The Abia State chapter of Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC has joined their counterparts across the country to stage a city-wide protest in support of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the prolonged face off with the federal government which has led to the closure of public universities.
The peaceful protest which started at 9:30 am at Okpara square, was joined by members of ASUU, NASU, NAAT, SSANU, NUJ, NRC, NULGE and several labour unions existing in Abia State, who were more than 1000 in numbers.
Singing and flaunting different placards where their grouses were listed, the workers said they were in support of ASUU in the battle with the FG, and demanded immediate reopening of Universities nationwide and payment of withheld salaries of varsity workers.
In the protest led by Comrade Hope Ekwuribe, the Vice Chairman of the NLC in Abia State, the workers stated that injury to one is injury to all, hence the decision of the organized labour to stage the peaceful protest in support of ASUU.
Comrade Ekwuribe who also condemned the poor conditions of workers in Nigeria, noted that the protest was “participated simultaneously by various industrial unions.”
Onyebinama who also addressed took the workers to Abia State government house, cried out that Nigeria’s education sector is now becoming a laughing stock in the comity of nations and urged Governor Ikpeazu to act in saving education industry in Abia State.
Responding, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by Chris Ezem, Secretary to the State government, said he was in the same boat with labour in their peaceful protest.
Ikpeazu informed the labour leaders and their members that he was worried by the continued closure of Universities gates, noting that the situation was capable of worsening the present insecurity in Nigeria.
But a mild drama erupted at the government house gate when the workers booed Ikpeazu’s representative for saying that ” Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is an education friendly Governor.”
In fear of the unknown eventually, many banks in the city refused to open for business while the few that opened their doors operated in fear, leaving customers stranded and frustrated.
There were traffic hold-up along library avenue, club road, Akanu Ibiam road etc throughout the protest period even as most government offices in Umuahia scanty in attendance.
Comrade Uzor Onyebinama, ASUU coordinator for Owerri zone who spoke on behalf of members of ASUU regretted that federal government has refused to honour all agreements it reached with ASUU, thus keeping students at home.
Onyebinama who blasted Senator Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour for frustrating the implementation of ASUU/FG agreements, also demanded immediate payment of ASUU members’ salaries.
Comrade Ojo Ezichi Obasi who spoke on behalf of Senior Staff of Nigerian Universities (SANU) and leaders of NAAT also took turns to document their grouses and told federal government to immediately sign the agreement it reached with it so that schools would be reopened.
According to the Vice Chairman, the protest was supposed to be two days but was ended to be continued in Abuja.
