By Amaechi Agbo

The management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT has declared absentism from work on Mondays by the staff as “unacceptable” and directed those who absent themselves from work on Mondays to retrace their steps or face sanctions.

Recall that the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a proscribed movement in Nigeria, in August 2021 declared that every Monday in the South-East region shall be observed as a sit-at-home day until the federal government released their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been in detention.

Consequently, markets, schools, banks and commercial activities have been either partially or totally shut in the region in the months after the declaration.

However, following much improvement in security in the zone particularly in Enugu State, normlcy have gradually returned with business activities, educational institutions, banks, etc, operating on Mondays.

In a Memo titled: “Regarding Persistent Absenteeism From Work On Mondays’
released on Thursday and made available to ESUT Monitor, the Registrar, ESUT, Mr Ambrose Ugwu directed that any staff who refuses to be on his/her duty post on Mondays without express permission, will face the consequences.

“Management has observed that some staff persistently absent themselves from duty on Mondays.

“This practice is unacceptable. For the avoidance of doubt, staff should note that Monday is one of the working days of the week.

“Any staff found to be absenting himself or herself from duty on Mondays and other working days without official permission shall be sanctioned in accordance with Subsisting Regulation,” the memo reads.

The University management mandated Deans, Directors and Heads of Department and Unit to
monitor the activities of staff under them and report to the management accordingly.