10th October, 2013
P.M.NEWS Campus Square can report that Nigeria’s oldest tertiary institution, Yaba College of Technology, Yabatech, has refused to join the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, in the ongoing industrial action by the union.
This much was confirmed when students of the institution continued with lectures as the lecturers kept going to the classes to carry out their routine duties.
One of the students who confided in P.M.NEWS Campus Square, disclosed that since the commencement of the strike action last week, the lecturers have not stopped attending classes.
The source who pleaded anonymity, also said that the school authority seems to be in disagreement with ASUP over some of its policies, which may have resulted in the flouting of the union’s order.
“I was initially sad when I heard that ASUP will go on strike last week Friday but was surprised when our lecturers kept coming to the class and lectures have since continued.
“I think the school authority and ASUP are not in agreement over some policies; that’s why we are still in school while our colleagues in other polytechnics are at home,” said the source.
Confirming this incident, the National Chairman of ASUP, Chibuzo Asomugha, told P.M.NEWS Campus Square that the institution is not a member of the union for reasons he would not disclose.
According to him, “we have some issues with them (Yabatech) presently; so, for now they are not a member of ASUP.”
When asked about how many other institutions are not members of the union, Asomugha responded vehemently,”Oga, we are on strike and that’s all I can tell you for now”.
ASUP had on Friday, 4 October, joined the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU in an indefinite strike action to press home their demands in a bid to restructure the nation’s education sector.
—Damilare Okunola