The Academic Staff Union of Universities at the Osun State University and the institution’s Governing Council, are at loggerheads over the alleged cancellation of some academic programmes in the university.
While the ASUU on Monday claimed that its members would soon embark on strike following the actions of the council, led by Prof. Gabriel Olawoyin, the latter said the teachers’ union was merely seeking public sympathy.
The ASUU Chairman in the university, Dr. Joseph Abiona, and the Secretary, Mr. Olaosebikan Wende, signed the statement.
The union also accused Olawoyin of highhandedness, threatening that its members would join the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non Academic Staff Union in their ongoing on strike.
Part of the union’s statement read, “We demand the immediate reversal of the council’s decision to cancel all academic programmes that were put in place to provide opportunities for thousands of students who may find it difficult to secure admissions to the university and improve the internally, generated revenue base of the university.
“We demand the immediate reversal of the council’s decision of April 28, 2014 and issuance of appointment letters to members of staff whose appointments were stepped down with effect from April 28, 2014.
“We demand the immediate payment of the 2012 and 2013 promotion and annual salary increment arrears and other financial entitlements to deserving members of staff of the university.
“We also demand the revalidation of the report of Prof. Temi Ologunorisa-led Staff Audit Panel. Universities all over the world thrive on committee systems; hence, the Governing Council should allow all statutory committees to function rather than resorting to a public limited company approach where directives are given by the Board of Directors.”
However, Olawoyin while dismissing the allegations preferred against him and the Governing Council, accused the union of deliberately distorting the fact to win public sympathy.
He also accused the university vice-chancellor of using ASUU against the council.
He said, “The Interim Joint Matriculation Board Programme introduced by the VC did not have the approval of the Governing Council which was needed.
“The vice-chancellor presented a paper listing a number of part time courses which he wanted the council to approve without any supporting documents, as is usually the case with him.
“I challenge the ASUU leadership to name any other so-called internally- generated revenue-driven programmes which have been brought to Council and stopped by me or the Council.
“The allegation of cancellation of appointments of internal members confirms my conviction that ASUU allegations are partly born out of Abiona’s personal interest which he wants to foster, regardless of the merit, and the desire of the vice-chancellor to use some of them to foster a culture of corruption, irresponsibility and disregard for due process in the university.
“The allegation about the cancellation of Prof. Temi Ologunorisa-led Staff Audit Panel report is another classic illustration of deliberate distortion and concealment of material facts. When our council came on board, there were many protests and petitions from several segments of the university about irregularities in the appointments and promotion of staff. These protests went far beyond the rather narrow scope of Prof. Ologunorisa’s panel report, which we met and which was at that time the subject of dispute within the university.”
Meanwhile, the Non Academic Staff Union has described the Olawoyin-led council as being responsive.
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