OAU Workers Protest Over N2Billion Deduction of Allowances

By Adejumo Kabir

The Non Academic Staff Union, NASU and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU OAU chapter embark on a peaceful protest on 9th of March 2017 against the management of Obafemi Awolowo University over the deduction of over N2 billion deduction from allowances from 2004.

The workers came out massively at the Freedom park of the varsity to demand payment of over 75 months allowances owed by the institution.

The Unions claimed that the report of the Task Force set up by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Anthony Elujoba has it that the management of the varsity have been deducting monthly from the allowances of members since year 2004.

Also, the union leaders revealed that the Federal Government has approved implementation of Federal Allowance since 2013.

The SSANU Chairman, Comrade Ademola Oketunde who spoke to Ife City Reporter was quoted saying "we are not protesting to achieve closure of this university, but we fighting over career structure, we don't want our children to cause us when we are no more and that's why we fighting for the allowances of our members.

Comrade Ademola Oketunde buttressed that the unions have lost their interest in the Governing Council chaired by Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi. "We all know that the Acting VC is the constituted authority in the school, he set up a task force that came up with substantial evidence, yet the Chairman of the Governing Council said he did not believe in printed document that a forensic audit is need, Dr. Ogunbiyi is a disgrace to this citadel of learning", he said.

The Chairman of NASU, Comrade Wole Odewunmi stated that the past Vice Chancellors are still alive right from Professor Rogers Makanjuola, Professor Faborode to Professor Bamitale Omole.  He said that they have looted public funds.

"We are on the same page with the Federal Government, our protest is against corruption and we are indeed disappointed that the Governing Council is not helping matters", NASU Chairman said.