Prof Nwakoby extols Soludo impacts in COOU, gives reason varsity shunned ASUU strike
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Vice Chancellor Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Greg Nwakoby has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for providing enabling environment for academic activities to thrive in the school which has made the institution to remain one of the best state owned universities in the country.
Professor Nwakoby stated this while addressing journalists during their July congress at the Godwin Ezemo International press center Awka.
According to Professor Nwakoby who was represented at the event by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Osita Chiaghanam, there has been a lot of improvement in the school in terms of infrastructure, quality teaching and learning and overall administration of the school.
The VC further disclosed reason his institution withdrew from the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
He explained that, unlike federal government, the State government provides adequate funding to the state university including prompt payment of staff salaries, infrastructure and enabling environment for academic activities.
He said: “Salaries of the Federal universities are funded hundred percent by the federal government, where as the state universities work out their salaries from subventions and internal revenues.
He further said: “Had the state university participated in the strike action, at the end of the negotiation and when agreement is reached, the federal government implements immediately while we at the state universities will have to go back to the governors to renegotiate for our own implementation.
“It is like the N30, 000 minimum wage. It is assumed that all civil servants at the state level are paid N30, 000 minimum wage, but I can count the number of States that are implementing it.
“It is not just the issue of joining strike but after the strike, the federal government will start implementing it immediately, but will take long for the governors to implement at the state level.
“We have studied the system, understood it and at every point in time we know how best to present our matter to the governing council and to the appropriate authority for solutions,” he said.
Professor Nwakoby who commended the NUJ executives for changing the narratives in the union said that it is of utmost importance to prioritize the welfare of the members just as the management of the institution holds welfare of its workers in high esteem.
Speaking earlier, the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra state council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Ph.D, commended the VC for his partnership with the media while outlining various activities of his executive in ensuring that Anambra NUJ wax stronger especially.
He, however, urged members of the union to always apply work ethics and to be professional in their reportage.
