Unizik Council Election: ASUU Charges Candidates on fair representation 

By Chukwudi Ndubeze

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Chapter yesterday urged aspirants aiming for positions in the Governing Council of the University to adopt the principle of fair representation when they are elected into offices.

www.odogwublog.com reports that the charge was given at a Special Congress of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter organized for the union members to interact with their future representatives in the council.

www.odogwublog.com reports that leadership of Non Academic Staff Union (NASUU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) Unizik chapters attended in solidarity.

Speaking shortly after the manifesto presentation by the aspiring candidates, the ASUU  Unizik chapter chairman, Comrade Steven Ufoaroh, PhD urged the aspirants to keep to their words which they expressed in their manifesto, adding that the position of the council has been a vital component of every tertiary institution.

He said that the union felt the need to organize the forum to have the aspirants who have registered their interest in the various council positions of the university speak in their mission and vision, noting that such will help elicit knowledge on the plans of the candidates which he said will go a long way to lifting the institution.

In a Goodwill message, Comrade Chigozie Ikegwuru urged the aspirants for the positions to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, noting that elections are not do or die affair but an opportunity to select one out of many.

Comrade Ikegwuru who is the Chairman of Non-academic Staff Union , Unizik Chapter said that the event was a brainchild of the unions to ensure quality representation of its members. He urged the soon-to-be members of the council to be good representatives who will give good account of their stewardship in due time.

Contributing in a goodwill message at the Special ASUU congress, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU Chairman, Comrade Njideka Nwangwu while commending Unizik ASUU for the efforts to organize the event, said the main idea is to solidify the unity among the workers in the university.

www.odogwublog.com reports that Comrade Nwangwu urged the aspiring council members to work as a team for the interest of the university and to better the welfare of the institution’s workers reminding them the need to be accountable to the those who have sent them.

Also speaking, a former ASUU chairman, Prof Ike Odimegwu said the synergy and cooperation among the workers of the university was the first of its kind and a clear message that the union has grown. He said the congress has shown its dignity and unity stressing that the future council members must recognize the importance of integrity when elected.

The event which held at the University Auditorium witnessed  presentation of manifestos by the aspirants as they reeled out individual plans for the union members and the institution.

Odogwublog.com reports that out of the contestants, fifteen (15) will be vying for Senate representative in council, four (4) for Convocation representative while Congregation Academic and Congregation Non – academic have 4  and 3  constants respectively outing the total number at 26.

The contestants are: Prof. Ikemefuna C. Uzochukwu, Prof Nkechinyere Nwokoye, Prof. Bonachristus Umeogu, Prof. Ezinma Nnabuife, Prof. Okechukwu Nwafor, Prof Nkoli Nnyigide, Prof Michael Ezenwe, Prof Stan Udedi, Prof Meshach Umenweke, Prof. Kenn Nwogu, Prof. C. H. Achebe.

Also contesting are: Rev. Fr. J. Obi,
Sam Ufoh, Prof. S. O. Anigbogu, Victor Uruaka, Dennis Aribodor, Azuoma Asomugha, Dr. Nestor. N. Amahaluu, Nwobu Chike. V, Prof Ogu Ouey Charles, Ubaoji Kingsley, Prof. Harry Obi-Nwosu, Prof. Anthony N. Eze, Prof. Ngozi Ijeoma and Comr Clement Nnanimebila while Apologies include Rev. Fr. Prof. A.B.C Chiegboka.

Odogwublog. com also reports that the exercise was the first in the history of Unizik, meant to  make the Council members responsible to the University Community who elected them thereby making a shift from what it use to be.