Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan
Following a directive by the universities non-academic staff National Joint Action Committee, JAC, to its members to proceed on strike action from Monday December 4th 2017, the leadership of the University of Ibadan, UI has declared an indefinite strike action.
In a special release signed by the leaders of non-academic staff unions of the university, Wale Akinremi, President, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Caleb Falaye, President, Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, and O. A. Arojo, President, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, NASU, the strike action is total, indefinite and Comprehensive.
The unions’ leadership imploring all members to cooperate for the success of the strike action, the release stated that “No member of the non-teaching staff shall be forced to discharge any official duty. Such will be regarded as an attack against our cause and struggle”.
According to the release, “Members are therefore enjoined to observe strict and absolute compliance to the national directive. No member is expected to be found on campus. Anyone found violating this directive shall be dealt with accordingly. Any attempt by any person or group of people to disparage our resolved position will not only be considered as sabotage but as well as open declaration of war against collective peace and progress. We have demonstrated civility and patriotism, and this should please be appreciated. Failure to appreciate this kind of gesture will mean you aimed at decimating us as a people and disrespect to our JAC national body”.
The release state further, “We implore all Heads of Units (teaching and non-teaching), Institutes (either on campus or off campus), Hall Wardens, Head of University Clinic, Works and Maintenance, Water, DLC, Zoological Garden:, any part of the University where our members are, we implore the Heads of those places to delete the telephone numbers of our people for now. Read again, DELETE! Our Drivers are particularly warned not to allow any boss, for they are bosses, to expose you to ridicule and punishment. Don’t drive anybody with UI official vehicle (if you change the plate numbers, we know all our vehicles) to buy pepper at Bodija market. Stay at home. Even if we see you on the road driving them to their in-laws burial ceremony, we shall apprehend you. Be warned. Calling Head of United Nations Security Council for help is not going to do the magic. Just avoid us for now, and if you like, eternally”.
The statement concluded, “It is not amusing in any form to us that those who chose to cheat you and show it to your face are hell bent on making sure that the non-teaching members of staff continue to suffer in perpetuity. They keep clamouring for understanding, tolerance and civility, while they continually oppress and dehumanise fellow Non-Teaching counterparts, who have been discharging their duties faithfully and not grudgingly. They, most times, treat them as outcasts. Enough is enough! Respect begets respect. A word, they say, is enough for the wise. A strong monitoring committee is in place that will ensure strict compliance. Please members are expected to stay at home. We appreciate your unflinching support and cooperation”.