A viral post making rounds on WhatsApp and other social media channels claimed that the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti has announced Tuesday, 14th May 2022 as its resumption date and instructed the Association of Staff Union of University (ASUU) members, Ekiti State University branch to resume academic activities.
IN SUMMARY
On Monday, 23rd of May 2022, several posts were in circulation on WhatsApp media channel, from the Directorate of Information to ASUU-EKSU Chairman and the students, spreading it beyond their WhatsApp groups to other media platforms.
The narrative of the post reads that the management of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti at its meeting held on Monday, 23rd May, 2022, discussed the impact of the ongoing national strike as it affects the university and decided to re-open the institution for normal activities with effects from Tuesday, 24th May 2022.
Noting that the impact of the protracted strike has dragged down the university with academics and other necessary activities.
While students received the news with mixed reactions, ASUU-EKSU Chairman, Dr. K. K. Arogundade urged the public in a counter press release to disregard the news.
“Arising from a special executive meeting of the Academic Staff Union of University, Ekiti State University branch (ASUU-EKSU) on 23rd May 2022, where the current strike action was discussed. It is hereby affirmed that the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) members, Ekiti State University branch is in full compliance with the national strike.
“The instruction handed down by the Vice-chancellor in a meeting with the committee of Deans that all academic staff should resume activities should be disregarded.” the report said.
VERIFICATION
According to ASUU-EKSU executives, a withheld source from the Ekiti State Government revealed that the visitor to the university mandated the Vice-chancellor, Prof. Edward Olanipekun to re-open the university within 24 hours or forfeit his job.
With claims that this action was a ploy and has a political undertone, parents and their wards were warned of the imminent danger of returning to school, especially as the 2022 Ekiti State election draws near.
A part of the statement reads: “ASUU-EKSU wishes to use the medium to announce to the general public that mandating the re-opening of the University is purely political and EKSG is not ready to attend to the demand of the University.
Also, it is worth noting that ASUU-EKSU Executives Members have been receiving threats from various government agents and the University management.
In view of this, the general public is hereby notified and put on alert to the threats, that if any harm is inflicted on any member of the ASUU-EKSU Executives, the Ekiti State government and University management should be held responsible.
Parents are to monitor the movement of their wards who are the main target to be used as thugs in the coming election hence the resumption saga.”
In its defense, the school management via the Directorate of Information, reacted to the statement of ASUU-EKSU, giving reasons for its decision.
“Management wishes to enjoin the leadership of ASUU-EKSU to show understanding as the decision to reopen the University was taken to avert further aggravation of the challenges confronting it and should not be seen as a ploy to undermine the ongoing struggle by the staff unions for the betterment of the university system.”
“As earlier pointed out, the internally generated revenue in the university has continued to dwindle each day the school does not open and if care is not taken, it will get to a stage where the University will not be able to meet up with its obligations.”
“Like the saying goes: “A stitch in time saves nine”; hence, there can’t be any better time than now for the University to re-open its gate for resumption of normal academic activities.” said its correspondent and Head of the Directorate, Bode Olofinmuagun.
CONCLUSION
In an effort to know the possibility of renegotiation between both parties and the resumption date, the ASUU-EKSU Chairman, Dr K. K. Arogundade in his response to ROUNDCHECK via WhatsApp messaging, reiterated the Union’s stand to remain in full compliance with the national strike, saying, “I am sure you have read enough publications from us.”
These recent developments clearly indicate that the school management had not made consultations with the ASUU-EKSU and reached a consensus before directing the reopening of the school.
This show that (Tuesday, 24th May 2022) the date of resumption as contained in a communique released by the Directorate of Information on Monday, 23rd May 2022 is void and the date for resumption is yet undecided as Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti remain closed as at the time of writing this report.