Acadamic Activities Paralysed As ASUU OAU Joins NLC Strike

Academic activities at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have been put to a complete halt following the resolve of the affiliate unions – ASUU, SSANU and others, to comply with the strike action directed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

In a release sent to our correspondent, the chairperson of ASUU OAU, Anthony Odigwe stated that the union has received a directive from the National Secretariat to join the strike by the virtue of the fact that ASUU is an affiliate of NLC.

It has been learned that most classes scheduled for today, Monday, were canceled after some students had already attended them.

Classes at the Departments of Economics, Engineering, and others were among those cancelled due to the strike.

The cancellation of classes came after some students had already shown up for their scheduled classes, only to find out that they would not be holding.

While speaking with Osun Defender on phone, the OAU ASUU chairman noted that the union has joined the strike and all member.

He said, “We have already sent mmessages to our mmembers hat we are joining the strike.

READ: Minimum Wage: We Will Rather Stay Home Or Work For Free Than Accept N48,000 – NLC

“The union is an affiliate of NLC and we have received directive from ASUU National to join the strike.

“We have just received a directive from the National Secretariat to join the strike by virtue of the fact that ASUU is an affiliate of NLC.

“Consequent upon this, we are enjoined to comply fully with the directive. “We have also been directed to hold a Congress tomorrow to this effect.”

Recall that the labour leaders had threatened to begin a nationwide strike from Monday, June 3, over a new minimum wage.

This is as the tripartite committee on a new national minimum wage, NNMW, reconvenes today, following abrupt adjournment due to labour’s walkout of last Tuesday’s meeting, where it accused government negotiators of unseriousness in the negotiation process.

Meanwhile, accusing fingers are pointing to the state governors of ganging up against the Federal Government to stall the ongoing negotiation.

Labour’s negotiating team had on Tuesday, for the second time in two weeks, walked out of the committee meeting after the Federal Government increased its offer marginally to N60,000 from the N57,000 it offered on Wednesday, May 22.