Following the protest of by members of National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday (MMIA) on Monday, the students continue to receive backlash for their approach and insensitivity to the the plight of others while demanding an end to the strike.
The decision of the students to stage a protest causing blockade at the MMIA was generally regarded as “double jeopardy” given that there was heavy rain that brought along flooding and the attendant traffic gridlock, coupled with pain of commuters along the Apapa-Osodi-MMIA Airport road in the city being compounded by the protest embarked on by the students.
The protesters actions also caused blockade to access to the local airport through the Mafoluku Road as a result of the traffic snarl.
Other road users, including students, workers, and particularly staffers of the airports, also suffered inconveniences as they struggled to get to their destinations.
A barrage of backlash has followed from cross-section of the public;
Popular Academic and social media personality Dipo Awojide posted via his official Twitter handle:
“I hope the folks in charge of NANS will listen. IF you want to protest go to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Education, or the Presidency in Abuja, not Lagos Airport. Don’t be misguided or misled. Know what you are doing so more problems are not created. #EndASUUStrike”
A number of users also aired their opinion of action by NANS via the microblogging site with many tagging is as an act of impunity’
“We can’t take away the fact that protest is sometimes a necessary factor in this country to reset the Government. But my issue is why must it start from Lagos all the time, why not Enugu or Abuja?
NANS is a respected body so i hope they don’t mix with Politics. #EndAsuuStrikeNow”
@Seankleann
“NANS blocking the airport road is the height off insensitivity & economic sabotage, you don’t inflict pains on others citizens bcos ur teachers have issues with @NigeriaGov. I will equally blame @PoliceNG for not averting the protest despite having a foreknowledge of it.”
@whykay2miami
“NANS should know blocking of roads especially Lagos Airport is suffering innocent Nigerians who also go for their daily businesses or offices.
This protest won’t make Assu accept the offer of federal government.
NANS SHOULD GO TO ALL PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES AND CLOSE IT DOWN.”
@Qdpaper2
“A sincere question:
What is the purpose of blocking Airport and Road in Lagos by NANS to protest National ASUU issue? Is this not a ploy to make this a sectional game again? Why not block PH Airport, Enugu Airport, Abuja Airport, Kano Airport? WHY LAGOS?
Why not other roads?”
@dmightyangel
“NANS was wrong to block the airport road in Lagos because of #ASUUStrike. They are free to protest at the Federal Ministry of Education or even the National Assembly in a non-violent manner. I understand the frustrations but apply proper grievance management. #ASUUStrikeMustEnd”
@begbakpa
“All this one’s no need we just Dey inconvenient ourself bcoz how this one tey affect government now”
@Dleader3
“You’re protesting against the ASUU strike but it’s the road to the airport you are blocking. You are clearly not deserving of the education you’re fighting for. How do missed flights pressure the FG or ASUU. Unless of course you’ve been paid.”
@alobz
“What would academicians gain by throwing diplomacy into an obscure dungeon .Are they instilling indiscipline in to their students by throwing both baby and the bath water?”
@AbdulKa41260068
“Why only Lagos,in first place the should block Abuja and ministry of education office.why most of our elite are not showing concern is because there children are not schooling here in Nigeria. minister for education please do something please.”
@Chinedu76637482