The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ibadan zone, has accused the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, of attempt to disrupt the ongoing union strike by conducting the university’s 2020 Convocation and 72nd Foundation Day Ceremonies at this period.
The ASUU, Ibadan zone comprises lecturers from the University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osun State University and Kwara State University.
The union said it was unhappy about the VC’s decision saying it contradicts its resolve to ensure total compliance with the ongoing strike.
A statement signed and made available to journalists by the Zonal Coordinator of the Union, Prof. Ade Adejumo, and his colleagues from UNILORIN, Prof. Moyosore Ajao; UI, Prof.Ayoola Akinwole; LAUTECH, Dr. Biodun Olaniran, UNIOSUN, Dr. Femi Abanikanda, and KWASU, Dr.Dauda Adeshola ASUU, indicated that the VC’s stand was capable of creating acrimony.
It lauded the ASUU, UI branch on a recent bulletin titled, ‘Boycott of UI 2020 Convocation and 72nd Foundation Day Ceremonies.’
The Ibadan Zone of ASUU stated that, as a united body, the members are currently struggling to reposition and revitalise the public universities in order to make them competitive universally.
The statement read in parts, “In the spirit of the current ASUU strike, holding convocation ceremonies at this time would be a violation of the principle of the ongoing strike as we consider that such a move can only at best compromise the few gains of the current struggle to rescue public university education in Nigeria.
The zone is equally persuaded that there was no request for a waiver for such to take place in the University of Ibadan, and none was requested by the University of Ibadan Administration.
“No waiver has been granted for any Convocation ceremony during the ongoing strike action.
The decision of UI Vice-Chancellor to conduct the Convocation at this period is mischievous, obnoxious and divisive. It is calculated to create confusion and acrimony among the members of the Union in UI.The VC is poised to break the strike in order to promote his selfish and personal interest since he has just a few weeks to leave office.
“There shall be no teaching, meetings, including inaugurals, graduations and public lectures.
“We cannot afford to tinker with that honour of public good, and we cannot afford to fall for the cheap bait of those who might wish destroy Nigeria’s public university education, divide and weaken the solidarity of true scholarship by trying to pitch us against our students in whose interest we are serving and now denying ourselves just to secure decent learning environment, classrooms, functional laboratories, work studios.
“All ASUU members in UI are therefore put on notice to shun the 2020 Convocation as it is designed to break the resolve of all academics to bring a new lease of life to the university system in Nigeria.”
