LASU workers celebrate VC’s exit

Lagos State University workers yesterday celebrated the exit of their Vice Chancellor, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa.

Decked in Aso Ebi (uniform) earmarked for the occasion, the workers hired drummers and praise singers for a thankgiving at the university’s main gate.

They  sang victory songs while dancing.

The workers later moved into the university premises, danced through the departments and faculties.

Though, the event coincided with the institution’s 33rd anniversary, the workers decided to rechristen the event “Independence Day,” saying the occasion was symbolic for two reasons.

“We are celebrating the anniversary of LASU which clocked 33 last Sunday. But why we call it Independence Day is because we are celebrating our independence from the draconian administration of the outgoing management, headed by Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa,” said members of the Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (SSANU-LASU).

For hours, the workers defied a downpour as they danced, displaying placards with the inscription: “Rejoice with LASU on the exit of evil.” “It’s the dawn of independence.”

They were represented by the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU); Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Associations (NASU); and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

Activities for the event began penultimate Sunday with a Christian interdenominational prayer followed by other activities such as symposium (Thursday), press briefing (Tuesday), Muslim and interdenominational prayers (Friday), among others.

Obafunwa, became vice chancellor on October 31, 2010. His five-year tenure expired last Saturday. The latter part of his administration witnessed frictions with the workers who accused him of high handedness, favouritism, denial of workers’ promotion, non-payment of outstanding salary arrears, and victimisation of workers, among others.