by ‘Jola Sotubo

Investigations by LEADERSHIP revealed that universities across the country remained shut, indicating lecturers’ resolve to continue the strike until ordered otherwise by their principal body, ASUU.

Situation report from across the nation:

ABU, Kaduna

Academic activities remained paralysed in Ahmadu Bello University and Kaduna State University despite the federal government directives on Vice Chancellors to open up the universities.

 LEADERSHIP checks revealed that the schools managements were yet to announce resumption of academic activities.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP on phone, the ASUU Chairman in ABU, Dr Kabiru Aliyu dismissed the ‘return to class or face sack’ threat given to them by the federal government saying that the strike action will remain in ABU until the lecturers receive directives from their national headquarters.

 He said, “We will remain at home until we get directive from our national body on what step to take.”

UNN, Nsukka/Enugu

Despite the decision of management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) to pull out of the on-going strike, LEADERSHIP investigations revealed that academic activities were yet to start in the school.

 Our investigation revealed that lectures have not commenced in the institution even as halls and theatres in the university have remained under lock and key.

 Reacting to the announcement that UNN had withdrawn from the strike, Prof Damian Opata, a Senior lecturer at the Department of English, said though the University management has the right to announce resumption date; it cannot force lecturers to classrooms.

UI, Ibadan

 Academic Staff at the University of Ibadan yesterday defied Federal Government directive to resume or get fired by not opening any resumption register.

 Although some of the academic staff members were seen in their offices doing research work, most of them said they were not going to sign any register.

 The authorities at the University of Ibadan had in a release asked students to return to campuses on January 4, 2014.

 The University of Ibadan branch of ASUU in a message sent to its members said “Dear member, stay calm and remain resolute. There is nothing wrong in asking government to do what it says it will do immediately.

UNILAG, Akoka/LASU, Lagos

Going by its earlier resolution not to honour the directive by the Federal Government to either resume yesterday or get sacked until its requests are completely acceded by government, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday stayed away from work, leaving the few students who had resumed at the mercy of non-academic workers.

 The directive by the National Executive Council of ASUU to its members nationwide was well observed both at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, and Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, where absolute silence pervaded the atmosphere.

 UNIJOS, Jos

The situation at the University of Jos is no different as the institution’s chapter of ASUU has defied the School Management order for the University lecturers to resume work.

 LEADERSHIP correspondent who visited the University of Jos discovered that the situation remained unchanged as the striking lecturers refused to resume lectures as ordered by university’s management.

 UNIBEN, Benin

Against earlier expectations in some quarters that lectures will commence after the burial of late Prof Festus Iyayi, members of the striking Union at the University of Benin yesterday warned students to stay away from campus insisting “the strike is still on”.

LEADERSHIP gathered also, that activities at the state owned Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma yesterday remained closed even as members of the Union vowed to continue the strike until its demands are met.

 

UNIZIK, Awka

Students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, returned to the institution yesterday with enthusiasm to resume lectures based on the Federal Government directive to the striking university lectures nationwide to resume lectures, but, were disappointed as lectures in the institution defied the Federal Government order to resume work as they refused to attend lectures.

Though some of the lecturers were sighted on campus, they however refused to enter their offices and lecture halls.

However in some universities, there were signs that the warring lecturers were relenting as they showed up for work and signed the resumption register in line with the directive issued by the government.

250 Lecturers eign resumption register at UNIABUJA in line with FG’s directive

The heat of the indefinite strike called by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may have begun to wane as over 250 lecturers resumed on Monday at the University of Abuja in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive.

Although full academic work is yet to begin at the university, most of the lecturers who have resumed were seen in their offices sitting idle when our correspondent visited the university yesterday.

Contacted, the Chairman ASUU, University of Abuja branch, Dr Clement Chup said the lecturers are not afraid of sack, should the government go ahead with its threat to sack their members.

 ESUT

Meanwhile LEADERSHIP investigations revealed that normal academic activities which commenced in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT),have continued.

It was gathered that examinations might commence in the state owned university soon.