By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
Despite threats by the Plateau State Government that the planned protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in solidarity to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) should not hold, the Union and its affiliates on Tuesday differed and staged a peaceful protest in Jos metropolis.
To heed to the call by the Union, thousands of members of TUC, ASUU, SSANU, Students, among others protested peaceful under the watchful eyes of armed security operatives (Nigeria Police and NSCDC).
In his address, chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Eugene Manji, said, “The agitations from tertiary institutions in Nigeria demanding for their rights, and those demands were presented to the Federal Government of Nigeria, its about six months now.
“And we are all aware that that our students are laying waste not even just in their houses, for some its only God that knows what is happening to them, which is quite unfortunate.
According to him, “The vices which these youths have indulge themselves into can never be reversible; and sadly, the very people who have been at the helm of affairs of this country, are the same beneficiaries of these tertiary institutions.
“Now we can see the neglect they’ve rendered tertiary institutions. On this this note, we want to say enough is enough.
He noted that virtually everybody in the country is affected by the closure of the tertiary institutions ” either as a student, parent, relative, among others “.
Manji maintained that what the NLC is doing today is just a test run across the country; “if government refuse to act accordingly, we will close down the country indefinitely”.
Also speaking on behalf of civil society groups, Comrade Steve Aluko, berated the state government for attempting to stop the protest.
“It is not possible to stop Nigerians from expressing their views peacefully.
“The Plateau State Government has not been able to settle the issues of staff of Plateau State University Bokkos; do they have the right to say we should not protest?
According to him, “Education is a right, and any government that fails to secure good and qualitative education for its citizenry is a failure”.
In his remarks, chairman ASUU, University of Jos Branch, Prof. Lazarus Maigoro, commended NLC and other affiliate unions for coming out to support ASUU in its struggle.
Maigoro said, “We want to assure you, in ASUU that our struggle first and famous is for the development of the Nigerian University system.
“We will not accept the introduction of tuition fees in public universities in this country, it is not acceptable to us today, tomorrow and forever it won’t be.
“Government is saying it does not want to fund public education, because they don’t have money, is it true that government does not have money?
Maigoro decried that politicians could purchase a nomination form for a N100m, but come back and say they cannot fund education.
In his response, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Yakubu Sanda, acknowledged that government has failed in not being able to resolved the ASUU issues.
Adding that, all calibre of people are affected by the strike action in the tertiary institutions, decrying that for students to stay at home for about six months is unacceptable.
“We will soon be having our Speakers conference meeting and I assure this matter will be put on the table, and I’m sure something concrete will come out”, he assured.
There goodwill messages from other sister unions in solidarity with the ASUU struggle.
A letter was presented to the Speaker by the NLC chairman in the State.
Recall that on Monday night, the Plateau State Government had kicked against the protest saying the ban on any form of procession in the State is still in force.
The State Government through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Dan Manjang said, “The attention of the Plateau State Government is being drawn to the directive by the National Headquarters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) mobilizing State Chapters to join its planned protest in solidarity with the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) scheduled for Tuesday 26th July 2022.
He maintained that, “While the State Government is aware that workers have a right to air their grievances, the State however wishes to remind them that the ban on is any form of procession under whatever guise is still in force in Plateau State.
According to him, “It is in this light therefore, that the State Government wishes to advise against the holding of the planned protest as it will be in contravention of the existing ban.
“The Government thereby advises that such decision if contemplated by the State Chapter of the NLC be rescinded in the interest of peace and security of Plateau.
“This is more so that Government will not fold its arms and watch our hard earned peace currently being enjoyed across the State jeorpardized in an event that such solidarity protest is hijacked by hoodlums for percuniary and other negative purposes”, he warned.
Manjang further stated that, “The office of the Head Of Civil Service, has been directed to therefore act appropriately and dialogue with Labour and its officials in the State.
“Similarly, the Executive Governor of the state, Simon Bako Lalong, has directed the security agencies to be on alert in an event of any eventuality and also ensure compliance with the relevant ban that prohibits such procession”, he stressed.
