There are various reactions from Nigerians following the action of the Nigerian Students who blocked the Lagos Ibadan highway in protest over the lingering ASUU STRIKE.
So far, thousands of commuters have been affected, and hundreds left stranded on Tuesday along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, following a protest by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Related: There’s No Money to Meet ASUU Demands to end STRIKE – FG
It was gathered that the protesting students blocked the expressway, protesting the ongoing one-month warning strike imposed upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, and there seems to be no near solution as both parties have failed to reach an agreement. NANS leaders disclosed that ASUU has failed to strike a bargain with the Federal Government vis-a-vis the 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement.
The students gathered at the Redeemed Church axis of Mowe as early as 8 o’clock in the morning, they also used the protest to channel their displeasure over the current fuel scarcity suffered by Nigerians, thereby causing an obstruction on the ever-busy highway.
Speaking to newsmen who came to interview them and share their grievance, the NANS Chairman in Ogun State, Mr. Damilola Simeon, speaking on behalf of the students, urged the Nigerian federal government to accede to the demands of the ASUU, noting that students were the most affected by the strike.
The Ogun chapter NANS chairman, Mr. Damilola Simeon further disclosed that he’s pleading to both the Nigerian federal government and ASUU, to return to a roundtable and find a lasting solution to the incessant strikes that had paralyzed academic activities in the nation’s universities for over a decade, making the youths, especially students wonder aimlessly around.
Mr. Damilola Simeon said and I quote below:
“Our time is being wasted. Age will be against us by the time we graduate and go into the labor market.
“The FG and ASUU should also be aware that Landlords are not on strike, because we will be forced to pay extra rents as most of us are staying in private hostels while some of our colleagues will be distracted, discouraged, and will probably jettison schooling for illegal activities”.
Finally, the NANS Ogun chapter chairmen appealed to the Buhari-led government to source more funding in tertiary institutions within Nigeria to make sure that there are both the teaching and non-teaching staff are comfortable, thereby giving them ample reasons to treat students better academically.
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