The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday took protest to the National Assembly over the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The protesters who were led to the legislative houses by the National President of ASUU, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the National President of the Nigeria Youth Council; the National President of the Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (SSANU); the National Association Nigerian Students (NANS), expressed anger that the Minister of Labour, Productivity and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige was responsible for the prolonged strike by ASUU.
They called Dr Ngige, an Okija Shrine Priest”, demanding that he should be sacked from office to pave way for meaningful negotiation.
The protesters were holding a banner with inscription, “Dr Chris Ngige is an “Okija Priest that should be banished.”
The leadership of the NLC made the claim, stating that he was part of the conundrum rocking the Nigeria Universities that has resulted to prolong strike.
Speaking during a protest to the National Assembly on Wednesday, the protesters in a banner with inscription, “Dr. Chris Ngige is an “Okija Shrine Priest and should be banished”, insisted that he doesn’t deserve to occupy a political office, but should be consigned to Okija, a town in Anambra State to take of his shrine.
CAPITAL POST recalled that Okija shrine came into public glare when Dr. Chris Ngige was governor of Anambra State in
from 2003 to 20 and allegedly swore to be loyal to his political godfathers that assisted him to office.
The protesters expressed anger, saying that the children of poor Nigerians have been at home since February 2022 due to ASUU strike while children of the well-to-do ones are abroad.
The NLC vowed a total shut down of the economy, if nothing was done immediately by the Federal government for students to return to Schools.
Meanwhile, SSANU on their part, insisted that the Federal government must address he following demands: “Replace the inconsistent IPPIS with U3PA payment platform for all Universities; respect and honour collective bargaining agreement that were freely and mutually reached with the Union.
They added that the Federal government should fast track the regeneration of 2009 agreement with SSANU and improve funding for both Federal and Universities.
