Protest by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Uyo branch, was yesterday foiled by the police.
Just before the commencement of the rally, officers of the Akwa Ibom Police Command arrived at the venue and blocked the university gate from Ikpa road with their vehicles.
The march tagged Public Awareness Rally and led by UNIYO ASUUU Chairman, Dr.Nwachukwu Ayim, was scheduled to take off outside the school gate at the Town Campus of the university.
But refusing to be deterred by the action of the police, the members marched on to adjoining streets, chanting solidarity songs and displaying their pamphlet and placards to motorists, traders and passers-by.
Speaking, Ayim stated that the rally was organized as part of the ongoing efforts by the body to safeguard the university system from total collapse and correct insinuations of what he described as ‘’uninformed and mischief makers’’ members of the public that ASUU was making selfish and outrageous demands.
Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday tasked its President, David Mark, to engage the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) with a view to ending the logjam.
After a debate on a motion sponsored by the Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and 106 other Senators, the Senate also called on the ASUU body to suspend its strike and return to work to prevent further devaluation of the country’s educational fortunes.
The upper chamber of the National Assembly explained that the it has become imperative for David Mark to intervene, as ASUU may not trust any other government official, especially from the executive arm of government.
With the resolution, Mark is expected to call for a meeting with the Union within few days.
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