We are not aware of LAUTECH’s resumption, and we are not going back to work on Friday, September 15, the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, and other workers’ unions in the university, have said.
The chairman of the ASUU at the university, Dr. Biodun Olaniran; and the chairman of the Joint Action Committee at the university, Mr. Muraina Alesinloye, said in separate interviews that none of the workers’ unions would resume because they were not aware of the resumption directive.
The JAC comprises of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non Academic Staff Union and the National Association of Academic Technologists
The ASUU chairman said the union was not even aware that the university authorities had announced the resumption date.
He said the union embarked on an indefinite strike because of its demands that were not addressed by the governments of Oyo and Osun states.
According to him, the demands included payment of their 11 months’ salaries, earned academic allowances, gratuities and pensions, health insurance, promotion, among others
He said, “We (ASUU) will not resume until our demands are met. Until our demands are addressed, the strike continues.”
The chairman of the JAC also said that none of the three under JAC was aware of the resumption.
He said, “I am the chairman of SSANU, but I am speaking as the chairman of JAC now. We are not aware of the resumption and you will agree with me that you cannot obey any directive which you are not aware of.”
In a statement on Thursday the varsity governing council urged students to return to their campuses for commencement of academic activities on Monday, September 18.
The statement reads, “The Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, has approved resumption of activities on the institution’s campuses with effect from Friday, September 15, 2017.
“Students of the university are expected to return to school on Monday, September 25, 2017, while full academic activities, the details of which the senate will announce, shall commence immediately after the Independence anniversary holiday.
“Council thanked the governors of Oyo and Osun states, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola respectively, for agreeing to support the university with necessary funds to enable the university to return to its normal work schedule and reinvigorate its latent capacities for accelerated and sustainable growth and development.
“Council also appreciated all stakeholders for their understanding and support.
“Council further appealed to students, staff, parents as well as the general public to demonstrate greater faith and dedication to the well-being of the institution, as better days lie ahead of it.
“Concerted efforts should, therefore, be geared towards ensuring that nothing is allowed to disrupt the normal work of the university again.”
It will be recalled that the university has been embroiled in perennial crisis, while various workers’ unions had embarked on indefinite strikes to press home demands for payment of about 10-month salary arrears.
