Following the declaration of a two-day protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress to solidarise with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, some student bodies and other rights groups have backed the call to action.
The National Association of University Students, in a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Tuesday, said its members were ever ready to join the NLC in the protest slated for July 26 and 27, 2022.
The statement, signed by the Deputy National President of NAUS, Mohammed Ibrahim, dated July 17, asked students across the states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory to commence mobilisation for the nationwide protest to end the lingering ASUU strike.
The statement read, “Solidarity greetings to you in the name of Aluta, the NAUS leadership is greatly indebted to the leadership of the NLC for her show of unconditional concern for the Nigerian Students.
The NLC’s announcement of her resolution to stage a nationwide protest is greatly welcomed in the students’ constituency. For us, this is nothing short of a miracle; a heavenly intervention which would not have at better time than now. We are therefore prepared and ever ready to join in this great solidarity movement with the NLC.
“In the same vein, we want to acknowledge the great contributions, perseverance, courage and resilience as demonstrated by our members and stakeholders during the last protest in Abuja.
“Sequel to the above, NAUS shall be part of the protest nationwide to demand the immediate resolution of issues between the Federal Government and ASUU so our students can go back to the classes.
“Consequently, all NAUS stakeholders; Students’ Union Presidents, Zonal Vice Presidents, Campus Monitoring Committee Chairmen, members and the general public are hereby put on high notice to mobilise, organise and get prepared to be part of this unprecedented movement.
“By and large, all NAUS CMCs, in collaboration with their various SUG presidents, are mandated to be part of the struggle with the NLC in their various states, including the FCT.”
Also, a rights group, the Take It back Movement, has called on its members to mobilise nationwide to join the NLC’s protest.
“The Take It Back Movement supports the two-day nationwide protest declared by the NLC over the ongoing ASUU strike. We call on students, workers, and particularly all our members nationwide to mobilise and join the action in their respective states,” the group said on its Twitter page, Monday.
According to reports that ASUU has been on strike since February 14, 2022.