FORMER students of the University of Benin, who came for their certificates and statement of results, were stranded on Tuesday, following the nationwide warning strike by two non-academic unions in Nigerian universities.
The unions are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASUU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) whose strike has entered the second day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NASUU and SSANU commenced a seven-day warning strike on Monday to demand payment of four-month outstanding salaries.
NAN correspondent, who monitored the industrial action at the institution, reports that offices where non-academic activities such as students’ registration, processing of certificates and others are carried out were under lock and key.
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Officials of the two unions were seen enforcing compliance in offices where some members of the unions resumed work.
One of the ex-students, Gloria Johnson, who travelled to Benin from Enugu for her statement of result, expressed her frustration as a result of the action.
“I feel terrible, I feel bad because I travelled a long distance to come and get my SOR (Statement of Result) today. We were told to come today, but getting here, everywhere is locked and I am told NASUU is on strike.
“It spoilt all my plans and engagement because I was planning to go home tomorrow if I collect it today and continue with my business.
“I made a two-day plan to stay in Benin. I don’t have a one-week plan,” she lamented.
Johnson noted that she was, however, considering staying back till next week to save her the cost of transportation.
“If I stay back, I will be spending more than I budgeted, but I will have to stay back because if I go back, I will still have to call back and spend more for transport,” she said.
She said she completed the processing more than three weeks ago and was asked to return on Tuesday (today) for the document.
“I was supposed to collect it today because each faculty has its day and today is for the faculty of education, that is why I am here,” she further explained.
Sharing a similar experience, Rebecca Isibor, urged the Federal Government to accede to the demand of the striking university staff.
She said, though she resides in Benin, she had to jettison many things in the name of coming for her statement of result.
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“I need it for my NYSC registration. The only grace I have is that the registration still continues beyond next week
“Let’s imagine it is closing soon that is the way I will miss out. Let the government resolve the issues for the unions to call off the strike.
Similarly, Joseph Osunde, another former student who was in the school for the same purpose, said the incessant strike by unions in the nation’s institutions of higher learning was always problematic.
According to him, hardly will a student graduate from public universities in Nigeria without experiencing industrial action. He called on the government to find a permanent solution to the impasse in the system without necessarily allowing the unions to go on strike. (NAN)
