AAUA lecturers divided over sack of VC

LECTURERS under the auspices of Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Ondo state Chapter, have disagreed over the call for the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun.

A faction of the union leaders have last week petitioned the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu over alleged atrocities committed by the VC, demanding his immediate removal and calling for the setting up of a Visitation Panel.

However, some members of the union at weekend dissociated themselves from the petition written and signed by the Chairman of the union in the school, Dr Sola Fayose, said such decision was never taken by the union.

The Dean of Post Graduate School and Director of University/Community Relations Prof C. A. Daramola andd Prof Victor Olumekun, maintained that no congress was held where such a decision was taken as stipulated by ASUU constitution, and thus the petition was not supported by union.

According to Prof Olumekun, who alleged the Chairman of taking a unilateral decision without consulting the Congress, said the Chairman must have acted as “an individual and not as leader of the union as no Exco member of ASUU has the right to take any action on behalf of the Union without first intimating and getting the permission of union members.

“I am a financial member of ASUU and I am deeply embarrassed that the Chairman could cloak a personal action in the garb of unionism.

“There was no forum where members were intimated and their approval sought as stipulated in ASUU rules.

“Let me add that most of the allegations raised in the said petition, which I never saw but have read about, are issues that the Vice Chancellor has nothing to do with.

“They reportedly said he bought science equipment that is obsolete; it’s a bundle of lies. I was Dean of Science when the equipment in question were bought and supplied.

“I believe that the ASUU Chairman has a personal agenda or axe to grind with the Vice Chancellor, and I don’t think he should use his position to cloak his intentions.

“I think it was patently wrong for such a petition to be written ostensibly on behalf of the union without recourse to its members.”

The ASUU chairman, Dr Fayose ‎had raised alarm that government needed to intervene to save the university over some infraction by the Vice Chancellor.

In a letter entitled: “Dangerous dimensions/manifestations in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and the need for urgent intervention” the union asked the government to act fast before issues get out of hand at the institution.

Such infraction according to the union include “The use of Ad hoc committee to replace Academic Programme Committee. Tampering with the NUC Approved Academic Programme without recourse to the NUC BMAS which is the template for any sound and valid academic Programme in the Nigerian University”.

“Suspension and recommending ASUU leadership and Congress member for termination of appointment in utter disregard to the non-victimisation clause as contained in the MoU reached for the suspension of the July – October, 2016 withdrawal of service action meant to press for the payment of several months salary and deductions.”

“The flagrantly disregarding of a recommendation of the last visitation panel that nobody that is above 70 years should be appointed as an employee of the Adekunle Ajasin University.

“Illegal transfer of academic staff by Management, presided over by him. His use of a Horticulturist to head the University Works and Services department when there were competent Engineers, Architects and Surveyors,” the letter indicates.

The union added the “illegal recruitment of academic and non-academic staff by the authorities of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, without following laid down procedures for employment. Procurement of ₦650 Million Science equipment that is obsolete”.