The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagelu Local Government Chapter, Comrade Olaide Sharafa, has commended Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, for what he described as raising the standard of the teaching profession in the state.
Comrade Sharafa made this commendation while addressing participants at a programme held at the Lagelu Local Government Secretariat, tagged “Maiden Meeting with Newly Recruited Public Secondary and Primary School Teachers.”
Speaking at the gathering, the NUT chairman acknowledged the Makinde led administration for the promotion of teachers’ welfare, particularly through the regular payment of teachers’ salaries and the payment of gratuities to retired teachers.
He also praised the administration for its approach to teacher retention, noting that, unlike previous administrations, the current government had refrained from dismissing teachers.
According to him, the administration’s policies on teachers’ welfare and job security have helped raise the standard of the teaching profession in Oyo State.
In a political appeal to the newly recruited teachers, Sharafa urged them to support the ruling Allied Peoples Movement (APM), arguing that political continuity would be important to the security of their appointments.
He expressed concern that the newly recruited teachers’ appointments were yet to receive final approval and suggested that a change in government could put their employment status at risk.
The NUT chairman’s remarks placed emphasis on the relationship between government policies, teachers’ welfare, and job security, while urging the participants to consider the implications of a change in government for their employment.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the newly recruited public primary and secondary school teachers to interact with the union leadership and discuss issues concerning their professional responsibilities and welfare.
The chairman’s comments on the possible impact of a change in government on the teachers’ appointments reflect his stated position; whether such a change would affect their employment would depend on the applicable recruitment terms and relevant government policies.
