The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, emergency congress held in Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, was disrupted following an alleged attack on the Union’s officials, by one Mr. Amobi Chiamogu, an aide of the Polytechnic Rector, leading to destruction of official documents belonging to ASUP.
In a letter to the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Prof Godwin Onu, the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions, JACTU, pointed out that the development is strange to an academic environment and public service rules.
The letter in part reads: “A meeting of the JACTU took place on October 22, 2013 as a result of a report on assault and attack on ASUP by officers attached to your office, Mr. Amobi Chiamogu and Barr. Stanley Okafor, during ASUP emergency congress held on Monday, October 21, 2013.
“Mr. Amobi Chiamogu began attacks on ASUP officials and in the process, destroyed official documents of the union as well as inflicted body injuries to General Secretary, Lady (Barr.) Ogugua Ochuba.
“He (Chiamogu) later rained punches on one Kossy Ebunilo, an academic staff in the meeting.
The legal adviser, Barr. Stanley Okafor lumbered into the meeting with a stick and eventually caused a commotion. Reports indicate that a yet to be confirmed accomplices aided the duo in the act of infamy.”
JACTU also urged Federal Government to appoint a Rector from the polytechnic system, saying that a polytechnic generated rector is better equipped to manage the affairs of a polytechnic.
Members of the committee comprised the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, SSANIP and ASUP.
The Committee said it totally identifies with the position of ASUP National Executive Council (NEC) and that of ASUP Federal Polytechnic, Oko Congress on the need to appoint the Rectors from within the polytechnic system.
