Strike: Labour Leaders Storm Offices, Chase out Workers

By Iyabo Adebisi, Rotimi Famakin

The leadership of the organized labour in Oyo stormed the Agodi state Secretariat,Ibadan to enforce compliance of the indefinite strike  declared by the Union over the proposed national minimum wage impasse with the federal government. 

There was partial compliance with the strike at the Secretariat, earlier on Monday as workers entered freely due to non-closure of the gate. 

The enforcement team led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Mr Kayode Martins and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Mr Bosun Olabiyi stormed various offices and directed workers who had earlier resumed duties across ministries within the secretariat to leave.

Speaking with newsmen, Mr Olabiyi categorically told Oyo state civil servants to stay away from work until further directives from the national body.

Mr Olabiyi maintained that the labour was not fighting the current administration but r agitating for a living wage in view of the economic realities.

However, Federal workers complied totally with  the strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC, over the new national minimum wage. 

Radio Nigeria correspondent who monitored the situation at the Federal Secretariat in Ibadan reported that all ministries had been shut down except for emergency workers such as the Federal Fire Service.

A top official of the Fire Service, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that it was necessary for them to be on duty as a paramilitary body in case of emergency situations.

Similarly, government owned primary and secondary  schools in Ibadan, Oyo capital have been closed.

Our correspondent who  visited Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Ibadan Boys High School, Oke Bola,  Emmanuel Grammar School,U.I,reports that students who arrived their schools for their academic work were directed to go home while the main gates leading to the school premises were locked.

The closure according to our correspondent led to most of the affected students returning home while others use the opportunity  to play football game.

At Ibadan Boys ‘ High School, most of the classrooms were locked while few teachers supervising students sitting for their physics practicals in the ongoing West African Examination Council WAEC were sighted in the school ‘s laboratory.