Members of staff of the University have expressed delight over their resumption, following the suspension of the recent six-day nationwide strike, called jointly by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to protest the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
The Alabata Road, permanent site and the Institute for Human Resources and Development (INHURD), Mawuko campus of the University, which were deserted as a result of the strike came back to life as members of staff hurried back to work en-masse in the early hours of last Tuesday, in their bid to beat the 8.30a.m resumption deadline.
Commenting on their resumption, members of staff of the University, who spoke to our reporters said they were happy to be back at work, adding that they would have been happier if the pump price of fuel was reverted to N65.00, per litre.
According to Mr. Ayansola Samuel, a Mail Assistant with the Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS), “I am happy to be back at work. It is more economical to come to work than staying at home. I discovered that I spent more money staying at home than coming to work”. He added: “My joy is not full by coming to work because the price of fuel has not been returned to the old price”.
Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Olanrewaju Seriki, an Executive Officer in the Directorate of Audit said: “I am very happy to be back at work because while staying at home, to keep faith with the strike, one’s body system suddenly became strange and alien to the regularity of work which it is used to.
“If care is not taken, one will start falling sick. Besides, I started feeling bored at home because movement was restricted. For me, it is a mixed reaction because I am not happy that we haven’t reverted to N65, per litre pump price of fuel”.
Also commenting, the immediate past Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), FUNAAB Branch, Mr. Ibukun Fadayiro said: “I am happy to be back at work. During the strike, I was spending money but I couldn’t make withdrawal from banks. Now that we are back, I trust Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, he will soon pay our
salaries”.
The Assistant Registrar (Pension Administration), Mr. Jonathan Adebayo said: “Yes, I am happy to resume. Staying at home during the strike was boring. We were just eating and sleeping. Of course, I initially enjoyed the fact that I rested but later, I wasn’t enjoying it again”.
According to Comrade Afeez Adeleke, Higher Executive Officer, Directorate of Audit, “I am happy to be back at work. It is not good to be idle. Staying at home during the strike makes one to be someone idle. However, I am not happy because of failure to revert fuel price to N65”.