ASUU, Ondo varsity on collision course over resumption order

AKURE — THE striking members of the
Academic Staff Union of Universities,
ASUU, Adekunle Ajasin University,
Akungba-Akoko chapter, Ondo State and
the university authorities are on a
collision course over a directive that the
students should resume for lectures.
Gates to the nation’s public universities
have been shut in the last 144 days due
to trade dispute between ASUU and the
Federal Government
Registrar of the state-owned university, R.
B. Olotu in a statement in Akure directed
the students to resume on Monday,
November 25 for the second semester
2012/2013 session.
But in a swift reaction, the ASUU Chapter
of the university  dissociated itself from
the purported resumption of academic
activities in the university.
The Chapter’s chairperson, Busuyi
Mekusi in a statement  asked members
to disregard the directive.
Mekusi said: “ASUU Adekunle Ajasin
University, Akungba Akoko Branch, wishes
to dissociate itself from the purported
resumption of academic activities in the
university, as its members are still part of
the ongoing national strike by the union.
“Members should, therefore, disregard
any pull to abandon the struggle, and be
steadfast until the present position is
reviewed by NEC.
“ The union also wants to make it
abundantly clear that it would resist every
tyrannical propensity to intimidate and
harass its members.”
The Registrar in his statement entitled:
‘Resumption for the  2nd semester
2012/2013 session’ directed all the
students of university to resume.
“All the students of Adekunle Ajasin
University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State,
are hereby informed that academic
activities of the second semester of
2012/2013 session truncated as a result
of the ASUU national strike are to resume
on Monday, 25th November, 2013 with
the continuation of registration on the
University portal (http://
portal.aaua.edu.ng).
“Lectures are to start on Monday, 2nd
December, 2013
It will be recalled that the Vice Chancellor
of the University Prof. Femi Mimiko had
about a month ago expressed worries
over the continued closure of the
university by Ondo State.
Prof. Mimiko threatened that he would
recall the students if the four month old
strike action was not suspended.