Workers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Warri Zone, staged a protest on Wednesday, July 23, at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) in Effurun, Delta State.
The unions picketed the institution, demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ezekiel O. Agbalagba, over alleged anti-labour practices.
The protesters arrived as early as 6 a.m., carrying placards with inscriptions such as *“Prof. Ezekiel O. Agbalagba Must Go,”* *“We Say No to Victimization,”* *“Pay Our Members Earned Allowance,”* and *“No to Intimidation.”* They accused the Vice Chancellor of employing divisive tactics, harassment, and repression against union members.
To enforce their demonstration, the workers blocked the university’s main entrance with petrol tankers and trucks while chanting solidarity songs. They described their protest as peaceful but vowed to escalate it nationwide if their demands were not met. The unions also condemned a recent circular issued by Prof. Agbalagba, which they claimed was aimed at stifling their legitimate grievances.
The workers insisted that the Vice Chancellor had no right to prevent their protest, warning that they would resist any attempt to suppress their rights. They further accused him of implementing “archaic and provocative” policies against union activities.
The protest follows a memo issued by the Vice Chancellor on Monday, July 21, which the unions interpreted as an attempt to intimidate staff and students from supporting their cause. The workers maintained that their agitation was justified, particularly over unpaid earned allowances and alleged victimization of union members.
NUPENG and PENGASSAN called on relevant authorities to intervene, threatening a wider industrial action if their concerns remain unaddressed.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
