Ondo varsity students protest over planned ASUU strike

The students of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo state have protested a planned strike by the institution’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

According to NAN, the varsity’s ASUU had resolved at its congress to commence an indefinite strike on August 2.

In a communiqué signed by Dipo Akomolafe, its ASUU chairman, and Rotini Olorunisola, its secretary, the union said it took the decision after several meetings with the institution’s management and governing council failed.

It said both parties couldn’t resolve the issues of non-payment of salaries, reduction in subvention and other issues.

“We want payment of all outstanding salaries and outstanding deductions to date and release of N15 million as part payment of already approved Earned Academic Allowance (EAA),” the communiqué had read.

“The institution should put in place necessary measures to mainstream EAA into salaries, immediate consideration and appropriate approval of the financial implications of the newly prepared EAA submitted to the management.

“The industrial action will not be suspended until all subsisting issues between the university administration and union are fully addressed.”

However, Damilola Okunomo, the president of the varsity’s students union government (SUG), while speaking of the student protest on Thursday, said the planned ASUU strike would cripple academic activities in the school.

Okunomo said the strike will interrupt the forthcoming second-semester examination scheduled for August 2.

“We have decided to continue the protest until the management and ASUU resolve their grievances, we have paid our school fees and we cannot be denied our examination,” the SUG president added.