Prof. Ajibefun, AAUA VC
PRESS RELEASE
SUSPENSION OF SOME UNRULY LECTURERS AT AAUA: THE FACTS
The attention of the Management of Adekunle Ajasin University has been drawn to the misrepresentation of facts and innuendos being peddled in the media on the suspension of some academics by the University authorities ostensibly to misinform the unsuspecting public and gain sympathy for their unruly and unpatriotic cause.
Obviously baseless and distant as the bogus claims of these elements are from the truth, there is, however, a need to respond to the raging misrepresentations to set the records straight.
Following the suspension the over three months’ industrial action two weeks ago, the Senate held an emergency meeting on October 13, 2016 during which a decision was taken, among others, that all lecturers must submit students’ scores and upload same within one week.
Unfortunately, in utmost disregard for the decision of the Senate, the highest academic organ of the University, some misguided academics disrupted the meetings called in some faculties and departments to achieve Senate’s decision, assaulted their colleagues, including senior professors, and generally disturbed the peace of the University.
Management, on receipt of the reports from the assaulted academics, suspended the erring lecturers and constituted a panel to investigate the matter to restore discipline, peace and sanity in line with the extant books of the University.
The general public is hereby informed that the University is peaceful and that lectures have since commenced uninterrupted and as scheduled.
Sola Imoru
Head, Information, Protocol and Public Relations
The bone of contention
Authorities of the Ondo state owned-Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA suspended the executive members of the institution's branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
Investigations revealed that the union leaders were suspended for asking for the democratisation of academic headship positions in line with the University's regulations.
Those suspended included the Chairperson, Dr. Sola Fayose, the Immediate Past Chairperson, Dr. Busuyi Mekusi, the Vice Chairperson, Dr. Alese and the Assistant Secretary, Dr. Olorunfemi.
Others included the Investment Secretary, Dr. Adedayo Afe, the Welfare Secretary, Dr. Bolu Oshodi and a non exco member.
The union had on October 11, 2016 suspended the almost four-month old strike it embarked upon to press for the payment of several months salaries and deductions owed them.
A source within the University who pleaded anonymity said the Vice Chancellor sacked some Deans of Faculty and appointed some persons perceived to be sympathetic to his course in acting capacity, a move the union kicked against.
To this end, the Union while suspending the strike, gave the Vice Chancellor seven days within which to start the process of electing substantive deans according to the extant laws of the university.
Leaders of the Union, our source said, were issued queries on trump up charges and were subsequently suspended, even before the affected people received the query, and barred from entering the University and all its other premises.
The Chairperson of ASUU-AAUA, Dr. Sola Fayose, could not be immediately reached for his comments.
A top official of the University who was not authorised to speak on the issue confirmed the suspension of the ASUU leaders but an official reaction from the university's management is still being expected
