…Expresses Fear Of Another Delay In Academic Calendar

The National leadership of the  Nigeria Union of Teachers  (NUT) has express sadness over  the re-emerging incidence of school invasion and abduction of teachers and students across the country’s educational institutions.

 According to a statement signed by  the Secretary General of NUT  Dr. Mike Ike Ene ”’these incidences are sad reminders of previous ugly events in Chibok and Dapchi, where Bokoharam terrorist had attacked and abducted students creating monumental disruption of school activities and impeding our nations educational growth and advancement while subjecting family members and relatives to unimaginable trauma”.

He lamented that   a Head teacher with Olagua Primary School Ohordua in Edo State,  Mr. Alu Ola Paul was  Kidnapped  on his way to work on  the 1st  of December, 2020 and released six days later while on the 8th December, 2020, Mrs Gladys Niemogha Belleh and Mrs Blessing Emunefe both of whom are teachers of Ohorhe Sceondary School Effurun in Delta State were kidnapped in their school premises by armed bandits and are yet to be released, thereby throwing both families, students, and the school community into emotional and overall destabilization. 
Ene warned that the recent condemnable events of Bandits attack on schools, if not immediately addressed will largely affect the 2019/2020 academic calender which has already been disrupted by the six month long lock down caused by the Covid- 19 pandemic.

 He said ”as a union the NUT will not fold her hands and watch enemies of educational development to threaten the nations educational system to suffocation”.  

As such we wish to remind our government at all levels, of their primary responsibility as enshrined in the constitution which is the security of lives and property of the entire Nigerian citizens. 

The NUT make bold to demand that government must rise to these challenge and take up its responsibility to guarantee and execute this general principle and commitment of providing adequate security to all our educational institutions and the nation at large. 
Unfortunately it is becoming apparent that government can not provide security and safety of our teachers, students and the educational community across Nigeria. This unfortunate situation must be address without further contemplation. 

In light of these recent developments, the Nigeria Union of Teachers may be compelled to down tools pending when it is safe for our members to teach and guide our pupils and students without fear of abduction by these faceless enemies of educational prosperity of the Nigerian Nation.

 The NUT herewith extend our appeal to all stakeholders to join hands with the government and security agencies to provide adequate protection for the students, pupils, teachers and the school communities, to ensure that educational activities are not hampered by enemies of the nations educational system using schools as soft targets.  

In order not to escalate the disruption of our academic calendar which is in a fragile state as a result of Covid- 19 pandemic. NUT unequivocally call on the Federal, States and Local government to ensure adequate security and 24 hour surveillance around our schools. 

Also the government must begin to consider the implementation of Life Insurance and Hazard Allowance to teachers in our Basic and Senior Secondary Schools as approved by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari  on the occasion of the World Teachers’ Day 2020. 

 Our prayers are with families of the abducted teachers and students as we hold unto  government on their promise to ensure their safe release to be reunited with family members and relatives without further delay.