Tension enveloped the crisis–ridden Federal University of Agriculture
(FUNAAB), Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday morning as hundreds of Senior
Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) from universities in
Western Zone blocked the access roads to FUNAAB in protest over the sack
of 23 of their colleagues by the institution’s management.
Scores
of students, visitors, lecturers and other members of the university
community caught unaware by the blockade of the FUNAAB Alabata road, had
a hectic time moving to or fro the university.
The protesting
SSANU used born fire, vehicles and human shield to obstruct traffic flow
to draw attention to what they called injustice and victimisation of
members by FUNAAB management while motorists rode on greenland to beat
the obstructions.
Many of the workers simply abandoned their
vehicles on the road and trekked, and others managed to board the
commercial motor – cycles called Okada in threes to access FUNAAB once
reputed as about the most peaceful university in Nigeria before it caved
in to an intractable internal crisis in the last three months.
Armed
policemen, Operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC) and Traffic Wardens drafted to the area in eight Hilux Pick Up
vans as well as men from the FUNAAB’s security unit laboured to ensure
that the protest did not morph into violence.
Comr. Alfred Jimoh,
National Vice – President Western zone, who addressed the gathering,
called for an “immediate and unconditional recall” of their sacked
colleagues.
Jimoh said the sin of his colleagues at FUNAAB is
because they are just asking for probity, accountability and
transparency in the handling of the finances of the institution.
The
SSANU National Vice – President Western zone, berated the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly divulging the
identities of SSANU members to the Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Olusola
Oyewole, who were whistle – blowers to them( EFCC).
He also called for an investigation into the affairs of FUNAAB in the
last four years, adding that ” if the Federal government is indeed
sincere in its Anti – corruption war, the searchlight should be beamed
at FUNAAB.”
He urged Nigerians of good conscience to condemn in
strong terms, the evil actions at FUNAAB allegedly being perpetrated by
the management.
It would be recalled that the management of the
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, had last Thursday sacked 23
of the non – teaching staff of the university.
The decision to
sack the affected workers was reached at a meeting chaired by the
Chairman of the Council, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, who was reportedly
interrogated recently by the EFCC.
It was learnt that those sacked include Lasun Somoye, Abdusalaam Sobbor and E.A. Bankole.
The
trio were said to have written a petition against the management of the
institution to the anti graft agency which it relied upon to
interrogate the Vice – Chancellor and others recently.
Others
relieved of their jobs include three medical doctors – Dr Ajayi A.O., Dr
Olaniran I.O. and Dr O.O. Salami, two health workers – Mr Oyero, a
laboratory scientist and Miss K.O. Adeyemi, a medical record officer.
According
to the letter dated November 10, 2016 and signed by the School
registrar, M.O. Ayoola, the school said the decision followed a
re-organisation in the University system.
“Due to re-organisation
in the University system, the Governing Council has directed that your
services are no longer required. Your appointment as… is therefore,
terminated with immediate effect.
“Please hand over all University
property in your possession to the Head of your Department/Unit
immediately, while your Staff Identification Card should be submitted at
the Establishment and Human Resources Directorate of the Registry.
Please note that you will be paid one month’s
