From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Chapter of ASUU has debunked claims that its members were soliciting public ssistance to feed as a result of its ongoing strike.
The union, in a statement by Christian Opata and Michael Nwokedi, chairman and secretary, respectively, expressed shock at a viral video trending on social media, credited to Williams Uchemba, Nollywood actor, soliciting assistance from the public to help UNN lecturers feed themselves and families. Uchemba had in the video said UNN lecturers were demanding assistance from him as they cannot feed themselves and their families because of the ongoing strike by ASUU.
The union, however, said they were not aware of any such plea and none of its members initiated one. They said the UNN chapter of ASUU has a welfare scheme to cushion the effect of the prolonged strike on members.
The union said when it got it touch with Uchemba, he was apologetic and went ahead to put his apology in writing and posted same on social media, especially on his Facebook page.
“We suspect that this may be one of the antics of government to break the ranks of ASUU. Our suspicion is premised on the coincidence in the timing of the said post and President Mohammed Buhari’s misplaced, unfounded and ill-informed threat of ‘enough is enough.’ However, if his intention is genuine, we thank him for calling the attention of the public and government to the plight of Nigerian universities and equally ask other Nigerians to join him to prevail on government to end the strike and get our children back to school. We therefore call on the general public to disregard the mischievous call for assistance,” ASUU UNN said.