Yenagoa: Following the strike embarked upon by the Academic staff union of Universities, Niger Delta University chapter on 26th April 2016 d...
Yenagoa: Following the strike embarked upon by the Academic staff union of Universities, Niger Delta University chapter on 26th April 2016 due to unpaid salaries owed to the union by the Bayelsa state government, tragic and pathetic events have followed, ranging from deaths, accidents, prostitution and other ill social vices. Another student of the Niger Delta Univeristy, named Comrade isaac Debite, a Final year student of department of geology, Faculty of Social Sciences from egweama in brass lga has just been reported dead. Information gathered reveals that his sudden and untimely death occurred on 12th August 2016, at his hometown in egweama, Brass Lga. According to source, which revealed that due to lingering strike, Isaac went into timber business inorder not to stay idle, source says he went into the forest for wood cutting and felling. After felling a tree and trying to clear the area and take measurement a branch that was hanging fell on him, and he was badly injured and died as a result of bleeding. In another news which occurred 14th August 2016, GODSON SYLVANUS who happens to be a 400 level student in the department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences from Southern Ijaw Lga, Bayelsa state was reported dead. According to information availed to bodmasnews.com, Godson Sylvanus got ill as a result of the ongoing strike, investigations tells that he became frustrated and devastated following the closure of the school, as he felt there was no longer hope of resumption, Godson became wearied and grieved, which later resorted to a serious illness, the illness became serious coupled with the trauma of losing all his years of academic carrier, he later gave up and died. Let us also not forget the untimely death and tragic incident of Comrade Obele Wilson who went into computer services business as a result of the lingering strike, only to be shot by robbers who came to rob his computer, cash and other valuables on 28th June 2016. Recalling also, on 4th June 2016, a lecturer from the University, Late Dr. Augustus Z. T. Erefah of the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island was laid to rest, he was involved in multiple accidents that gave birth to several ailments, due to non-payment of salaries, he was unable to get a good treatment and later passed on. Meanwhile students have continued to vent thier thoughts through street protests and media publications, but all seems to have been in vain. Though the academic staff union of Universities, Niger Delta University chapter has reduced their demands from four months salaries to two months just days back, the government on the other hand has not made any statement if they will comply or still insist on ASUU-NDU to return and stop demanding for salaries, the drama between government and ASUU continues as students seems to be at the peril. Just recently, the students union Government of Niger Delta University chapter led by Comrade Ibo Ekiye Mathias has made a press statement to newsmen, he called on the government to end the strike to stop the unfortunate incidents. The student union leader revealed that the strike has led to a lot of unfortunate incidents emphasising on the painful death of Obele Wilson a final year student of the university who was shot by criminals in Yenagoa some weeks ago, aside Obele Wilson other students have lost their lives one way or the other due to the lingering strike, according to him reports reaching him also indicates that some female students of the institution have taken into prostitution and their male counterparts indulging in criminal activities as well. He also lamented how house rents of students in Amassoma have been counting as some of the houses are even expired and students will not be able to pay again due to the nation's economic recession. Ibo Mathias therefore pleaded with the state government to hear the cries of students and agree to ASUU'S demand of two (2) months salaries. "The peril of Bayelsa state students has continued to damage the lives of students with promising future. I like to describe it as a cancerous treat to Bayelsa state and the Nation at large, our university is situated in the Niger Delta region, a place considered to be very hostile, since it's establishment, it has helped to reduce militancy, but since the strike, no doubt, we have witnessed the resurrection of militancy, pipeline vandalism and kidnapping. Some of this students caught up by the strike may have engaged in militancy and other vices to keep themselves busy, which is now constituting to national insecurity. The Niger Delta Avengers posing threat to the nations peace and economy may also have been heightened by some venerable students who may have added numerically to the group due to frustration" he added. Finally, he called on all students of Niger Delta University to an emergency congress slated to hold at college of health sciences (CHS) auditorium, Amassoma on Friday 19th of August 2016 by 12pm, busses will be available at Tombia junction by 7-10am. He said it is imperative for the students to convene so as to discuss a way forward for the union as it is long overdue and also to help government and ASUU reach a common agreement so the strike will be called off in the overall interest of the students. Students of the institution are gradually losing faith and becoming hopeless as the case seems not to be getting better. Speaking also with the special adviser to the governor on Youths matters, Hon. Ibarakumo Otobo, assured that the government is doing all it's can to end the strike, he also blamed the current situation on Nigeria's economic recession, he pleaded with ASUU to understand with government so students can go back to school. "Since this strike began, I can confidently tell you that His Excellency has not rested, he has been sleepless, it is not his desire for students to stay at home, he is doing all he can to make sure the school is resumed". He added. Photo inset.. Photo 1: Photo of Godson Photo 2: Photo of Dickson's S.A. Photo 3: Photo of Obele
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