Day After Strike Suspension, OAU Loses ASUU Member

Barely 24-hours after the National Executive Council of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, announced the suspension of its eight-month-old strike, a Professor at the department of Educational Foundations and Counselling, Obafemi Awolowo University, Bamidele Faleye, was reported dead.

The professor who died on Saturday, October 15, 2022, was a member of the OAU chapter of ASUU.

Announcing his death in a statement which announced the suspension of the local strike by the OAU ASUU, the branch chairman, Dr Adeola Egbedokun, noted that the branch congress held prayers in his honour.

“The chairman announced the saddened demise of Professor Bamidele Faleye of the Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling who died on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Congress observed a minute silence in his honour and was led in prayer sessions. Professor Abel Afon led the prayer in a Christian way while Dr Saheed Adekilekun led the prayer in an Islamic way.

“The chairman gave a report of the NEC meeting that was held on Wednesday/Thursday. The main highlight of the report was the suspension of the eight-month-old strike action embarked upon by the union to press home demands for a decent work environment and a better welfare package for its members.

“Congress noted the actions of the Minister of Labour to ensure the proscription of ASUU which eventually amounted to nullity. The Congress also noted that the strike was suspended in obedience to the Court of Appeal order.

Furthermore, Congress commended the resoluteness and doggedness of the Principal Officers of the union during the period of the struggle.

“NEC has approved the suspension of ASUU OAU local strike that was declared on January 31, 2022, to demand payment from the previous University Administration. Congress noted the need to consider the plight of our members, respect the interest of our students and the need to honour the new Vice-Chancellor.

“NEC has approved November 16, 2022, as the election date for ASUU OAU.

However, Congress resolved to uphold the suspension of both the national and local strike actions as directed by NEC, adding, “the suspension of the strike was officially pronounced at the ASUU OAU Congress held on Monday, October 17, 2022, at exactly 12:27 pm.