ASUU set up inquiry panel to investigate LASU

The Lagos Zone of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU), on Wednesday demanded the
setting up of an independent panel of inquiry to
investigate the crisis at the Lagos State
University, Ojo and the attendant sacking of seven
lecturers among others.
The Lagos Zone of ASUU comprising of Federal
and State universities in Lagos and Ogun, also
called on the Kogi State Government to reverse its
decision regarding the sacking of over 150
academic staff of the Kogi State University,
Ayungba and re – instate the affected lecturers.
Addressing journalists at the ASUU office in
Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB)
Abeokuta, the Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Prof.
Olusiji Sowande, described the treatment mete
out to their colleagues in Lagos and Kogi State
Universities as acts of “impunity and crude
political onslaught” on the union.
Olusiji added that they were calculated to
“intimidate, harass and decimate” lecturers in
both institutions.
According to him, the zone was mandated by the
national body of the union to look into the crises
at LASU and KSU and give recommendations.
The Zonal Coordinator briefed journalists in
company of other ASUU executives – Deji
Agboola of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago
Iwoye, Dr John Fayemi of Tai Solarin University of
Education, Ijagun, and Dr. Dele Ashiru of
University of Lagos.
Others are; Dr Akinloye Oyewumi of Lagos State
University and Dr Adebayo Oni of FUNAAB.
He alleged that members of the union in LASU
were being hounded by the Vice-chancellor, Prof.
Lanre Fagbohun, for demanding constitution of a
functional budget monitoring committee.
He also said members had asked for evidence of
proper utilisation of the N1.3bn NEEDs
Assessment Revitalisation fund released to the
institution in 2013.
Sowande explained that their colleagues
incurred the wrath of the management of LASU
for demanding the implementation of Earned
Academic Allowances components of the ASUU-
FGN 2009 Agreement.
He said the union had written a letter to the
visitor to the institution, Governor Akinwunmi
Ambode, over the issue.
The Union also expressed its displeasure over the
recent increment of acceptance fee from N10,000
to N20,000 by the Institution .
He said: “ASUU, Lagos zone joins the Education
Right Campaign in calling for an independent
panel of inquiry on the unfolding crisis in LASU
with a view to resolving it before the crisis
becomes a monster that will be difficult to curtail.
“We call on governor of Lagos State, Mr.
Akinwunmi Ambode to call some of his
functionaries to order as there are evidences that
they are working in tandem with Vice Chancellor
of LASU and some members of the governing
council to fuel the crisis in LASU
“Our union should not be held responsible for any
eventual crisis in LASU.
“The real motive of the LASU’s management for
hounding our members is to silence them and we
are going to resist it.
“We want an independent panel of inquiry to be
set up by the visitor, Governor Akinwunmi
Ambode. If this is not done, the problem will
keep reoccurring.
“A case in point is that of the treasurer of LASU
branch, Dr. Oluwakemi Aboderin-Sonibare was
queried for demanding that her promotion should
be correctly dated”.
On Kogi Varsity crisis, Sowande condemned the
sacking of 150 members of academic staff of the
University, describing it as impunity and high-
handedness by the state governor, Yahaya Bello.
He urged the state government to reverse the
decision on the sacking of the 150 academic staff
of the Kogi State University.