Shocking: Varsity Students Plan To March Nake’d
(NDU), on Saturday, protested the indefinite closure of the university
following the inability of the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson to
pay backlog of workers' salaries.
The aggrieved students in a statement by the spokesman, NDVM, Mr.
Wisdom Adike, threatened to march na ked with their books and block
the entrance to Government House if after a week the stakeholders failed
to settle their rift and open the university.
It will be recalled that the lecturers of the institution, had on April 28,
2016, proceeded on an indefinite strike. As of the time the lecturers
commenced their strike, the state government was owing the lecturers
and non-lecturers of the NDU four months salary arrears as they have not
been paid since January 2016.
The students, under the aegis of the Niger Delta Visionary Movement,
also criticised other students' bodies such as the Student Union
Government of NDU, National Union of Bayelsa State Students and the
National Union of Izon-Ebe Students, describing them as puppets.
The spokesperson said: "We wish to bring to the notice of the general
public, that the strike embarked upon by the ASUU, NDU chapter, on
April 26, 2016, over nonpayment of salaries, have led to the shutdown of
the institution for over one month now.
"This development has continued to give parents and students great
concern.
"Niger Delta University being the only state owned university is a legacy
institution established by the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who
was recently laid to rest. The institution has not only helped in meeting
the manpower needs of the state but the entire Niger Delta region and
beyond.
"However, we wish to express our displeasure over the lingering strike
and government's attitude towards resolving the situation. The strike has
increased hardship, made students to sit idle at home and lose focus on
their academic pursuit, as well prolong their academic programmes,
thereby causing youth restiveness and society unrest."
"We also call on the Ijaw Youths Council to stand up, break their silence
and defend the legacy of the Ijaw nation by ensuring the immediate
reopening of Niger Delta University. This is because now is the time to
protect our common heritage.
"We are also using this medium to call on President Muhammadu Buhari
to intervene in his magnanimity and benevolence in salvaging the state
from the current economic crunch and hardship as parents and guardians
especially in the local governments of the state have not received salaries
for over 12 months, despite the release of bailout funds by the Federal
Government.
"Finally, we want to urge all students to remain calm and embrace as all
available non-violence means will be utilized to end this strike and
return to school," he added.
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