We’ll continue strike, Ondo lecturers vow

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the two Ondo State owned universities, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OSUTECH), has vowed to continue with their ongoing ‘no pay no work action’ to press home their demands.

The state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, had met with the leadership of the unions, pleading that the lecturers should suspend their strike in the interest of the students and the state, with a promise to pay their salaries as soon as they resume work.

The decision of the leadership of the union was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its congress and signed by the chairman, Dr Dipo Komolafe.

In the three-point communiqué, which centred on the strike, state of the university and appointment of substantive vice chancellor, the union said the attitude of the council of the university and the government were capable of permanently putting a stop to academic activities in the universities.

Komolafe, however, directed all ASUU members to sustain the strike until all salaries and allowances due to them were paid while government should also ensure full payment of Earned Academic Allowance to deserving lecturers.

The AUUA lecturers said they would not resume work until the government pays their outstanding salary arrears in addition to payment of deductions which were also in arrears.

Consequent upon the resolution of the lecturers, the management of AAUA, in a statement signed by the Registrar, M.S Ayerun, said the Vice Chancellor, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, had directed that all students of the university should go on recess in view of the ongoing strike by the ASUU.

According to the registrar, all students are to vacate the university campus and halls of residence immediately but said discussions are ongoing with members of ASUU.