SSANU, NASU Protest Against Vice-chancellor In FUTA

A day after the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure was invited to
Ibadan quarters of the EFCC, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU and
the Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU of the school staged a mighty protest within the school
premises.

The protest which started at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon had protesters chanting "Ole" and
lasted till half past three the same afternoon. The VC who was recently invited by the EFCC
over fraud and corruption allegations was accused by the Staff Unions of refusing to pay their
long-term allowances.

The Staff Unions requested the VC be removed with immediate effect and that the Federal
Government set up a panel to audit FUTA account.
The Staff Unions were heard saying "You can't be facing corruption charges and be ruling us.
We don't want another Saraki."

They went ahead to say "We're advising Prof. Gregory Adebiyi Daramola not to come to FUTA
from 4pm this evening. Nobody must go to office tomorrow. We must resume here [the front
of New Senate building, the VC's office]."
"We're not on strike, we're on protest. If you don't come and you're caught, you're on your
own. But if you come to work and join the protest, an injury to one is an injury to all" the
protesters said.

"It is our enemies who will not see tomorrow. They will have diabetes and the diabetes will kill
them. They will have cancer. They will die of hunger" fiercely it got as they rounded up.
Our correspondents were not allowed to go near the core of the protest as students were not
allowed. However, one of the protesters who does not want his name disclosed told us the
protest could go un-peacefully if they were provoked.

Rumours have it that since the emergence of the Vice-Chancellor, FUTA Staff members have
been deprived of some financial privileges as the VC trashed out autonomy of staff members
on funds and disregarded due process in issues of leadership sustainability.
The students on hearing the news, have continued to raise concerns on the possible
consequences. It will be noted that the sophomore admissions list that should have been
released is yet to be released. The students also hope it will be resolved soon, so it does not
affect the academic calendar.

As against the false news that Professor B.K. Alese was involved in the protest, the Dean is
presently out of school and could not have been found anywhere near the protest ground.