ASUU tasks UNILAG authorities on members’ welfare

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),
University of Lagos Chapter, on Friday urged the
institution’s authorities to improve on the
welfare of its members.
The union’s Chairman, Dr Adelaja Odukoya, in
an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) in Lagos, expressed satisfaction with the
authorities’ attitude toward provision of an
enabling environment for effective teaching and
learning in the university.
He, however, said there were still concerns in the
area of welfare of the union’s members.
“You know before now we had issues with the
university authorities, which, to an extent, has
been largely resolved.
“The major challenge we are facing today as a
union is that of accommodation for our
members.
“A situation whereby a lecturer will be coming
from far distance every morning to carry out his
or her mandate every day has its effects on
quality service delivery.
“I know it could be better and that is why we are
calling on the school authorities to look into the
issue and seek ways of finding a lasting solution
to it,’’ the don said.
Odukoya said that one must have enough rest and
less stress for his body to function well, and for
him to be at his best.
He said the conclusion of daily academic
activities late at night could amount to a
disservice, not only to the lecturers, but also to
the students and the university at large.
Odukoya, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of
Political Science, urged the university authorities
to reconsider their stand on the issue of annual
leave for the union’s members.
He said that a lot of the lecturers were unable to
go for their annual leave because of the various
programmes that were being run in the
institution.
“I still want the authorities to expedite action too
in this area because we need the leave once in a
while to rest, and to also do some other personal
things.’’
The don said that the lecturers were doing a lot
in the area of self-development by way of
attending workshops and other developmental
programmes.
Odukoya said plans were underway to organise
leadership training for ASUU members in the
university.
“The training is expected to hold in the various
chapters of our universities nationwide.
“We are yet to have any particular date for the
training, but as soon as we get directive from the
national body, we shall commence,’’ he said.