The National President of NUT, Mr Michael Olukoya, gave the commendation at a news conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

The Ogun government had sacked 34 teachers,  including the NUT state chairman, Mr Dare Ilekoya, after accusing them of playing unethical roles during the 2016 World Teachers’ Day celebration on  Oct.  5, 2016.

Following the intervention of the national leadership of NUT, the government in December, 2016,  recalled 31 out of the 34 teachers while the cases of three others remained undecided.

The NUT had intensified efforts at resolving the issue by enlisting the support of monarchs and prominent citizens of the state.

Amosun,  on May 1 during the Workers’ Day  celebration, commuted  the  sack of the three remaining teachers to compulsory retirement with full benefits.

Ilekoya, who expressed gratitude over the pardon,  described Amosun’s gesture as “a special gift of the year.’’

“This pardon has  brought to an end months of impasse, pains and agonies suffered by the 34 teachers since November, 2016."

“Our joy knows no bound as we felt honoured by the governor’s pronouncement of the pardon."

“The national leadership of NUT therefore feels morally obliged to express thanks and appreciation of the entire teachers of Nigeria to the governor for heeding to our plea for mercy,’’ he said.

He also expressed gratitude to traditional rulers as well as well meaning Nigerians for their intervention  in the teachers’ appeal for pardon.

The NUT president pledged teachers’  support to  the state government’s  determination to revamp the  education sector  in Ogun.

He said that the newly elected leaders  of NUT in the state were  matured labour leaders who would engage the government in constructive dialogue and negotiation to address  issues.

Ilekoya, however, appealed to the state government to pay the outstanding check-off dues of the union and other unremitted deductions from salaries of  teachers.

He said  with the nine months outstanding check-off dues, the activities of the union had  been crippled by paucity of funds.