Kunle Adelabu
Staff of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), today, staged a peaceful protest to the Council Chamber of the Ikorodu main campus, for the reinstatement of the sacked union leaders during the administration of the immediate past Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro.
The protest last for about 20 minutes.
THE IMPACT gathered that the members of the institution’s Governing Council were meeting when the staff stormed the Council Chamber.
According to eyewitnesses, the protesters chanted protest songs which drew the attention of the council members.
It was also gathered that the protest also passed a vote of confidence in the Rector of the institution, Dr. Oluremi Nurudeen Olaleye.
THE IMPACT also gathered that the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Rasheed Ojikutu, came out of the Council meeting to address the protesters.
Comrade Dayo Ogungbayibi, former Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), LASPOTECH Chapter, one of the leaders of the protesters, confirmed the protest to our reporter.
“Yes, we went there to thank the Council members for their efforts, regarding the transformation of the Polytechnic into a university”, he said.
“We also reminded them that there is still the issue of our colleagues that were sacked by the previous administration and the need to bring them back”.
Another union member, who also spoke with THE IMPACT, added that the protesters also charged council members to ensure that reports of the Visitation to the institution and White Paper are released and other pending matters resolved before the completion of the transformation of LASPOTECH into a University.
When contacted on phone, Comrade Seye Ero Philips, Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), LASPOTECH chapter, said that he was not aware of any protest.
“I am not aware of any protest because I am just coming into the campus from the Industrial Court”, he said.
The Public Relations Officer of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), LASPOTECH Chapter, Mr Inasa Thomas, also told our reporter on phone that he was not aware of any protest.
He added that members of the ASUP are not part of any protest.
Attempts to reach Comrade Ajasa Hameed, acting Chairman, Non – Academic Staff Union (NASU), LASPOTECH branch, whom we gathered was part of the protest proved abortive as his phone was switched off.
He was also yet to respond to the message sent to him by our reporter as at the time of going to press.
We have also tried to reach the Director, Information/Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr Lanre Kuye, but all efforts were to no avail and messages sent to his mobile phone were also not replied.
