Whenever there is a nationwide strike among members the universities community, in the last decade, there has seemed to be a constant and that is “The resistance of University of Ilorin to join”, as yesterday again the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (ASUU), University of Ilorin chapter, Professor Wahab Egbewole, has said his members will not join the ongoing nationwide strike, because the national headquarters of the union did not extend the directive to the university.
Investigations in the university, on Wednesday, revealed that academic activities were on, just as students were seen sitting for their examinations, while lecturers and other staff went about their normal activities.
Speaking with the newsmen, Professor Egbewole said the congress of the university was not aversed to a positive working relationship with the ASUU national headquarters, adding that several efforts of the chapter towards the development were rebuffed.
“It’s important to note that before a union will go on strike, there is the need for consultation. Up till now, I have not been informed in any way or form of communication and I sincerely believe that other universities who are participating in the strike did not get the directive on the pages of newspapers,” he said.
The ASUU boss, who said strike was not the solution to any form of disagreement between unions and managements, added that “as far as we are concerned in University of Ilorin, strike is not the solution to any form of disagreement, and this is not to say that the Federal Government is not at fault in the present scenario.
“If the Federal Government voluntarily and willingly signed an agreement with ASUU in 2004 and up till about a year ago, the agreement was not implemented, it’s less than honourable on its part.”
Some students of the institution, who also spoke with the newsmen on conditions of anonymity, commended their lecturers for not taking part in the ongoing strike, a development they claimed had ensured a steady and uninterrupted academic exercise in the university for over 10 years.