As the ongoing nationwide ASUU strike clocks 93 days today, the Students’ Union of the University of Ibadan organizes a peaceful protest. The UI’ SU protest began as early as 8:00 am this morning and saw a large number of students gather at the main gate of the institution with various placards and banners, all clamoring to put an end to the ASUU strike.
The students marched in their numbers from the University of Ibadan main gate to the Oyo State Federal Secretariat at Ikolaba, Ibadan, chanting and accompanied by several security agents.
Upon arrival at the Oyo State Federal Secretariat, the aggrieved students prevented cars from passing that route as they gathered in front of the gate of the Federal Secretariat. After a while, the students were addressed by the Oyo State Coordinator of the Human Rights Commission, Ms. Akintayo Olamide.
The students expressed their displeasure at the Human Rights Commission for not petitioning the Federal Government which has failed to honor the 2009 Agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU. Addressing the students, the state coordinator, Ms. Akintayo Olamide stated that the Human Rights Commission has not been folding her arms on the lingering ASUU strike. She pleaded with the students to give them a space of 7 days to put in more work. The students also gave an ultimatum of 7 days for the HRC to address the issue after which they would swift into further actions.
In an interview with the UI Students’ Union President, Adewole Adeyinka, and our correspondence Olayiwola David, the SUG president declared that after the 7 days ultimatum given to the Human Right Commission they would swift into further actions, “we are going to declare this structure as our own university, in which we are going to make use of their offices as our classrooms, we are going to make use of their store as our hostel, and their parking space as our fun field” he says.
The Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Student Affairs, Mr. Victor Olojede, who was also present at the protest, pleaded with the Federal Government to see to the demands of ASUU in due time.
While bitterly expressing his displeasure, the Deputy Speaker of the UI Students’ Representative Council, Olalekan Ipadeola, stated that he has always experienced long periods of ASUU strike since he gained admission. He said, “Please and please come to our aid, enough is enough”.
We can all agree that the onus to solve these disheartening problems is on the Federal Government. If the FG can meet the demands of ASUU, then the ASUU strike will not only be suspended but will be permanently ended.
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