…As management of the institution intensify effort to break the unions
Following the expiration of the two weeks given to the Governing council of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, by the Nigerian Senate, to call the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the institution to a meeting and reach a truce on the raging issue involving the Provost of the College, Dr. Blessing Ijioma, the four unions in the institution, under the auspices of JAC had called a world press conference and announced that they will down tools.
The industrial action, which commenced on Thursday 3rd of August, 2017 will last for a 7 day warning period, is likely to pave way to a full blown indefinite strike, if the lingering issues are not resolved before 9th of August, 2017.
The main issue on ground is that the Provost of the College, Dr. Ijioma, who turned 65 on 2nd of August, 2017, was meant to have proceeded on terminal leave, two months ago, which would have paved way for the emergence of a new provost in the institution, but till date, Dr. Ijioma still sits in office, in active connivance with the Governing council of the institution.
Meanwhile, it has become increasingly obvious that the management of the institution has infiltrated the ranks of the Unions, in an attempt to break them and gain an edge in the struggle.
