Ondo institutions join ASUU’s warning strike
By Bukola Olamona
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Universities in Ondo State yesterday joined its national body to observe the ongoing two weeks warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU).

The latest strike was as a result of dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government over the implementation of Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS).

While the Federal Government insisted that ASUU must enroll in the system, the Academic Union insisted that it is against the autonomy of the universities and so it is a no go area.

Speaking during a telephone interview, the Chairman, ASUU, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Dr Simeon Ehiabhi  said it is a national strike which Akungba is part of and all the branches in Nigeria have complied.

He noted that it is a warning strike called basically to draw the attention of the government to its neglect in the sector.

Ehiabhi posited that the Union had proposed an alternative platform to the IPPS, which is Universities Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), but the government has turned it down.

“We have raised some issues and part of this is that the union has proposed an alternative platform known as UTAS, Universities Transparency Accountability System, which is an improvement on IPPS but the government has refused to accept the alternative platform” he stated.

“The strike has commenced already as directed by the national exco and we have also communicated it to the university administration”

Also, the Chairman, ASUU, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Olayinka Awopetu also confirmed that the institution has joined the strike, adding that since the warning strike is national, FUTA is not left out.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government had on Monday described ASUU’s two–week warning strike as illegal.

Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, said “There is nothing like a warning strike. A strike is a strike. They have gone on strike without the proper channel and notification for the strike. So, it is an illegal strike.

“We will meet with them; we have invited them. They have not responded to us. When they respond to us, they should be able to come as soon as possible,” he said.Also speaking, the ASUU Chairman of Olusegun Agagu University, Okitipupa, Dr. Komolafe said the University has joined the strike as directed by its national body.

He stated that the step taken by the national body was to drive home the union’s demands, so that government at all levels will be alive to their responsibilities, which is to fund universities as expected, put  infrastructures in place and many other things.

According to him, “the federal government renege on its promises and refused to honour the content of the agreement we had on several occasions and so the universities are underfunded and it is actually affecting the universities across the country”.

Initially, at FUTA, academic activities were going on smoothly until later in the afternoon when the state ASUU exco rose from their meeting and declared to join the strike.