Muneeroh Abdulrahmon, Adeyemi Olumole
Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic have expressed their grievances over the ongoing strike facing the institution, as this would lead to an extention of the academic calendar for the session.
Press Club Mapoly, in an interview with some students, reliably gathered that most students are idle and have created alternative options including venturing into businesses and learning trades to absorb their free time.
Recall that the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institution (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) MAPOLY branch had embarked on indefinite strike over non payment of salaries and allowances.
This had equally led to suspension of Academic and non Academic activities including registration processes for new intakes.
In an interview, a student, Olubukola, who spoke to PCM said, "I have been sleeping, waking, eating an idle ever since mapoly have been on strike inshort, I am feeling empty upstairs(brain) because I can not remember anything that I am taught in school, the exam we did was based on ‘la cram la pour’, I am tired of Mapoly"
Another student from the department of mass communication said,"Just like the popular saying which goes thus; an idle hand is the devil work shop. That is exactly what is happening to the students of the institution because their idleness makes wander around the street, make new friends, while some joined bad gang, doing Yahoo, clubbing and so on… "The strike is really affecting us"
Ayomide, an Accounting Student, said, "when two elephants fights, it is the grass that suffers it. The grass in this case is the students who bear the brunt of the disagreement."
Paul, an Engineering student, said, "I know my mate whom we started the same level in other schools and they have graduated it writing their final exams, this strike would keep on affecting and delaying our academic calendar. It is not fair on us."
Another student maintained that, "the downfall of the institution started when the Governor passed the bill to transform Mapoly into a university- Moshood Abiola university of science and Technology (Mautech) and transferred the structure hitherto MAPOLY to the new polytechnic in Ipokia, only God knows the offense of the institutions, management and lecturers to Senator Amosun because it is clear that he doesn’t like our school and he was an alumni of the great citadel"
"I want a quick change of government and I pray that the administration of the incoming governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun will favour the clamor of both the ASUP, and Non Academic Staff Union, Mapoly chapter. During this period students would have finished first semester examination and prepare for their final semester on campus, but the strike actions have caused delay", Ruth explained.
However, PCM have constantly monitored the complaints expressed by students as many have taken to their social media platform with various hastags to plead for help from respective authorities.