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ASUU’s Blackmailing Us – RSUST
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is blackmailing the management of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), by publicly undermining its credibility, an official has said.
The university’s spokesman, Mr Desmond Wosu, told newsmen in an interview in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that ASUU was calling for a sanction to be imposed on the university.
It would be recalled that the National Executive Council of ASUU at a recent meeting in Osun State had called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to sanction the university.
A communiqué issued after the meeting stated that the management of the university disregarded the rights of ASUU members to freedom of association and peaceful assembly in the university.
The communiqué also described RSUST as a university where mediocrity thrived and as such lacked the ability to produce quality graduates.
Wosu said that the university’s chapter of ASUU had refused to follow due-process in notifying the university management before holding its meetings.
He said that other unions in the university had always notified the university management prior to its meetings and as such enjoyed peaceful deliberations.
“The National Executive Council of ASUU is merely blackmailing the management of this university because Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi had said that he followed due-process in the re-appointment of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Prof Barineme Fakae, and if they (ASUU) felt he did not follow due-process, they should go to court”, Wosu said.
“It is unfortunate that ASUU is calling on the National Universities Commission to sanction this university because NUC sent a delegation late last year (2012) to find out whether academic activities were going on here or not.
“They (NUC) found that what they read in the newspapers was different from what is happening here on campus; they saw students sitting examinations, and lecturers administering exams, and were satisfied.
“They wrote us a letter commending the management of this university for not disrupting academic activities and our programmes for last section. “A few lecturers that are out there (on strike); mainly the leadership of ASUU, RSUST branch is carrying-out press war against the management of this university.
“We are calling on a few of them out there to exercise restraint and come back to work because the strike is not supported by the public, students, and more than 85 per cent of ASUU members of this university,” he added.
Wosu said the university would not be distracted by the union, and as such would continue to run its academic programmes in the interest of the country.
Our correspondent also recalls that ASUU and the university administration have been in disagreement over the re-appointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as the institution’s Vice-Chancellor.
The union had on August, 2012, embarked on a strike action to demand that Governor Chibuike Amaechi follow due-process in the re-appointment of Fakae.
But only a few weeks ago, The Tide investigations revealed that about 95 per cent of the lecturers had since resumed normal academic activities.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene