From Olanrewaju
Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
No fewer than 18 states chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT have resolved to embark on an indefinite strike this week to press home the demand for the payment of their salary arrears.
This was disclosed by the union’s President, Comrade Michael Olukoya, in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State capital, while he led the members in a peaceful rally to the state House of Assembly, saying the action had become imperative due to the inability of the affected governors to pay teachers’ salaries.
Armed with different placards, the teachers expressed their opposition to the proposal to put education under the charge of local government administration, insisting that funding of education should be the responsibility of the Federal Government and states alone.
Addressing protesters at the House of Assembly complex, Olukoya, who was represented by National Social Secretary, Comrade Issah Yunusa, said June 30, 2017 was the deadline given to the concerned governors to pay the outstanding teachers’ salary arrears. Although Olukoya did not mention the affected states, he exonerated Kebbi State from the list of indebted states. His words: “Today, June 30, 2017, is the deadline for 18 states in Nigeria that refused to pay teachers’ salaries. The politicians are growing big and our teachers are dying. By next week, our members in these will states embark on an indefinite strike. We say enough is enough! We appeal to other affiliated unions of the NLC to support us.” The Deputy Clerk of the House, Alhaji Muhammadu Maidama, promised to forward their demands to the Speaker.