Labour unions in Ondo varsity begin strike to compel VC’s resignation

Labour unions in the Ondo State University of Science and Technology in Okitipupa on Wednesday began an indefinite strike over failure of the acting vice chancellor to resign his appointment.
The unions said that there had been allegations of gross misconduct, high handedness, corruption and abuse of office against the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adegoke Adegbite.
The unions are the Non-Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the National Association of Academic Technologists.
The unions conveyed the strike notice in a communique jointly signed by their leaders: Comrades Peter Akindehinde, Temola Temisan and Bobola Bamigbola for NASU, SSANU and NAAT respectively.
A copy of the communique, issued by the unions after a Joint Action Congress, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Okitipupa.
The unions are also demanding adequate funding of the institution, appointment of a substantive vice chancellor and investigation of the allegations against Adegoke.
The unions equally demand urgent facelift of the university by the Ondo State Government.
They advised all students to stay away from the school until all their demands would be met.
The union stated: “Having explored all humanly possible means in checking all the excesses of the acting vice chancellor, and having exhausted all efforts to correct all the anomalies perpetrated by him and those perpetrated under his watch, the JAC hereby declares Prof. Adegbite persona non grata.
“Prof. Adegbite should immediately step aside for investigations and probe until the appointment of a substantive vice chancellor.
“In the spirit of equality and the saying that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, the Earned Allowances as agreed by NASU, SSANU and NAAT with the Federal Government in 2009 should be approved by the university governing council.
“The state government, as a matter of urgency, should give necessary attention to the institution and fund it adequately to save the infrastructure from total decay.
“To this end, the unions have vowed not to resume duty until all demands are met by the state government and the school authorities.”
Reacting, Adegoke told NAN that the unions were peddling lies, adding that they had no proof of the allegations.
Adegoke said: “The unions are just peddling lies and misinformation; if they have any proof, they should give it to you.”
NAN.