The National President of ASUP, Dr. Anderson Ezeibe, and the
Chairman, ASUU FUTMinna, Dr. Gbolahan Bolarin, confirmed this in separate
interviews with our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday.
The two unions are currently on strike following the
inability of the government to meet their demands including the payment of
minimum wage arrears and release of revitalisation funds, among others.
While ASUU commenced its strike on February 14, 2022, ASUP
is currently on an initial two-week warning strike.
Confirming the payment on Thursday, Ezeibe, however, said
that was just the beginning.
He said, “The government has started responding. They just
started paying the salary/minimum wage arrears, the one they have refused to
pay.
“However, that is just one of the demands, so we have not
reached anywhere. They have not attended to the others, but I can confirm that
people have started receiving alerts of the arrears owed.”
Also, Bolarin, said, “Some of my members got alert of their
minimum wage arrears; their salaries are still pending.”
Meanwhile, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology’s
management has announced that the school would resume academic activities on
Thursday, May 26, 2022.
A circular which was signed by the Registrar of the school,
Kayode Ogunleye, partly read, “Upon the directive of the visitor to the
university, the management hereby informs all staff and students that the
university will continue its academic activities for the first semester of the
2021/2022 academic session on Thursday, May 26, 2022.
“The amended academic calendar for the session will soon be
made available. Staff and students are hereby enjoined to abide by this
directive.”
Varsity students barricade roads in Ekiti
The President, National Association of Nigerian Students,
Sunday Asefon, on Thursday led university students in Ekiti State to protest
continuous closure of public universities in the state over the industrial
action embarked upon by ASUU.
Asefon, who said he joined the protest organised by NANS/
Joint Campus Committee, Ekiti axis to compel the Federal Government to hearken
to the striking university teachers’ demands in solidarity, said, “The rally
being planned by NANS national body is coming soon. I decided to join this
because I am from Ekiti and I have to partake in solidarity.”
The protest carried out by students from Ekiti State
University, Ado Ekiti and Federal University, Oye Ekiti caused discomfort along
major roads in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, as the students trekked from the
Adebayo area to Fajuyi Park in the heart of the city as they mounted barricades
at intervals along Ado – Adebayo – Iworoko Road.
Asefon, who lamented that the country’s education was being
stifled by protracted closure of universities, said, “What we are saying is
that we are tired of staying at home. Our students want to return to school.” -PUNCH