Nigeria, April 18, 2016 – The Trade Union Congress(TUC) of Nigeria has condemned the killing of Mr. Peter Ofurum, a student of University of Port Harcourt and President, Faculty of Science by an overzealous policeman, calling on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase to commence immediate investigation into the killing of the student and bring those involved to book.
Ofurum was killed during a peaceful protest organized by students against a new tuition of N47,000 introduced by authority in UNIPORT.
The Trade Union Congress lamented the waste of the life of the young man who was in his final year.
“He was intentionally murdered by the system, our system that encourages impunity and treats the poor with disdain. We charge the security operatives to get conscious of the fact that the salaries they earn are paid with the taxpayers’ money. The arms and ammunition they carry are purchased with taxpayers’ money, as well’’, TUC said in a statement signed by its President and Secretary , Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and Simeso Amachree.
“We are more worried that after over 100 hours the dastardly act was committed the Nigerian Police is yet to clear the air let alone make a promise to investigate’’ it added.
According to TUC, the school authority increased fee to N47, 000 and the students were given up to April 4th to pay up or be de-registered.
“For us this was uncalled for, especially as this is the school’s First Semester. Such a notice to students in a country where workers are being owed for a period of over 10 months was too short.
“Equally, some parents who are state workers were relieved of their jobs before their retirement age and stipulated 35 years of service simply because their former governors who are now lawmakers or ministers numbering over 20 are still earning salaries and pension in their respective states”, TUC said, adding that business has been very dull because of lack of forex, loan, fuel scarcity, refusal of state governors to pay salaries after receiving bailout from the Federal Government.
“In fact, for the present administration to ask us to blame the past administrations for the despicable state of the economy points to the fact that many things are actually wrong.
“Our position is that neither the students nor their parents should be blamed for not paying up the new fee promptly’’, TUC said, adding that It is disheartening that even when some of the students managed to raise tuition, the portal was shut down by the school authorities after the expiration of the deadline given to pay up.
