EKSU Reopens Amidst Strike
The management of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, has reopened the institution for academic activities, in defiance of the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Union of Universities (ASUU) nationwide.
The management directed the students to resume academic activities yesterday Monday, 29 August.
However, the ASUU chapter in EKSU says the management is on its own.
The EKSU chapter of ASUU had joined the six month-old strike following the demand by the union for the adequate funding of the universities and implementation of other reforms contained in an earlier agreement with the federal government.
Vice Chancellor of EKSU, had last week, hinted that the institution would defy ASUU and reopen the university for academic work.
The President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, had also ridiculed state-owned universities namely: Kwara State University, Lagos State University (LASU), Osun State University, and lately, the Ekiti State University in a television interview last week, he described them as “quacks.”
In his words, “When you are providing data, look at the background. Kwara State University is not a member of ASUU; Osun State University was suspended for its behavior, you can check, LASU you mentioned, we are in court with LASU because they sacked all our executives five years ago so they are not part of this struggle.”
EKSU Vice Chancellor,Prof. Edward Olanipekun told journalists in Ado- Ekiti on Saturday that the decision to reopen for classes was taken by key members of the institution.
According to him, “It was a decision taken by the stakeholders about the effect of this prolonged strike on the institution and our position have been made public about our intention to begin work and restore normalcy.”
However, a circular by the institution’s Registrar, Ife Oluwole, noted that the resumption is with respect to old students and the newly admitted ones for the 2021/22 academic session.
The Circular read thus, “Stakeholders in Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, which included the Vice Chancellor and other Principal Officers, Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Professors and Officers on grade level 14 and above met on Sunday, 21st August, 2022 to review the situation in the University,” the statement read.
“Stakeholders noted the socio-economic effects of the current strike action embarked upon by the staff unions in the University on other stakeholders (parents, students, alumni and staff) and the plea by the parents.
“It further noted that the industrial action is having negative effects not only on the students but also on the University. These include: a) undue prolongation of the academic calendar and the stay of the students on campus; low patronage by candidates seeking admission to the University and inability of Staff to meet up with their financial obligations.
“The negative effects also include inability to pay Staff salaries, among others.
“Participants at the meeting deliberated extensively on the matter and resolved that, in the interest of the teeming population of our students, their parents and the survival of the University, it has become imperative for all members of staff currently on strike in the University to resume normal official activities.
“Consequently, the stakeholders unanimously decided that the University Management should reopen the university without further delay for continuation of academic activities.
Source: Premium Times
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