NLC calls on Govt to end ASUU strike with immediate effect
…CSOs, TUC, others join protest in Osun
…Take protest to Osun State House of Assembly complex, Governor’s Office
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Following the elongated industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Civil Society Organizations and Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday joined the nationwide protest in solidarity with their colleagues.
It would recall that the university lecturers shut down public universities over the inability of the Federal Government to implement agreements the two parties entered after 2 years of negotiations.
The labours, students, and other unions earlier gathered at the popular Ogo-Oluwa Filling station, along Gbonga-Osogbo Roads, Osogbo, the state capital, further proceed to the Osun State House of Assembly complex which was later terminated at the Osun Government Secretariat, Abere.
The protesters in their numbers who armed themselves with the placard with various description, “Our Children Deserve Better Life Enough Is Enough,” “Acced To The Request Of Universities Workers Reopen Our Universities Now,” “Pay Retirement Benefits To Our Outgone Members,” “Our Future Is At Stake Buhari Do The Needful End Asuu Strike Now” among others.
Speaking, at the House of Assembly complex, the chairman of Labour Union Congress, Osun State chapter, Comrade Jacob Adekomi said called on Nigerian government to put an end to ASUU strike with the immediate effect, saying they don’t want their children to stay at home any longer.
Adekomi who was represented by the Vice Chairman of the Union, Comrade Gbadebo Awotayo asked the government to see the funding of public universities as a priority.
He said that the people at the helm of affairs are not worry about the incessant ASUU strike because they have money to sponsored their children education abroad.
According to him, “If possible, there should be an act that will stop Ministers and others in government from sending their children abroad, then they will be able to take care of Nigerian universities.
He said, “We are here this morning as directed by our National Headquarter, Nigeria Labour Congress under the leadership of Comrade Phillip Wabba who has seen and want to intervene on the ASUU strike.
“You will recall that since 2009 the government of Nigeria made an agreement with the university community, the workers in the university but the government failed to renege on that agreement. Their insincerity led to another strike in 2013 and the whole universities and tertiary institutions in Nigeria were closed down for another six months.
“Since February 14, 2022, public universities have also shut down, the Nigerian government has not done anything tangible to open the universities. They would have opened it if they are critical stakeholders but because they have their children sponsored abroad for their university education, they forgot that the right to education is common man’s right.
“They left the universities in dilapidated conditions no laboratory, no library and there is a serious brain drain in Nigeria as the professionals are traveling abroad for greater opportunities.
“It’s a two-day protest, the first step taken. If the Federal Government fails to attend to our demand, it will be reviewed by the National Working Committee and the NEC members of Congress next week,” he added.
Responding, the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Timothy Owoeye promised to communicate their plight to the appropriate quarter to provide a lasting solution to the ongoing ASUU strike.
The Speaker said, “I want to assure you that from the Osun House of Assembly we are taking this to the National Assembly. You will see the work of this Assembly.
“House of Assembly solidarity with you as your representative in the State of Osun. We share your plight for the past one hundred and fifty-seven (157) days ASUU embark on the indefinite action strike.
“We from the government side we share from this grieve I want to tell you that we are into it together as your representatives we are not happy for keeping our children at home for almost one hundred and fifty-seven (157) days,” Owoeye stated.
