Kogi teachers demand full salary

As the world marks this year’s World Teachers Day, teachers in Kogi State have demanded for the full payment of their salaries from the state government.

The state’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), made the demand in a statement issued on Friday in Lokoja, to commemorate the day.

The union, while appreciating government for raising their monthly percentage salary from 30 per cent to 54 per cent, insisted that what they deserved was 100 per cent payment.

Mr Thomas Ayodele, the chairman of the NUT, in the statement, also demanded for provision of adequate instructional materials and the full implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage, among other demands.

On its part, the state chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Senior Secondary Schools (ASUSS), said that the prevailing economic hardship had made it impossible for its members to celebrate the day.

Mr Ranti Ojo, the state Chairman of ASUSS, told newsmen that the issue of non-payment of salary to his members was particularly devastating , saying that teachers were going through real hardship.

“Teachers are hungry and demoralized; we find it very difficult to feed our families because we are owed six months to 20 months salaries,” he fumed.

He, however, commended teachers for their commitment and dedication to duty in spite of the hardship, and urged the state government to pay teachers their outstanding salaries and allowances.