By Gabriel Dike
In compliance with the directive of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Lagos State University (LASU) branch held its congress after about two years of inaction due to a hostile environment.
At the congress, which was attended by the National Treasurer, Prof. Olusiji Sowande, Coordinator of ASUU Lagos Zone, Dr. Adelaja Odukoya, former branch chairmen, and about seven branch chairmen, the national body reaffirmed Dr. Akinloye Oyewumi as branch chairman of ASUU-LASU.
Again, the national body disowned the Prof. Ibrahim Bakare- led faction and advised ASUU-LASU members to distance themselves from the group.
Addressing the congress, Dr. Odukoya, expressed delight that there are many members still standing firm with the Union and its recognized leadership despite acts of harassment and intimidation by the previous LASU administration, and saluted their courage.
He tasked ASUU-LASU members to change the erroneous narrative being peddled in some quarters about the strength of the Union, warning that a divided majority is weaker than a united minority.
“There are many issues affecting us, which would have been resolved if we were not divided. Never again shall we be divided. Let us fight together and don’t let outsiders divide us again,” he stated.
According to him, the group led by Prof. Bakare, claiming to be ASUU-LASU is not known to NEC and are illegal and unknown to any organ of the Union.
His words: “The only ASUU-LASU recognized by NEC is the Dr. Oyewumi-led executives. Don’t have any dealings with the other group. NEC does not know them and they have been declared illegal by NEC.”
Odukoya commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji- Bello, and the Governing Council, Chairman, Sir. David Sunmoni for allowing a level playing field and departing from the anti-union.posture of the previous administration and Governing Council.
In his message, ASUU National Treasurer, Prof. Sowande, saluted ASUU-LASU members for standing firm against the former administration, noting, ‘’before, we couldn’t gather like this. I am happy to be here to witness the ASUU-LASU congress.” He also said further that the Branch officers remain in charge of ASUU-LASU affairs.
He urged ASUU-LASU members to maintain peace on campus, adding, ‘’united we stand, divided we fall. LASU members must present a united front and NEC will back you.”
ASUU branch chairman of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Dr. Joel Okewale, recalled that his branch went through a worse situation but because they were untied, they pulled through.
Okewale reminded them that no condition is permanent and urged LASU members to stand firm for justice and for the truth.
His counterpart from Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Dr. Kazeem Rufai assured ASUU-LASU members that at the end of the day, justice would prevail.
Dr. Rufai congratulated ASUU-LASU members for standing by the union’s principles even in the face of persecution by previous administrations.
The ASUU University of Lagos (UNILAG) branch chairman, Dr. Dele Ashiru, congratulated the members for the historic congress and expressed his delight that it was held in a peaceful environment.
Ashiru set three agendas for ASUU-LASU members, which include remaining united as a solid union, ensuring the restatement of unjustly sacked executives by the past administration, and also reaching out to the other group and forgiving them without compromising the principles of the Union.
Said he “The Branch leadership is recognized by NEC. Today’s congress is a testimony that ASUU-LASU has come to stay and that darkness is over in LASU.’’
Members of the ASUU-LASU Exco briefed congress on the state of the union in LASU, through the Immediate Past Chairman, Dr Adekunle Idris. Idris noted that unlike before, the environment is no longer toxic, there are no cases of harassment, and ‘’we can move around the campus in a free and conducive environment.’’
Dr Idris in his brief to Congress on the state of the union, also said that “contrary to the fear being created by mischief makers, ASUU-LASU stands for the peace and progress of the University and remains a partner in progress with the Administration.” However, the university administration is yet to restore the remittance of the union’s check-off dues as statutorily enshrined in applicable labour laws.
The congress also noted with concern that the five executive members of the branch leadership dismissed by the last administration are yet to be recalled in spite of the decision of the Governing Council reinstating them since February. The return of the five officers is said to have been stalled by the state government.
In September, a visitation panel set up by the Visitor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu submitted its report on the Lagos State University. The Governor had promised the constitution of a committee within seven days to study the report and prepare a white paper. The white paper is yet to be released as at the time of this report.