Workers of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife have gone on the rampage over non-payment of allowances.
It was gathered that the protest started when the workers heard that the bursar of the university,Ronke Akeredolu, had prepared a cheque of N30 million to be paid to the former Vice Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Bamitale Omole.
The N30 million, it was gathered, was to serve as entitlements for the former VC, who left office amidst crisis.
During the protest, the workers beat and stoned with sachet water the bursar of the university.
The Registrar of the university, Mr. Dotun Awoyemi, was also slapped.
The workers, who were armed with charms, blocked all entrances of the ground floor at the Senate Building of the OAU to avoid the bursar's escape.
Some of the workers alleged that the bursar conspired with the former VC to approve some funds before the acting VC took charge of affairs.
One of the workers said, "This is unfair. They thought we are fools and could be cheated anyhow. When ever we demand for our allowances, the bursar usually tell us that there is no money. To our surprise, the same bursar prepared a cheque of N30 million to be delivered to the former VC, who denied us of several rights."
Another worker alleged that it took the intervention of the acting VC of the OAU, Prof. Anthony Elujoba , to stop the processing of the cheque.
The worker said, "They made the move during the weekend. They wanted to sideline both Senior and non-academic staff not knowing that we are at alert. Some of the top officials have already travelled out of the country."
Subsequently, Chairman of the non-academic staff, Comrade Wole Odewunmi, after a meeting with the VC and other officials of the university management announced that agreement has been reached for payment.
He said, "Though, they have always said that there is no money. Now that there secret has leaked, there tone has changed. They are ready to pay. The acting VC has promised to pay latest on Friday, September 9th."
After the announcement, the workers disagreed and asked their leaders to go and renegotiate the date.
Though, the workers alleged that the bursar was planning to flee the country, the VC debunked it.
Addressing the workers, the VC said the numbers of month to be paid would be communicated to the workers latest Wednesday.
"At this point that we are, we need to be patient. After our visit to Abuja, we will confirm the number of months to be paid," the VC added.
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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