NLC and TUC Petition Ebonyi Governor Over Brutal Teacher Slaying, Demand Swift Justice
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ebonyi State urgently petition Governor Nwifuru following the tragic murder of a principal and teacher in Nkaleke. The unions seek justice for the victims, emphasizing the deteriorating conditions for teachers and applauding the governor's positive initiatives while urging a comprehensive review of civil servants' salaries to align with the recent federal wage award.
Mary Nwaeze 
In a recent development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in Ebonyi State have submitted a petition to Governor Francis Nwifuru concerning the shocking murder of a principal and a teacher in Nkaleke, Ebonyi LGA. The assailants, believed to be hoodlums, committed the gruesome act on Friday, December 15, 2023.
Expressing their concern, the union leaders, Prof. Ogugua Egwu, the Chairperson of NLC, issued a joint statement during a courtesy visit to the governor at the new Government House in Centenary City, Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State. In the statement, they urged Governor Nwifuru to direct the state's security agencies to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
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"The quality of life of teachers is poor, their work environments are being threatened by the flamboyance of our nationality, and communities no longer support the safety of teachers. On Friday, 13th October, 2023, we lost two teachers, including a principal. They were gruesomely murdered in the line of duty at Nkaleke, Ebonyi L.G.A. We use this medium to ask you, Sir, to ensure that the security agencies bring the perpetrators to book to serve as a deterrent to other haters of teachers," the statement read.
Despite this tragic incident, the NLC and TUC commended Governor Nwifuru for several positive initiatives in the state. They acknowledged the payment of gratuities to over 1,161 retirees and an additional N10,000 bonus to civil servants to offset the effects of subsidy removal. The unions also praised the governor for measures such as toll-free buses to convey Ebonyi residents to work, the recruitment of health workers, and the employment of 1,500 Ebonyians into various cadres in the State Civil Service.
While appreciating these efforts, the union leaders appealed to Governor Nwifuru to constitute a committee for a comprehensive review of civil servants' salaries in the state. They urged the governor to align the state wages with the recent federal government wage award of N35,000.
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"We believe it is not too early to constitute a Committee to review these wage structures with a view to harmonizing them for an acceptable product of collective bargaining that will better the lives of all Ebonyi Workers. We know you are aware of the recent wage award of NGN35,000 to all categories of workers in Nigeria as declared by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You were among the very few Governors in Nigeria who started implementing a wage award of NGN10,000. We would not have asked you to review the award you have already given, but because it is a matter of absolute necessity, we appeal that your uncommon good heart be moved again, to upwardly review the wage award to be at par with that of the Government at the center," the groups added.
