Students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State on Thursday took to the streets to protest the 68-day industrial action by workers’ unions that has shut down academic activities in the institution.

The students barricaded the university’s main gate along the Owo-Ikare Expressway, demanding immediate reopening of the school.

Students say “Enough is Enough”

Carrying placards with inscriptions like “Every pending graduate, shey na our lives be these?”,  “NASU, NAAT, SSANU have joined strike” and “Enough is Enough”, the protester called on the Ondo State Government and stakeholders to resolve the crisis.

Speaking during the protest, SUG President, Folagbade Ayoola, said students had reached their breaking point.

“We cannot keep silent because we are really facing challenges in our university. Imagine students having to pay school fees while lecturers’ salaries are not being paid,” Ayoola said.

“We have been on strike for 68 days now and something needs to be done. We need an immediate resolution and action because our students are suffering.”

The industrial action was embarked upon by unions in Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions over demands for implementation of the Federal Government/unions agreement on workers’ welfare.

The unions involved include ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Government said it has paid the outstanding balance of the August arrears of the new subvention to state-owned tertiary institutions.

In a statement on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the government said the payment marks the commencement of a 60 per cent increase in subventions to the institutions to meet salary obligations and improve welfare.

The statement read: “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa therefore appeals to the striking unions of the institutions to, in good faith, call off the strike and return to work in the interest of our students and the overall development of the state.”

Students say they are tired of repeated meetings and failed promises and want academic activities to resume immediately.

Source: Punch News.