Kunle ADELABU
Following the incessant crisis between the management of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) and the unions, particularly the non-academic staff members, caused by trade dispute over CONTISS 15 Migration Scheme, the students have resolved to protest peacefully to the Lagos House at Alausa, Ikeja, on today, Thursday, July 4, 2019 .
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution made the declaration after an emergency meeting with the stakeholders across various departments on Wednesday.
This is coming on the heel of recent crisis happening on the Ikorodu campus of the institution where the striking staff members have been locking the three gates leading into the school, thereby preventing people, except students and staff members that identify with their agitation, from entering the campus.
The protesting unionists were dispersed on Tuesday, July 2,2019, by the police who, according to report, forced the main gate of the institution opened and released tear gas on the protesters.
The action of the police, however, caused pandemonium as the protesters and students were scrambling for safety.
According to Mr Olanrewaju K. Kuye, Deputy Registrar (Information and Public Relations) of LASPOTECH, he stated that:
“The police were there (on campus on Tuesday) to maintain law and order and to protect lives and properties”.
In a release sent to THE IMPACT on Wednesday, July 3, and duely signed by the President, LASPOTECH Student Union Government (SUG), Comrade Akindele David, Speaker, Students’ Representative Council, Rt Hon.Balogun Babatunde Temidayo, SUG Chief Judge, Justice Teslim Abiodun and the SIG Public Relations Officer, John Taiwo,the SUG stated thus :
“Having held an emergency meeting with all student stakeholders on Campus and with a consensus reached, the students Union Government, hereby, inform all Laspotians that, we will be embarking on a peaceful protest to the State House, Alausa Ikeja, on Thursday, July 4, 2019.
“We shall all converge on First Gate by 6:30 am
“Please, mind you, all students are involved in this struggle and if you do not join the peaceful protest, you may not have the conscience to say bad things against the SUG because this is a step towards creating a lasting solution to the crisis.
“Meanwhile, this is the time to show both parties in this crisis that, we, the students, are only being careful to intervene in the crisis but we are not foolish.
“It is our fight and we shall take it to the state house first.
“You want to collect LOC and you’re not thinking of joining the protest, wait NASU will bring it to your house.
“You want to graduate as at when due, but you don’t want to join the liberation protest, wait, Management will come and set your examination for you at home.
“You want to go and serve and you are waiting for those who are still in school to fight for you, you don’t want to join the struggle… Wait there, na Cameroon you go go serve last.
“THIS IS OUR FIGHT, IT IS EITHER YOU JOIN THE STRUGGLE OR KEEP QUIET FOR LIFE!!!
“ALUTA CONTINUA.
“You can call to confirm the authenticity of this message from the SUG EXCOS.
Phone contacts of the four SUG officers were provided on the release.
