Education

NUT Threatens To Shut Schools Indefinitely

Published

10 years ago

November 24, 2014

The National Executive
Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has threatened to direct its members to embark on a nationwide indefinite strike action if the proposed local government autonomy and scrapping of the State Joint Local Government Account sail through in the ongoing constitutional amendment.
NUT’s National President, Comrade Michael Olukoya, who briefed newsmen at the end of the NEC meeting at its headquarters in Abuja, insisted that granting of LG autonomy would lead to total collapse of primary education in Nigeria.
He urged the governors and members of State Houses of Assembly to stoutly resist the recommendation of the National Assembly in the recent proposed scrapping of the State Joint LG Accounts as contained in the Bill for an Act to further alter the provision of the 1999 Constitution.
Olukoya said the implication of the LG autonomy was that payment of teachers’ salaries, pension contributory funds and payment of retirees would be left in the hands of local councils.
According to him, the development would be a great setback to the efforts by the Federal and State Governments to revamp primary education in the country.
He said: “The moment the constitutional amendment process is concluded against the wishes of the Nigerian teachers, we shall direct all schools in Nigeria to remain closed. “The mother of all strikes shall commence; because we have a responsibility to protect and defend our members.”
The NUT President lamented that the children of the poor who are the majority voters have been denied access to quality education while the children of public officials who formulate various policies leading to the decay being experienced today are sent overseas.
He said the sad memory of the near-total-collapse of Primary Education between 1990 and 1994 when Primary Education came under the control of the LGs, was still very fresh.
“At that time, the local government allocation from the Federation Account was increased from 15% to 20% to ensure that local councils comfortably assist the State Governments in the payment of salaries of the primary school teachers. “Unfortunately, primary education was never in the priority list of the LG Councils as virtually all of them resorted to owning the teachers their salaries for upwards of 6 to 12 months continuously. “Expectedly, the situation attracted incessant strikes from the deprived teachers which heralded a near total collapse of Primary Education in Nigeria, “The effect of that is still hunting the entire education sector till date,” he said.
Olukoya insisted that granting of LG autonomy would spell doom for primary education nationwide and increase the hopelessness of poor Nigerians who would not have the opportunity of going abroad to receive quality education.

Education

Ebonyi NUT Declares Indefinite Strike In Seven LGAs

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

The Tide

The Ebonyi State Chapterter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has declared an indefinite strike in seven local government areas in the State.
The strike action, according to the union, is due to non payment of three months salaries to some teachers in the affected local government area.
A statement issued on Thursday by the union’s secretary, Bassey Asuquo, listed the affected local government areas as Ebonyi, Edda, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ivo, Ishielu and Ohaukwu.
The statement reads, “Sequel to our earlier notice on mobilization for industrial strike action, we have thoroughly reviewed the compliance of local government chairmen regarding the clearance of our members’ salaries.
“As of the close of work today, February 5, 2025, we acknowledge that certain local government areas have cleared the salaries of our members.
“However, we regret to inform you that several local government chairmen have failed to clear the backlog of our members’ outstanding salaries.
“In response to this non-compliance, we hereby declare indefinite strike action in the following Local Government Areas: Edda, Ebonyi, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ishielu, Ivo and Ohaukwu.
“All our state and branch officers in the affected local government areas are instructed to adhere strictly to this directive and ensure the immediate enforcement of the strike action from 12:00am on Thursday 6th February, 2025.
“This includes organizing and maintaining solidarity picket lines and monitoring the Compliance of the strike action across the affected localities”, the statement said.
The Union noted that failure of the local government chairmen to meet their obligations to its members is unacceptable and vowed not relent until its demands are met.
“We call on all members to remain steadfast and continue their support for the strike action.”

Education

LG Boss Inaugurates 11-Man Scholarship Board

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of Omuma Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Promise Reginald has inaugurated an 11- man scholarship education board headed by Dr Bigman Nwala.
Hon Reginald, while inaugurating the board at a brief ceremony held at the chairman’s chamber at Eberi on Wednesday, charged them to be fair and apolitical in the discharge of their duties.
He stated that his administration is committed to ensuring that the local government area improves the education standard of the people.
He urged them to ensure that every student of the local government origin is given equal opportunity, both the children of the poor and the rich, adding that the desire of his administration is to see that the people of Omuma are not educationally backwards.
According to him, the scholarship scheme is open to all students of Omuma origin who have gained admission into any institutions of higher learning, stressing that the essence is to ensure that his administration leaves a legacy and also encourages the youths who will take after them to be educated.
The chairman told the board that from now till December this year, the council will be sending three Omuma students to United Kingdom on over seas scholarship, and announced that the scholarship scheme will take off immediately with 10 beneficiaries.
He congratulated them on their appointments and urged them to be transparent and fair in all their dealings, stressing that they were chosen based on their track records and as well as their efforts to advance education in the area.
Earlier in his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the board,Dr Bigman Nwala thanked the chairman for the confidence reposed in them, and assured him that they will work towards realising the objectives of the board.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Council Boss Charges Corps Members To Promote Peace

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

The Tide

Corps members have been enjoined to promote, preach and practise the culture of peace and in doing so, emulate the virtues of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as an icon of peace.
The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Hon. Israel Aposi stated this yesterday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai when he addressed the 2024 Batch C Stream II corps members.
He charged the corps members whom he joined to observe the inter-platoon cultural carnival to respect the culture of the people of their host community and live in peace with them.
Continuing, the highly elated council boss further expressed deep admiration for the corps members’ ingenuity to package the rich cultural heritage of ethnic groups outside of their own, stating that from what he saw on display, Nigeria will be great again if peace, love, mutual understanding, tolerance and respect for one another thrive in the country.
Welcoming the chairman to the camp, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe appreciated him immensely for the visit, first, to motivate and inspire the corps members and secondly, to witness firsthand, the beauty and creativity of corps members as well as the positive energy they put into packaging the NYSC inter-platoon cultural carnival.
He used the occasion to enjoin the corps members to be a source of light in the various communities they are to serve by promoting decent cultural practices among the people.
At the end of the inter-platoon cultural carnival competition, Platoon 3 emerged first position; Platoon 10, second position; and Platoon 7, third position.