The nationwide strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is yet to take its toll across the three universities in Rivers State.
The three universities are the University of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State University (RSU), formerly called RSUST and the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, all located in Rivers State.
A check by our correspondent reveals that the strike action has not taken off in all the three universities across the state as against the situation in other states across the country.
At the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, near Port Harcourt City, students were seen having their lectures, while all academic activities were at their peak without any obstruction.
The Tide reports that lecturers were also busy with their daily activities.
Efforts to speak with the ASUU leadership in the university was unsuccessful but a lecturer at the university simply told The Tide that they will be having meeting today to discuss the matter.
A check at the Rivers State University indicated that academic activities were not going on due to the fact that the university was currently on vacation.
However, when contracted on phone, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in RSU, Dr. Payate told The Tide that he will be briefing journalists from 2.30pm today.
“For now, I am in a meeting, I will be attending to all correspondents with regard to the ASUU matter on Wednesday by 2.30pm”, he added.
Also at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, academic activities were going on as normal.
The Tide reports that academic lectures and seminars were going on unhindered in the school despite the on-going nationwide strike called by the national leadership of ASUU.
The Tide further reports that students of the famous state-owned University of Education were seen busy with their lecture activities as well as attending to the class assignments emanating from the day’s academic class work, while lecturers were seen in their numbers within their respective faculties and departments.
When contacted on phone, Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the university, Dr. Ugochukwu Agi, declined to speak on the matter.
However, the South–South Chairman of ASUU, Prof. Bekesisi said that no branch chairman of the association has been authorised to speak on the matter.
Bekesisi, who is a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, hinted that lecturers within the South-South will join when the circular on the strike from the national headquarters has been received.