- Lectures Begin Today
Life has returned to the campus of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, as students who have become weary of the three-month industrial action embarked upon by the institution’s Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, have started returning in droves.
The news of the end of the strike action was also greeted with joy by inhabitants of the host community as traders, artisans, commercial motorcyclists and mini-bus drivers went to town with joy and relief with the expectations that commercial activities that have been comatose since students went home would bubble back to life.
A statement by the Registrar, Mr. Sunday Ayeerun, issued on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, had urged students to resume immediately as lectures would start on Monday October 17 (today) for the remaining part of the second semester of the 2015/2016 session.
A cross-section of some of the returning students and members of the host community who spoke on the development expressed joy that the impasse has finally been resolved.
President of student Union, Mr. Adegbola Odunyemi, was overwhelmed with joy at the resumption news.
He said, “We are all happy that we are back on campus. Though the effects of the strike on us are unquantifiable, we thank God that we are back to complete the 2015/2016 academic session.
“I implore both ASUU and the University Management to look for other means of settling industrial issues rather than embarking on strike because, ultimately, they will still come to the round table. This is the 21st Century and there is no end to dialoguing.
“The state government should also improve on its support to the University. Recession notwithstanding, the government should recommit itself to the funding of the University so that it will be able to meet up with its statutory obligations.”
While congratulating his fellow students on the resumption, the Number One student advised them to remain focused on their studies and not to allow themselves to be used to disrupt the academic activities on campus.
A 500-Level Law student, Mr Kazeem Olanrewaju, expressed happiness that his set could yet make the Law School admission.
He said, “I know full well that without calling off the strike, there is nothing we can do about going to the Law School. That would have meant automatic waste of a whole year.”
Another student, Miss Oluwadamilola Ezekiel, said, “I am extremely happy. Staying at home and doing nothing has become boring to me. I have always been on the lookout for the news of our resumption and I’m glad it has finally come.”
In his own view, a commercial motorcyclist in the town, Mr Salami Ganiyu, was over the moon at the news.
In his words, “I’m very happy the students are coming back to town. Business has never been the same since the students have been away. But now that they are resuming, we can be sure that we will have more passengers to pick even till late at night.
“Any time the University is not in session, business is always dull, not only for us, but also for other traders like market women and others. When the strike action began, our daily income dropped from an average of N3,000 to a paltry N800. But with the resumption now, my business as well as that of others is going to receive a boost.”
Also speaking, the President of Computer and Photocopier Operators in the town, Mr Olamuyiwa Oyekola, said he was immensely excited and relieved by the news.
He said, “I am immensely joyful at this news. I’m too sure our business will pick up as the students resume. During the strike, business was poor as hardly did any customer patronise us.”
