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 Police men, 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.
The Nation noted 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.
The Nation 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 salary in lieu of notice,” the letter reads in part.
