ESUT lecturers shun classrooms as students return

Students of the Enugu State University of Technology started returning for lectures on Monday, four days after the official resumption date of January 2.

Our correspondent, however, observed that the commencement of lectures in most faculties were skeletal, as most of the lecturers were not seen within the school premises.

More so, some students wondered if the internal wrangling between the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Cyprian Onyeji, and members of the local chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities wouldn't affect academic activities.

The vice chancellor and ESUT-ASUU had in December 2013 clashed over the appointment of deans of faculties in the institution and non-payment of salary arrears.

But the institution's management dismissed such, saying there was no more wrangling between the union and Onyeji.

'The university was opened shortly before the yuletide, just after the National Executive Council of ASUU called off the strike. We closed again for the Christmas break after some days, and resumed again on Jan. 2, 2014.

'Students are already in school and lectures are ongoing. There is no internal wrangling and the relationship between the vice chancellor and the lecturers is very cordial,' said the school's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Osy Ugwuoti.

The Chairman of ASUU-ESUT, Prof. Gab Agu, could not be reached for comments, as his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off. Punch