The Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to help prevail on owner state governments to release adequate funds to the university not to jeopardise the furture of over 30,000 students and staff of the university.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the JAC and SSANU, Comrade Abimbola Muraina Alesinloye while addressing a press conference titled “A Cry Before the Sun Rises”, at the regional office of SSANU, University of Ibadan, on Friday.
Alesinloye, who led other members of the executives of the unions, was flanked by Chairmen of NAAT and NASU, Comrades Wasiu Olusoji Sanusi and Timothy Oladosu Tunwagun, respectively, revealed that the unions considered it necessary to intimate the public of the current on-goings in the institution, just as he hinted that members of staff are currently being owed 10 months salaries.
The chairman explained that the unions agreed to suspend the almost 16 months protracted strike in the institution, on 23 October, 2017, after series of interventions from all well meaning people of Oyo and Osun states, and Nigeria, in general.
He lamented that the current situation may take the institution back to the days of strike.
He added that after the strike was suspended, the new governing council, chaired by Professor Oladapo Afolabi, met with the unions, leading to signing of Memorandum of Action (MoA) which provided for template which eventually kick-started the academic year after strike.
Alesinloye lamented the breach of the MoA agreed upon by the parties. According to him, after reviewing of the situation, issued a 14-day ultimatum which expired on Tuesday, July 31, for the management to meet their demands.
According to him, the unions are expected to meet at a congress on Monday August 6 to review the current situation, after which the congress will make a stand.
Chronicling the situation, Alesinloye said, “Our unions suspended the protracted industrial action of almost 16 months on 23 October, 2017, after series of interventions from well-meaning people of Oyo and Osun States and Nigeria in general.
