The Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday joined the nationwide national protest in solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities over the lingering strike in public higher institutions.
In his address, the state chairman of the NLC, Ayuba Suleiman, said protest remained the only language the Nigerian government understood.
Suleiman noted that Nigerian workers were solidly behind ASUU to ensure the government met their demands.
“This is a serious business. We want our children back to school. We are not financially buoyant to send our children abroad for study. Labour is ready to take it back by our struggle,” he said.
According to him, labour is dismayed by the federal government’s reluctance to take the necessary steps that can lead to peaceful resolution of the issues in dispute and end the strike.
Suleiman, who led the protest at The Kaduna State House of Assembly, added, “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.
He said, “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 competitive service delivery and relevance in line with their mandate.”
While receiving the protesters, the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Isaac Auta Zankai, thanked the leadership of the union for their patience.
“On behalf of the Honourable Speaker, I want to thank you for your patience. Nobody is happy to see the students at home, and we desire 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 a positive response soon,” he said.
