After an emergency senate meeting held on Sunday,the management of Obafemi Awolowo
University,(OAU) Ile-Ife has asked students to vacate the University over protest.
It was gathered that the closure, which
was tagged as ‘mid-semester break’ was connected to the continuous
protest by workers under the aegis of Non Academic Staff Union, OAU
chapter.
It will be recalled that the workers, who
started with a warning strike on July 1, alleged that they have not
been paid their hazard allowances for about 64 months.
The University Public
Relations Officer, Mr. Biodun Olarewaju, explained that the university
declared a ‘mid semester break’ not closure when reached for further information.
He denied that the break was connected
to the protest by workers of the university, saying that the school only
wanted the students to go and have some rest.
However, it was gathered that the university has never declared such a break since its establishment.
Olarewaju said, “At the emergency meeting
of today, the senate has approved that the management give the students
a mid-semester break, not closure. We will communicate to you in due
course. The students should enjoy their Sallah celebration.”
When asked if the break was connected to
the unpaid workers protest and proposed Monday (today) strike, the PRO
said, “I don’t think so. The management wants the students to be well
prepared for their academics. The students are supposed to proceed on
the break tomorrow (Monday).”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the NASU, OAU
Chapter, Comrade Wole Odewunmi, had hinted that they would embark on
total strike on Monday (today).
By our Correspondent & Punch
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