The University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo State, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) of the institution are at loggerheads over the alleged move by the management of the university to expend the sum of N65 million on the 10th-anniversary celebration of the institution.

With the union alleging the leadership of the institution of financial restlessness and insensitivity, the institution on its part described the allegations as false, stressing that the university was exploring fundraising approaches to finance the activities lined up for the anniversary celebration.

SSANU had, in a communiqué issued by its Chairman, Comrade Oluwaseyi Abayomi, after its congress at the University’s campus, urged the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, to cut costs on frivolities and focus on more pressing staff demands.

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According to Abayomi, the management had neglected SSANU’s demands, which he said include unpaid arrears of over 12 months’ remittance to members of PFAs, non-implementation of the Employee Compensation Act, 2010, non-payment of 18 months’ arrears of the January 2023 wage award, and non-payment of 105 months’ arrears of the Responsibility Allowance.

Meanwhile, the management of the institution emphasised that the union was raising dust at a time the university had made their welfare a top priority.

While urging the public to discountenance the allegation, the institution, in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Isaac Oluyi, maintained that the anniversary is not a jamboree but an innovative way to develop the university, which he said was being done with the support of the governing council.