At the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) solidarity demonstration on Tuesday in Yenagoa, Prof. Kingdom Tombra, Chairman of the University of Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island branch of the union, made this declaration.
The NLC has started a statewide demonstration in support of the ASUU and other affiliated unions over the current strike in Nigeria’s public institutions, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“If this is done, it will help to establish a better society by creating formidable educational institutions and improving university funding in Nigeria.”
“This is a struggle for the working class against the ruling class, not against the government, and we are totally devoted to it.”
“I don’t think the strike will happen again if rich and poor students attend the same university or institution.”
“If they school here and their children attend here, they would show complete support for Nigeria’s university system and tertiary institutions,” he stated.
In response to the university sector’s adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a payment system, academics at government-owned institutions reportedly started a statewide walkout on February 14.
Earlier, Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri congratulated the ASUU and the NLC for their peaceful demonstration in an address to organized labor, promising to communicate their concerns to the appropriate people.
The Bayelsa NLC Chairman, Mr. John Ndiomu, also spoke and thanked the governor for his composed demeanor.
He said that both workers and students are represented by the National Solidarity Rally.
Ndiomu urged the federal government to ratify the updated draft agreement that ASUU and the government came to an agreement on.
“Utilize the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) in place of IPPIS, and pay Earned Academic Allowances” (EAA)
“Release of Revitalization Fund, Publication of White Paper on University Visitation to Federal Universities.” “Amend the NUC statute to restrict the expansion of state colleges that are not funded,” the labour leader added.