File photo: University of Ibadan gate
Students of the University of Ibadan have revealed that since
members of the non academic staff of the university began their strike,
they have been living in difficult conditions on campus, as sources of
water and electricity have been switched off by the striking staff, The
Punch reports.
Academic and administrative activities at the university was halted
on March 20, 2017, when the staff declared indefinite strike because of
what the union described as “illegal deductions of pension money from their salaries.”
Aside the pension deduction issue, the workers are also asking for
unpaid promotion arrears, shortfall in salary payment, and better
welfare for staff, among other issues.
Some of the students who spoke with our correspondent on Monday
said there was no water and electricity in the hostels and in all the
classrooms.
“Each time there is crisis between the school administration and the staff, the students are always at the receiving end,” said Kayode Onifade, a 300 level student of the Faculty of Arts.
“Our lecturers now combine their work with that of non academic
staff because they get the keys to open the classrooms for lectures to
hold and lock them after.
“In the hostel, we sleep in darkness. Many of us attend classes
without taking our bath because there is no water. Both parties must
reach an agreement for the sake of the students. The living condition is
terrible,” added Onifade.
Since the strike began a week ago, gates to the institution have been locked, while lectures only resumed today (Monday).
Efforts to speak with the chairman of the institution’s branch of
Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Wale Akinremi, by our
correspondent proved abortive; as he refused to answer his mobile
telephone.
The institution’s Director of Public Communication, Mr. Olatunji
Oladejo, told our correspondent that efforts were being made by both
parties to resolve the crisis.
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