OOU lecturers protest delayed salaries, boycott lectures

Abiodun Onafuye/ Abeokuta

Lecturers of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, OOU today protested the irregular payment of their salaries by the Ogun State Government in the past three years and ordered members to stay away indefinitely from the classrooms.

The lecturers who began their demonstration at the OOU mini-campus, Ago-Iwoye at about 10am took their protest to the institution’s permanent site, where they sensitized the students on their action.

They later presented their letter of grievances to the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Saburi Adesanya for onward transmission to the Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

The protesting lecturers carried placards with various inscriptions such as: “It is ungodly to owe people their monthly dues,” “We need government intervention at Olabisi Onabanjo University,” “The sweat of the labourer must not dry” and “Ogun State Government please save OOU from imminent collapse.”

While addressing the protesting lecturers, the Chairman of the OOU branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr. Deji Agboola disclosed that the State government had in the past three years formed the habit of not paying them their salaries regularly.

He stated that this anomaly in the payment of their salaries has made it impossible for many of the lecturers to meet their financial obligations such as payment of their children school fees and rent.

The Union leader accused the management of the institution of turning deaf ears to their pleas conveyed through several letters since September 2011 regarding the matter.

The ASUU Chairman therefore appealed to governor,who is the Visitor to the University, to put their salaries in the first line charge of expenditure just like that of the other civil and public servants in the State.

“It is necessary that we draw the attention of the public to some of the excruciating, disillusioning and discouraging plights that are antithetical to teaching and academic development in the citadel of learning. In the last three years, salaries have been irregular. This unfortunate trend has persisted, thus making our members irresponsible and unable to meet their socio-personal and financial obligations. It is embarrassing that our wards at university-run institutions like OOU staff school and OOU international school are sent home for non-payment of fees.

“This has no doubt embarrassed and ridiculed our members some of whom cannot even pay their rents and meet other basic needs. This situation, the union feels, is capable of exposing our members to the temptation of unethical practices. It is ironic that the university currently waging war against such unethical practices could be failing in discharging its primary responsibility of paying the salaries of its workers knowing
full well that this is the main source of income they depend on”, ASUU Chairman disclosed.

“While we are mindful of the implication of any action that may cripple the university’s tight calendar, at the same time we can no longer condone an insensitive and harsh working condition that would be injurious to our members’ productivity. We are tired of working for two months and receiving one month salary. Our members
have affirmed that they have been deprived the opportunity to come to work as salaries are not paid,” Agboola said.

The OOU ASUU boss also alleged that lecturers of the institution had in the past three years been subjected to arbitrary taxation by the State government.

He stated that the arbitrary and astronomic tax policy had further pauperized the lecturers in the university where a senior lecturer paid more tax than a professor in a Federal university.

The lecturers further condemned the use of the Point of Sales system for the collection of fees in the institution, describing it as exploitative and negating the White Paper issued by the Visitation Panel to the institution set up by the current administration.