ASUU Cautions Against Resumption Of Academic Activities In AAU

Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, vowed to continue its indefinite strike until the state government resolved the unpaid salaries, check-off dues and other sundry deductions owed its members.

Reacting to the university’s news bulletin of Wednesday, May 19, 2021, which announced the resumption of academic activities from Monday, May 24, 2021, ASUU dismissed the possibility of resuming academic activities until the state government resolved the issues.

In a statement issued by its Chairman, Dr Monday Igbafen and Secretary, Dr Anthony Coker-Aizebioje, the union said it would be counterproductive to open the institution for academic activities when its members would not attend to the students or teach them.

While maintaining that the strike was total, indefinite and comprehensive, the union advised parents and guardians that ASUU was on strike and therefore, they should be guided to avoid risking the lives of their children by allowing them to travel unnecessarily due to the purported resumption of academic activities.

ASUU insisted that the strike was triggered by the failure of the state government and university management to address its demands, which led to the strike in the first place

They urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to address its members on the unpaid five-month salaries and remittance of over 13 months unpaid check-off dues and other deductions from staff members’ salaries before its members could return to work.

“The strike has not been suspended and it would, therefore, be foolhardy to recall students to campus,” the statement reads.

ASUU also cautioned the new Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benson Osadolor, to beware of desperate and power-seeking members of staff, who might want to mislead him into believing that the university could open for academic activities without settling the unpaid salaries and other entitlements of its members in the university.