The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has CONUA had urged the government to ensure transparent, free, fair and credible election in the forthcoming general electíons in the country.
The congress gave the advice in a communique at the end of its maiden National Executive Council meeting on Saturday at the OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY,ILE-IFE.
The communique was made available to The Reporters on Sunday.
CONUO said the transparency of the electíon became imperative because
“the country runs a democracy, adding that, INEC must ensure that political parties evolve to the point of clear ideologies.
CONUA condemned the burning of INEC offices in various parts of the country, noting that “this portends a grave threat to our democracy. It also encourages all Nigerians of voting age to participate in the forthcoming election.”
On education, the Congress also called on the government to ensure reasonable utilization of university autonomy, adding that it must, as a matter of urgency, contain seemingly unseen corruption and fix “accreditation fraud” in the universities.
The meeting described education as central to development of any nation, Nigeria inclusive, adding that CONUA is education could be made “cheap” by ensuring uninterrupted academic calendar in the Nigerian Ivory towers.
On National Security, CONUA applauded all the various security agencies for their sustained efforts at curtailing the security threats in the country, and encourages them to do more to secure the nation. CONUA frowns at banditry,
“kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats in the country but strongly encourages the government to reduce the out-of-school children thereby reducing the massive unemployment without further delay,” CONUO said.
Our Correspondent reports that
the communique, signed by Dr.Niyi Sunmonu, National President of CONUO, indicates that the meeting discussed the constitution of the Union and adopted it, having satisfied the purpose of the Union and ratified the National Officers nominated and ratified by the NEC, as follows:
Dr. ‘Niyi Sunmonu – National President
Dr. Abdulhameed Salawu – National Vice President
Dr. Henri Oripeloye – National Secretary
Dr. Issa Abdulraheem – Assistant National Secretary
Dr. Ernest O. Nwoke – National Publicity Secretary
Dr. Aminu A. Isyaku – National Liaison Officer
Dr. Monica Orisadare – National Treasurer
Dr. Mukhtar Ibrahim – National Financial Officer
Dr. Bassey Abasiene – National Welfare Officer
Rev. (Dr.) Chinedum E. Nwadighoha – National Investment Officer
Barrister Ayodeji Ige – National Legal Adviser.
The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) held her maiden National
Members were accredited from 15 Federal and State Universities while 11 Universities sent in apologies, due to logistics.
At the opening ceremony was the representative of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. (Dr.) Chris Nwabueze Ngige in person of Mr. Clement Fatoki.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
