Gbenro Adesina
The non-academic staff of the University of Ibadan, under the aegis of the Joint Action Congress, which comprises the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has suspended its one year old strike.
The strike action by the unions commenced on February 13, 2020, and the affected staff are to resume work on Monday, March 8, 2021.
According to a release dated March 5, 2021 and signed by the Chairman, NASU COM, Comrade A. O. Akinlade, Chairman, NASU UI, Comrade M. J. Etim, and Chairman SSANU UI, Comrade S. A. Akinremi, the decision was reached by the Congress after it was able to get a firm commitment by the University Administration to its demands.
The release read in part:
“At the Congress of JAC of NASU and SSANU UI, which held on the 1st March, 2021, the Congress unanimously decided to suspend our Industrial Action which commenced last year.
“The decision was premised on the observed improvement in Labour/Management relations and the need to allow the management to have the space to attend to some of our demands that require the services and the support of Non-Teaching members of staff.
“While the decision to suspend the strike was unanimous, it was also unanimously agreed that the three points raised at the particular Congress must be addressed by the management.
“We want to inform you that immediately after our Congress, the University Administration swang into action to assuage our feelings and remedy the observed issues.
“The altruism of the Ag. Vice-Chancellor, the commitment and sincerity of the Registrar, , the openess of the Ag. Bursar and the support of former Union leaders and respected senior members of JAC since after our Congress is convincing.
“We want to also inform you that it didn’t end there. Quite unlike what obtained before now, we have received a written response from the Ag. Vice-Chancellor to assure us that the management is going to purposefully resolve the issues raised. And that is without prejudice to the initial 16 points Agenda.
“As a result of this development and working in tandems with our Congress decisions, we want to seize this opportunity to announce the suspension of our Local Industrial Action* .
“Consequently, members are to resume work on Monday, 8th March, 2021.
“You are guaranteed that no member of JAC is going to suffer victimisation for the role(s) played during the strike and if there is any, kindly report to the necessary quarters.
“We want to thank all our members for the support, perseverance and understanding all through the strike.
“We want to specifically appreciate the monitoring team. You are the real activist. You are the real victors. God Almighty shall continue to protect you, enhance and promote you.
“We appreciate all the worthy Elders of the community for the roles played.
“We thank our Internal Council members for their understanding.
“That the press is the mouthpiece of the oppressed was exhibited to the fullest during this unprecedented struggle. All attempts to use the press to blackmail us failed, woefully. Your support and objective coverage of issues are quite impressive. God bless all the responsible people of the media.
“We say Gbosas also to the security operatives for not falling for fake news and blackmail from our oppressors. What was designed for us, security operatives refused to execute!
“Finally, we shall present a paper to our Congress on the issues that led to the struggle, issues that crept in along the line, what we have been able to achieve and our expectations. This is for record purpose (s) and posterity.
“We cannot thank our members enough. You have done well. We are proud of you. You made it loud and clear that we all own this University. It is our heritage that must be protected and that you shall not hesitate to engage any erring leader (s), just to make sure that the original idea of a University of Ibadan that is meant to produce men and women of best characters and sound judgement is not derailed on the platform of corruption, inept leadership, divide-and-rule, nepotism and executive rascality.
“Thank you. God bless you all”.
