Management Yet To Receive NASU’s Earned Allowances From FG –OAU PRO

In the heat of the ongoing NASU’s demonstration
in Obafemi Awolowo University over the
nonpayment of her members’ 64 months earned
allowances, different allegations have been
raised including that the school management has
received the money meant for that purpose from
the Federal Government but has refused to pay.
During an interview by OAU Olofofo, the
University Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun
Olanrewaju has denied the reports that the
school management has received the earned
allowances meant for NASU members but
refuses to pay.
“Well, the NASU protest, by virtue of what the
constitution says, every union, every society,
every organization has the right to protest. But
the basis of that protest must be genuine and
objective. NASU claims that the federal
government has paid the money to pay annual
allowances. But to the best of my knowledge,
with apology to the NASU, the federal
government has not paid a dime to the school
administration.
“Let me add that the annual allowances are not
peculiar to OAU. The non-payment of these
allowances is not peculiar to OAU. All federal
universities have not been paid these
allowances. If you go to federal university, Akure,
University of Ibadan, University of Lagos,
University or Benin, Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of
Ilorin. All of them have not been paid these
annual allowances. But you know, OAU believes
in militancy and thinking that we are the
champion of the masses, but the management
says that by the moment the federal government
pays their money, the university authority would
begin implementation immediately.
The University PRO further claims that NASU’s
earned allowances have accumulated over 64
months but said the management does not have
the financial muscle to pay them independently.
“Nobody is disputing that (64 months allowances
accumulation). If you put that money together,
the university cannot have means of paying it. It
is the federal government that entered into
agreement with them. It is the federal
government that entered into agreement with
NASU, SSANU, NAAT and ASUU. And it is the
same federal government that can give the
financial backing to the terms of agreement. You
will agree with me that they are not fighting the
university management per say, they are fighting
that the university management should find way
of paying this annual allowances. Not that the
federal government has paid this money but they
are telling the university management to find
way and means of paying this money to them.
And we say no, no. All of us will get this money
including the Vice Chancellor but what are
saying in essence is that, it is the federal
government that has financial muscle that could
give kits to what they are demanding for. And
basically speaking, if you want the federal
government to pay this money, I am of the
opinion that they should have directed this
energy to Abuja and not OAU.
Also speaking on the current break the students
have been mandated to proceed on, Mr
Olanrewaju said that the school was not closed
rather, a mid-term break was given. He further
stated that the university management will recall
the students once it considers it appropriate.
“We never close the university. We told you that
we gave you 'mid-semester break... I have issued
this mid-semester break circular for more than
four times since I have assumed the duty of PRO
of the university. So, for most of you who are in
part one, two or three here, you will say in your
set, we have never heard of 'mid-semester
break'. Now, if you graduate and leave the
school and another set comes in, part one, two
or three. If there is scenario that would make us
to ask them to go on a mid-semester break, they
would be claiming what you are claiming. So,
nobody can link us to the history among all of
you here, nobody. So, more than two or three
times, I have issued it myself. So we have done
it on several occasions not once, not twice. So, I
am in the better position to tell you and not you
to tell me. For you not to have had it doesn't
mean that it has never happened on this
campus. During Prof. Fabode era, the immediate
past Vice Chancellor, we did it twice. During
Prof. Makanjuola era, we did it once. So, what
are you saying?” the PRO said.