Strike: Kwara NLC, TUC Raise Enforcement Teams

The Organised Labour in Kwara State, on Monday, has constituted different teams to enforce the ongoing nationwide industrial action over the new minimum wage in the state.

This was the outcome of the joint emergency congress between the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) held at the Labour House in Ilorin, the state capital.

Both the state chairmen of NLC and TUC, Muritala Olayinka and AbdulRahman Onikijipa, respectively, presided over the congress with a huge turnout of members of the labour unions.

The state NLC chairman, Comrade Muritala Olayinka, affirmed that the nationwide industrial action has taken effect in Kwara State.

He explained that affiliates of the state council of NLC have been directed to strictly enforce the directive of the national secretariat with shutting down of public offices.

In his remarks, the state TUC chairman, AbdulRahman Onikijipa, said about 150 members of the congress had been mobilised to carry out enforcement of compliance of the strike action, adding that the citizens were going through excruciating pain.

Investigation showed on Monday that public schools and offices in Ilorin were under lock and key in keeping faith with the directive for industrial action.

LEADERSHIP observed that students of public schools such as St. Anthony Secondary School, Offa Road, GRA; Cherubim and Seraphim College, Sabo-Oke and Government Day Secondary School, Tanke, all in Ilorin, who had arrived their schools as early as 7am were turned back home.

However, final-year secondary school students who are currently sitting for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) examinations were allowed into the school premises.

Our reporter’s visit to the state’s Teaching Service Commission, Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, State Secretariat Phase 1, along Offa Road, GRA and State High Court Complex on Lajorin Road, GRA, Ilorin, showed that they were totally shut down.