The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools has elected its third substantive national administrative council.

This is contained in a statement by the newly elected secretary-general of the association, Ken Chukwudi, on Wednesday in Osogbo, Osun State.

According to the statement, Sola Adigun was elected the national president, and Sule Abasu as the national deputy president of the 12-man administrative council of the association.

It said that the new leadership emerged through a unanimous decision of the National Delegates Conference of ASUSS held in Abuja.

After the inauguration, Mr Adigun urged secondary school teachers in the country to exercise their freedom of association by supporting ASUSS for the protection of rights, which were peculiar to the secondary school sector alone.

He also appealed to members of the union to shun conducts that could divide their ranks.

He stated, “This is ASUSS—the hope of the Nigerian teaching profession. We must not import into our union the divisiveness and politics that have weakened our nation. It is time for every state chapter to show absolute loyalty and unwavering commitment to the national body. A weak national leadership reflects weak grassroots commitment. Our strength must be collective. ASUSS is ready to work with federal and state governments towards ensuring that the quality of secondary education in Nigeria meets global standards. Government should renew its funding of secondary education in Nigeria through improved infrastructure and manpower development in the sector.’’ 

During the handing over, the immediate past president of ASUSS, Sam Omaji, expressed delight at the conduct of the delegates, which he described as “an atmosphere devoid of rancour and acrimony.”

Mr Omaji expressed confidence in the new leadership, charging them to remain focused and unwavering in their service to the union and, by extension, secondary teachers in Nigeria.

The new ASUSS president is currently the chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ekiti State. 

(NAN)