By Christy Aboghe
Delta State government has assured members of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU of the Federal government intervention in the protracted strike.
The governor, Sen Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by the state Secretary, Chief Patrick Ukah gave the call when members of the Union embarked on a protest to government House in Asaba.
Commending their peaceful disposition, he said their protest was not out of place as he would ensure that their request were met.
The first Vice Chairman, NLC, Comr. Zico Okwudi called for the state government intervention in ensuring that students and lecturers return back to School.
He said he was optimistic that with the support of the state governor, students would return back to school, as their long stay at home was no longer pleasant.
He urged the governor who he described as a proactive leader to come to their aid, adding that any attempt by the federal government not to do that which they have resolved with the tertiary union would lead to a shut down the economy.
The labour leader said the protest was aimed at ensuring that the students get quality education and that the student returned back to school.
On his part, the Chairman, DELSU ASUU, Chairman, Prof. Godwin Demaki, frowned at the negligence of the government on the education of the students, adding that it had also led to starvation of the lecturers whom have not been paid in long while.
Also speaking the state Secretary, Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), Comr Amobi Oluchi, asked that the federal government meet the demands of ASUU by coming to a round table.
Other union leaders who gave their voices to the plea, requested that an end be brought to the prolonged strike, as he student were suffering depression as a result of idleness, while others were indulging in crime.
The exercise took off from the Labour House in Okpanam to government House in Asaba, had protesters carrying placards with the inscription, “education is a right, not a privilege; “save Nigeria Tertiary institution”
