Plateau State woke up to a mild drama that saw the staging of agitation by students over the refusal to conduct examination by the academic staff sake as a result of a strike to drive home labour demands. As a result, activities at the institution were disrupted.
In a statement signed by the state commissioner for information and communication, Dan Manjang, on Monday in Jos, said it resulted into the blocking of the highway by students resulting in disruption of traffic along the ever-busy road.
Manjang maintained that When security personnel moved in to persuade the students to vacate the road and restore normalcy, a clash ensued between the students and security personnel.
The commissioner explained that Contrary to news making the rounds in the social media, no casualty has been recorded. However, some students sustained injuries and have been taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment.
The statement further said the meeting with labour leaders of the Polytechnic, Executives of the Student Union Government of the Institution, Management of the School and Government officials, led by His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, it was resolved that the lecturers should allow academic activities to continue while negotiations go on between the aggrieved unions and Government over the said demands.
The statement explained that the implication of this, is that students will continue with their examinations according to plan.
While Government recognizes the right of both students and staff to press home their demands, it enjoins all and sundry to do so with all civility and in accordance to the rule of law.
Plateau State belongs to all citizens and as such the agitation for one’s right should not deny the rights of others. Therefore all
must strive not to rupture the peaceful coexistence which has been built over the years, particularly in the face of recent developments.
