9th April, 2015
As the crisis in the Lagos State University, LASU lingers, the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Obafunwa has been asked to proceed on a terminal leave or the institution may not be reopened for academic activities anytime soon.
The Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, and other unions within the institution had vowed not to allow its earlier scheduled convocation hold because they believe the VC had not been responsive to their demands and agitations.
Albert Agosu, Chairman of NASU, has repeated that Professor Obafunwa must proceed on terminal leave if any crisis in the institution must be resolved amicably.
While insisting that their demands still stand, Agosu told P.M.NEWS Campus Square that, “the first and foremost thing is that the man has to proceed on a terminal leave before we can start any deliberation.
“Whether the crisis will end soon is not ours to decide, we are not also asking the VC to leave because that would mean something else.”
The NASU leader had in a chat with our correspondent, explained that the union was in a discussion with some people, but refused to disclose who they were.
Asked if NASU was still discussing with those who had been seeking to resolve the crisis, Agosu informed that the elections may have slowed down the process because the people have been busy with their respective ambitions.
“We may not be able to have any dialogue with them now, but I am sure that after the elections, the discussions would get underway again.
“The truth is that the status quo remains and although we are not saying that we do not want the VC any longer, we are insisting that he commences his terminal leave.
“Our arrears must also be paid while other secondary demands must be met before we think of returning to work. There are ways to go about things, not trying to enforce things or brag over issues,” Agosu said.
He added: “The reason we are not outrightly asking the VC to leave is that it would not be fair enough if we do that. But we are sure that the terminal leave is a procedural thing and that looks like the best option for him at the moment.”