TheCable

Students in public schools in Osogbo, Osun state capital were turned back on Tuesday following the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

NAN reports that students from various public primary and secondary schools were seen on the roads and streets heading back home.

At CAC Grammar School, Gbodofon, Osogbo, the gate was left wide open as students were moving in droves out of the school.

Some teachers were also seen gathered under a tree, holding discussions.

Similarly, some banks in Osogbo refused to open their doors to customers while some were sceptical about opening, and a few opened for business transactions.

Most offices at the state secretariat in Abere were deserted, with few workers observed going into and moving about within the secretariat.

A staffer of the secretariat, who spoke under anonymity, said the strike has not started taking hold.

Security personnel were seen stationed at the secretariat entrance as was the case at some strategic locations in Osogbo.

Modupeola Oyedele, Osun state NLC caretaker chairperson, said the strike complies with the directive from the NLC and TUC headquarters.

Oyedele said the instruction to their members was to stay away from work, and that there would not be any form of street protest.

“We are not doing street protest with the strike. The instruction is for workers to abstain from work and we are complying,” Oyedele said.

“Public schools have sent back their students in compliance with the strike.

“Many send their students back this morning because the strike directive came late last night, so that is why students were turned back after getting to school.

“We are ensuring that there is compliance as our officials are at the state secretariat to ensure workers do not resume in their offices.”

Labour unions, on Monday evening, directed their members and affiliates to withdraw their services starting from Tuesday, a move the government described as illegal.