Currently, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Anambra State are in the state capital, Awka, protesting against the prevailing economic challenges in the country.
The protest is being spearheaded by the NLC chairman, Humphrey Nwafor.
The demonstrators were observed gathering at the Aroma Roundabout in Awka on Tuesday and proceeded to march towards the Government House gate in the state capital.
In solidarity, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, led by their chairman, Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji, also joined the protest.
Nwafor, the state NLC chairman, expressed in a brief speech that the economic hardship in the country has reached intolerable levels for workers and citizens alike.
He urged the Federal Government to consider raising workers’ salaries to a minimum of N1.2 million, asserting that it is a crucial step towards alleviating the current challenges faced by the workforce in the country.
Furthermore, he called on the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to reinstate the payment of the N12,000 wage award that the state had ceased to pay for several months now.
Addressing the state of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, the ASUU chairman, Ubaoji, urged Soludo to take action on the poor infrastructure and dire conditions at the institution, stating, “At present, COOU is in a state of neglect, with crumbling infrastructure that needs urgent attention from the governor.”
Security personnel, including the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other relevant agencies, were present to ensure the safety of the demonstrators and prevent any potential disruptions by miscreants.
More details to follow…