Uncertainty as students, lecturers returns to campuses

Activities pick up at UI, UNILAG

Virtually all public universities were yet to come back to life yesterday despite last Friday’s suspension of lecturers’ strike.

The classrooms remained empty, even with the presence of some members of staff and students.

From University of Lagos (UNILAG) to University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State to University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), Ogun State to University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), there were no academic activities.

At UI, economic and social activities, however, picked up, with the return of workers and students.

Students, who returned to school in anticipation of resumption of academic activities, were disappointed. They could not gain access to lecture rooms.

When our correspondent visited UI, most offices were opened but the classrooms were shut, forcing lecturers to their offices.

The institution’s branch of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), however, said universities could witness uninterrupted academic calendars henceforth, if government commits itself to the new agreement with the labour unions.

UI SSANU Chairman Mr. Jonathan Omolona thanked the public for supporting the workers, stressing that they enjoyed enough sympathy from Nigerians throughout the struggle.

His words: "Let me express my appreciation to them because they stood by us; they prayed for us and they were agitating on our behalf. So, we appreciate them. We are not praying this struggle will repeat itself. The strike will not raise its ugly head on the university campuses. At least, for the next five years, we might have a smooth calendar and that will go a long way to help the country.

"Some of our leaders that are sending their children to Ghana and other neighbouring countries would now know that we have a stable calendar so they will ask their children to stay at home. Then, they too will feel concerned for whatever we are agitating for without going on strike."

Academic activities were yet to be in full swing at OAU. Returning students were also not allowed to stay in the hostels because there was no light.

Some final year law students were, however, seen receiving lectures.

The Chairman of the UNN chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Aselem Ibeanu, said in Nsukka that lectures could not start immediately because the students had not returned to campus.

"We are ready to start lectures but are we going to teach empty classes?

"It is unfortunate that students who have been pressurising us to call off the strike are yet to come back," he said.

Ibeanu said the strike would be fully called off as soon as the government and ASUU signed the necessary documents.

"ASUU has resolved its misunderstanding with the government, what remains is the signing of documents,’’ he said.

Kelvin Okoh, a student of the department of Physics, said some students were not in a hurry to return to school because ASUU said the suspension was for two weeks.

"We do not know if after two weeks, ASUU will continue with the strike.

"No student will like to come back to campus after two weeks and be asked to go home again.

"Government and ASUU should make it clear to the students that the strike has been called off without putting two weeks clause on it," he said.

There were partial academic activities at UNILAG where students of Chemical Engineering were taught.

Many of the students were excited to return to school.

An official at UNILAG’s Information Unit, Mr. Wale Olasunmade, said students resumed yesterday.

"We have resumed. Our students are back and lecturers are working," he said.

But some students of UNIABUJA were denied entry into the campus.

The securitymen only allowed 400 level and 500 level students into the institution after screening.

The securitymen turned back students of 100, 200 and 300 level students. The security officer, in charge of the mini-campus of the university, said the screening was to control the flow of students.

The official, who pleaded anonymity, said the 400 and 500 level students were allowed into the campus to enable them complete their project work and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) arrangements.

"The crowd will be difficult for us to control if we allow all the students in, considering the fact that academic activities have not started.

"Other trade unions in the university are still on strike; the libraries, business centres as well as other offices are still under lock and key.

"So, our resolution to screen them is to give room for law and order in the institution since academic activities have not started," he said.

Some students called for sincerity in the negotiations between the ASUU and the Federal Government.

Mr. Boni Okoh, a 400 level Economics student, said it would be difficult for students to return to school since ASUU was suspending the strike for only two weeks.

"I am very sure that most students will not come back because of fear of what step ASUU will take at the expiration of the two weeks.

"It will be painful to pack your load and come back to school and after two weeks you are back home again because of the same problem," Okoh said.