
By Enahoro Iyemefokhai
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma chapter has alleged that the National Certificate of Education (NCE) holder now presided over the appraisal and promotion of Professors and Ph.D. degree holders in the University.
The union made the allegation in a statement to the Visitor of the University, Mr. Godwin Obaseki titled,”Sack Special Intervention Team (SIT) now for unqualified, incompetent and inexperienced” signed by Dr. Cyril Oziegbe Onogbosele, chairman, and Dr.William Odion, assistant secretary of the union respectively.
The statement dated January 11, 2022, alleged that one of the members of the Special Intervention Team (SIT), Mr. Austin Osakue’s resume showed that he possessed only a National Certificate of Education (NCE).
According to the statement, the Union is still in shock by this new realization why Mr. Austin Osakue whose alleged highest educational qualification as gleaned from his available resume is just a National Certificate of Education (NCE) holder would be appointed into the highest policy-making body of a University in the 21st century, presiding and taking decisions, including the appraisal and promotion of Professors and PhD degree holders in the University.
“The Union is shocked by the finding that some members of the SIT are unqualified, incompetent and inexperienced to preside over the management of a University. This has no doubt placed the institution under public ridicule.
“This open memorandum is to appraise the Visitor of the Union’s receipt of the information that Mr. Austin Osakue who served in the recently dissolved Governing Council of the University and currently a member of SIT is unqualified and inexperienced to serve in the capacity of a member of a Governing Council or any similar organ of a University on the strength of an alleged information that Mr. Austin Osakue does not possess a University first degree”, it alleged.
It observed that the constitution of the Special Intervention Team has systematically eroded the autonomy of the University as is allegedly usurping the functions of the University Administration and the take-over of the Administrative block and functions of the University Administration.
The union further alleged that the call for the sacking of the Special Intervention Team (SIT)/was to save Edo State known for its educational prowess from public disgrace.
Reacting to the allegation, Mr. Austin Osakue urged the union to continue writing whatever pleases them against him.
“I am not interested. Let ASUU write whatever they want to write”, he said.