Posted by By Sir Eddy on
On Thursday January 26, 2005 the University of Port Harcourt's Non-Academic Staff Union embarked on a peaceful demonstration round the campus. In a demonstration that paralyzed all activities in the institution, the junior staff union membership vented their anger on the University's administration in several ways.
On Thursday January 26, 2005 the University of Port Harcourt's Non-Academic Staff Union embarked on a peaceful demonstration round the campus. In a demonstration that paralyzed all activities in the institution, the junior staff union membership vented their anger on the University's administration in several ways. On the second day of their action they paraded a coffin round the university, mocking the 'death' of the vice chancellor, Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs.
Placards, with various derogatory inscriptions were carried. The casket was later deposited at the VC's car park. On Friday, the third day of the strike, the demonstrators held a mock service of songs for their Vice Chancellor, who had been adjudged as one of the best in Nigeria.
The Chairman of NASU, Comrade Brown G. Amadi accused the Nimi Briggs' led administration of inefficiency, that Professor Briggs has no respect for due process in the way he carries out his job. He also accused the administrator of insensitivity adding, "We have a VC who rejoices when his workers are suffering"
In a memorandum submitted earlier to the presidential visitation panel, dated 31st August, 2004, NASU highlighted their grievances when the panel visited the University of Port Harcourt on fact-finding mission.
Under a sub topic titled: Unjustifiable Rationalization Exercise of 1999, NASU narrated how Professor Briggs's Rationalization Committee sacked about 500 workers without established standards, claiming that some of the workers, were dismissed without queries while others unjustly were terminated. The union alleged that N.D Briggs soon after he became the Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT sent the University trained militia popularly called "Man 'O War" to scatter a meeting of NASU, they came armed with jack-knives and guns and went after the poor workers in the meeting and inflicted injuries on many of them.
The last straw that broke the camel's back is the two and half-months salary owed the junior staff since May 2003. Comrade Brown, in an ultimatum letter to the VC, pleaded with him to pay up the arrears, pointing out that several efforts, which the union made did not produce any result.
Meanwhile, NASU has called on the governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili the Federal Ministry of Education and the Alumni of the institution to save the university from imminent collapse.
Efforts to reach the VC during this period were unsuccessful as he was said to be absent at the time this reporter called at his office for his reactions.