ASUU: NANS storm Airport over lingering strike

…Sowore joins up, says students should intensify struggle

…. It is their right – Osodeke

By Ridwan Adekunle

Students under the platform of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has stormed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to press down their demands for the government to resolve the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

Recall NANS had earlier said it will ground activities at the local and international airports across the country beginning from Monday, September 18 over the lingering strike.

It said its decision to ground airports activities was due to the successes recorded in its road protest during which several highways were blocked.

The students held banners bearing inscriptions such as: “NANS SAY NO TO IMPUNITY”, “IF YOU HAVE MONEY FOR ELECTION FORM, YOU CAN FUND EDUCATION”, ”NO NATION CAN DEVELOP WITHOUT GENUINE COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION.”

The situation caused gridlock along the axis as the vehicular movement in and out of the airport was stalled amid the presence of a combined team of officers of the Lagos State Police Command, Rapid Response Squad, Lagos Airport Police Command, and other security agencies.

However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for a meeting with the leadership of the union led by Professor Emmanuel Osekede to find a solution to the strike that has been on strike since February 14, 2022.

….. Nigerian students delivered independence to Nigeria in 1960-Sowore

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress and activist, Omoyele Sowore, also joined Nigerian students in protest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Sowore, who is a former President of NANS said at the protest ground that it was the Nigerian students that delivered independence to Nigeria in 1960.

“Nigerian students delivered independence to Nigeria in 1960, after they hijacked it and started using it against us. Nigerian students delivered the democracy we have today in 1999,” he said.

He also said it was important for the students to intensify their action saying, “this is your struggle.”

“I am a comrade and I remain a comrade forever, anything you need from us, let us know, but this is your struggle.” Sowore said.

He urged drivers, traders and well-meaning Nigerians to support the students’ struggle.

…It is their right-Osodeke

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has said it backs the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, on their protest over the lingering strike.

The association’s National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in an interview with journalists.

Professor Osodeke praised the students for fighting for their rights.

“We commend NANS members for fighting for their rights. It is their right.

“The pro-chancellors are doing well too. We hope the government will listen to them because they (pro-chancellors) understand what is happening in the Nigerian universities,” he said.