NLC, Affiliates Union defile State Govt. threats stage protest

Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt.

Workers and affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, today defiled the threats of sanctions by Rivers Government and trooped out solidarity with striking Academics Staff Union of Universities, ASUU in Port Harcourt.

Led by the State NLC Chairperson, Comrade Beatrice Itubo, who is also the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party, marched from the Labour House  peacefully to Government House, Port Harcourt, that was unusually beefed up with security.

Our Correspondent reports that more than a week ago, the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, through the State Head of Service, HOS, Rufus Godwin, warned that any worker who took part in the solidarity protest would be sanctioned according to the State Civil Service Rules.

The state government had argued that the State Universities  had not been part of the about five-months nationwide strike by members of ASUU, because their salaries and emoluments are paid as at when due.

The state government said it did not see the justification for the solidarity rally for ASUU in the state.

However, in her counter argument to the state government, Comrade Beatrice Itubo insisted that the peaceful protest would hold in the state because; “injury to one is injury to all” and it’s  in obedience to the national directive by the national NLC.

While addressing workers at the Government House gate, Mrs. Itubo warned that after two-day solidarity strike and the federal government refuses to answer ASUU for students to resume school, there will be a total shutdown of both economic and social activities in the state and in the country.

She warned: “No school, no election. Our children have been at home for five months going to six months now. And a responsible Government has not thought it wise to say or do anything about it. Today, we are driving home a point. This is just a tip of the iceberg. If after this and nothing happens, we will wait for further directives from the national”. She warned.

On his part, the Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Society Organization, Enefaa Georgewill, said in the next phase if the ASUU strike continues, they will laise with market women to shutdown economic activities in the state and across the country.

“A government whose officials send their children to overseas to good schools in Europe and America have no moral justification to close our Universities. If they have nothing new to tell us, they should pack and go”.

Also speaking, Levi Okon, an executive of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, warned that if the ASUU strike lingers, students will be mobilized and ensure that there will be no election in 2023.

Responding on behalf of the State Government, George Nweke, the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, commended the workers for the peaceful disposition. He promised to convey their message to the State Government.

The protesting workers were escorted by a detachment of armed Policemen drawn from the Rivers Police Command to heavily guarded Government House, Port Harcourt gate.

Members of NLC  were decked in black with union’s crested T-shirts sang solidarity songs carrying banners of their unions with different messages.

On his part, ASUU’s PH Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Stanley Ogoun, told Journalists that solidarity  rally is in the interest of all public servants and students in the country.

Members of ASUU, NUPENG, NASU, PASAN, NUJ, NUT, NANS, Health Worker Union, were in attendance.

Others include: NUPENG, NUJ, civil Societies, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), corporate bodies, and individuals took part in the peaceful.

However, the State Servive Secretariat was opened for business activities like normal working days as some of the workers who were obviously scared of sanctions reported to work.

Some who spoke on condition of anonymity regretted not being part of the peaceful protest. They said they are also not happy that their Children and wards are out of school because of the strike.