…Insists on industrial action
By Okhide Em’ya David
Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Edo State, on Tuesday ordered all primary school teachers to shun a directive by the Government directing them to resume work on February 1st, 2021.
The order was contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Pius Okhueleigbe and the Assistant Secretary General of the union, Comrade Moni Mike Modesty Itua.
It will be recalled that NUT had on January 12, 2021 directed all primary school teachers and school heads to embark on an indefinite strike with effect from January 18, 2021.
The union in reaction to the state government’s request to suspend the strike, noted that the state government has not demonstrated any reasonable commitment to resolve the issues presented to it.
A statement, signed by D.O.Enakhimion, the Permanent Secretary, establishments for Edo State, Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, appealed to the union to suspend the ongoing strike and give considerable time to create opportunity for government to dialogue with it with a view to resolving the issues.
In its response, the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) in an enlarged meeting resolved that the indefinite strike started on the 18th of January, 2021 must continue.
The statement said the decision to continue with the strike was because the union was convinced that it had earlier allowed the state government eight weeks to have its demands resolved before the commencement of the strike.
It added that it was no longer disposed to request for additional days from Edo state government.
The union, however, unanimously agreed that dialogue/negotiation between Edo State Government and the union should continue while the strike persists.
