The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Kaduna State chapter, has joined the National protest in solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) following the lingering Lecturers Strike in the country.
Recalled that the Union Leader, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, directed all labour union in the 36 states of the federation, to stage protest today, demanding positive response from the Federal government, while himself will lead that of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday, 27th July, 2022.
Speaking in Kaduna on Tuesday during the protest, NLC Chairman Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Ayuba Suleiman, said protest is the only language that Nigeria government understand, adding that they are solidly behind ASUU to ensure Federal government do the needful.
He said: “This is a serious business. We want our children back to school. We are not financially bouyant to send our own children to abroad for study.” Ayuba, said.
Comrade Suleiman, who led the protest to Kaduna State House of Assembly, said “Labour is ready to take it back by our struggle”, adding that fourty-seven (47) trade union organizations in kaduna state graced the protests.
Ayuba, who delivered a two-page written documents, further stressed that the union is dismayed by the federal government’s paralysis and reluctance to take the necessary steps that could lead to the peaceful resolution of the issues in dispute and by extension, end the strike.
He said: “On our part, we have taken various initiatives to end this strike including writing to the Ministers of Education and Labour and Employment and the
presidency. Although this elicited some response from government, it was tokenistic and not sufficient.
“However, we find it appropriate to appeal to you to use your good offices and good conscience to get the federal to bring to an end this strike action.
“The immediate concern would be the immediate payment of the withheld salaries of university staff, shelve IPPIS, honour the agreements government entered into or re-
negotiate in good faith, rebuild confidences, establish a frame work for repositioning our universities for compeitve service delivery and relevance in line with their mandate.
Your Excellency, this matter, we dare say, is of grave importance national,
hence this appeal to you.
While we await your response” He added.
He was received by the Deputy Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly. Rt. Hon. Isaac Auta Zankai, who appreciated the Labour leaders, said “Onbehalf of the Honourable Speaker, I want to thank you for your patience. Nobody is happy to see the students at home and our desire is to ensure the children are back to school.
“The Honourable Speaker and Chairman, Northern Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, is currently in Abuja, over the issue and we know soon positive response.” He noted.
