The Center for Policy Intervention in Africa (CEPIA) has called on all stakeholders in Ogun State which cut across platforms of traditional, religious and civil society groups to urgently prevail on the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun towards ensuring immediate settlement of salary arrears and entitlements of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) lectures without further delay.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director of the group, Comrade Ismail Olawale which was released to African Narrators on Fri, Nov 25, the group maintained that Education is a major asset which Ogun State has so far leveraged upon to assume the premium status of GATEWAY STATE in Nigeria. It stress further that a commensurate priority attention therefore necessary for the funding of education and in particular the payment of salaries and entitlements of lecturers who constitute the backbone of quality education.
Statement reads in part:
“Centre for Policy Intervention in Africa (CEPIA) equivocally condemns the unbecoming insensitivity of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun to the plight of academic staff of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode. It regrettable that the nonchalant disposition of Governor Dapo Abodun has rendered TASUED in comatose. It is disturbing that the failure of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun to honour the agreement reached with TAUSED lecturers has ignited crisis of confidence leading to overwhelming negative consequences on academic activities in TASUED.
“It is unfortunate that backlog of salaries and entitlement which were the dominant subject-matter of last strike action embarked upon by the lecturers before they were prevailed upon to return to classes still remain largely unresolved in spite of promises by government. *CEPIA is concerned that continued neglect of legitimate demands of TASUED lecturers will impact negatively on the status of the institution as the collective interest of the academic community; staff and students alike, is at risk.
“The current state of disillusionment amongst the academic staff of TASUED is already telling on the students who may yet be at the receiving ends of another prolong strike and possible shut down of the institution unless urgent realistic steps are taken to redress the situation.
“Considering the prevailing situation therefore, it has become imperative to denounce the inhumane treatments TASUED lecturers have been subjected by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun. The failure by the government to fulfill its obligation and particularly the reneging on latest agreement reached with the lecturers is indeed unfortunate and cannot be justified under whatever circumstances.
“CEPIA therefore call on critical stakeholders across platforms of traditional, religious and civil society groups in Ogun State to urgently prevail on Governor Dapo Abiodun to demonstrate concern to the plight of TASUED lecturers. The prevailing situation in TASUED is, to say the least, compelling and critical to warrant the intervention of leaders and critical stakeholders across platforms in Ogun State. As the premier University dedicated to the training of teachers and professional academics in Nigeria, it is in the best interest of Ogun State to arrest the ugly development in TASUED and save the institution from collapse.
“CEPIA calls on Governor Dapo Abiodun to demonstrate commitment to the payment of salary arrears and entitlements of TASUED lecturers without further delay. Education remains a major asset Ogun State has leveraged upon to assume the premium status of GATEWAY STATE in Nigeria. CEPIA therefore demands commensurate priority attention to the funding of education and in particular the payment of salaries and entitlements of lecturers who remain the backbone of quality education in any society.
“CEPIA demands immediate settlement of salary arrears and entitlements of TASUED lecturers without further delay”.