Academic activities have not yet resumed in schools after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended its two-month  strike.

A visit to both the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (UOE) shows that lectures had not commenced at the institutions.

Many of the students, especially the fresh ones at RSUST were seen completing their registration requirements while some returning students were seen moving from one part of the campus to another.

The Chairman of ASUU, RSUST chapter, Dr. Felix Igwe in a text message said that ASUU – RSUST Congress met last Wednesday to discuss the industrial disharmony in the university, arising from the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement.

He said the congress also deliberated on the victimisation of the union and her members by the university authorities contrary to the agreement reached between the university’s Governing Council and Rivers State Government on 4th of February, 2011.

Dr. Igwe maintained that after due consideration of the on-going intervention by the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) and the leadership of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, congress decided to shelve the strike action. He said the congress however had resolved to meet soon to review the situation.

A 300- level student of the institution, Mary Tuboh, who spoke to The Tide alleged that the authorities of the school were meeting to review and adjust the academic calendar, and might later publish the timetable for lectures.

Fresh students were also seen still undergoing medical examination both at the institution’s medical centre and other points as part of their registration formalities.

It was also observed that some lecturers visited their offices, exchanging pleasantries with some colleagues and students at St. John’s Campus of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (UOE).

One of the lecturers who preferred to remain anonymous said, “it is refreshing to be back to school to meet colleagues and students after the strike”.

“We hope the authorities would plan the academic calendar in a way that we can cover all that have been lost within the period.”

A student leader, Umoh Thompson maintained that it was good to have students back on campus after the prolonged forced holiday.

The President of the Students Union Government, RSUST, Godswill Amadi, said in a telephone interview that lectures would begin Monday (today) because, according to him, the Senate had met and released the academic calendar and lecture timetable.

Mr. Amadi said that last week, there were skeletal academic activities in some faculties.

He, however, was optimistic that lectures would start fully today.

Eunice Choko-Kayode