ASUU STRIKE UPDATE: ASUU strike cripples UNIPORT, UOE, as RSUST kicks

While the current indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) has had no visible effect on the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), as lecturers are busy teaching in all the lecture halls available in the institution, the strike has however crippled academic activities in nearby universities like the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and the newly established Rivers State University of Education (UOE).

The industrial action was embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union Universities (ASUU) last week to press for what they referred to as the non-implementation of their agreement reached with the federal government during their last prolonged strike action.

The RSUST where Bariname Bekee Fakae, the erudite researcher/professor, holds sway as two-term vice chancellor is calm. BusinessDay checks around universities in the Rivers State capital indicated that tests and serious teaching are going on in the RSUST.

At the Uniport, the lecture halls were empty while students have since either vacated or are loitering about, hoping to hear good news. This is the same situation at UOE.

RSUST had been in the news over incessant strike actions called by the local ASUU headed by Felix Igwe over appointment of the vice chancellor by the Visitor. The university authorities and the state government later lost patience and crushed the confrontation, employing about 100 fresh lecturers to replace recalcitrant ones. The rest rushed back to classes. Later, the lecturers created a slogan; “strike not an option.”

Now, lecturers in RSUST have disassociated themselves from the strike. According to one of them, “strikes are evil and destructive to the education system.”

Adolphus Ejetobi, a professor and financial management expert and lecturer in the University, told BusinessDay in an exclusive interview that they are not part of ASUU and will not join the strike action. He said, “RSUST is not part of ASUU. We are not on strike. We have already agreed that strike is no more an option in this University because we see strike as evil and destructive to the public university system. We believe in dialogue and more so, RSUST is one of the highest paid universities in Nigeria.”

Desmond Wosu, the public relations officer [PRO], said the academic staff of RSUST had no intention of embarking on any strike action. “The lecturers that we employed do not have any problem with the management of this university nor do they have with the Council. They are teaching,” he said.

The ASUU chapter in UNIPORT has joined the nationwide strike action. This was confirmed by Lawrence Chuku, a lecturer and former deputy chairman, ObioAkpor Local Government Council. He said that lectures had been put on hold as a result of the ongoing strike.

Besides, BusinessDay checks revealed that the ASUU members at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Port Harcourt have joined the strike action as directed by the national body. According to a lecturer who preferred to remain anonymous, lecturers in the institution had had downed tools.