Varsity Workers Plan To Shut Down Unilorin - For Refusing To Join Strike

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) are planning to shut down the University of Ilorin following the refusal of the institution to join the ongoing nationwide strike embarked upon by ASUU.

Nigerian Tribune exclusively gathered that some weeks ago, an attempt was made by the union to shut down the university, but the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, who was in Ghana then for a conference, quickly informed the Kwara State police commissioner of the impending move.

The institution has already resumed for another session as students, especially those returning, have commenced online registration while the new students are already checking their names on the internet.

For many years now, the University of Ilorin has refused to join other universities to go on strike to press home its demands, and the university is seen as benefiting from the struggle of other universities in the country.

A source, who claimed the management of the institution was enslaving the students and staff, said that the desire to become one of the best universities in the world did not mean that a school should not fight for its rights, adding that with the way University of Ilorin was going, a time would come when they would need the support of other universities in the country and would not get it.

“It is sad that University of Ilorin is doing this; our fight should be a collective fight. No university is fighting for personal interest, but rather, for the benefit of our education. How can Nigerian universities attain a high level if we don’t have necessary things and motivation to work?” He asked.

The source said that the University of Ilorin branch of ASUU had been crippled by the management of the institution, alleging that those that were elected as officials of the union could not take any decision on their own without informing the management of the institution.

He said that he wondered if the staff and students of the university were being forced by the management to always put on their identity cards round their necks within and outside the campus.

When the Nigerian Tribune visited the institution on Wednesday, normal activities were on but efforts made to speak with management of the institution were unsuccessful.





http://www.tribune.com.ng/08102009/news/news2.html

The vc is a toad.