*holds maiden NEC, ratifies new national officers
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has tasked the Federal Government to ensure transparent, free, fair and credible election in this year’s general elections.
CONUA gave the task in a communique issued at the end of its maiden National Executive Council (NEC) meeting (from January 20 to 22, 2023) at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
According to the congress, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its part too, must, “ensure that political parties evolve to the point of clear ideologies so that Nigerians can have better choices”
It stressed further that Nigerians especially those in the voting age should not hesitate to come out and participate fully in the forthcoming election.
” On the general election in 2023, the government should ensure transparent, free, fair and credible election. Since the country runs a democracy, INEC must ensure that political parties evolve to the point of clear ideologies so that Nigerians can have better choices,” it said .
The Congress stressed further, ” CONUA totally condemns the burning of INEC offices in various parts of the country as this portends a grave threat to our democracy. It also encourages all Nigerians of voting age to participate in the forthcoming election.”
On education, CONUA called on the government to ” ensure reasonable utilization of university autonomy” and that ” it must, as a matter of urgency, contain seemingly unseen corruption and fix “accreditation fraud” in the universities”.
” Education is central to development of any nation, Nigeria inclusive. CONUA is of the strong opinion that education can be made “cheap” by ensuring uninterrupted academic calendar in the Nigerian Ivory towers.CONUA urges the government to ensure reasonable utilization of university autonomy and it must, as a matter of urgency, contain seemingly unseen corruption and fix “accreditation fraud” in the universities.”
CONUA while lauding the security agencies in the country for their sustained efforts at curtailing the security threats in the country, encouraged them to do more to secure the nation.
Frowning at banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats in the country, CONUA urged the government to reduce the out-of-school children thereby reducing the massive unemployment without further delay.
At the maiden NEC, CONUA ratified names of nominated National Officers namely,
“Dr. ‘Niyi Sunmonu – National President, Dr. Abdulhameed Salawu – National Vice President, Dr. Henri Oripeloye – National Secretary, Dr. Issa Abdulraheem – Assistant National Secretary and Dr. Ernest O. Nwoke – National Publicity Secretary.”
Others are, 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 and Barrister Ayodeji Ige – National Legal Adviser.
