23 protesting workers suspended by varsity management

The authorities of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, Ondo State, has suspended 23 of its workers for alleged insubordination to the Governing Council of the institution.

Punch reports that members of the three labour unions of the varsity – the Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT – have been divided over the Vice-Chancellor's alleged financial mismanagement.

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As earlier reported, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the allegations but was later released, a fact which displeased the members of the union.

Punch reports that the various unions subsequently embarked on a series of protests, calling for the removal of the VC.

A letter issued on Thursday, November 24 and signed by the Registrar of the institution, Mrs Modupe Ajayi, alleged that the sacked staff members have been disrupting academic activities on the campus.

The names of the affected workers are Dele Durojaye, Mike Opirijit, Remi Egunjobi, Bunmi Ayo -Alafe, Felix Adunbi, Obe Rotimi, Aladesuyi Ajoke, Philip Jayeoba, Akanji Justinah, Bayo Aladerotohun, Adefolarin Adesida and Ruth Bakare.

Other names included M.P. Faola, S. Arokoyu, J.S. Asante, Thomas Aina, Nelson Njoku, A.E. Omoraka, O.R. Bello, O.M. Fagbamiye-Akinwale and Mathew Fayiwole.

The letter read in part, “Your action amounts to wilful disobedience and act of insubordination to the Governing Council, which is tantamount to misconduct. In this regard, the portion of the letter under reference which states that ‘Council will therefore take appropriate action to restore normalcy if the unions fail to comply with its directive,’ is hereby being effected.

“Consequent upon that, and in consonance with the university’s enabling law, I have been directed that you be put on suspension (on half pay) with effect from Monday, 28th November 2016, pending the resolution of the matter.

“Accordingly, you are hereby suspended from the services of the university and placed on half pay with effect from 28th November 2016. You are to hand over all university property in your custody to your Head of Department/Unit.

“In view of the foregoing, you are to stay away from the university campus until further notice.”

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However, Punch reports that SSANU Chairman, Mr Dele Durojaye, who is also the chairman of the university’s Joint Action Committee and affected by the directive, denied any knowledge of a letter sacking staff members of the institution.

He said, “I just left the university after 4pm; there was no letter to such effect. What we noticed when we were leaving was the presence of policemen at the gates of the university. We are not aware of any letter.”

Earlier reports revealed that VC was arrested for hitting one of the protesting staff members, Abiodun Ademola Atunbi, with his car.