NLC, TUC strike: Govt offices, schools, banks, hospitals shut in Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Osun

Many government workers, schools and other affiliates of organised labour, yesterday, joined the indefinite strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Offices located at the state secretariat were deserted as only a few workers, who claimed to have got the strike information late, reported for work and quickly returned home.

Pupils and students of some public primary and secondary schools, who had earlier resumed work for the day, were asked to go home by their teachers.

At the Ekiti State University, members of NASU, ASUU and other unions stayed away from the campus, leaving the students in a state of confusion.
The situation at the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti was similar as ASUP and other categories of non-academic staff, reportedly informed their members to remain at home through their social platforms.

The workers said that they were obeying the directive of the state chapter of the NLC, as contained in a statement jointly signed by the State Chairman and Secretary, Kolapo Olatunde and Foluso Israel.

Meanwhile, the impact of the strike was partially felt in Oyo State, with some public schools in Ibadan closing down and certain banks operating on a skeletal service basis.

Academic activities in some public schools were in progress before the news reached them, resulting in students being sent home while teachers awaited further directives from the state chapter of the NLC.

Members of staff of some banks, who continued to attend to customers as usual, claimed that they had not received any memos regarding the strike from their head offices.

However, at the secretariat, many workers were seen at their duty posts. The state NLC Chairman, Kayode Martins, said: “We are not joining because the Oyo State Government is responding to our request.”

Similarly, the strike, yesterday, witnessed partial compliance in Ogun State. The Guardian’s visit to various parts of the state showed that the strike witnessed partial compliance as private schools, banks and other private organisations were operating, while government agencies, including health centres, were under lock and key. Workers in Osun State, yesterday complied with the nationwide strike.

At about 7.30 a.m., some public schools did not open while students who came to schools were seen returning back home. Only students of private schools were seen in their respective schools.

Few banks that opened to their customers were forced to close while customers used ATM cards to do their transactions. At Osogbo High School and Fakunle High School in Osogbo, students were seen turning home as some teachers were seen discussing the development. Also, officials of the state judiciary, it was gathered, joined the strike as courts in the state did not operate.