The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have backed the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on its demands and ongoing protest to end the lingering ASUU strike.
National President, ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in an interview with newsmen commended the students for fighting for their rights.
“We commend NANS members for fighting for their rights. It is their right. The pro-chancellors are doing well too. We hope the government will listen to them because they (pro-chancellors) understand what is happening in the Nigerian universities,” Osodeke said.
He said the union will meet with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday.
Investogist reported earlier that students under the aegis of NANS have blocked the road leading to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to press down their demands for the government to resolve the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike which has dragged on since February this year.
Read more: [Video] JUST IN: Gridlock, tension as NANS grounds Lagos airport over ASUU strike
NANS had hinted on Sunday that it will ground major highways including the Lagos international airports on Monday (today).
NANs National Taskforce Chairman, Olumide Ojo said “Since last Tuesday, we have been grounding the major highways from Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Guru Maharaji, we blocked Gbongan and so on. These are the roads being used by the masses, so we decided to focus on the routes government officials use most, which are the international airports and others.
“Nigerians should reschedule their flights because tomorrow (today) will be grounded. No one will go out, no one will come in.
However, airport police command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ojelade, said, “Our men have been on standby since Friday, so nobody is folding arms to watch the students disrupt aviation activities.
“They can’t enter the airport; they can only block the entrance to the airport. Whoever is travelling will know how to bypass them and enter the airport. No airline is on strike, so, they will attend to their passengers. Nobody can ground flight operations, they have been warned.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.