The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Wednesday commended Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun for the pardon granted to the remaining three teachers who were part of the 34 dismissed in October, 2016.
The National President of NUT, Mr Michael Olukoya, gave the commendation at a news conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
The Ogun government had sacked 34 teachers, including the NUT state chairman, Mr Dare Ilekoya, after accusing them of playing unethical roles during the 2016 World Teachers’ Day celebration on Oct. 5, 2016.
Following the intervention of the national leadership of NUT, the government in December, 2016, recalled 31 out of the 34 teachers while the cases of three others remained undecided.
The NUT had intensified efforts at resolving the issue by enlisting the support of monarchs and prominent citizens of the state.
Amosun, on May 1 during the Workers’ Day celebration, commuted the sack of the three remaining teachers to compulsory retirement with full benefits.
Ilekoya, who expressed gratitude over the pardon, described Amosun’s gesture as “a special gift of the year.’’
“This pardon has brought to an end months of impasse, pains and agonies suffered by the 34 teachers since November, 2016.
“Our joy knows no bound as we felt honoured by the governor’s pronouncement of the pardon.
“The national leadership of NUT therefore feels morally obliged to express thanks and appreciation of the entire teachers of Nigeria to the governor for heeding to our plea for mercy,’’ he said.
He also expressed gratitude to traditional rulers as well as well meaning Nigerians for their intervention in the teachers’ appeal for pardon.
The NUT president pledged teachers’ support to the state government’s determination to revamp the education sector in Ogun.
He said that the newly elected leaders of NUT in the state were matured labour leaders who would engage the government in constructive dialogue and negotiation to address issues.
Ilekoya, however, appealed to the state government to pay the outstanding check-off dues of the union and other unremitted deductions from salaries of teachers.
He said with the nine months outstanding check-off dues, the activities of the union had been crippled by paucity of funds.(NAN)