Management of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has pleaded with members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) to shelve their proposed seven-day strike in the institution.
The appeal was contained in a letter dated October 21, 2022, which was addressed to the NASU General Secretary and signed by the University Registrar, Dr Bola Adekola.
The national leadership of NASU had directed its members at FUNAAB to embark on a seven-day strike from Monday, October 24, 2022, following allegations of victimization of union leaders levelled against the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako.
The one-page letter to the VC titled: “Notification of a 7-day strike action”, was copied to the NASU branch chairman of FUNAAB and the Senior Assistant General Secretary, NASU, Ogun State Council.
The union listed five anti-NASU policies against the VC, including alleged undue interference in NASU affairs and instigation of staff/members against the union and its leadership.
Other allegations levelled against him are “victimization, stepping down the promotion of Mr I. O. Odunjo, arbitrary arrest and detention of NASU members without any justification and suspension of four members as a result of their participation in the 2019 national JAC of NASU and SSANU industrial action.”
“In view of the above, I am on directive to inform your office that NASU members have been directed to proceed on a 7-day strike over the above issues listed and the industrial action is to commence on Monday, 24th October 2022,” the union informed the VC.
But reacting, the Registrar disclosed that the University Management upon receiving the letter promptly invited the leadership of NASU-FUNAAB to a meeting last Friday.
According to him, it was agreed that the University Management should constitute a committee to look into the issues raised with a view to reaching mutual understanding on them.
Adekola’s letter partly read, “Following the receipt of the letter, we promptly invited the leadership of NASU-FUNAAB to a meeting today, Friday, October 21, 2022 at 10:00am. Our discussion at the meeting centred principally on how to ensure peace and tranquility on Campus at this fragile time.
“Management therefore appealed that the Union should stay action on the proposed strike by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), FUNAAB Branch.
“It was agreed that the University Management will constitute a Committee that will look into the issues raised with a view to reaching mutual understanding on them.
“We therefore appeal for your kind understanding in ensuring that the proposed strike is put off, while we discuss the issue at stake.”
Our correspondent gathered that there has been a face-off between the University Management and NASU which eventually led to a legal action.
In a suit filed by the union, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in a judgment delivered on May 5th, 2022 ruled against the FUNAAB VC.
On July 5th, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in a letter to FUNAAB NASU acknowledged the NICN judgement.
