The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), has called on the
Federal Government (FG) to take immediate step towards acceding to the various
demands of the union.
This is based on the understanding and agreement reached before the
suspension of its industrial action, which lasted for over two months in
December 2018.
COEASU made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of the Expanded
National Executive Council (ENEC) meeting of the union held on 10th and 11th of
September, 2019 in Akoka, Lagos.
The Union, in the communiqué, jointly signed by the President, Nuhu Ogirima
and General Secretary, Taiwo Olayanju, warned that only an urgent attention by
FG to the lingering contentious issues, would forestall disruption of academic
activities in the Colleges of Education across the country.
Decrying the disposition of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and the
National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) towards the desired
effective resolution of all the protracted issues, COEASU said: “Following the
re-appointment of Malam Adamu Adamu, as Minister of Education, the Union
expects a meaningful rejigging of the system to ensure the resolution of all
lingering issues in contention and that FME would address the manifest
marginalization of the COE system in the governance of tertiary education
sub-sector.
COEASU expressed dissatisfaction over the attempt to impose the application
of the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS) on colleges of
education, considering the peculiarities of tertiary institutions.
The academic body reaffirmed its non-aversion to policies of FG to check
perceived indications of corruption and leakages towards more cost-effective
payroll management system, it however, insist that “such should take cognizance
of peculiarities to avoid the entrenchment of questionable payment regime that
could shortchange our members irredeemably.”
Consequently, a fiscal practice that may be adjudged suitable for the core
civil service could be antithetical for the tertiary education sub-sector given
their diametrical differences in all ramifications.”
The union of lecturers in colleges of education “critically assessed the
security challenges besetting Nigerians within and outside the country”, noting
that “While the internal security challenges may be receiving appropriate
attention, the recent surge in the rate of criminal activities presupposes that
a change in strategy may be required for effective crime control.”
The communiqué further indicates that COEASU “considered as unwarranted and
condemnable the Afrophobic (xenophobic) attacks that have bedeviled the
Republic of South Africa in recent time.” It added that, “although homicide,
wherever it is perpetuated, remains condemnable, for a nation that owes the
achievement of her sovereignty to the magnanimity of other spirited nations
especially African nations led by Nigeria, the current situation tends to
question the very morale that has been instilled in the struggle for a nation
state. Council, therefore, implored Nigerians and other nationals in South
Africa and those in their respective home countries to avoid violent reprisals
as ongoing international conversations hold promises of stopping the crisis and
ensuring compensation for the victims.”
