The Non Academic Staff Union of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in Niger State has declared a seven-day warning strike to press home its demand for the payment of N1.5 billion outstanding allowances.
This action has truncated the institution’s second convocation event billed for this Saturday, an indication that it has won the first round in its battle with the institution’s management and the Niger State Government.
NASU had said it chose this week for the commencement of the strike to frustrate the planned 2nd Convocation of the university expected to take place this Saturday.
As a result of the strike, which paralysed academic and non academic activities on the campus, the university management had already suspended the convocation activities as expected by NASU.
A statement by the Registrar of the University, Alhaji Mohammed A. Abdullahi, made available to newsmen on Tuesday and titled: “Postponement of Convocation,” said the “combined convocation ceremony earlier scheduled for Saturday March 31 2018 has been postponed indefinitely.
“The postponement is due to some unforseen circumstances. A new date will be announced later.
“The council. Senate and Management sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to our esteemed visitors, graduands parents and the general public.”
The Joint Action Committee Chairman for the strike, Alhaji Mustapha Abdulkhadir, said the union will not call of the strike until government met their demands.
The ongoing strike is the second in the Niger State Government owned tertiary institution within one month, the first being by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities also over non payment of accumulated hard earned allowances.
The government only last week signed a memorandum of understanding for the payment of the N500 million accumulated hard earned allowances.