Academic activities were disrupted, yesterday, at Edo State-owned varsity, Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, following the decision by members of the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on an indefinite strike.

A statement signed by ASUU AAU chairperson, Dr Cyril Oziegbe Onogbosele, said the union decided to comply with the strike notice of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), as an affiliate member.

Labour had declared commencement of strike from midnight, November 13 to kick against the attack and manhandling of the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1.

Onogbosele explained that ASUU national had resolved and directed that all members of the union in the various branches should comply with the directive to embark on the strike.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, all members of ASUU, AAU, Ekpoma chapter should participate in the strike fully by withdrawing their statutory services to the university and staying away from the university campus or workplace.”

The chairperson noted that compliance with the directive on the strike will be monitored throughout the campus of the state owned tertiary institution.

MEANWHILE, a legal luminary, Afolabi Olayiwola, has described the strike as a sign of failed system. He noted that the shutdown of Edo State judiciary complex over the NLC strike was unfortunate, saying: “Ordinarily the strike ought not to have been because there is a subsisting court order and if judiciary staff cannot obey a court order it shows it is a failed system and if it escalates it becomes a problem.

“If other sector goes on strike, the judiciary arm ought not to have embarked on strike and they are aware of the subsisting court order.”
On the attack on the NLC President in Owerri, the Imo state Capital, Afolabi said: “To me, an injury to one is an injury to all.”

Similarly, a Labour Party governorship aspirant in the state, Morrison Eghobamien, backed the nationwide strike, saying it was necessary following the ugly situation that informed the strike action just as he tasked all parties on dialogue.

Eghobamien, who spoke to newsmen in Benin City, said the nationwide strike became inevitable following the breakdown of dialogue as well as other related issues and called for dialogue by all parties adding that a peaceful resolution would be in the interest of Nigerians.

IN Ebonyi, activities were paralysed in state high court, banks among other offices in the state.According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the state High Court was under lock and key while judiciary workers were stranded outside the court premises.

A Lawyer, Onwe Solomon, said the strike has disrupted his matter in the court but noted that the move was in the right direction. A bank customer, Mr. Uchenna Elom, hailed the strike and urged federal and state governments to take steps in protecting the rights and interest of workers.

NLC Chairman in Ebonyi, Dr. Egwu Ogugua, said the compliance to the strike was 90 per cent in the state. Also, the state secretary of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Ebonyi State chapter, JUSUN, Awoke Emmanuel said: “We are complying with the directive of the national body of NLC. The workers are here, but the court is under lock and key, no court sitting. No activities going on in the court.”