ASUU strike: Reactions trail NANS’ threat to shut down international airports
By Ariemu Ogaga and Dennis Matthew
Days after the National Association Of Nigerian Students (NANS) threatened to disrupt political activities especially the Presidential Primaries of both the APC and PDP In Abuja, the Southwest zone of the Union, along with the National Association of University Students (NAUS) has further threatened to shut down all international airports.
This, they said, is the consequence of failure of the Federal Government to address the lingering industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other staff unions of the Universities.
The students said they had waited long enough for the Federal Government to resolve the crises.
Speaking with our correspondent about the development on Wednesday, an Aviation Expert and Group Captain (Rtd), John Ojikutu, said any disruption within and outside the Airports must not be treated with kid-gloves.
According to him, “Any form of disruption from outside the airport community is a threat, not only to the airport, but also to the national security and must be strongly be resisted; the authorities must be ready to deploy the full weight of its airport security contingency plans.
“Our airports are not only National Assets, but also part of the national security Assets. This must be made clear to the students to steer clear of the airports.
“We are in dire insecurity in the country. Therefore, the airport authorities including the NCAA must not take this threat for granted, from wherever sources within or outside the airport.”
Consequently, other Nigerians have expressed their worry on the social media.
While reacting to the development, a twitter user by the name of @kabirMisali said “Someone should inform the irresponsible students that fore-warned, as it’s said, is fore-armed.”
Another user by the name, @Tomiwaak said, “They need it. If just one person from a govt system can steal N80 billion, when our universities are only carrying over millions in hundred. And our youths are roaming the streets because of ASUU and our insensitive leaders across d board.”
Also reacting, the Lead Strategist of Nigerian Workforce Strategy and Enlightenment Centre (NIWOSEC), Dr David Kayode Ehindero frowned at the federal government displaying a lackadaisical attitude towards the ASUU strike which has continued to lingers for some months now.
He said, “The threat by students to shut down all international airports in the country is too extreme but the Government should fine-tune penance to the strike.
“Both the Government and members of ASUU have continued to maintain their stances on the 2014 agreement causing the Public Education system to go into comatose state, and our students turning into criminal agents because of idleness.
According to him, “Should students disrupt Airways traffic in the country? It will further cripple the economy effecting more hardship upon the common people as end results.”
Dr. Enhindero appealed to both parties to come to terms with diplomatic solutions so that the students can resume to school as Education remains the backbone of any national development.
He called on “President Buhari to use his Political will in settling the demands of the academic staff so that our students resume to their various institutions without rancours.”
This fresh threat was contained in a press release which was jointly signed by the leadership of NANS and NAUS, South-West zones, that is, the NANS coordinator – SW, Adegboye Olatunji; Deputy Coordinator, Alao John; Public Relations Officer, Awoyinfa Opeoluwa; and NAUS SW Vice President, Adesoji Oladimeji and made available to Nigerian NewsDirect yesterday.
The statement partly read, “It is timely and urgent to address this press conference today with a view of putting an end to the long lingering strike action of ASUU and ASUP, and for a total reformation of the educational sector.
“The leadership of NANS Zone D in conjunction with NAUS has taken it upon itself to categorically stand against the dilapidated state of the educational sector in Nigeria.
“We have waited for so long to see if the Federal Government will dance to the music of Nigerian students who have been clamouring for an end to the ASUU strike, but the reverse is the case. We’ve had several press conferences, granted several interviews, and held several meetings to plead with both ASUU and the Federal Government. Our future is been jeopardised. We’re in a country where age is a key factor in the labour market.
“Aviation unions gave a two-day warning strike on shut down of flight operations. A meeting was scheduled by the Federal Government and the strike action was called off in less than 24 hours because the first-class citizen would be affected. But it is so obvious that none of them are affected by the ASUU/ASUP strike. They have their children all over the world enjoying a smooth educational system.
“On Monday, May 16, 2022, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris was arrested over alleged money laundering and diversion of public funds of at least N80 billion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Where is the integrity of the government preaching against corruption? How much of the public funds would have settled the educational sector and put an end to the yearly ASUU/ASUP Strike action?
“For so long, ASUU/ASUP strike had been ongoing and the Federal Government has not been showing concern through the Minister of Education.
“We are ready to take the bull by the horn as Nigerian students will not remain silent and watch our future being ruined by the prolonged ASUU/ASUP strike.
“According to the Commandment of Solidarity, We’re on the last of the three ‘Cs’ of Aluta which is confrontation. This is the time to call on all Nigerian students across all zones to come out en mass to take over all international airports in the country. Nigerian Students are tired of the long-overdue strike action.
“The leadership of NANS, Zone D, in conjunction with NAUS hereby, declare a massive protest to shut down all international airports in Nigeria. We must state categorically to the Federal Government that all activities shall be shut down by over 22 million Nigerian students across South-West Nigeria until ASUU/ASUP strike is called off.”
