By Adeyinka Adeniran
Activities in many organisation in Ibadan and other areas in Oyo state were paralysed on Monday in compliance with the sit-at-home directive of the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Banks, public schools, federal government owned institutions such as Federal Secretariat, Ikolaba, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan Airport, Oyo State High Court among others did not open for business in compliance.
Some banks, public schools initially opened earlier in the day but shut down as the day progresses.
Public primary and secondary schools in the state also complied with the ongoing strike. But, despite the compliance, the ongoing West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) still commences.
However, it was a different ball game entirely at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan as workers reported for duty.
Security was also seen increased around the state Secretariat as a combined security operatives including, Police, NSCDC, Amotekun, DSS, Counter Terrorism Unit of the Police were seen with their patrol vans strategically located around the Secretariat.
Shocked by the development, labour leaders in the state, who had earlier rated compliance level of the sit-at-home directive as commended expressed dismay at the non compliance by the state workers.
The situation forced the leaders and all affiliates to mobilise to the Secretariat to enforce the strike order.
On arrival, the NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins, TUC Chairman, Comrade Bosun Olabiyi, who arrived in crutches, expressed dismay at the level of non-compliance with the sit-at-home directive by the Oyo workers.
They also wondered why workers who would be the beneficiary of the effort would refuse to sit at home and comply with national directive.
A mild drama played out at the entrance gate of the Secretariat, as some of the security operatives on ground would not allow the labour leaders to shut down the entrance gates.
To announce their arrival, the Labour leaders drove and parked their vehicles to block the entrance to the Secretariat.
Oyo NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins, TUC Chairman, Comrade Bosun Olabiyi and the Chairman, Joint Negotiations Committee (JNC), Public Service, Comrade Seun Olanipekun, members of the State Advisory Council (SAC), State Executive Council (SEC), affiliates were present to enforce the directive.
The leaders visited various ministries, agencies and departments within the state Secretariat to drive workers out and ensure the office are locked.
The leaders also warned the workers not to report for duty tomorrow (Tuesday) noting that Tuesdays enforcement will be with cane.
Comrade Martins who lead the other leaders in the enforcement started from the Accountant Generals’ Office, Ministry of Establishment, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Finance, Board of Internal Revenue, Ministry of Justice, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, among others.
A mild drama however played out at the Ministry of Health when after the labour leaders drove out the workers, they met both the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi, the Permanent Secretary and the Chairman of the Hospital Management Board, Mogaji Akin Fagbemi on duty.
Upon pleas, the top government functionaries agreed to leave office while instructing other workers to also close shop in compliance with the directives.
While it was easy to chase out the workers in some ministries, it was a herculean task at some other places as some workers even had to lock themselves up in their offices to avoid been chased out.
The labour leaders however were unyielding and adamant as they ensured that all the workers met at their duty post across the various ministries, departments and agencies within the Oyo state were sent out.
The enforcement drive lasted about six hours as the labour leaders move from one MDA to another within the Secretariat.
Speaking shortly after the enforcement was completed, Comrade Martins said the Unions will ground activities within the Secretariat on Tuesday, assuring that all affiliates will mobilise more members to the Secretariat entrance to ensure no one gains entrance.
He appealed to the workers not to belabour themselves by reporting for duties on Tuesday by staying at home and comply with the strike directive.
Martins said “Based on the directives we were given from Nigeria Labour Congress and TUC, the organized labour in the country and we observed that except workers in the government secretariat. I was called upon early this morning that some workers are hanging around the government premises that was why we’re here to chase them out and we’ve been able to achieve that as you can see
“I know tomorrow (Tuesday) will be a better day. They would not have it as easy as they have it today. I guarantee. The directive is stay at home, please for now. I think this is an avenue for us, all the workers in the country. We need to tell our leaders enough is enough. We want to let them realize that we should be treated as human beings that’s why we are here.
“So I want all workers to join the race as we embark on this total shutdown and strike, telling our leaders, the minimum wage issue and the high price in electricity. All these has melted a lot of suffering on Nigeria workers and the masses at large. So we just want to tell them that they should be humane this time around. That is the purpose. So I enjoin all workers to please comply with the directive. Stay at home for now.”
