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AAU Crisis: Academic Activities Grounded To A Complete Halt As Staffers, Students Desert The University Campus As A Result Of Strike

All academic activities have been totally grounded at the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma as the indefinite strike embarked upon by the University’s Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) assumed full effect.
Situation report from the University yesterday indicated that both staffers and students have deserted the University campus as a result of the strike.
The Union, through its Chairman, Dr. Monday Igbafen, hinged the reason for the indefinite strike on “the vexatious habitual non-payment of salaries and non-remittance of check-off dues and other sundry deductions in the University.”
According to Dr. Monday Igbafen, the current strike is a climax of the failure of the University Administration and the Edo State Government to meaningfully and satisfactorily address the Union’s demand for payment of unpaid 4 months salaries and one year unremitted check-off dues and other sundry deductions, which the Union claimed is in billions of naira.
Dr. Monday Igbafen reaffirmed the Union’s resolve today at Ekpoma to sustain the strike till the demand of the Union is met.
Meanwhile, the other three (3) staff unions in the University, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU) had been on strike since October last year for the same reason of non-payment of salaries, check-off dues and other sundry deductions, resulting in a total collapse of administrative activities in the University since October last year.
Rising from their weekly joint congress meeting earlier today at Ekpoma, the University’s Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU, NAAT and NASU resolved to sustain their strike till their demand for payment of unpaid salaries, check-off dues and other deductions is met.
The JAC of SSANU, NAAT and NASU dismissed the threat by the University Administration to implement the policy of No Work, No Pay. According to Unions, we stand against the policy of No Pay, No Work.
Chairmen of the University’s SSANU, NAAT and NASU, Comrade Tom Onofua, Comrade B. J. Omoikhoje and Comrade C. Odiamehi respectively insisted that all outstanding salaries and check-off dues must be paid before considering resumption of duties.

Prof. Ignatius Onimawo has battling allegations of mountainous petitions of alleged corruption leveled against by the union and the staffers of the University running in billions of Naira.The controversial Vice-Chancellor was said to have approved about N90 million Naira TETfund money to the son of one Prof. Patrick Oviasuyi of the Department of Public Administration and a former director of the University’s Academic Planning Division for a study programme abroad. The said son of Prof. Oviasuyi who was recently employed by the Vice-Chancellor is still an unconfirmed staff.

In a similar manner, a total sum of N100 million was transferred from the various university accounts into the personal account of one Eugene Eraikhuemen, VC’s PA. Of this amount a total sum of N26 million was allegedly transferred into the personal account of Eraikhuemen from various university internally generated revenue accounts and from other staff accounts. Out of this amount a total sum of N25 million was transferred by Eugene Eraikhuemen to the personal account of the VC and of Jane Onimawo, the wife of the VC.

In the 2-year period of (2017 and 2018) the VC spent the total sum of N55 million as security vote instead of N24 million because the monthly security vote approval is N1 million per month. The VC also spent N62 million in 2017 and 2018 for local and foreign travels; an amount that cannot be defended. In Novemebr 2017, the VC bought a Toyota Camry Car of N19 million for himself without Council approval and yet the amount was above his approval limit of N5 million.

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Prof. Onimawo is alleged to have also authorized funds to be paid into the account of Dr. H.O.T. lyawe an Ag. Director of AAU Consult to transfer the sum of N5 million into the Zenith bank account number 175969966, belonging to Chris Omo-lribhogbe to carry out unexplained activities.

Mrs Onimawo, wife of the VC, also spent University funds of N7.1 million for the two years covering 2017 and 2018 for her own travels. It is not clear what all the monies illegally transferred from the various Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma bank accounts into the accounts of Chris Omon lribhogbe and Eugene Eraikhuemen are meant for and those benefitting from the fraud.

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