Teachers’ Strike Mars Celebration in Ebonyi

The strike embarked upon by the Ebonyi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, yesterday, marred the children’s day celebration in the state, as all public primary and secondary schools shunned the celebration.

The teachers had on May 26, proceeded on an indefinite strike to press home the demand for government to pay withheld September 2011 salaries of secondary school teachers and demanded for the payment of February 2015 arrears of salaries owed to public primary and secondary schools among others.

However, the celebration witnessed the attendance of only privates schools at the state township stadium.

Governor Martin Elechi, represented by his deputy, Dave Umahi, noted that children constitute the future of the society both for its sustenance and regeneration.

The governor further stressed that every society is duty bound to take necessary measures to protect and promote the children for self-actualisation and nation building. National Children’s Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square, Akure, the state capital.

Mimiko who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, said it is sad that quite a number of children have in recent times been traumatised or orphaned and made vulnerable due to incessant and avoidable conflicts in the country.

He explained that some of them have been subjected to violence and sexual exploitation by the same adults that were supposed to care and protect them.

While condemning violence against children, the governor vowed that his government would not hesitate to bring offenders to book. The governor, who promised to construct additional Mega Schools across the state, said his administration will continue to sacrifice everything possible for the sustenance of the schools rehabilitation.