The Non Academic Staff of the University of Ibadan (UI), today commenced an indefinite strike action to press home their demands.
The non-academic staff comprises of Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU).
The aggrieved workers, as usual, subjected staff, visitors and residents of the institution to untold hardship as they blocked entrances, thereby preventing motorists from going in and out of the Premier University.
They spread mats and spikes at the entrances and gathered to prevent vehicular movements.
Their action is a test or confrontation with the new administration of Professor Kayode Adebowale, as it is expected that the new administration should implement the law that forbids any obstruction of the entrances of the institution.
Since the council of the University approved the law forbidding the closure of gates or obstructing vehicular movements during industrial action, no vice chancellor has been able to ensure compliance.
Complaining, one of the affected motorist berated the administration of the institution for laxity on the matter saying, “Why the administration has not enforced the University Council decision & a purported court injunction to prevent the violation of freedom of movement may as well reflect the strength of the previous and the current administrations of the University. Leaders must always fulfill their responsibility especially in times of crisis.”
He complained, “I have been prevented from driving out of the Main Gate of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. The basic thing is my fundamental human right and that of others being violated. While I pleaded that I was going to see patients at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, one of the gate-lock enforcers asked if medical doctors see patients when they are on strike in UCH, Ibadan. My reply that I work with my House Officers when some doctors are on strike fell on deaf ears, stating that I was taking the issue personal. I’ve parked to allow other cars making U-turn do so. I shall wait until the spikes and mat are removed. For the avoidance of doubt, I have my lunch from home with me.”
As at the time of filing this report, their demands are not yet known.
The academic staff of the institution have also joined their national on a one month warning strike to prevail on the Federal Government to implement the FGN-ASUU 2009 Agreement.
