The Oyo State Government has welcomed the decision of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its month-long industrial action, describing the move as a major relief for thousands of public primary school pupils who had been out of the classroom.
The state said the suspension of the strike, announced by the union’s national and state leadership, would allow public primary schools across Oyo to resume academic activities immediately, ending weeks of disruption to learning.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, praised the union for responding positively to the government’s appeal, noting that the decision was in the best interest of schoolchildren and the wider public.
Oyelade recalled that the State Executive Council, during its meeting last Tuesday, had urged the teachers’ union to reconsider its industrial action to prevent further disruption to education and protect the welfare of pupils.
According to him, the government was particularly concerned that keeping children away from school for an extended period could expose them to crime, social vices and other dangers associated with prolonged idleness.
He said the union’s decision to return to work had helped the state avert additional social challenges beyond the security concerns that initially triggered the industrial action.
“By calling off the month-long strike, the Union has graciously saved the Oyo State Government and citizens from the double jeopardy of the kidnapping itself and having to deal with the negative social consequences of having its students engage in idle enterprises,” Oyelade said.
The commissioner also thanked residents of the state for their patience, understanding and cooperation throughout the strike and the ongoing security challenges confronting parts of the state.
“The government equally commends the citizenry for their patience and understanding even as efforts to bring the kidnapping nightmare to a close continue,” he added.
Oyelade reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to protecting lives and property while intensifying efforts to address the security concerns that contributed to the teachers’ industrial action.
The government expressed optimism that the resumption of classes would restore normal learning activities and provide much-needed relief to parents, pupils and other stakeholders in the education sector across the state.
