About three academic staff of the Lagos State University (LASU) faces indefinite suspension from the national body for anti-union activities.
The allegations of anti-union activities include the stoppage of the union’s account, check-off dues and using students with placards on December, 8th, 2014 to disrupt ASUU NEC meeting at MBA hall, impersonation the union and calling illegal congress.
The three are Dr. Tajudeen Olumoko, former Treasure of ASUU-LASU, Mr. A.S.S. Asokere, former interim chairman during the during industrial action and Mr. O. Aiyeniko, also former interim Secretary, (ASUU national issued a disclaim on both) were summoned to appear before ASUU-LASU Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.
A letter dated November 20th, 2015 signed by chairman, ASUU-LASU, Dr. Adekunle Idris and the Secretary, Dr. A. Adeyemi-Suenu, inviting the trio to the committee to defend the accusation of engaging in anti-union activities during the administration of former Vice Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa and attempt to institute the inglorious UNILORIN model in LASU.
The one-page-letter reads:’’ In line with the Constitution of the union, this is to avail you the opportunity to verbally defend yourself with respect to the allegations levelled against you for which you had earlier been given the opportunity to explain in writing.’’
ASUU-LASU chairman, Dr. Idris confirmed that the three academic staff failed to appear before the committee and like others, the report would be submitted to ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) to ratify the decision.
In 2014, about 22 ASUU-LASU members were suspended by the union for anti-union activities and the decision was ratified by ASUU NEC. The list includes two top management staff, Professors, former ASUU-LASU chairmen and vice chairmen.
In a related development, ASUU-LASU chapter says the seven-month-old protracted crisis could have been averted if the university administration had address workers demands and shy away from victimization of union leaders.
The chairman of ASUU-LASU, Dr. Idris disclosed this at a briefing to announce the re-issuance of his withdrawn Ph.D certificate and that of Mr. Mufutau Yusuf on the directive of the Governing Council which gave the university management two weeks ultimatum on the case.
Idris insisted that the protracted crises which lead to the March 16 mass protest by the workers and the chasing away of the immediate past VC, Prof Obafunwa and other principal officers out of the main campus was avoidable if the university administration had done the needful.
He said the staff unions are at cross road again noting ‘’the university is at the verge of engaging another VC in a few weeks from now. Yet core our issues that are germane to the current crisis remain unresolved. Our union owes it as duty to press for the rights of our members and the resolution of core outstanding matters.
‘’It will be most distracting to the incoming VC to start off his/her tenure with crisis. If this not achieved now, the incoming VC’s official seat is simply the proverbial ‘keg of gun powder’. We suggest that core outstanding issues be resolved so that the incoming VC can start work on a clean slate with the staff unions.’’
Dr. Idris noted that the union should not be held responsible for the inaction of the government or the governing council or the university administration and listed the contentious demands to include the unpaid salary increase arrears outstanding since 2010, replacement of damaged union buses/vehicles (three) belonging to SSANU and NASU.
Others are making public the report of investigation and decision of council on the excesses of the Registrar, Mr. Akinwunmi Lewis as agreed at a meeting with the deputy governor, new retirement age for academic staff on professorial cadre and non academic staff, one term of five for principal officers, outstanding overdue promotions and report of the investigation of inappropriate promotions and appointment cases submitted by the union.
The ASUU boss showered encomium on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule for their passion for the LASU project and also acknowledged the commitment shown by the governing council members in tackling the crisis.
On the re-issued Ph.D certificate, Dr. Idris saluted the courage of the governing council in resolving the matter but added ‘’the union insists that all those involved in creating this embarrassment have to be brought to book to serve as deterrent in the future.’’
Source: TheSun
