There was confusion on Monday in Edo State over the two weeks warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as members of
Congress of University Academics
,CONUA , a rival academic union disagreed over their participation on the ongoing strike.
At the University of Benin, a letter to the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, by CONUA Chairman, Comrade Ishaq Osagie-Eweka, said the Union has not declared any strike action and was not part of any ongoing strike within the Nigerian University System.
The letter said its non-strike policy was a matter of principle and responsibility.
The letter read.
“Consequently, members of CONUA should be regarded as not on strike and are expected to carry out their normal academic duties. The Union therefore kindly urges that CONUA members be protected from any institutional onslaught or adverse treatment arising from their lawful decision to continue working.
“Furthermore, we plead with the University management to direct all Heads of Department to provide necessary logistics to ensure that the ongoing Second Semester Examination is not disrupted.
“Accordingly, Members are by this communique directed to be at their duty post.”
But a source said members of ASUU stopped ongoing examinations
in some departments in UNIBEN.A lecturer who pleaded anonymity said they have joined the strike action.
At Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, authorities said it would not shut down the institution due to the two weeks warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
It said students would be encouraged to read their books and remain calm.
Spokesman for the institution, Mike Aladenika, who spoke in an interview, said there was no need to send the students home during the period of the two weeks warning strike.
He said, “We will encourage the students to go to the library and do other things. I dont think CONUA members will have issues if they decided to go to lectures.
“ASUU has withdrawn its services and that is it. We are not shutting down the school. The only service not available is the teaching.”
Chairman of ASUU-AAU chapter, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele, said there were full compliance with the strike action.
He said ASUU members obeyed the strike action and that academic activities were grounded.
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