An academic non-profit organisation, Sahara Education Development Initiative (SEDI), has called for the intervention of the Lagos Assembly over perennial crisis in Lagos State University.
The organisation, during a protest to the Assembly Complex, Alausa, berated the long lasting crisis being experienced in the State University and therefore called on the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the crisis between the Management of the Institution and Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (LASU – ASUU).
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, a representative of the Sahara Education Development Initiative (SEDI), Comrade Ismail Olawale expressed dismay over the work environment of the Staff in LASU.
He said “We came back to work because of the promise of His Excellency and right now, the onslaught is almost unbearable. Thirty of us have been listed for dismissal, five went last week, two are in Kirikiri Prison facing disciplinary panel. We do not know how long, as leaders of the workers, how we are going to be able to hold back the workers to the promise we made to His Excellency”
Mr. Ismail appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to use his Office to salvage the Institution from the brink of graveyard peace as “People are losing faith in the Institution, he should come with speed to our aid”. He said.
Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, commended the protesters on the civil approach in which they took to express their matters and assured that the matter would be looked into; He said “We need to appraise the situation together in the interest of Lagos State and in the interest of the community, so long as there is problem in the School, Students cannot have cognitive resonance for their academics.”
Hon. Agunbiade stressed that the case of the crisis in LASPOTECH is not new to the Lagos lawmakers and stated that the Lagos State Assembly has addressed the issue in the past.
He however expressed his disappointment at the actions and the attitude displayed by the representatives of LASPOTECH that appeared before the committee, set up by the Lagos State House of Assembly to look into the issue. In his words, “the representatives went all over social media trying to ridicule the effort of the lawmakers”.
He continued that the Oba of Ikorodu has also intervened in the issue, adding that Lagos State House of Assembly is definitely not happy with the ongoing crisis in LASU and LASPOTECH as it could affect academic activities.
He implored the protesters to embrace peace in their various institutions as there is nothing the Lawmakers could do if the warring parties are not ready to embrace peace. He further directed the protesters to drop a copy of their petition at the Speaker’s office and assured them that the House will provide a lasting solution to the crisis.
