From Emmanuel Adeyemi Lokoja
Economic and social activities were grounded in kogi state on Monday as the organized labour commenced their indefinite strike over minimum wage.
As early as 8 . Am members of the organized labour moved round public offices and some private organizations to ensure total compliance with the strike.
Our correspondent who monitored the event in lokoja the state capital noted that the state secretariat was under lock and key while commercial banks were also closed to customers.
Customers who thronged to the ATM machines to collect cash were disappointed as the bank staff refused to load money for dispensing to customers.
Also the AEDC office and some federal establishments in the state were also shut down while the 21 local government councils in the state and some tertiary institutions also complied with the strike
Earlier, the organised Labour in the State has directed all Unions and affiliates under them to immediately comply with the national directive of embarking on national strike to press home the demand for a minimum wage.
State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Amari Gabriel disclosed this at a meeting with State Executive Council members on behalf of his TUC counterpart, Comrade Sule Ahmed Tijani in Lokoja on Saturday
“Leaders of Unions are expected to make the strike have it’s full impact of a total compliance and cooperation. It as a struggle for the liberation of Nigeria workers from hunger, pain and poverty”.
The State TUC chairman, Comrade Sule Ahmed Tijani called on workers for thier total cooperation to achieve set goals.
He appealed that all Union leaders enforce the strike to bring about maximum output and results for a total shutdown.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of the NLC who also double as enforcement chairman for the strike, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo called on all chapter chairmen to be their duty post for enforcement as the monitoring committee goes around.