Some staffs of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), which is owned by the Ondo State Government and located in Okitipupa, have protested the purported firing of more than “30 workers” at the university.
As they demonstrated against the purported termination of their coworkers on Wednesday, the university’s disgruntled employees, formerly known as Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), revealed this.
The protesting employees blocked the entrance to the building, which for several hours halted both business and academic operations.
People and vehicles were unable to enter the university due to the protesters’ allegations that the affected employees had been fired by the university’s governing council, which was chaired by Professor Akinbo Adesomoju.
Some of the demonstrators told Daily Trust that the impacted employees had official appointment letters from the university and were legitimately hired by it.
They continued by expressing amazement over the staff who had been hired just a few months prior receiving sack letters on Tuesday.
“They (the impacted workers) completed their paperwork as required and received employment letters. They have even been employed by the university for more than six months, a demonstrator stated.
The employees referred to the management’s decision as being “anti-workers” and threatened to continue to halt all academic activity on the university campus until the dismissals were overturned.
The university’s spokesperson, Paul Adeagbo, did not confirm or deny the occurrence when reached.
However, Adeagbo asserted that the school administration would respond accordingly.
There had not yet been a statement published as of the time this report was filled up.
In the meantime, Mr. Dayo Temola, the Chairman of the Joint Action Committee of OAUSTECH in Okitipupa, has requested that the university authority quickly overturn his decision.
Temola stated that the school’s staff will not put up with the decision, referring to it as “mass sackings.”
He said, “It is trite to say that when this news had earlier filtered, it was debunked by the university management/council until yesterday (Tuesday).
“We, therefore, reiterate that the basis for justification of these mass sackings by the council is not tenable and will neither be tolerated nor accepted.
“The Unions of SSANU, NASU AND NAAT hereby reject these mass sackings and demand the followings:
“That the mass sackings be reversed with immediate effect.
“The Ondo State Government should as a matter of urgency set up a visitation panel in line with with the University laws.”