Ebonyi NUT Vows To Protect Members

The Ebonyi wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on
Thursday vowed to protect the rights of its members against any violation.

The secretary of the union, Mr Clinton Ikpitibor, told our
correspondent  in Abakaliki that the
union would no longer tolerate the violation of the rights of its members by
anybody whether in government or otherwise.

He said the union had at different times received reports of
arbitrary abuse of the rights of its members and pledged the readiness of the
union to rise up to the challenge.

Ikpitibor said that the incessant violation of the rights
and privileges of teachers in the employ of the state government had become
alarming and needed urgent attention.

“The union has observed with dismay the wanton abuse by
government agents of the rights of its members.

“Our members had at various times been suspended without
recourse to laid down public service rules.

“Some have been placed on pro rata salary for attending a
workshop that was officially approved for them by the authority,’’ Ikpitibor
said.

The unionist said the body would avail itself of every legal
instrument to defend the rights and interests of its members as well as ensure
their protection.

According to him, the violation of the right of one teacher
amounts to the violation of the rights of all.

“We belong to one big family and once the right of any
member is violated, the rest would be directly or indirectly affected.

“We shall, by the grace of God, ensure that the sanctity of
the profession is protected,’’ he said.

Ikpitibor underscored the roles of teachers in national
development, stressing that there could hardly be a nation without teachers.

“A nation that toys with its teachers invariably toys with
the future and destiny of its people,’’ he said.