As the world marks Teacher’s Day today, 5th October, a teacher in Cross River State has called on Governor Bassey Otu to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage signed by President Bola Tinubu in July.
CONVERSEER reports that since the signing of the new wage, Governor Otu is yet to act on it as the state is still paying the N40,000 minimum wage he implemented in May this year.
Commenting on the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum by the Cross River State Government, a teacher, Pastor
David Otu, also called on the Governor to increase the transport and teaching allowances for all teachers in the state.
‘I am appealing to His Excellency, Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to please implement the Federal Government’s N70,000 minimum wage salary structure as well as increase the transportation and teaching allowances for all the teachers in both Primary and Secondary schools in Cross River State,” Pastor Otu said.
Earlier, Governor Otu, during the 2024 Teacher’s Day with the theme: “Valuing Teachers Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, reassured the the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) of his dedication to education and teachers’ well-being.
Otu was represented by Dr Stephen Odey, Commissioner for Education.
Other top government officials who attended the event include Dr (Mrs) Comfort Oko representing the Governor’s wife, SSG Prof. Anthony Enoh, HoS Obol Innocent Eteng, Special Adviser on Education Dr (Mrs) Affiong Ugbaja, CR-SUBEB Executive Chairman Dr Esu Effiong Esu, NLC Chairman Comrade Gregory Olayi, and SA Labour Comrade Clackson Otu.
The NUT Chairman also presented the teachers’ requests to the Governor.
CONVERSEER reports that 5th October was set aside by the ILO/UNESCO during the 1966 conference to celebrate teachers annually. The conference also sets aside benchmarks and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching/learning conditions.