…promises to continue until their demands are met
By Elizabeth Ikegima
Students of the University of Benin as led by the students union government president, Amadin Foster in a solidarity response to the one-month warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, on Wednesday took to the street to protest; ACJ Uniben is reporting.
The protest which lasted for a few hours put movement and businesses at a standstill as the students set a blockade along the Ugbowo Benin-Lagos road.
Hours later, in what some termed “temporary retreat to restrategise”, the blockades were removed as protesters matched within the campus to the office of the newly appointed Dean of Students, Dr Ray Chikogu, who addressed the students at length.
According to him ” In countries where they have a sense of direction, they pay the greatest attention to education and the welfare of teachers. In Germany, the best set of well-paid people are teachers, this is because they know the value of education. All these incessant strikes have been occasioned by the negligence of the government of Nigeria.”
He however pleaded with the students to support the fight so that the issue can be resolved once and for all. As revealed by him, ASUU will meet again after the one month strike, for review and to decide on the next line of action. He also assured the students that the strike is not against them, but the essence is for the federal government to cater for education, “My son is also affected by this strike” he said.
“We Suspended Our Last Strike And Now We Have Simply Resumed It” – Dr. Ray Chikogu, Dean of Students, UNIBEN (VIDEO)
Dr. Chikogu, while addressing the students of University of Benin, went further to disclose the government’s plan to introduce education banks which would enable students to access loans that they are to pay back after graduation. The union considered this unacceptable, considering the high rate of unemployment in the country.
The SUG president, Amadin Foster in a remark that emphatically stated that the students will continue this fight until the Federal government sees to their prayers, gave the final address; ” we will not eat in this matter, we will not drink in this matter and we shall not joke on this matter. Greatest Uniben students! I will be glad to shock you that the federal government is aware we hit the streets today, and they already know tomorrow we will continue. We will not stop until they meet our demand.”
As disclosed by the president they are to meet for a more intense protest Thursday morning.
UNIBEN SUG Plan To Stage A 3-Day Protest
“Following the declaration of a four–week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday, leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) has thought it needful to embark on a three-day solidarity peaceful protest.
“This demonstration is geared solely towards drawing the attention of the federal government in the demands of ASUU, which however is also the demands of the Nigerian Students.
“Over time, we have seen that the Federal Government has continually seen students as a sacrificial object for selfish negotiation and blackmail, they react by looking for something to pick on to blackmail and subdue ASUU.
“By this fact itself, we the Nigerian Students say No to all such injustice! Hence all Faculty Governors, Department presidents from the fringes of UNIBEN are here-by advised to come our en-masse and mobilise their Students for a three-day protest.” This was stated in a communique released by the Students’ Union Government Executive Council, UNIBEN on Wednesday, 16th February, 2022.
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