A fresh wave of industrial unrest is threatening the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has raised alarm over the continued holding of governing council meetings outside the institution’s premises.
NEWS BULLETIN reliably gathered that the union has issued several warnings to the Governing Council, insisting that such meetings must be held within the Polytechnic, in accordance with established protocols. Despite these warnings, the Council has allegedly proceeded with its latest meeting in Lagos, prompting the union to demand an immediate cancellation.
In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday by the ASUP Chairman, Dr Idowu Atilola, the union described the Council’s actions as a blatant disregard for institutional rules and the welfare of staff. The statement also demanded a formal letter of apology to the Polytechnic community from the Council.
“The attention of the Union has been brought to the fixing of Council meetings outside the confines of the Polytechnic,” the statement read. “Let it be on record that this conduct was first observed in May and the Union sent soft warnings, but the management seems to have lost all regard for rules and regulations.”
Dr Atilola further lamented that the Council has neglected critical issues of staff welfare and institutional development, noting that several letters from the union have been ignored, and requests for dialogue dismissed.
“It would have been expected that Engr. Kamoru Kadiri and Engr. Waheed Balogun, both former union leaders, would guide the Council towards proper conduct, but they appear to have chosen a different path. The Registrar, expected to interpret and uphold the rules, has also compromised his integrity for personal gain,” he alleged.
He added, “No wonder Federal Polytechnic Offa has now become a shadow of itself.”
Reiterating its demands, ASUP called for the immediate cancellation of the ongoing Council meeting in Lagos and a public apology to the Polytechnic community.
“We will not close our eyes and allow where we earn a living to be destroyed,” the union warned, signalling a potential escalation should the Council fail to act accordingly.
