By John Ugo, Awka
Economic activities were on Tuesday disrupted in Awka the Anambra State capital as the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)staged a peaceful protest in support of the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over failure by the federal government to keep to its 2009 agreement on the welfare and funding of universities in the country.
The protest was to compel the Federal Government to listen to the demands of ASUU and resolve the lingering impasse so that students and lecturers can return back to their classrooms after over five of stay at home.
The protest had disrupted economic activities for hours while vehicular movement was put to a halt along the ever busy Enugu-Awka-Onitsha expressway during the protest.
The protesters had blamed the federal government for the insensitivity to listen to the yearnings and cries of University lecturers and students who have been at home since the past six months.
Armed with placards and posters that sent strong messages to the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, the protesters noted that an illiterate nation is an ignorant nation and that the level of one’s education determines the level of attention the leaders would give the needs of the citizenry.
The organized labour lambasted the nation’s leaders for remaining silent while the lectures and education suffer in pitiable conditions while their own children study abroad where they are catered for in well equipped and funded institutions.
Addressing the protesters, Chairman of the NLC in the state, Comrade Chinwe Orizu said the strike is over the non implementation of the agreements government voluntarily entered into with the unions.
“It has also been about imposition of IPPIS on the university unions to which they have taken objection with credible reasons.
While calling on the state Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, for his intervention, Orizu said “we are dismayed by the Federal Government’s paralysis and reluctance to take the necessary steps that could lead to the peaceful resolution of the issues in dispute and by extension, end the strike.”
“The immediate concern would be the immediate payment of the withheld salaries of University staff, shelve IPPIS, honour the agreements government entered into or renegotiate in good faith, rebuild confidences, establish a framework for repositioning our universities for competitive service delivery and relevance in line with their mandate.”
Also, Comrade (Dr.) Njideka Nwangwu, Chairperson of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) Awka said “This is a struggle for the survival of the public universities in Nigeria.
She stated that SSANU is favourably disposed towards amicable resolution of the issues to end the ASUU strike. The federal government should as a matter of urgency, renegotiate with all the university based unions in a fair manner that will ensure the resumption of full academic and administrative activities in the universities.”
Nwangwu enjoined “the students, parents, and other stakeholders to bear with us in this struggle that hopefully will bring envisaged normalcy to the public University system.”
“SSANU members are the hub of the university administration and should not be relegated to the background. To this end, SSANU will not accept any salary disparity in the university. Government should take note that any attempt to introduce salary discrimination/disparity in the university system would be highly resisted,” she said.
The protesters added “Enough is enough, we have gathered to say no to the injustice they have done to the education sector. We are no longer safe, our take home is nothing; their children are all aboard.
“The Nigerian education sector is very critical. Today will bring to an end this protracted strike, they must implement to the letter what has been agreed, justice must be done.”
They warned against the consequences of continued stay at home of millions of nation’s students and their lecturers and the ongoing rot in the education system.
Chairman of ASUU, (Unizik chapter) Comrade Steve Ufearo said “ASUU is hundred percent in support of the protest which is strengthening our public Universities. You are aware that public primary and public universities have been run down; they want to destroy our public universities and we say no. Thank God the NLC has taken to the challenge by coming out to support the struggle.”
“So, it’s win, win for all is. It’s a struggle for Nigerian workers to save our public universities for our children and our children’s children yet unborn.”
He appealed to the students to be peaceful and resolute, assuring them that government must do the needfu, invest in the educational system and see quality education as the right of the citizens.
Among the unions who converged on the road leading to Ekwueme Square in Awka the Anambra’ state capital include members of the SSANU, ASUU, Trade Union Congress (TUC), the media, National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) workers of the state owned Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam and several others.
The exercise was peaceful as the state police command deployed plain clothe, regular and anti riot operatives who were stationed at strategic locations to ensure law and order throughout the exercise.