By Aideloje Ojo Minna
Niger state owned tertiary institutions yesterday embarked on strike thereby paralysing academic activities in the institutions. Blueprint learnt that four of the fi ve state owned institutions, namely, Niger state College of Education (COE) Minna, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar College of Legal and General Studies also in Minna, Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru and the College of Agriculture, Mokwa have been shut indefi nitely.
It was also learnt that only the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai, that was yet to joined the strike declared by the Committee of Unions in Niger state Owned Tertiary Institutions. Our correspondent gathered that the decision to embark on the strike followed the expiration of a 21- one-day ultimatum and three day warning strike declared by the unions. A circular by the unions said the failure of government to carry out the rehabilitation of “decayed infrastructure in these institutions”, lack of adequate security in all the schools, refusal by government to fully implement the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Salary Structure and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure and employment of more staff for the institutions, instigated the strike.
Th e unions also want 65 years retirement age for workers to be gazetted and immediate payment of all accrued promotion arrears and signing into law the contributory pension bill earlier passed into law. State Commissioner for Education, Hajia Fatima Madugu, when contacted described the strike as unfortunate Madugu said discussion had opened between the government and union offi cials, adding that the issues raised by the uni
