By Mumini Abdulkareem

Lecturers of the University of Ilorin have been paid their Earned Allowance by the Federal Government.

The Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), University of Ilorin chapter, Dr Abdulraheem Usman yesterday, confirmed the payment of the money which amounted to N754 million.

The national leadership of ASUU had fought for the exclusion of University of Ilorin from the payment over the decision of the local chapter to severe itself from national body for close to two decades adding that they were not part of the struggle.

The University’s ASUU Chairman, Dr Usman, however, told newsmen in Ilorin, that all the lecturers presently on the campus with the exclusion of those on leave, retired or late have been paid since the last four days.

“We paid everyone including those who are among us but are against us. So, all members of ASUU not on leave have been paid. For those who are late, we have asked the registry to reconcile the proper account so that we can pay the family.

“We have also asked those who have resigned to come with their papers, they would be paid. Everyone captured within the year 2009-2012 that the money was meant for would be paid.”

He clarified that the union did not beg anyone before the money was paid to them, saying that it was their legitimate right and they worked for it.

“It was not strike allowance, but Earned Allowance. So, we deserved it more than any other member because we didn’t go on strike, and that was why we didn’t go to beg anyone over the payment. Though some members said we should go and beg, but we declined. We merely dissolved their ego on the altar of courage and resilience”.

He commended the understanding of the minister of education, the Accountant General of the Federation and other stakeholders towards the payment, and also called for the payment of the second tranche 2013-2017 which though he said no university has been paid.