“Our Lecturers Are Hungry” – LAUTECH Student’s Protest Amidst Strike Crisis
Following the cancellation of the examinations scheduled to hold on Wednesday, and the subsequent meeting conducted by ASUU which led to the commencement of a two weeks warning strike, the students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology staged an impromptu protest.
The protest, led by the SUG President and his executives, some final year students, and other concerned students, was staged as soon as the news got out that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), had decided to go on a two weeks warning strike.
A statement earlier released by the Union read in part: “It is painful and unfortunate that the union is being forced, at this point in time, to resume its suspended action. Members of the public should, therefore, blame the government, not ASUU, for this sad turn of event.”
The protesting students blocked the main roads while holding placards which read “LAUTECH 500L WANT TO GRADUATE,” “OUR LECTURERS ARE HUNGRY,” “AREGBE AND AJIMOBI, SAVE US,” amongst others.
During the protest, a lecturer from the faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Prof Emiola, came to address the protesting students, stating the issues on the ground and assuring them that they have the support of the school.
In his words: “We are not happy about the strike either. I was hoping the strike would be put on hold until the final year students concluded their exams. However, nothing can be done as I speak because ASUU has already made their decision and, in fact, all zonal institutions under ASUU have been ordered to go on strike to solidarize with us.”
He went on to say, “We (the lecturers) are in support of you. We completely approve any protest as long as violence is not involved. I would advise that you get the media involved, so as to draw more attention to this and perhaps, get sympathy too.”
Also during the protest, the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Olamijuwon Akala, came to address the students, assuring them that they also had their full support.