CHRAN WADES INTO LABOUR DISPUTE AT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, AFAHA NSIT

A foremost civil society organisation in Nigeria under the auspices of Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has waded into the dispute between the management of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).

The Center made this known in a Press Conference addressed by the organisation in its office in Uyo on Wednesday, 12th March. 2025.

The Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong flanked by other members of the organisation including its secretary, Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo, noted that the Center’s attention was drawn to the disagreement between the leaders of COEASU and the College management by a letter dated 10th March, 2025 titled: “Re: COEASU Election Report: Non-Recognition of Purported Elected Officers: A 72 Hour Ultimatum” addressed to the Registrar, College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area and signed by Comrade (Elder) Sunny James, Chairperson, and Comrade Alpha J. Marshall, State Secretary, for Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council, a copy of which was forwarded to the CHRAN Director by Comrade (Elder) Sunny James himself, on Tuesday, 11th March, 2025.

The NLC letter stated the bone of contention as non-remittance of COEASU check- off dues by the College management.

On the strength of the NLC’s letter, CHRAN immediately waded into the matter by engaging the College management on Tuesday, 11th March, 2025.

On its part, the College management stated the reason for withholding the check-off dues, noting that it requested the three unions operating within the College to submit their constitutions to the College management. It stated that while the other two unions submitted their constitutions, COEASU leadership refused to comply, leading to the withholding of its check-off dues by the College management.

The CHRAN appealed to the College management to release the check-off dues to the COEASU despite of the union leadership’s non-compliance with the College management’s request.

The College management assured the CHRAN that steps will be taken to ensure the release of the check-off dues to the COEASU.

The CHRAN is pleased that the College management has kept to its promise by directing the release of the check-off dues to COEASU.

On the issue of the purported expiration of the tenure of office of the Provost of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Prof. Daniel Udo, raised by the Akwa Ibom State NLC Chairperson, Comrade (Elder) Sunny James, CHRAN has verified and ascertained that the tenure of office of the Provost, Prof. Daniel Udo, is still subsisting.

Having been a part of the oversight visit of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Education to the College of Education, Afaha Nsit on Tuesday, 11th March, 2025, CHRAN is pleased with the state of infrastructure and facilities in the College of Education, Afaha Nsit.

CHRAN lauds the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, on his developmental strides in the College of Education, Afaha Nsit and appreciates the Governor’s vision and drive on education in the State.

The CHRAN commends the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for working assiduously to ensure the actualisation of a legislation to upgrade the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit to the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit, positively believing that Governor Umo Eno will assent to the Bill immediately upon its passage, the Bill being in sync with the ARISE Agenda of the Governor Umo Eno administration.

CHRAN urges all stakeholders to close ranks and work together to birth and berth the Akwa Ibom University of Education, Afaha Nsit.

Signed Otuekong Franklyn Isong (Director)

Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo (Secretary)

Dated: Wednesday, 12th March, 2025.