By Tony EDIKE, Enugu
YOUTHS from the South East geo political zone of the country, yesterday condemned the disruption of  theacademic calendar in state owned universities within the zone on account of the ongoing  strike by Academic Staff Union of  Universities, ASUU.

The aggrieved youths called on the federal and state governments to intervene in the strike action so as to forestall further social vices that could arise from the continued stay at home of the students.

Academic activities were halted at the Abia State University, ABSU, Evan Enwerem University, EEU, Anambra State University, ANSU, Ebonyi State Univeristy, EBSU and Enugu State University, ESUT since July 22, 2010 when ASUU members embarked on an indefinite strike to press for the full implementation of the 2009 Federal Government – ASUU agreements in the state_owned universities.

In a statement after their meeting as part of activities to mark the 2010 International Youth Day celebration, the youths, however, lamented  the consequences of the strike action, stressing that while their colleagues in other parts of the country are in school, those of the South East are roaming the streets.

Saying that such ugly development could lead to the rise in social vices like armed robbery, kidnapping, prostitution among others, the youths called on the teachers to have a rethink.

The South East youths who met under the aegis of Coalition of Youth Organizations in Enugu, deplored the rising incidence of crimes in the zone which, they said, had made them a ‘dreaded people’, stressing that they were not rogues but innovative and patriotic Nigerians.

They called on youths in the zone to say no to situations that could present them in the negative light before the public and engage their time in meaningful ventures.

The statement signed by their President, Onyedika Agbo, Obinna Kalu, Okey Igbokwe and Elizabeth Nnajiofor, further called on the youths to shun any attempt by politicians to use them as political thugs in the coming elections.

“We beg our fellow Nigerian youths of all walks and background to resist every attempt to be used as political thugs by selfish politicians, they can only use and dump us, they call it doing their dirty jobs for them, these are also some of the acts that make them look down on us,” the youths stated.

The group also called on politicians to eschew violence and acts capable of truncating the transition process so as to improve on the fledging democracy.

The youths, who said that they have already started an ICT centre for youths in Enugu, called on their colleagues to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the centre to empower themselves.