By Ayodele Oni
A splinter group has emerged from the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, (NASU).
It is known as the National Association of Non-Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities (NANTSNU).
The pioneer National President of the new association, Mr Niyi Akinibi, in a statement at the end of an emergency meeting at Ile- Ife, explained that the new body was formed in order to allow University workers to have their own union like ASUU, SSANU and NAAT.
According to him, only NASU is not a University based union, as it is an amalgamation of Trade groups from primary and secondary schools, research institutions, teaching hospitals, colleges of education, polytechnics and universities.
Akinibi pointed out that members interest in the University system had been under jeopardy in NASU because the leadership of the union is not made up of workers in the University system.
“Those at the helm of affairs in NASU Headquarters lack the understanding of the system and the attendants predicaments it poses to members.
The statement reads, “We sincerely welcome you to National Association of Non- Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities (NANTSNU) platform. The decision to open this platform arose on the need to keep you informed on the reasons why we need to have our own University based Union like ASUU, SSANU and NAAT.
“You would agree with us that of all the Unions we have currently in the University system in Nigeria, only NASU is not a University based Union.
“Taking you through history, SSANU and NAAT were part of NASU in years back, but they left to form their own university based union because of the inconveniences posed to them in the system by their marriage.
“The time has come for us too to take a decisive decision about our future in the university system as we cannot continue to subscribe to a union that does not solely belong to our system.
“A number of issues which bothered on our continued existence in the university system are begging for solutions and answers because those at the helms of affairs are not part of us in the university system.
”Those at the helms of affairs in NASU Headquarters are only interested in our check off dues while our welfare and interest are left unattended to”.
Akinibi added that NASU has been personalised, saying it has become a one-man show being run like a family entity.
The statement added, “There is high level of official rascality and corruption in NASU Secretariat.
“NASU is being run like a sole proprietorship as our employee-General Secretary, Mr. Peters Adeyemi, has taken over the Union as his personal estate.
“NASU Employee-General Secretary, Mr. Peters Adeyemi, is perpetuating himself in office as life General Secretary of the Union having spent over 35 years as General Secretary.
Our Employee-General Secretary has clandestinely made 70 years as his retirement age when all NASU members would retire at 65 years.
“Since his assumption of office as General Secretary of NASU over 35 years ago, his renumeration has been personalised and shrouded in secrecy”.
