Abia, Cross River, Ekiti, Kebbi, Ogun record total action

Abia State workers yesterday totally complied with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)’s directive to embark on warning strike to protest against Federal Government’s failure to implement a new minimum wage.

Consequently, schools, banks, ministries and government offices at the local, state and federal levels remained closed.

Pupils and students who went to school earlier in the morning returned home when they saw that their teachers would not be in attendance.

A leading hospital in Umuahia was partially deserted leaving patients who were making alternative arrangements to relocate from the facility if the strike continues.

State NLC Chairman, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe told The Guardian that he was impressed with the level of compliance, which he rated at 80 per cent.

Also, Ekiti workers complied with the national strike declared by both the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Public offices in Ekiti state, including local government secretariats, public schools remained under lock and key, while state and Federal offices located in the state capital were deserted. However, commercial activities went undisturbed.

In Kebbi, the state secretariat and some federal agencies offices were under lock and key as there were no officers in the premises.

State Chairman of the NLC), Comrade Alhassan Haliru, said it was resolved at a meeting that labour should write all ministries, departments and agencies to close their offices and join the warning strike to ensure compliance with labour’s directive.

However, as at 8am, all banks, public schools, filling stations, government offices and others remained under lock and key in Calabar, Cross River State. Students were seen loitering outside their premises, while the state secretariat was largely deserted.

State NLC Chairman, Comrade John Ushie said: “The strike in Cross River is total. We are monitoring to ensure total compliance.”

Meanwhile, workers in Ogun State complied with the warning strike, as directed by organised labour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the local, state and federal secretariats were locked even as activities at government agencies and public schools among others were paralysed, while gates of public offices were shut.