…”Don’t deny our children quality education”, Union tells FG
The Nigerian Labour Congress, (NLC), yesterday moved its protest to the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Recall that the Union had organised an “Abuja Mega Protest Rally’’ in solidarity with the trade unions in the public universities over their lingering strike.
Yesterday’s protest was led by the National President, Ayuba Wabba.
Also, the students and their leadership were part of the protest. Other bodies who are present include, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, and the leadership of the National Youth Council.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as, “When enough is not enough’’, “Students are our assets”, “Pay our salaries according to the impact we make on the system’’, “IPPIS incompatible with university operations” among others.
Before the Labour Union arrived at the NASS Complex, security had been beefed-up, with fierce-looking security agents spread all over the Complex. The human and vehicular traffic was massive with motorists finding it difficult to enter the Legislative Houses. The Senate proceedings, which already started at about 11.00 with the opening prayer by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, went into a closed-door session, a few minutes after the NLC arrived at the Complex.
The NLC, which is identifying with ASUU, is, “demanding for replacement of the inconsistent IPPIS with U3PA payment platform; respect/honour collective bargaining agreement that was freely and mutually reached with ASUU”, among others.
The Union also called on the Federal Government not to deny the children of the less-privileged quality education in the country.
ASUU and other trade unions in the education sector have been on strike for more than five months over the alleged failure of the
Government to keep to agreements entered with the unions.
