28th January, 2015
Kazeem Ugbodaga
A faction of the Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, Lagos State University (LASU) Chapter has dissociated itself from a planned protest by the other group, as it canvasses support for the management of the institution.
Chairman of the ASUU-LASU Caretaker Committee, Mr. Ayodele Asokere at a news conference in LASU, Ojo, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria said some some of the disbanded executives of the association were planning to embark on a protest in connivance with external body.
He said there is a total accord in the university except for the external elements trying to instigate some disgruntled members of the union to foment trouble and destabilise its system.
According to him, the protest was uncalled for and should be disregarded. He described it as a ploy to lure the LASU students into political thuggery and violence.
“I want to quickly address the call to a protest march by one Comrade Aremu of Joint Action Front, JAF. Many text messages have been circulated in the last few days by one unknown Dr. Idris, giving reasons for the protest.
“Some of the reasons given were victimisation of students and lecturers. Secondly, they cited an intention to increase LASU school fees and thirdly they mentioned disruption of academic freedom.
“We are constrained to state that such a rally is not justified for now, especially since the university has just begun a new academic session after the smooth and successful completion of the 2013/2014 session,” he stated.
Asokere said their findings after so much consultation had not revealed any intention to hike LASU fees, even as he said no case of victimization had been established and that academic freedom in the university is guaranteed.
“Therefore, all the reasons stated in the text messages are baseless and unfounded. It is clear that some mischievous individuals are bent on disrupting the peace and progress in LASU and these individuals are colluding with external agents to achieve their devilish ends,” he said.
He enjoined LASU students to steer clear of the planned protest and avoid anything that could jeopardise their future as well as the smooth running of the university’s academic calendar.
“Students need to be informed that political thuggery may come in different guises including this one that wears the cloak of a peaceful rally. Parents are therefore advised not to allow their children and wards to be used by agents of political parties who are disguising to be unionists. Parents, please be alerted that those who are calling for the disruption of academic calendar in LASU do not have their children or wards in LASU but in private universities in the country where they pay astronomical fees,” he stated.