AAUA researchers win international grants, awards, as lecturers withdraw services

Two academic staff of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) has won grants from the world-acclaimed Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany (AVHF) and the International Foundation for Science, Sweden (IFS).

The researchers, Dr. I.A Ololade, an Associate Professor and Acting Head, Department of Chemical Sciences, won $12,000 from IFS, while Dr. N.A. Ladoja, a Senior Lecturer and Hydrochemist, won equipment grants worth 19,800 Euros.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, who inspected the scientific equipment procured with the grants at the Biochemical Laboratory of the university, described the grants as big donations from AVHF and IFS.

He expressed confidence that AAUA has researchers that can compete favourably with their peers around the world.Dr. Ladoja, whose research grant is given to support a research proposal written and submitted to the Foundation to develop a Ceramic Membrane for groundwater deflorisation, explained that the grant is to enable him do research, which is aimed at evaluating the level of power flow in rivers across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the school’s lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have embarked on an indefinite strike.
According to a statement issued and signed by ASUU Chairman of AAUA chapter, Dr. Sola Fayose, academic staff members are to withdraw their services immediately.

The statement reads: “Following past engagements on the issues of salary and deduction payments, particularly the resolutions of the Congress meeting of June 15, 2016, conveying the displeasure of our members on the issues of salary and other deductions from our salaries, the school’s chapter of ASUU met to get feedback on the consultations the branch initiated with the national on its request to allow members withdraw their services following three months unpaid salaries and non-remittance of deductions for seven months.

“Congress was informed of the approval of national to allow members of ASUU-AAUA withdraw their services until the three months outstanding salaries and seven months deductions are fully paid.

“All members are, therefore, directed to withdrawn their services with immediate effect.” Dr. Fayose disclosed that having waited in vain these past months to see a positive turning around, the congress is left with no other option than to embark on strike. He noted that the university teachers have been systematically, financially, psychologically and morally disempowered.