ASUU strike grounds academic activities at UNICAL

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The two-week industrial action called by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has grounded activities at the University of Calabar.

On the first day of the industrial action, the university was virtually deserted as staff and students largely stayed away from school.

Although some offices were opened, both academic and non-academic staff of the institution were absent from their duty posts.

A few students were, however, seen hovering around their departments and discussing the two-week industrial action in muted voices.

Some of the striking lecturers, however, gathered at the ASUU Secretariat building to formally declare the strike.

UNICAL branch chairman of ASUU, Dr Peter Ubi, in a short address asked his members to stay away from school in line with the directive from the national leadership of the union.

He warned his colleagues not to speak to the press or grant any interview as all communication regarding the strike is as directed by the national leadership of the union.

A strike bulletin sighted by our correspondent and signed by Christopher Piwuna, the national president, listed key demands of the union.

These include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee draft agreement 2021 and the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries on account of the 2022 strike action.

As part of the two-week strike, lecturers have been warned to stay away from classes, accreditation exercises, conferences, official meetings and all public lectures.