OAU students protest against prolonged ASUU strike

STUDENTS of Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU), Ile- Ife, yesterday prevented vehicular movement along Ife- Ibadan Expressway in Osun State to protest against the prolonged strike embarked upon by Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU).

The students, who converged on the busy road directly facing their campus gate, said they could not afford to continue staying at home, while the Federal Government refuses acceding to demands of the striking lecturers.

The protesters, armed with Nigerian flags, banners and placards bearing different inscriptions, such as, “Fund Education Now,” “Education is not a scam,” among others, marched along the Ife- Ibadan Expressway causing gridlock.

They vowed to continue the protest until their demands were met by the Federal Government.

Amid other chants of solidarity songs, the students, under the aegis of Fund Education Coalition, said government had failed education system.

Speaking on behalf of the students, Olugbade Majeed said they would continue the protest until the government signed the initial agreement it had with ASUU.

He said: “We are protesting because the government has failed the education system in Nigeria. And they have not met the demands of ASUU, which they signed since 2009. We have been at home for three months.

“This particular government has been showing nonchalant attitude towards education by engaging in electoral activities, while students are at home idle.

“We don’t want to be turned to criminal elements. We don’t want to be turned to yahoo yahoo. We don’t want to be turned to prostitutes and that’s why we are agitating for our rights.