Federal Government

Nigerians have been advised to identify criminals in their communities as a crucial step towards addressing the unending insecurity in the land.

This advice was given on Thursday by the chairman of the Oyo state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji in a chat at the union's state secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

''The spate of insecurity in different parts of the country is alarming. We have to go back to the drawing board. That is why we have to appeal to the parents forum to rejig the security apparatus in our various communities. Schools are located within communities. Let us identify those who constitute a nuisance within the community. Let us also be our brother's keeper,'' Comrade Oladimeji stated.

The chairman vowed to pursue the advancement of the welfare of union members to a logical conclusion, saying, ''believe in your leaders, our constant discussion and engagement with the Government is yielding results, the issue of leave bonuses has been resolved, other issues shall be resolved.''

He commended the state government for reinstating 120 primary school teachers who were previously laid off, adding,'', to us a responsible body, it is a welcome decision, it is a good development.''

Workers in Nigeria have continuously lamented their poor conditions of service and poor welfare. In this interview, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP), Oyo state council, Comrade Oladayo Olabampe insists that his union has similar challenges. Excerpts :

How has been in journey so far, as regards addressing issues of leadership in your union?

God has being helping us. And members of the union have been cooperative with the help of God we have had a smooth journey. Although it has not been easy, we have tried our bets. God has helped us in most of the issues while we are still discussing some others, the Government is giving attention to a number of the issues and some are still undergoing some struggle.

What are the highlights of your achievements?

The major achievements start with the fact that we have a listening Governor, and we also interact with organs of the Government. When we have issues they listen to us, when we have some issues the state Government listens to us. Committees have sat and the outcome of their sittings are recommendations awaiting favorable implementations. There is the issue of teaching allowances, for years my members have been denied teaching allowances. These allowances are given to staff who are not employed to teach, but find themselves teaching. To teaching allowances are given to them as compensation. For some time now the Government has denied them the teaching allowances. In addition, the Government shall implement the CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure)salary scale for health professionals, this is the equivalent used for physicists, CONMESS(. We have made a case for the consequential adjustment of CONHESS(Consolidated Health Salary Structure for our members. This has also received attention, and it is awaiting implementation. When we mounted the saddle we commenced the compilation of data of health professionals who are gainfully employed. The result is the acute shortage of health professionals. Although the Government has employed some health professionals, there is an improvement, we are still expecting more.

What about the challenges confronting your union? Our challenges are not different from other unions.

Our number one challenge is that the Government always complains of lack of funds. We have made a strong case for our members regarding welfare. A major challenge is the mass exodus of our members to foreign countries to seek greener pastures. The exodus has created a lot of vacancies at both the State, Federal and Local Governments. The rate of exodus is not in tandem with the rate of recruitment. This has resulted in the shortage of health professional in the health sector. The brain drain has also not helped matters. However, we want our members to practice in their fatherland, but we hope the Government at all levels shall create an enabling environment.

The Federal and State Governments have been advised to increase the annual budgetary allocation to the education sector towards ensuring that the sector is vibrant in the post coronavirus pandemic days.

This advice was given by the Founder, Spiritual Head, and the Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke, in a lecture titled, ''NIGERIA EDUCATION SECTOR AFTER COVID-19, THE WAY FORWARD, at the annual Prof. S.A Olagoke Education competition in Ibadan.

''The Government must fund education well and motivate the teachers as a way forward for Nigeria's education system after COVID 19 pandemic. Parents, children, and students must cooperate with the school(Teachers) in observing the protocols and motivate the Government on the need for appropriate and adequate funding of education in Nigeria'', Prof. Olagoke stated.