Why LASU Convocation Was Postponed

Lagos State University, LASU Chapter of the Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU has explained why the institution’s convocation ceremony was postponed indefinitely.

Albert Agosu, Chairman of the union, told P.M.NEWS Campus Square on Wednesday that his colleagues had been facing challenges regarding welfare issues with the institution for some time and had written the management on several occasions to address the issues.

He noted that four issues, namely; salary arrears, appointment of CSO which contravenes the governing council decision of 2010, high handedness, disregard and victimization of union’s executive members, had been presented before the institution without getting any real attention.

Agosu explained further that Professor John Obafunwa, Vice Chancellor of LASU had refused to address their demands, especially that of the arrears and had even bragged about conducting the convocation ceremony without any disturbance.

“That was why we decided to block the school gates with our vehicles on Monday and asked him to leave the premises because we did not want to see him anywhere around.

“We had given them a deadline to meet our demands and that already elapsed on Sunday, 15 March. That was why we staged the protest on Monday morning.

“Unless they do what we have asked them to do, we are not backing down. Our demands are things we laboured for, it is not as if we are asking for things that are unusual or inappropriate,” the aggrieved union leader stated.

P.M.NEWS Campus Square gathered that the traditional coconut breaking ceremony which always marks the beginning of the event could not hold before the main event because of the protest.

And when he was asked when the convocation will eventually hold, Agosu said if the management does not accede to its request, things will remain as they are.

“We were invited by the state to a meeting after the incident and we are waiting for them to call us again. Until then, we are not going to shift grounds on the decisions that we have taken.

“I will not disclose those who called us for the dialogue but I can confirm to you that we have little or no business with the school authorities until all these demands are met accordingly,” he said.

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About Unknown

Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.