Members of Senior Staff Association of  Nigerian Universities (SSAU), Non Academics Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have furthered their protest which started on Wednesday over non-payment of five years earned allowances  by the management of the University of Ibadan (UI).

The chairman of NAAT, Mr Saka Ogundele, said a mandate, which was given at the congress level, supported the protest action. “ A mandate was given to us from the congress level that we should send a letter to the management of the University of Ibadan and if they fail to implement allowances in the month of June, then we are going to declare three days protest. The letter was sent and the payment has not been made.”

The former chairman, ASSU, UI, Ademola Aremu, urged the corporation of members to allow peace to reign, while the leaders continue their meetings with the school management.

 “We know ourselves and we’ve struggled together; the struggle that in 2003, we were not paid three, four months’ salary, but I am telling you that we collected that money. In January 2012, the fuel subsidy struggle, we did it together. So, as at now, the matter is inconclusive.”

The vice chairman, SANU, South West, Ape Jimoh, appreciated the workers' efforts and struggle. “A hungry man is an angry man and what we are doing in this course is to show our anger for results to take place. The little allowances that we have gotten so far is because of our anger and if that is the case, we will continue to express our anger if that is what they need to give us what we want.”

He, however, urged agreement between the leaders and the followers in order to achieve their desired goal. “We need synergy and agreement; we must find a meeting point. We shouldn’t give room for different opinions between the followers and the leaders.”   

Mr Ogundele urged members to abide by the resolution made.

Efforts by CEOAfrica to speak with the school management as at the time of filing this report proved abortive.

Meanwhile, the protest continues tomorrow.