Teachers' Group Endorse Akala!

•I'll Pay Your Minimum Wage, Alao-Akala Tells Workers

Labout Party Oyo State Gov. candidate Otunba Alao Akala and his deputy, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli

 flanked by Comrade Olu Abiala and Comrade Gbenga Olayemi. Pic courtesy: YSO Olaniyi

A state-wide teachers group code-named Unionised Teachers yesterday endorsed Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala’s gubernatorial bid, warning that education funding under Gov. Abiola Ajimobi is “demoralizing and dismantling” the state’s public education system.

The endorsement came during an interactive session between the Labour Party governorship candidate and the Unionised Teachers in Ibadan on Monday. The over 5000 members of the group who were present at the historic event unanimously vowed to mobilize their members across the state to vote Alao-Akala and other LP candidates on March 28th and April 11th, 2015.

While moving the motions for the adoption of Alao-Akala as the group's gubernatorial choice in the forthcoming elections, the duo of Comr. Ayobami Adegbola and Comr. (Mrs.) Bolanle Olanike said the decision to settle for Otunba Alao-Akala was borne out of the fact that he ran a masses-and-teacher-friendly government while in office between 2007 - 2011.

According to the group, "since Alao-Akala left office, the jumbo package we received have been reversed by his successor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi. We believe in  Akala, we know that he is concerned about civil servants' welfare."

"Many of us are afraid of life after service as those who have left service in the last three and half years are being maltreated with majority of them yet to receive their entitlements from the present government, and if we continue with the present administration our future is not secured. Hence, we're settling for Alao-Akala."

Alao-Akala while trumpeting the endorsement said that his main purpose while in government was for the good welfare of the people. He assured workers in the state that his government will pay minimum wage if re-elected. He said he had commenced the payment of the minimum wage before the expiration of his first time and was stopped by the present administration. He said, "it is a covenant between you and I. It's all about planning and we have already planned ahead. “I am the only governor, who identified with you without the fear of being threatened or punished.”

"By God's Grace, we will make you are happy so that you can take care of our children very well, I will continue to give running grants and ensure training and re-training for effective service delivery and I am sure we will change the fortune of education in this state. Children are our future and we must give them sound and qualitative  education which can only be attained through your efforts which must be rewarded adequately"

While promising to cater for the pensioners in the state, the ex-police officer said " I am also a pensioner, I know what people pass through after retirement and I want to assure you that I will be  committed to their welfare by regular payment of their monthly allowances and other entitlements.

Mr Olu Abiala, a former secretary, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Chapter and the Labour Party Senatorial candidate in Oyo State, described former Gov. Alao-Akala as the most worker-friendly governor in the history of the state.

Abiala said Alao-Akala’s government paid the highest minimum wage in the history of the state, urging the teachers to vote for the LP candidates in the state in the forthcoming general election. “He is the first governor to pay 27.5 per cent CONTISS to workers in the state,” Abiala said.