Ebonyi: NLC, TUC Demand Recall Of Workers Suspended For 2 Years

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ebonyi State yesterday called on the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, to order for the immediate recall of some staff of Ebonyi State University, EBSU, suspended for two years now due to their involvement in union activities.

The union leaders made the appeal in a joint address presented by the state chairman of NLC, Prof Ogugue Egwu and the TUC chairman, Comrade Igboji Chidi during the occasion of the 2024 May Day celebration at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki.

They maintained that the suspended staff were clamouring for a better university management adding that the recall of the staff is long overdue.

The joint union called for the engagement of more teachers in the state primary and secondary schools to enhance the quality of life and education of the children.

“This is a good time to engage more teachers in the primary and post primary in the state.

“Engaging more qualified teachers at all levels will bring to alive the dreams of the present administration. It will also project the Ebonyi dream of having quality, dependable and self-sustaining team of youths in the future,” they said.

They urged the governor to improve the wage award with additional N20, 000 while awaiting his position on the new minimum wage.

The union appealed to the state governor to implement the judiciary autonomy and approved welfare packages for the judiciary workers.

Responding, governor Francis Nwifuru said his administration would implement additional N10,000 to the salary award given to state workers with effect from May 2024.

On the suspended staff of Ebonyi State University, Governor Nwifuru directed the affected staff of the university to write to the school management for their recall and copy him adding that no governor has the right to interfere in the daily activities of the university.

He also said that the state will employ additional 1000 staff into the secondary schools pointing out that the employed teachers will be absorbed into the 39 special secondary schools that the state government is currently constructing.