By Press Release
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom State Wing has given the State Government a seven-day ultimatum to proceed on an indefinite strike in event of the government failing to meet their eight-point demands.
In a letter entitled: RE: ULTIMATUM ON OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS TO TEACHERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE and dated October 28, 2024, the teachers in both public primary and secondary schools in the state sent their letter to Akwa Ibom State Governor through the Head of Civil Service, Government House, Uyo.
A copy of the letter forwarded to Straightnews and signed by Comrade Edet O. A. Emenyi, the State Chairman and Comrade Samuel Umo-Inyang, Ph.D, Senior Assistant Secretary General, said ‘‘We write to most respectfully draw the attention of His Excellency to the ultimatum served on Government dated 25th September, 2024.
‘‘Unfortunately, the ultimatum expired on 24th October, 2024 without any response from Government.’’
Related news: Akwa Ibom Public Primary, Secondary Schools Commence Indefinite strike- NUT
According to the signatories, the demands include Non-payment of year 2013 and 2014 Leave Grants to Primary School Teachers; Non-refund of 7.5% Contributory Pension to all Primary School Teachers as well as Secondary School Teachers in Itu and Ibiono Ibom Local Education Committees; Non-payment of 2011-2016 promotion arrears to Primary School Teachers and Non-payment of 2014-2016 promotion arrears to Secondary School Teachers.
Others are Acute shortage of Teachers in the school system about 15,000 teachers will be required to create impact in the school system; Exclusion of teachers in the Education Boards on Masters/Mistress cadre in the implementation of harmonized retirement age of Teachers. Please see explanation attached; Denial of Teachers’ promotion through Irregular administration of APOCE Examinations and Non-deliverance of the 25 seater coaster bus donated by your predecessor His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to the NUT.
‘‘We are directed by the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers which comprises representatives of teachers from the 31 Local Government Areas of the State to give your government another seven (7) working days and His Excellency is hereby given seven (7) working days effective from the date of this letter to most respectfully give positive response to those grievances or the Union will have no other option than to take any other legitimate steps including indefinite strike action to compel government to attend to those demands in the interest of the school system,’’ the letter added.
Recall that in a press release dated March 13, 2022 and signed by then NUT Senior State Secretary in the state, Comrade Victor O. Amirize, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Akwa Ibom Council directed the teachers to go on strike with effect from midnight Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
But after a few days, the union called off the strike and directed teachers to resume duty without any inkling if their demands were met or not.
