...”NLC proposed solidarity protest with ASUU illegal” – Lai Moh’d
The Coalition of Northern Groups Students’ Wing (CNG-SW), yesterday, directed the 19 northern State chapters to mobilise students and parents to join Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a massive protest across the region.
Recall that the Federal government and ASUU have been at loggerheads over the failure of the former to fulfill some of the agreements it made as far back as 2009.
CNG-SW, in an issued statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi and National Secretary-General, Comrade Emuseh Gimba Bokunga, said the protest would entail the shutting down of activities in all States and National Assemblies, all political party offices and all major highways, airways and railways.
The statement directed the youths to mobilise all its 19 Northern states chapters to collaborate with other students, parents and civil society organisations in the respective states.
The group further stated that it started its mobilisation by petitioning traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, and security personnel in the respective states, which kick-started by sending a letter to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on 6th July 2022, titled: “Appeal for your prompt intervention on ASUU strike” and the exercise lasted for a week.
It noted that the Government is unconcerned over the disadvantages of the closure as underprivileged students who have fewer or zero educational opportunities beyond Nigeria as their parents are unable to send them to foreign-based/private owned schools that remain open.
However, the Federal Government has kicked against plans by the NLC to embark on its proposed strike, saying it is unlawful. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this yesterday, while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the week’s virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the Minister, the planned solidarity strike becomes unlawful because the NLC has no dispute with the Federal Government, pointing out that taking such step would be an attempt to instigate anarchy.
The Minister observed that what the Congress is doing is about interest, noting that it should insulate itself completely from politics.
