Onazean Abbey, Benin
Suspected thugs from host community of the College of Education, now University of Education, Ekiadolor in Edo State, yesterday disrupted a press conference by members of the Academic Teaching Staff Association of the institution.
The thugs, armed with dangerous weapons invaded the community town hall venue of the press conference.
The workers were protesting the continued closure of the school and the nonpayment of their salary for the past eight months.
Chairman, College of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, Comrade Fred Omonuwa, who spoke with newsmen, said the thugs were sponsored by those who want to sustain themselves in power at the institution.
He added that the press conference was targeted at drawing government attention to the plights of the workers in the abandoned institution.
A statement jointly signed by Omonuwa, his Non Academic Staff Union, NASU, counterpart, Comrade Charles Obasuyi and chairman, Senior Staff Union of College of Education, SSUCOEN, Comrade Ken Omoruyi claimed the state government deceived them with the policy of upgrading the over 40 years old institution to a University.
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“As at today, staff of this institution are being owed eight months salaries, a development that negates the copious provision of all known international and municipal laws as spelt out in Sections 14(1), 16(2), 17(1)(b), 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 15 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right,” they said.
The workers added that the so called upgrade of the school “was a political gimmick aimed at satisfying the drivers of both the immediate past administration and the present administration in Edo State.”
“It is no longer news that Edo University, Iyamho, whose establishment was pronounced the same day with the University of Education, Ekiadolor, had gone ahead to celebrate their first graduation ceremony a month ago,” they added.
They therefore called on the state government to pay the outstanding salaries.
“Edo State government should lift embargo on admission into the college. Edo State government should begin to bring 100 per cent subvention to the college,” they added.
