FUTA crisis: School authorities suspend 23 workers

THE Authorities of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), on Tuesday, suspended 23 members of staff of the institution over allegation of  insubordination and disobedience to the constituted authority.

This was contained in a letter signed by the Registrar of the institution, who is also the Secretary to the Council, Dr Modupe Ajayi.

The suspended staff include leaders members of the three Non Academic Unions in the university, which included the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SSANU), the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

But denying the development, the SSANU Chairman, Mr Dele Durojaye, who is also the chairman of the university’s Joint Action Committee said the three unions were not aware of any letter suspending any of its member.

He said “I just left the university after 4.00pm, there was no letter to such effect and all that we noticed when we are leaving was the presence of mobile policemen at the gates of the university. So, we are not aware of any letter.”

Workers of the three unions had embarked on protest since October demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, over his invitation by the anti graft agency.

The protest had paralysed activities in the school as well as municipal services had been disconnected by the protesting workers.

However, the FUTA authorities said that it had written letter to the leadership of the three unions and the need for them to restore municipal services to the campus.

The letter read “Specifically, your unions’ members, under your leadership have disrupted university activities and municipal services. In the same letter, council among others directed that the municipal services tampered with by members of your unions should be restored immediately that is, November 17, 2016, to ensure conducive teaching and learning environment on campus. You are yet to obey as at the time of writing this letter.

“Your action amounts to wilful disobedience and act of insubordination to the governing council, which is tantamount to misconduct.

“In this regard the portion of the letter under reference, which states that  “council will therefore take appropriate action to restore normalcy if the unions fail to comply with its directive” is hereby being effected.

“Consequent upon that, and in consonance with the university’s enabling law, I have been directed that you be put on suspension (on half pay) with effect from Monday, November 28, 2016, pending the resolution of the matter.

“Accordingly, you are hereby suspended from the services of the university and placed on half pay with effect from 28th November, 2016. You are to handover all university properties in your custody to your Head of Department/Unit”, the registrar stated.

The letter consequently directed the affected workers to stay away from the university campus until further notice.

The suspended workers include the chairmen of the three protesting unions, Mr Dele Durojaye of SSANU, Mr Bayo, Aladerotohun of NASU and Omoraka Emmanuel  of NAAT.
THE Authorities of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), on Tuesday, suspended 23 members of staff of the institution over allegation of  insubordination and disobedience to the constituted authority.

This was contained in a letter signed by the Registrar of the institution, who is also the Secretary to the Council, Dr Modupe Ajayi.

The suspended staff include leaders members of the three Non Academic Unions in the university, which included the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SSANU), the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

But denying the development, the SSANU Chairman, Mr Dele Durojaye, who is also the chairman of the university’s Joint Action Committee said the three unions were not aware of any letter suspending any of its member.

He said “I just left the university after 4.00pm, there was no letter to such effect and all that we noticed when we are leaving was the presence of mobile policemen at the gates of the university. So, we are not aware of any letter.”

Workers of the three unions had embarked on protest since October demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, over his invitation by the anti graft agency.

The protest had paralysed activities in the school as well as municipal services had been disconnected by the protesting workers.

However, the FUTA authorities said that it had written letter to the leadership of the three unions and the need for them to restore municipal services to the campus.

The letter read “Specifically, your unions’ members, under your leadership have disrupted university activities and municipal services. In the same letter, council among others directed that the municipal services tampered with by members of your unions should be restored immediately that is, November 17, 2016, to ensure conducive teaching and learning environment on campus. You are yet to obey as at the time of writing this letter.

“Your action amounts to wilful disobedience and act of insubordination to the governing council, which is tantamount to misconduct.

“In this regard the portion of the letter under reference, which states that  “council will therefore take appropriate action to restore normalcy if the unions fail to comply with its directive” is hereby being effected.

“Consequent upon that, and in consonance with the university’s enabling law, I have been directed that you be put on suspension (on half pay) with effect from Monday, November 28, 2016, pending the resolution of the matter.

“Accordingly, you are hereby suspended from the services of the university and placed on half pay with effect from 28th November, 2016. You are to handover all university properties in your custody to your Head of Department/Unit”, the registrar stated.

The letter consequently directed the affected workers to stay away from the university campus until further notice.

The suspended workers include the chairmen of the three protesting unions, Mr Dele Durojaye of SSANU, Mr Bayo, Aladerotohun of NASU and Omoraka Emmanuel  of NAAT.