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From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Workers in Oyo State on Tuesday complied partially with the directives of the national body of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on strike over the arrest and beating of National Chairman of NLC, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State.
Daily Sun’s reporter, who moniored the level of compliance in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, observed partial compliance with the directive at the Federal Secretariat at Ikolaba and State Secretariat at Agodi.
Some workers, who reported for duties at the two secretariats had unhindered access to the two facilities. The entrance gates of the federal and state secretariats were open. The workers went to their different offices.
Many public primary and secondary schools in Ibadan were not also open for academic activities, as pupils and students, who went to their various schools on Tuesday morning were asked to return to their homes.
It was alp observed that commercial activities were carried out in some banks in the state captal, while some also performed skeletal jobs.
At the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) offices at Akobo, Dugbe and Ring Road, the entrance gates were locked. Staff and customers, who had thronged the offices were prevented from gaining entry.
However, the strike could not prevent the 75th anniversary and 2023 convocation of the University of Ibadan from starting on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of NLC in Oyo State, Mr Kayode Martins, when contacted, said the strike gathered momentum in the state on Tuesday, saying substantial level of compliance was observed, saying the state NLC stands by the directive of the national body for workers to stay at home.
“The strike was called to protect the hope of the common man. The manner in which the NLC National Chairman was apprehended and beaten in Imo State over the labour matters between the state government and Labour in the state is appalling. The matter is about the common man on te street. How are they been treated in this country? The Federal Government can still arrest the situation before it get out of hands,” Martins said.
