony of ASUU NAU Guest House, Appreciation of Past Leaders and Retired Members. ASUU NAU has never been found wanting in any way as a Branch, both at the zonal and national levels. We have become a shoulder to lean on by branches in our Zone. It is our hope that we shall as a Branch not only sustain but continue to improve on this glorious record. Deceased Members and Spouses, Branch Participation and Payment of EntitlementsMy dear Comrades, in the struggles of life, death is inevitable. It is with a heavy heart that I remember all our comrades we lost to the cold hands of death and members who lost their spouses. Within the last two years, we lost a total of 19 members, while 21 members lost their spouses. The list is contained in the financial and welfare report.During the period under review, the Branch also actively participated in the burial ceremonies of these deceased members/spouses. We have also processed their benefits from ASUU National; 26 deceased members; and 25 who lost their spouses from 2021 to early 2023.Two members received the sum of 2.4 million each from ASUU National for medical attention outside the country. The Branch also gave the sum of Eight Hundred Thousand naira to each of these members. A total of 19 bereaved members were paid their Branch entitlements while the families of 20 deceased members received their Branch entitlements.

The incoming Branch leadership should ensure that outstanding entitlements from both the Branch and ASUU National are processed and paid accordingly to deserving members. Branch Welfare (Weddings, Loss of Parents and Children, Health/Hospital Visitation)During the period under review, we fulfilled Branch obligations to members as it concerns weddings, burial ceremonies of parents and children of members, visit to sick members as provided in our Branch Welfare Policy Document. The seven and half months strike and the withheld salaries and check off dues caused some delay in the fulfillment of this obligation to our deserving members. See welfare report.The 2022 National Strike and Matters ArisingComrades, the true test of the strength of any branch of ASUU is known during major struggles especially strike actions, whether local or national. Experiences have shown that during strike actions, primordial sentiments including but not limited to ethnicity, religion, and clannishness become unfortunate reasons to sabotage the sincere efforts of struggles for true freedom. Some academics who by virtue of their calling were supposed to inoculate the society, regrettably ended up infecting the society with such sentiments. Our Branch is not immuned from such a vice. The good news, however, is that we successfully prosecuted the seven and half months strike of 2022 ( 14th February 2022 to 15th October 2022). May I use this opportunity to encourage our members to always stand firm whenever our Union declares a trade dispute or engages in struggles to save ourselves and the suffering masses of this country. Notwithstanding the failings of few of our members, I hereby state that I am very proud of our 2022 outing during the nationwide strike and wish that we continue to improve as the need arises. To the glory of God, we prosecuted the second longest strike in the history of ASUU during which our salaries were stopped just a month after the strike was declared. This also brought out the resilience in our members who sustained the strike without salaries for seven months.We also appreciate the Management of ASUU NAU Multipurpose Cooperative Society for their initiative in providing food stuff for members. The pains of that prolonged strike is not yet over, as our seven and half months salaries are still being owed. Let us be assured that our salary will be paid to the last kobo.

The unresolved issues with FGN include:Implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, which has to do with increase in our take home pay to reflect the current realities. Payment of outstanding salaries of our members.Deployment of University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) for payment of salaries of academic staff of Federal Universities.Payment of outstanding EAA.Revitalization fund for public universities in Nigeria.We hope the FGN will not wait for another strike action to resolve all the outstanding issues. Needs Assessment Academic Staff Training and Participation in BMC Activities.The following NEEDS Projects are still on goingUniversity Mini Stadium at Awka CampusStudents hostel type D at Awka CampusStudents hostel type A at Awka CampusStudents hostel type A at College of Health Sciences Nnewi CampusSporting facilities behind Faculty of Social Sciences and Science village at Awka Campus. Qualified ASUU NAU members were given scholarships from the balance of the 200 million set aside for scholarship in 2013 Needs Assessment Fund. Let us not forget that Needs Assessment Fund was part of the gains of 2013 ASUU Struggle; And as the Union makes us Strong, beneficiaries are encouraged to make judicious use of the sponsorship and avoid temptations associated with such a success. They are ASUU ambassadors and should conduct themselves as such. Finances and Investments The Branch improved substantially in its finance and investments. The details of the financial standing of the Branch will be provided in the reports of the other financial officers of the Branch.The Branch investment in ASUU NAU Cooperative Society stands at Twenty-seven Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-six Thousand, Twenty Naira, zero Kobo (N27,886,020.00). The Branch investment in the Cooperative Society was adversely affected by the Strike in 2020 and 2022 and the subsequent challenges from the introduction of IPPIS as payment platform. ASUU NAU Multipurpose Cooperative Society LtdThe ASUU NAU Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd was registered in 2013 during the tenure of Comrade Ike Odimegwu and commenced operations in October 2015 during the tenure of Comrade Dennis Aribodor. It is worthy to note that the cooperative society is addressing the objectives for which it was established, which are: taking care of the financial needs of members and providing investment opportunity for members of ASUU NAU. ASUU NAU Cooperative Society led by Prof. Ikechukwu Ekwealor, played a vital role in supporting members during the 2022 national strike.

The Management of the Cooperative Society is currently working hard to ensure that every ASUU NAU member owns a plot of land. Allocation of plots in the first phase of Isiagu land is concluded. Sale of plots in the second phase is still ongoing. It is quite unfortunate that the withheld salaries have affected the purchasing power of our members greatly. When the situation improves, it is hoped the Management of the Cooperative will commence the third phase of the ASUU NAU Estate project which will make provisions for members not accommodated in the first and second phases of Isiagu Estate to have their own land and invariably their personal house. Discussions are ongoing to get developers that will assist members in building their own houses at Isiagu ASUU NAU.

ASUU NAU Secretariat Complex Building ProjectIt is no longer news that the first phase of ASUU NAU secretariat complex has been completed. The complex is the first of any ASUU Branch in Southeastern Nigeria and about the biggest Secretariat in Nigeria and a reference point for other Branches in the Country. The Secretariat Complex Hall is now the centre of attraction for all events in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. It also serves as a source of income for ASUU NAU. In appreciation of the value that the Secretariat has added to the University, and in consideration of the use of the Hall for University events, the University Administration donated a 200kva generator for powering the electrical installations in the secretariat. We have also completed the sinking of borehole and reticulation of water supply in the secretariat complex. The foundation laying ceremony of the ASUU NAU Guest House was performed on 14th June, 2023. The Guest House when completed would have; Ground floor (Reception, Banquet Hall, Offices, A restaurant, A kitchen, A gym hall, Staff private spaces), First and Second floor (34 Standard and Deluxe bedrooms, 2 Normal suites, 1 residential suite) Outside (Parking lot, swimming pool, tennis court).We hope that the incoming leadership will complete the project in a record time. There is also the need to commence the construction of the business building that will house the Southeast Regional Office of NUPEMCO and ASUU NAU Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd., of which Nnamdi Azikiwe University is privileged to host, Borehole system: Our Administration candidly examined the import of a good borehole system in running the services at the Secretariat complex, and therefore sought the approval of the ASUU NAU Congress to embark on the project. After Congress’ approval, a Committee was constituted and mandated to scout for and engage a competent borehole drilling company to execute the project. Through due process, a qualified and competent company was hired, and the project was professionally delivered within the stipulated time frame. It is really heartwarming that ASUU NAU Branch does not only have a standard borehole that serves the need of the Secretariat complex, but also optimistic of diversifying it in the nearest future, in order to boost the income–generating capacity of the branch. Appreciation of Past Executives ( 2012 to 2018) and Retired Members (2021 to2022)History was made on 14th June, 2023, when ASUU NAU members gathered to appreciate committed members of the union who had retired from the University service between 2021 and 2022. This was the second edition of this exercise after the first edition that took place on 1st July 2021 for members that retired between 2012 and 2020. The retirees were given a certificate of meritorious service and a cash gift which depended on the number of years they were members of the union.

Twent-three retired members were shortlisted for the celebration. Also, the past leaders of the Branch (Elected Executives and Faculty Reps) from 2012 to 2018 were appreciated with gifts and certificates of meritorious service, as approved by Congress. We hope that the incoming Executives will host the Heroes Day we had planned to organize. It is hoped that the Heroes Day will provide the opportunity to appreciate all who laboured to sustain the ASUU NAU and th.at our Branch History Book will also be unveiled during the occasion 2021 Students Scholarship AwardASUU NAU maintained the culture of the award of scholarship to deserving indigent students. The sum of Sixty thousand Naira was awarded to 54 indigent students of UNIZIK in 2021, thanks to contributions from ASUU NAU members, while ASUU National gave the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira to the most indigent student in UNIZIK. We could not repeat this scholarship programme in 2022 due to the ASUU national strike. Challenges: Like in every human endeavour, the Branch within the period of this presentation had its own challenges, ranging from health problems, death of members spouses and members’ parents, the unpaid salaries of some members who were employed in 2019 and 2020, the ASUU strike of 2022, the attendant withholding of our salaries by the Federal Government, the irregular and inconsistent remittance of checkoff by IPPIS. These challenges notwithstanding, the Branch doggedly moved from strength to strength and was able to perform the foundation laying of the ASUU NAU Guest House. The seven and half months strike affected us so we could not achieve all that we had planned. Several projects and programs could not be completed some of which are:Production of ASUU NAU History Book.Review of ASUU NAU Branch Welfare Policy.Payment of Branch and National entitlements to few bereaved members and next-of-kins.Completion of the ASUU NAU Guest House..Commencement of serices at the ASUU NAU restaurantEstablishment of ASUU NAU staff ClubConstruction of ASUU NAU Water PlantHolding Congress Meeting at Nnewi Campus.Implementation of ASUU NAU health week programme.Commencement of housing development for members at the ASUU NAU Isiagu Estate.Discussions are already being made on how to handle these challenges facing us as a Branch and in matter of months the incoming administration will resolve some of these issues with the cooperation of ASUU NAU Congress. Appreciation.

The success story of the outgoing leadership would not have been possible without the sacrifices of dedicated members, individuals, friends, committees, groups and organizations, some of who worked behind the scene. In no particular order, I wish to firstly extend my appreciation to the outgoing members of the Branch Executive, especially our Vice Chairperson in the person of Comrade Arinze Ubaabunike- Agbanusi, who were of immense assistance to me all the while. Faculty Representatives, Departmental Liaison Officers, past leaders of the Branch, Zonal and National Officers, ASUU press release committee. Many committees of the Branch including ad hoc committees did their work excellently well and they all deserve a note of appreciation. These include the Legal Committee convened by Comrade Ikenga Oraegbunam (Reverend Father), Secretariat Building Committee convened by Comrade Victor Okonkwo, EAA Committee convened by Comrade Eric Ofoedu, Ethics and Grievances Committee convened by Comrade Nkechi Esomonu, Health Committee convened by Comrade Timothy Mbaeri, Fitness and Wellness Programme coordinated by Comrade Innocent Igwilo and Welfare Committee convened by Comrade Vivian Nwogbo. Trade Union Education /CEPED by Comrade Dennis Aribodor, Students Matters by Comrade Ugochukwo Okonkwo, Research and Grants by Comrade Richard Uwakwe, Labour Matters convened by Comrade Geoffrey Onyebuchi, ICT by Comrade Azubuike Aniedu, Gender and Child Right by Comrade Amaka Iguh, Civil Society and Human Rights by Comrade Allen N. Adum, BMC/TETFund by Comrade J. Obi. Oguejiofor, Good Governance and Social Responsibility by Comrade Stanley Udedi, Borehole Committee convened by Comrade Emma Anakwuba. Secretariat Management Committee by Comrade Ven. Kanayo Nkamnebe, Convener ASUU strike Monitoring Comiittee Comrade CAN Nwankwo. I must not fail to appreciate the ASUU Prayer Team led by Comrade Nkechi Nwokoye and all who have continued to pray for ASUU NAU leadership and members, not forgetting the ordained ministers among us who have always prayed for us in their chapels and during our Congress meetings. God in His mercy will reward you all for all the sacrifices made these two (2) years, Amen. The University Administration under the leadership of Comrade Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone deserves commendation for being a listening administration, for the donation of a 200kva generator for the efficient power supply to ASUU NAU secretariat during events and especially for the approval of the extra plots of land for the construction of ASUU NAU Guest. My appreciation also goes to ASUU Owerri Zone, ably led by the immediate past Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Uzo Onyebinama and new Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Dennis Aribodor , and all the present and immediate past Chairpersons of Branches in the Zone.I publicly say a big thank you to my darling wife Comrade Chinyelu Uchenna Ufoaroh and children for not only bearing my absence but for making them feel agitated whenever I am on the road. Your sacrifices are not in vain as we have God who will reward every man accordingly.Finally, I return all glory, praises, adoration and thanksgiving to God Almighty for His mercies and grace upon my life these three years. Indeed, it is not of him that willeth but of God that showeth mercy. It is all about God’s mercy that we were not consumed especially during one of the longest strike in the history of our Union. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY! Apologies:I want to sincerely apologize to those whom I might have offended in the last two years in the course of my service to our great Union, please forgive and forget. There was no personal intention to hurt anyone, but the need to drive the principles and vision of ASUU may have seen us hurting. I have also forgiven those who might have offended me by their actions, inaction or unguided use of words..

Thanks once again ASUU NAU family for the confidence you reposed in me two years ago for reelection after the first three (3) years of service.Without God’s mercy, grace and love, I will not be standing here to present this End of Tenure Report. I am eternally grateful to God Almighty. To Him be all honour, glory and adoration forever and ever-Amen.I humbly appeal to us all to give maximum cooperation to the incoming ASUU NAU Administration. Thank you Comrades. The Struggle Continues! Solidarity Forever! Comrade Stephen UfoarohChairperson ASUU NAU 2021-2023