The Students’ Union of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ondo State government to resolve the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, warning that failure to act could trigger mass action by students.

In a statement signed by President Falagbade Greatness and General Secretary Amos Oluwatimileyin, the union said the industrial action, now in its 14th day, has paralysed academic activities and left thousands of students stranded.

“This prolonged strike has brought academic activities to a complete standstill, further disrupting the university’s academic calendar and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty, anxiety, and frustration among thousands of students,” the statement said.

The union lamented that the shutdown has delayed graduation timelines and subjected students to emotional, psychological and financial hardship.

“Many students have been compelled to vacate the university environment due to the absence of a clear timeline for the resolution of the dispute. Others who remain on campus continue to endure hardship while awaiting resumption,” it added.

The union called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and relevant authorities to immediately engage ASUU-AAUA leadership to ensure a prompt resolution.

“We have exhausted the two Cs of Aluta and we are left with no other option than to invoke the last C of Aluta,” the union said, issuing a 72-hour ultimatum for a “clear, practical, and satisfactory response.”

It warned that failure to demonstrate genuine commitment would force the union to mobilise students for “all lawful, peaceful, and democratic actions necessary to protect the educational rights and collective interests of AAUA students.”
The union, however, said the statement was “a sincere appeal born out of frustration, uncertainty, and hardship” and not a threat.

Reacting, the university management said the strike “is receiving the attention of the Ondo State Government and will be resolved soon.”

Deputy Registrar, Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Mr. Sola Imoru, urged students to avoid actions capable of escalating tensions, noting that efforts were underway to end the industrial action.

Imoru said the ultimatum was unnecessary because the governor had already approved a special intervention fund to enable the institution to meet its financial obligations. He added that the development had earlier been communicated to the Students’ Union leadership.

He appealed to students to remain patient while the payment process was concluded, expressing optimism that normal academic activities would soon resume.

Imoru also advised the union to seek clarification on issues affecting the institution before making public statements, stressing that regular consultation would prevent misunderstandings.

The management reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, transparency and constructive engagement with all stakeholders.

Andrea Pirlo is currently the head coach of the UAE’s Dubai United
Andrea Pirlo has said he is no longer a candidate to coach the Italian national side following days of controversy over his ties to a Russian betting company.

His appointment as Italy’s next head coach had not been confirmed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) yet was being treated as all but certain.

But over the weekend several Italian politicians criticised the FIGC’s choice, noting that Pirlo, 47, had taken up a role as global ambassador for Russia’s Fonbet last October.

The betting company has sponsored several sporting events involving veterans of Moscow’s war in Ukraine and has organised events in Russia at which Pirlo appeared alongside pro-Kremlin figures.

“Anyone who is or has been promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office,” said Carlo Calenda of the centrist Azione party.

“After learning last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team, I feel it is my duty to clarify some aspects,” Pirlo, a former Internazionale, Juventus, AC Milan and Azzurri midfielder, wrote in an Instagram post on Monday morning.

“Over the last few days I watched, with great bitterness, the debate that swirled around my name,” he said, adding that any “professional collaboration” he undertook in his capacity as coach for United FC in Dubai “was exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature”.

“To assign a political meaning to that collaboration means ascribing to me beliefs which I have never expressed and that do not belong to me,” Pirlo wrote.

Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, said at the weekend that Italian football “desperately needed a cultural, ethical and managerial revolution” but that the choice of Pirlo “goes in the exact opposite direction”.

In contrast, Pirlo was offered support by the Russian ambassador in Rome, Aleksey Paramonov, who said that it was “saddening” to note that, “despite [Pirlo’s] extraordinary contribution to world sport and to Italy’s image around the world, in your own country, you are now being ostracized”.

Scrutiny of Pirlo’s ties to Fonbet and Russia intensified last spring, when he took part in a Fonbet event held in Moscow, which saw him and former teammate Marco Materazzi sign autographs at Luzhniki Stadium.

Nationalist pro-Kremlin pop star Shaman, who has repeatedly expressed his support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, also performed at the event.

At the time, Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych – who was disqualified from the Winter Olympics over his helmet depicting fellow athletes killed in the war – noted the Luzhniki event had taken place on the same day as a large Russian attack on Ukraine.

Heraskevych also criticised Pirlo for appearing next to Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba, who in the wake of the war in Ukraine posted on social media that he was “proud to be Russian”.

“It’s sad to see childhood legends turn into moral bankrupts,” Heraskevych said.

The debate now risks engulfing new FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini, who has only been in post since 11 July and who Italian media say may resign over Pirlo’s failed appointment.

Maldini and his adviser, former AC Milan teammate Leonardo, were tasked with finding a new head coach to navigate Italy through a Nations League group that includes France, Belgium and Turkey in the autumn and then try to qualify for Euro 2028.

The Italian football community has been undergoing much soul-searching after the team failed to qualify for a third World Cup earlier this year. Italy’s loss on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina in April led to coach Gennaro Gattuso stepping down as well as a reshuffle of the FIGC echelons.

Earlier this month, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were both unsuccessfully approached ahead of Pirlo.

According to Italian media, other names currently being considered are Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini – who led Italy to Euro 2020 glory before failing to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar and unceremoniously stepping down from the Italy bench to coach Saudi Arabia.

Paris Saint-Germain have pulled out of the race to sign RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, with Real Madrid now increasingly confident of landing the Ivory Coast international.

“PSG has this evening formally withdrawn its interest in, and bids for, Yan Diomande,” said a statement from the Ligue 1 and European champions given to Sky in Germany last night.

“The asking transfer fee and salary demands were completely disproportionate and distortive – and PSG will not break its principles of rational financial management and squad balance.”

Madrid, who have already had a £85.4m (€100m) bid rejected for the 19-year-old, with Leipzig wanting significantly more to let him go, are understood to be pushing hard to finalise a deal for the player.

Real have also agreed personal terms with Diomande.

Diomande had previously indicated a preference to join PSG earlier this summer and agreed a contract with them until 2031.

Jose Mourinho’s side have been active in this window as Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella have all been snapped up.

Liverpool have also expressed an interest in Diomande, but aren’t willing to pay more than £85m.

Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester City also remain keen on the Ivorian.