ASUU OAU Strike: “Half Bread Is Always Better Than None” – VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, has expressed his mind over the current ASUU strike/CONUA tussle that is rocking universities across the nation. He made this known during an interview session with the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University on Tuesday 8th of March, 2022 at the inauguration and swearing in ceremony of the Students’ Union Officers.

When asked about the ongoing ASUU strike on campus, he said the reason they are doing the inauguration is because the school is in session and tha “nobody wants a total closure, those who are agitating have their reasons, same with those who are not.” He stated that this is an academic community and people reason in different ways, although the management is not too happy that a section of the University is on strike and that there is disagreement among the academic members of staff but the management is happy that the students are still benefiting even in spite of all that is happening.

For the plight of students that are not receiving lectures, he said when they get to that, everybody will receive their lectures. In his words, “Half bread is always better than none.” He further explained that when he got to the University during his undergraduate days, he knew the time he was going to graduate and he graduated when he was meant to graduate, not a day later and that is what he wants for the students.

On the inauguration, he said he is pleased with the fact that the University could have an election in the Students Union with no single petition, it shows that that there is a difference and it has never happened in the history of Obafemi Awolowo University and on the Management side, they’ve also tried to introduce some kind of leadership training for the inaugurated union which they think can assist and can always learn from each other. The Students’ Union can play a very formidable role in this ASUU crisis that has always been reoccurring.