Resumption: OAU management, NASU set for fresh clash

There are strong indications that for the umpteenth time, another round of crisis may break out tomorrow at the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, as the striking members of the university’s chapter of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, NASU, are set to dare the management of the institution over the latter’s order that the school reopens tomorrow.

This is even as the marathon peace meeting between the leadership of the university and the workers’ union, which held on Sunday at the palace of the Royal Father, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, may fail to nip the crisis in the bud. OAU had announced the closure of the university last Monday following the protracted protests by NASU members over about 64 months of unpaid arrears of their earned allowances, and as a result had shut down activities on the campus by their refusal to provide essential services such as cleaning, provision of light and water, and by locking up important buildings such as the Senate building, library and the institution’s entrance gates.

However, the university through a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, at the weekend announced that students and workers should resume tomorrow, Tuesday, for the continuation of normal academic activities. The statement, a copy of which was made available to New Telegraph, said the management noted with dismay the “illegal” withdrawal of services and continual disruption of activities on campus by NASU since Friday, July 3.

The statement reads in part: “This strike is on the pretext of non-payment of earned allowances for which the Federal Government has not remitted the funding for the second tranche to any Federal university in Nigeria and of which NASU itself is aware and has publicly acknowledged.

“But in spite of several appeals, meetings and entreaties by the university management, the prochancellor, the Governing Council and, indeed our revered Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Okunade 11, enjoining NASU to resume duties until the fund is released by the Federal Government, the NASU Executive and members have remained adamant and continued with the disruption of the university activities relentlessly, threatening members of other unions who daily report for work.

These illegal activities have been reported to the appropriate security agencies. “In view of this total disregard for constituted authority and recalcitrant behavior by members of NASU, all NASU members are hereby directed to return to their duty posts on or before Tuesday, July 21, failing which appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken against erring members of the university.”

But in a swift reaction to the new order, the union has advised its members not to be cowed by the management’s threat and that rather than reporting for work, they should report by 8am on Tuesday at the university’s sport complex for an emergency congress to appraise the situation.