Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has descended heavily on lecturers of University of Lagos Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for an ‘irresponsible letter’ the group authored.
A statement issued on Thursday, and signed by Dele Ashiru, Chairman of ASUU UNILAG, called on the authorities of the University of Education Winneba (UEW), relevant government agencies and people of Ghana to ensure the safety of the life and property of Professor Augustine Uzoma Nwagbara.
“They should take notice that should anything untoward happen to Professor Nwagbara, the authorities of the University of Winneba and the government of Ghana would be held squarely responsible with its reciprocal consequences for Nigeria-Ghana relations and the Ghanaian community in Nigeria,” it threatened.
The letter follows the dismissal of Professor Augustine Uzoma Nwagbara by the University of Education (UEW) for making some inciting comments in a video that has been widely circulated on social media.
Kwesi Pratt, narrowing down to what Dele Ashiru, Chairman of ASUU UNILAG wrote in his letter to the Ghanaian authorities, said: "what he said even shows that his professorship is questionable. A professor who doesn't respect facts; a whole professor who says the standard of Nigeria education is better than Ghanaian education; how can you calculate that. His history, his logic is questionable; he is so hollow . . . if this is his level how can he be a professor of a university."
Listen to his submission in the video below
Below is a reproduction of the letter from the University of Lagos Academic Staff.
The Unwarranted and Illegal Detention of Professor Austin Nwagbara by the Ghanaian Police
Our Union ASUU-UNILAG received with anguish, the reports of harassment, intimidation and detention of one of our colleagues Professor Austin Nwagbara who is currently on sabbatical at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, based on a leaked video of a meeting addressed by the erudite Professor.
It is the opinion of our Union that no matter how scathing the views of Professor Nwagbara may be to the authorities of the University at Winneba, the Government and people of Ghana, the fact remains that Professor Nwagbara’s views should be viewed within the context of academic freedom guaranteed by Article 3 and 4 of the Kampala Declaration on Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility which states that…
No African intellectual shall in any way be persecuted, harassed or intimidated for reasons only of his or her intellectual work, opinions, gender, nationality or ethnicity.
Every African intellectual shall enjoy the freedom of movement within his or her country and freedom to travel outside and re-enter the country without let, hindrance or harassment. No administrative or any other action shall directly or indirectly restrict this freedom on account of a person’s intellectual opinions, beliefs or activity.
In the light of the above, our Union condemns in absolute terms the unwarranted harassment, intimidation and illegal detention of the erudite Professor.
Our Union calls on the authorities of the University of Education Winneba, relevant government agencies and people of Ghana to ensure the safety of Professor Nwagbara’s life and property.
They should take notice that should anything untoward happen to Professor Nwagbara, the authorities of the University of Winneba and the government of Ghana would be held squarely responsible with its reciprocal consequences for Nigeria-Ghana relations and the Ghanaian community in Nigeria.
Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com
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Well Ghana is weak that is why these idiotss calling themselves Nigerians are saying all these things. If you support your people to rape and kidnap in somebody’s country that makes you also a criminal. Anywhere you go in the world, they hate Nigerians. It is not only in Ghana. The Ghana government should disregard the so called ecowas protocol which the Nigerians are hiding behind it and seek the interest of Ghanaians. Because Ghanaians are in Nigeria, Nigerians can do whatsoever they like in this country. Nana Addo don’t sleep over this and call the Nigerians and their professors to order.
Kwesi Pratt, I know you too well. Kweku Baako, is better than you anytime any day. – Kweku Baako also makes reasonable comments than you, you're old and should not speak as if you're a street boy.
@ Isaac you are obviously a f00l If a tenant passes derogatory comments about his landlord does the landlord say "well done my friend"and invite him to dinner?You Nigerians are pompous and arrogant and trust me your attitude and lust for money is what will get you into trouble anywhere you find yourself in the world.Learn to be humble and you can live anywhere in the world.
Can this Professor stay in China and say what he said here about the Chinese? Ghanaian authorities should deal with him without fear or favour.
This is full of hatred, it shows in your voices and actions, proud to be a Nigerian, and please take note, Ghana can never be better than Nigeria, for Nigerian may be having a hot seat at the moment but wouldn’t last long because a pregnant woman who is about to deliver a KING will always go through pains, Mr Akwesi and the rest of you guys keep laughing at Nigerians but always remember that the table always turns ... we don’t pray for evil to befall but don’t laugh at others whom you aren’t better than, go back to your media and you will read the notes , “However, Prof. Nwagbarahas was arrested on Tuesday by the Ghana police and was charged with incitement to breach of peace”
Nonesenseeeee! if a professor does not guard his mouth and incite his own people to act in an uncomfortable way towards other people, the laws of that land will deal with that uselesssss professor.If Nigeria is better than Ghana, why is he in Ghana to lecture? Nigerians are hated all over the world and if they won't behave themselves in Ghana, we won't regard them. In fact, we want them out of Ghana as soon as possible. If you want to reciprocate, tell Ghanaians in Nigeria to leave your country, rubbishhhhh
Is this a threat? ***barred word***