Students under the umbrella body of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, were at the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway yesterday, as early as 7.30 am protesting with men of the Nigerian Police Force led by the Shagamu Area Commander, Mr Adebola Ojugbenle and some officers of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps on the ground.
The students with various placards and in the middle of the ever-busy highway at Olufu Ape Junction\AP2, near the Shagamu interchange section of the expressway were chanting solidarity songs to protest their continuous staying at home due to the unresolved crisis between the Federal Government and their lecturers, who have been on industrial action for almost seven months and still counting.
The Southwest Coordinator of NANS, Mr Adegboye Olatunji and Deputy Senate President of the association, Elvis Ekudina, said they are tired of staying at home idle and this time around since the government, according to them, has not yielded to ASUU’s demands to sustain their protest until something positive happens. They said they want to go back to school without further delay and continue with their studies, noting that the effects of the ASUU strike have taken a huge toll on them and their parents.
They said that the government dragging ASUU to industrial court over the matter is not the solution but to meet the demands of ASUU so that public universities will enjoy sustainable peace.
Travellers and motorists had a nasty experience along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as the students obstructed the flow of traffic for many hours.
Travellers and motorists who were affected by the protest expressed great displeasure as to the unending face-off between ASUU and the Federal Government that caused NANS to embark on the protest.