Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi State Chapter on Tuesday joined their counterparts across the country to observe the protest called by its national leadership.
The protesters, who marched round the state capital Abakaliki in their hundreds, were led by the state Chairman, Ikechukwu Nwafor.
The protest march started from Pastoral Centre and terminated at the Pa Ngele Ọruta Township Stadium Abakaliki.
The members bore various placards and banners expressing their displeasure at the Federal Government’s inability to resolve the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.
Speaking during the protest, Mr Nwafor said the Federal Government should urgently look into the welfare of university lecturers as the workers are tired of the incessant strike.
He lamented that the situation is affecting the development and future of the youth who are forced to stay idle at home due to no fault of theirs.
“The government should meet with Labour immediately and resolve the issues. They have had agreement severally but have failed to keep to the agreement.
“They should respect our children’s right so that our children will go back to school. Enough is enough,” Nwafor said.
ASUU Chairman of Alex Ekwueme University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Egwu Ogugua commended the workers for coming out to march in solidarity with the lecturers.
“I thank our brethren for this show of love and solidarity. I thank all of you for coming out to support the glory of the university.
“We believe that this will send a strong message to our leaders that education is the key and that they must open our university to open our university for the benefit of the country.
“We shall not back down on renegotiated agreement, we shall not back down until UTAS is adopted and implemented in our universities,” he said.
His Ebonyi State University (EBSU) counterpart, Ikechukwu Igwenyi, said the demand for review of workers’ salary and other agreements being demanded by the union is non-negotiable.
Security agencies in the state were on hand to provide security for the protesting workers during the protest.
