As the strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) over the petrol price hike entered its second day yesterday, workers, including teachers and public service, in Kwara State stayed at home in compliance with the NLC directives.

When THISDAY visited the state secretariat at Ahmadu Bello way, Ilorin, and other state ministries, it was learnt that the gates were locked up while private security agents were on guard to protect the government property.

Also yesterday, gates of some schools were locked up as teachers and students stayed at homes. Reports from the 16 local government councils in the state revealed that workers in the councils did not report for duty as they stayed at home in compliance with the NLC directives.

It was also learnt that there was vehicular movement within the state capital while some banks were doing skeletal work to their customers. Labour leaders have also been moving around to ensure that the workers comply with the strike in the state.

The state NLC Chairman, Yekeen Agunbiade, who spoke with journalists yesterday vowed that the strike would continue until federal government reduce the petrol hike in the country. He said: "Nigerians were not bargaining for this kind of hardship when they voted for All Progressives Congress (APC) during the last general election.

"It is worrisome that the petrol price hike has increased all other commodities in the market, meanwhile, the government has not paid workers' salaries as at when due.

"The labour leaders will ensure that this ugly situation is reversed so that the people can have a better living condition," he said. Agunbiade, however, called on the people of the country to support the strike in order to move the country forward.

ASUU, NASU Protest Hike in Fuel

Petrol price hike protest by members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) yesterday halted vehicular movement in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The protesters, who stormed the streets of the ancient city, marched from from OAU campus gate to Mayfair roundabout, armed with placards with different inscriptions such as 'Nigeria Labour will never surrender'; 'ASUU says no to high electricity tariff '; 'We voted for change not chaos' among others.

The protesters lamented that majority of the federal government's policies were anti-masses, adding that the federal government needs to revert some of its policies especially hike in fuel price.

While addressing the crowd at the protest ground, Chairman of ASUU OAU, Dr. Caleb Aborisade, challenged the government to demonstrate its care for the masses by reverting the fuel price.

Aborisade, who was represented by Dr. Ayoka Abiodun, said: "If truly the government is for the masses, it should not make life unbearable for the people. Everyone can see that the hike in petrol has worsen their living condition as virtually every consumable item has skyrocketed in their prices in the market.

On his part, Chairman of NASU OAU chapter, Mr. Wole Odewumi, said government was inflicting pains on the masses with increment in petroleum product. Odewumi appealed to the federal government to make policies that are masses-friendly, noting that that would be a sign of good governance.