In a resolute display of their commitment to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), officials in Anambra and Ondo states took to chasing civil servants out of government offices on Tuesday, marking the commencement of a two-day nationwide warning strike as directed by the NLC.
This nationwide strike was communicated in a communique issued by the NLC’s National Executive Council.
At the Anambra State secretariat, NLC officials resorted to using canes to ensure compliance, leaving some workers astonished at the seriousness of this labor action.
One anonymous worker shared, “This is the first time I’m witnessing Labour union taking this strike action seriously since I joined the civil service.
” For the first time I saw labour officials using cane to flog workers out from their offices. If I had known they would be this serious, I would not have reported to work today.”
In a related development, the Federal Secretariat opposite the state secretariat was deserted, with workers heeding the strike call.
However, commercial activities in Awka continued unaffected, as businesses, shops, and markets remained open, and commercial transporters operated without disruptions.
Meanwhile, Ondo State witnessed a similar scene, with labor leaders forcefully evacuating workers from government offices at the state secretariat in Akure to ensure compliance.
This operation extended to offices at Alagbaka, including the state Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health.
Comrade Victor Amoko, the NLC Chairman, hailed the warning strike as a success, emphasizing that it was not solely for Ondo State but for all Nigerian workers.
He criticized the Federal Government for its perceived inadequate response to mitigating the impact of fuel subsidy removal on both workers and the general populace.
Furthermore, Amoko noted that the State Head of Civil Service, Mr. Kayode Ogundele, had attempted to compel workers to report for duty despite the NLC’s call for a warning strike.
In a simultaneous response, all banks in the state capital remained closed, with employees choosing to keep their doors locked.
A bank staffer in Alagbaka, Akure, explained, “Our closure was to avoid any unforeseen circumstances which may happen if we open for services today.”
The banking shutdown extended to Ikare-Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko North East Local Government, where banks refrained from offering services in support of the labor action.
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