Construction Union directs members to join NLC protest

By Adeleye Kunle

The National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, NUCECFWW, has directed members across the country to fully participate in the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, nationwide protest in solidarity with the striking university workers on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Recall that unions in the country’s university system, particularly the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, have been on strike for at least five months over unresolved issues with the Federal Government.

Similarly, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, have been on strike for more than six months due to pending issues with the Federal Government.

In keeping with the slogan “an injury to one is an injury to all,” state chapters of ASUU, NASU, NAAT, and SSANU in state-owned universities have also been on strike for the same amount of time, despite the fact that the contentious issues primarily affect Federal Government-owned universities.

In a statement, Stephen Okoro, President of NUCECFWW, and Ibrahim Walama, General Secretary of NUCECFWW, said, “The protracted ASUU strike has been as a result of Federal Government careless attitude towards ASUU, NASU, SSANU demand for the welfare of working people in tertiary institutions and particularly Federal Universities.”

“The NUCECFWW joins other unions in unequivocally condemning the Federal Government’s refusal to find a solution for our children to return to school without further delay because the 14th of July, 2022 was exactly five months of ASUU strike.” Students’ academic performance suffers as the strike continues. We are all parents, and we should all understand that when learning is halted for an extended period of time, students’ reading abilities deteriorate.

“Recall that as the technological landscape of universities evolves, students increasingly rely on them for assistance in the development of skills required in a digital age rather than just content.” It is common knowledge that the modern world is becoming too dynamic for any nation to fall behind the curve of acquiring and applying scientific and technical knowledge through higher education for overall development.

“Unfortunately, with the strike that has characterized the Nigerian public university system, it is doubtful that the students will be able to keep up with the global trajectory.”

“To put it mildly, it is clear that the destructive effects of youth idleness that may be caused by academic paralysis.” This may lead to some students engaging in unproductive activities such as cultism, cybercrime, gambling, gossiping, watching movies, and reading fun materials instead of important academic materials during the strike.

“All of the foregoing have grave consequences, and social ills such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, armed robbery, and the like are frequently the result of idleness.” The government should act quickly to maintain their influence on youths, who make up a larger proportion of the student population in Tertiary Institutions.

“We are particularly concerned that, rather than addressing the lingering issues in the educational sector, the shameless political class is busy gallivanting all over Nigeria campaigning and soliciting votes ahead of the 2023 general elections, without regard for our future generation’s faith.”

“Our union, NUCECFWW, joins other trade union movements, Civil Society Organizations’ CSOs, and all well-meaning Nigerians in urging the Federal Government to address and resolve all gray areas concerning ASUU, NASU, and SSANU as soon as possible.”

We wish to state unequivocally that NUCECFWW, in solidarity with ASUU, NASU, SSANU, and NAAT, and in collaboration with NLC, will suspend construction activities in order to drive home their demands for good governance, a welfare package, effective support for Nigerian universities, and a sustainable development goal.

“By issuing this press release, we wish to inform the Federal Government of Nigeria and the general public that we are placing all of our members on red alert to participate in a solidarity action with the NLC at the earliest possible opportunity.” We continue to support ASUU’s demands and oppose the Federal Government of Nigeria’s obstinate approach to reneging on existing negotiated agreements.”

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