Students protest over FG/ASUU face-off

By Peter Duru

MAKURDI — Nigerian students have urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to peacefully resolve the contending issues that have led to the closure of Nigerian universities in the last three months in order to save the nation’s educational system from total collapse.

The placard-carrying students, who peacefully marched through major streets in Makurdi, yesterday, to protest the prolonged ASUU-Federal Government face-off regretted that they have become the direct victims of the ongoing agitation.

Addressing newsmen and government functionaries at the gate of Benue State Government House, the spokesman of the protesting students  which comprised students of the Benue State University, Makurdi and the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Mr. Asom Joseph urged the contending parties to the dispute to quickly resolve their differences warning that Nigerian students were losing their patience.

The students, who had placards that read, Sack Egwu Now; Without Education No Seven-Point Agenda; Yar’Adua Stop this Strike, insisted that the Education Minister should be sacked.

According to the students, “we are disappointed with our leaders especially, the Education Minister because they have shown no commitment.”