by Akintomiwa Agbaje

The Akungba-Akoko chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State and the university authorities are at loggerheads on a directive issued by the school authority for students to  resume next Monday.

READ: Things fall apart: AAUA dumps ASUU strike, orders students to resume on Monday

The long standing dispute between the striking members of ASUU and the Federal Government has led to the prolonged shut-down of universities nationwide.

The Registrar of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akure, Mr. R. B. Olotu, had in a circular released on Wednesday directed the students to resume on November  25 for the second semester 2012/2013 academic session. This led to a reaction by the ASUU school chapter dissociating itself from the purported resumption of academic activities in the university.

The Vanguard reports:

The Chapter’s chairperson,  Busuyi Mekusi  in a statement  asked members to disregard the directive.

Mekusi  said: “ASUU Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko Branch, wishes to dissociate itself from the purported resumption of academic activities in the university, as its members are still part of the ongoing national strike by the union.

“Members should, therefore, disregard any pull to abandon the struggle, and be steadfast until the present position is reviewed by NEC.

“The union also wants to make it abundantly clear that it would resist every tyrannical propensity to intimidate and harass its members.”

The Registrar in his statement entitled: ‘Resumption for the  2nd semester  2012/2013 session’ directed  all the students of university to resume.

“All the students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, are hereby informed that academic activities of the second semester of 2012/2013 session truncated as a result of the ASUU national strike are to resume on Monday, 25th November, 2013 with the continuation of registration on the University portal.

“Lectures are to start on Monday, 2nd December, 2013.”

It will be recalled that the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Femi Mimiko had about a month ago expressed worries over the continued closure of the university by Ondo State.

Prof. Mimiko threatened that he would recall the students if the four month old strike action was not suspended.