Opinion: Salary Palava: Oyo Teachers Losing Members To 'Hunger'; A Pathetic Situation

The lukewarm attitudes of the governors as to the payment of workers salaries is spreading across many states in Nigeria, which cannot but be linked to the present economic crisis that the country is facing at the moment. 

The reason is not tenable to an average worker that deserves his or her wages cum salaries, irrespective of the so-called economic decisions of the government. But an undeniable fact is that, most State Governors spend lavishly and still find it difficult to pay their workers. 

In Oyo State, it is lugubrious to know that the state government is owing worker six months salary arrears! Teachers to be precise are yet to be paid since December, 2015. 

The situation took a piteous state when a Vice Principal of St Lukes Grammar School, Moleke, Ibadan was reported that have died due to hunger. The incident occurred last week during the school hours. 

The dust is yet to settle as to the death of the Vice Principal when another teacher of same school, a Financial Accounting teacher, Nasiru Lukman slumped and hit his head against the wall while teaching. 

This ignoble incident happened yesterday. According to unconfirmed report, he was reported to have slumped due to the fact that he was teaching with empty stomach. 

He bled heavily but still recuperating in an undisclosed hospital. The situation is becoming unbecoming and this should be a clarion call to Governor Abiola Ajimobi. 

He should do the needful before the workers takes to the street in protest. But I will also blame the various Union bodies for their unwarranted loud silence in the face of these ugly situation. 

Or I should assume that no Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Trade Union Congress (TUC), just to mention but few no longer exist in Oyo State? Or that they exist only on the pages of the newspapers. 

If government can borrow to executive capital projects, nothing is stopping them from doing same towards payment of their workforce. 

My heartfelt condolence to the family of the late VP and I pray for quick recovery for Nasiru Lukman. 

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