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NUT Calls For Strike In Rivers, Other States
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has ordered states that have not implemented the 27.5% specialised allowance salaries to embark on immediate strike.
The states affected are Rivers, Abia, Oyo and Plateau.
This was part of decisions reached earlier this month by the National Executive Council in its 55th (4th quadrennial) delegates conference held in Asaba, Delta State.
According to a communique issued at the end of a four-day conference which started June 1st, the order is in reaction to the refusal of the Governors of the four states implement the 27.5% specialised allowance salaries in accordance with the agreement reached between NUT and the Governors Forum (NGF) in August 2008.
“The Conference-in-Session reiterated the earlier decision and directive of the NEC of the union that teachers in the states where the 27.5% allowance have not been implemented should resume the suspended strike action without further notice until the package is implemented,” the communique stated.
While commending states governors that have implemented the 27.5% allowances, the NEC also called on governments at all levels in the country to accord teachers and education their rightful place and status. “If the nation hopes to actualise the most orchestrated Vision 20-2020”.
Signed by the NUT National President, Comrade Mike Olukoya Alogba and its general secretary, Obong I.J. Obong, the communiqué also expressed regret over the “less premium on improvement of the quality of its teachers as adequately expatiated in the conference theme”. The future of a nation depends on today’s investment on the teachers.
The NEC, thus noted that the federal government, particularly, has demonstrated absolute neglect of teacher’s welfare “by turning its back on the teachers age-long and most justifiable demand for a separate salary structure that would have served as morale booster for optimum performance.
Also, the NEC expressed regret over the fact that while teachers in primary and secondary schools have been denied a unified separate salary structure by federal government, the same package has been made available to judiciary staff, ASUU and staff of federal tertiary institutions, Medical and Health Workers as well as the RATTAWU.
The NEC, therefore, urged the National Executive of the Union “to prevail on the federal government to reconsider the unions demand for a truly professional salary structure befitting the status of teachers as quintessential nation builders”
Sogbeba Dokubo