SSANU slams ASUU for blaming OAU’s clinic over student’s death

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is at loggerheads with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the death of one of the institution’s students.

Students in OAU had last Friday staged a protest over the death of one Omowumi Aisat Adesina, their final-year colleague.

The protesters had alleged negligence and unprofessionalism by the varsity’s clinic after the deceased was said to have passed away at Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife, where she was referred from the OAU’s health centre.

The management had ordered an indefinite shutdown of OAU, insisting that the deceased was promptly treated.

OAU’s branch of ASUU had also waded in, stating that the varsity management “can not pretend all is well at the clinic”.

The union had further called for a probe of the clinic, alleging that the circumstances surrounding the death of the female student were another evidence that the Nigerian health sector is dysfunctional.

In a counter-statement seen by TheCable Lifestyle on Thursday, SSANU described ASUU’s stance as “unfortunate”.

“ASUU that is supposed to be above board in its judgement on issues has suddenly become hypocritical and object of social instability within the system,” the statement issued by Taiwo Arobadi, SSANU OAU chairman, partly read.

“It is equally obvious that the release of ASUU is not only misleading but also capable of inciting the general public against the management of the Health Centre and by extension, the University management.

“Further claims by ASUU in their release of perennial complaints of both the Staff and students were both specious and unfounded as it is borne out of puerile hatred for the non-teaching staff.

“It has also been discovered that the complaints were a result of the resistance by the Health Centre against the high-handedness of some ASUU members anytime they visit the Health Centre for treatment.

“SSANU, OAU chapter wishes to use this medium to advise ASUU OAU to always look into issues without prejudice and do away with undue sentiments and emotions.”