Strike: Gov’t Offices, Schools, Banks Shut As Workers Obey Labour In Ekiti

Government offices, schools and other public places were shut on Monday in Ado Ekiti and other parts of Ekiti state as workers fully complied with the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) over new minimum wage.

Apart from the state secretariat, the Old Governor’s Office which has about seven (7) ministries and agencies of the state government was also under lock and keys on Monday.

Few workers who showed up were however seen doing skeletal work in, and around their offices.

Some of the commercial banks that opened for business in the state capital later hurried close work after being picketed by some labour leaders.

Earlier in the day, the state council of NLC had warned that any affiliate union that failed to obey the directive from their national body would be treated as saboteur.

The state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde directed the leaders of all affiliate unions in the state to ensure full compliance with the national strike as directed by the national body.

Olatunde added that the strike had become the last resort after labour unions had displayed uncommon understanding over the need to improve on workers’ welfare, especially with the new wage.

He directed that all workers should stay back at home until further directive from the national body of the union and called on all leaders of affiliate unions to monitor the strike, and ensure effectiveness.

Many local government headquarters including Ikole-Ekiti and Oye LGAs, schools and courts were also under lock and keys as staff failed to report for duties as a result of the ongoing nationwide strike.

Public primary and secondary schools were similarly deserted as the gates to the schools were locked, with only private schools opening for normal academic activities.

Staff of the High and Customary courts were also shut out and no staff was available in their premises to attend to any case.

Electricity supply to the towns was also cut off to customers, thereby making most commerical business owners to depend on generator sets to carry out their transactions.

The story is the same at the Federal University, Oye and Ikole-Ekiti campuses as both teaching and non-teaching staff abandoned their duties and offices to join the nationwide strike while students were busy playing around.