Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, are now in hot soup following their recent visit to the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
The Abia North Senator who hosted the delegation at his Igbere country home was said to have given them money and rice as palliatives to cushion the effects of the on-going strike action by ASUU.
As the visit is beginning to generate reactions, ASUU has disowned its members involved in the said un-authorised visit with a threat to discipline anyone found culpable.
ASUU MOUAU in a statement Thursday in Umuahia, washed off its hands from the said visit.
The statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Professor Michael Ugwuene; and Secretary, Comrade Paul Nwiyi; vowed to probe the said visit and discipline those found culpable.
According to the statement made available to Ikengaonline ASUU assured its national leadership that any of its members involved in the visit would face discipline.
It read in part: “The attention of ASUU MOUAU, has been drawn to reports in the media about the visit by some academic staff of MOUAU to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu at his Igbere home, where according to the reports “the striking lecturers” were given palliatives and enjoined to end the strike.
“ASUU MOUAU hereby dissociates itself from the aforementioned visit and the consequent palliative.
“The public is hereby enjoined to take notice that ASUU MOUAU was not aware of, was not invited, and did not authorise or approve any such visit and did not request for, neither did it receive any palliatives from Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
“ASUU MOUAU, hereby assures the National Executive Council of ASUU that the branch is investigating the visit and the members of the branch found culpable shall be subjected to the disciplinary process of the union.”
