The strike is disrupting essential economic activities in Kaduna, Kwara and elsewhere

A nationwide strike called by Organized Labor yesterday grounded businesses and special services in some parts of the country. In Kaduna, Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) officials ensured enforcement by closing offices in the secretariat, schools, banks and hospitals that were trying to carry out their routine activities.

While commercial banks, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) were closed by organized Labor, state government-owned hospitals continued to admit patients.

It was also observed that while most public schools in the metropolis sent students and pupils home, students currently writing the ongoing West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) were allowed to sit for the examination.

The Guardian, which monitored the strike in the metropolis, noted that at Barau Dikko Hospital, nurses, although not dressed in their usual white coats, were completely on the ground along with doctors and staff caring for patients.

However, at federally owned hospitals, such as the National Center for Ear Care and the National Eye Center, facilities were closed to outpatients. Trade union officials of institutions such as Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State University (KASU) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria also joined the strike, forcing the suspension of operations.

At around 3:00 a.m., there was a complete power outage across the state and the headquarters of the Kaduna electricity distribution company was also closed.

When contacted, the Kaduna State NLC Chairman, Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, replied that the industrial action was total because law enforcement was stringent. KWARY employees also complied with the stay-at-home strike order, pushing for increased wages and other demands.

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation in the Ilorin metropolis and surrounding areas, noted that, among others, offices, schools and courts were closed.

Many high-traffic areas were kept free to drivers and pedestrians. Shortly after checking the level of compliance, NLC chairman in the state, Murtala Olayinka, praised the exercise.

According to him, the situation on the ground and the positive response of workers to the directives “show that people are tired of many government policies.”

He explained: “The union will continue to strive for the full mobilization of workers. Olayinka said the union had adopted a stay-at-home order “to prevent a possible takeover of the protest.” He urged the government to urgently take necessary action to save workers from suffering.

Also during the telephone conversation, the TUC Chairman in Kwara, Abdulrahman Onikijipa, assured that both unions would join hands to ensure the success of the strike action, noting that the Labor Party had chosen to stay at home to keep the strike liberal.

He appealed to the government at all levels to rethink the situation and save workers from avoidable deaths. Socio-economic activities were also disrupted in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State.

The investigation revealed that all schools, the state secretariat, banks, courts and other public offices were closed. At the State Secretariat, which houses several ministries, NLC officials were seen closing the entrance and preventing access to the building.

Commenting on the level of compliance, state NLC chairman Sunusi Alhasan said: “From what I saw, the strike was 99% compliant.
“I am pleased to inform you that most of our members have complied with our directives by not showing up at their various offices.

Similarly, unions ensured full compliance in the Nasarawa State capital, Lafia. The state NLC chairman, Ismaila Okoh, said all affiliates had withdrawn services in line with the recommendations of their national leaders.

His words: “We have already complied with the strike, but we need to meet at the state level to formally inform our affiliates to be compliant.” On his part, TUC Chairman Mohammed Doma said the strike was long planned as workers in distressed enterprises came to fruition in the face of the removal of fuel subsidies and other economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in late May.

He explained that the prices of everything have gone up and officials can no longer fuel their vehicles, pay medical bills and school fees for their children.

“The salary of most civil servants cannot buy a bag of rice in the market. What about other products and food ingredients?” – He asked. Doma confirmed that more than 70 branches have withdrawn services and closed their offices in accordance with the nationwide strike order. Commercial banks were also closed, leaving customers stranded outside their premises.

A visit to the state capital and the Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Federal Secretariat and the Ministries of Agriculture, Education and Health revealed that all of them were closed.