Enugu Teachers Laud Governor Mbah over Minimum Wage, Dismiss Planned Protest
The Enugu State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed gratitude to the state government for showing concern for the welfare of teachers in the state, including the extension of the state's minimum wage to primary school teachers after several years of waiting.
The teachers also noted that the Governor Peter Mbah administration had in about nine months in office met four of the five-point demands the union presented to him on assumption of office.
It dismissed a purported plan by some “mischief-makers” to incite a teachers' protest, adding that there was no basis whatsoever for such.
Chairman of the Enugu State NUT, Theophilus Nweke, stated this while briefing journalists in Enugu, stressing that Mbah had demonstrated readiness to not only pay wage awards to teachers in addition to their salaries since December 2023, but also resolving the three-year minimum wage faceoff with previous administration.
“When the current administration came in, we met with them and presented our challenges to the governor who promised to address them.
“True to his word, the governor quickly set up a committee to look into the issue and on November 10, they submitted their report in which it was recommended that these teachers be paid.
“On February 19, 2024, the governor called the leadership of NUT and conveyed his approval for the full implementation of the minimum wage. When the February salary came in, the teachers were paid as approved and this was greeted with wide jubilation.
“This administration has demonstrated its commitment to our welfare, thus why should we embark on any protest? Does that make any sense to anyone? What exactly should be the reason for the protest?
“As a union, we have laid down procedures of pressing home our demands and we have judiciously followed them. These approaches are yielding the required results. Calling for outright protest has never been part of it and we won't promote such,” he said.
He explained that the five-point requests made to the governor were receiving adequate attention, with four already implemented and the fifth one underway.