By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The Western zone of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) said it has uncovered attempts by management of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, (FUOYE), Ekiti State to undermine its stance on the decision of institution’s Governing Council clearing the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina of sexual harassment allegations made against him by a married female member of staff, Engr. Folashade Adebayo.
The zonal SSANU accused Vice Chancellor Fasina, the University Bursar and Registrar of being the hidden hands behind the planned psychological onslaught against its members through intimidation and foisting of an atmosphere of fear ostensibly to coerce them into abandoning the SSANU position on the council decision.
The Daily Crucible reports that following the FUOYE Governing Council decision which exonerated Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina of sexual harassment allegations and subsequent reinforcing of the decision through a statement on Wednesday by the university Registrar and Secretary of the council, Mr Mufutau Ibrahim, directing Mrs Folasade Adebayo, the accuser, to write a letter of apology within seven days, the Western Zone of SSANU swiftly condemned the decision in strong terms.
The SSANU through a release on April 10 by Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, PhD, its National Vice President and Chairman Western Zone, stated that the council by its decisions, had set a bad precedent and a new low in the nation’s university system.
SSANU also strongly condemned the FUOYE Council for punishing the accuser instead of the accused, stressing that it was also shocking that the council did not see anything reprehensible in the recorded conversations between the Vice-Chancellor and his married subordinate, Mrs Adebayo, where Prof. Fasina, as alleged, made utterances such as:”I am dying for you; I will not leave you; Make me happy and I will make you happy; I will not accept your rejection; If I had met you before now, who said I would not have married you?” to Folashade Adebayo
Dismissing the Governing Council resolutions as “compromised decisions,” the zonal SSANU also rejected in totality, the various sanctions slammed on Mrs Folashade Adebayo for allegedly bringing the name of FUOYE into disrepute.
According to the association, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fashina ought to have been the person so sanctioned, for alleged immoral and unethical conduct, which SSANU further claimed, had desecrated his office, compromised the capacity of that office to hold disciplinary powers over staff, and bringing the reputation of the University into disrepute.
It, therefore, called on the Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Tunji Alausa, to courageously and immediately dissolve the FUOYE Governing Council for lacking in integrity, not being able to provide a moral compass, compromising ethical standards and jeopardising the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It also called on the Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Senate Committee on Education, the House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education, the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, the National Agency for Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigeria Labour Congress and all other stakeholders in the protection of the rights of Nigerians, to wade into the matter.
The association then warned that the issue had potential to become a cause of National industrial unrest in the university system, stressing that it had begun mobilisation of universities in the zone for a possible industrial action.
It further warned that its members would not relent until their demands were met.
However, on Friday, the SSANU in a release jointly signed by Comrade Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, Ph.D, and Hamzat Fajoye Oyelere, Zonal Secretary, raised an alarm of alleged move by the Vice Chancellor in conivance with the Bursar and Registrar to “compel SSANU members across various units and departments to sign a yet-to-be-drafted document aimed at disclaiming the position of the SSANU National body.”
The SSANU’s release which was also copied to the followings: Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, President, Nigeria Labour Congress, the National President, SSANU, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti and media organisations states:
“For over a year, the Vice-Chancellor has subjected staff of FUOYE to an atmosphere of fear, victimization, and undue harassment. This latest directive comes with open threats, where staff are being warned that refusal to sign the said document will attract severe consequences, including punitive measures. Such actions are not only unethical but also a gross violation of the rights of workers to freely associate and express their opinions without fear of victimization.
“Ordinarily, the Council which should have intervened, has clearly shown its compromised position because of its incestuous relationship with the Vice Chancellor. No effort is being spared by the compromised and biased Council to cover Professor Abayomi Fashina from the case of sexual harassment and serial financial and ethical infractions he has perpetrated in the university.
“We strongly believe that this move by the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Bursar is a desperate attempt to shield themselves from accountability and cling to their positions, even at the expense of staff welfare and industrial harmony. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue with the union to address pressing concerns, the University Management has resorted to intimidation tactics, further worsening the already tense industrial relations in FUOYE
“SSANU hereby:
Condemns in strongest terms, this act of intimidation and coercion by the University Management.
Calls on the Federal Government, Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), and all relevant stakeholders to intervene and call the Vice-Chancellor to order before the situation escalates
Urges all SSANU members and staff of FUOYE to remain resolute and not succumb to these threats, as the union will take all necessary legal and industrial actions to protect their rights.”
The SSANU statement in full:
*Intimidation of SSANU Members at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fashina, and Attempt to Undermine Union’s National Position: Call for Caution*
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), wishes to bring to the attention of the general public, the university community, and all stakeholders, the ongoing intimidation and coercion of our members by the University Management of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, under the directive of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fashina, in conivance with the Registrar and Bursar of the University.
It has come to our notice that Professor Abayomi Fashina, with the conivance of the Registrar, Bursar and other unscrupulous and unprincipled elements to compel SSANU members across various units and departments to sign a yet-to-be-drafted document aimed at disclaiming the position of the SSANU National body. We note that the Bursar, Mrs. Bolanle Debo-Ajagunna has been most vehement in this action of threatening staff under her supervision to sign this letter. This acrion is not only criminal but is a deliberate attempt to undermine the collective will of our union and suppress the legitimate concerns of staff.
*A Climate of Fear and Intimidation at FUOYE:*
For over a year, the Vice-Chancellor has subjected staff of FUOYE to an atmosphere of fear, victimization, and undue harassment. This latest directive comes with open threats, where staff are being warned that refusal to sign the said document will attract severe consequences, including punitive measures. Such actions are not only unethical but also a gross violation of the rights of workers to freely associate and express their opinions without fear of victimization.
Ordinarily, the Council which should have intervened, has clearly shown its compromised position because of its incestuous relationship with the Vice Chancellor. No effort is being spared by the compromised and biased Council to cover Professor Abayomi Fashina from the case of sexual harassment and serial financial and ethical infractions he has perpetrated in the university.
*A Desperate Bid to Protect Their Jobs:*
We strongly believe that this move by the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Bursar is a desperate attempt to shield themselves from accountability and cling to their positions, even at the expense of staff welfare and industrial harmony. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue with the union to address pressing concerns, the University Management has resorted to intimidation tactics, further worsening the already tense industrial relations in FUOYE
*Our Call to Action:*
SSANU hereby:
1. Condemns in strongest terms, this act of intimidation and coercion by the University Management.
2. Calls on the Federal Government, Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), and all relevant stakeholders to intervene and call the Vice-Chancellor to order before the situation escalates
3. Urges all SSANU members and staff of FUOYE to remain resolute and not succumb to these threats, as the union will take all necessary legal and industrial actions to protect their rights.
4. Alerts the general public and the media to take note of this undemocratic and anti-labour practice in FUOYE, which is capable of disrupting academic and administrative activities in the institution.
*Conclusion:*
We will not allow the rights of our members to be trampled upon by an overbearing and desperate Management. SSANU remains committed to protecting the welfare of its members and ensuring justice and fairness in FUOYE.
We call on well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the labour movement to stand with us in resisting this tyranny.
Signed,
*Comrade Dr. Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam*
*Hamzat Fajoye Oyelere,*
*Zonal Secretary*
Copy To:
* The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa
* The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC)
– Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission
– President, Nigeria Labour Congress
* The National President, SSANU
– The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti
* The Media & General Public
