The Organized Labour in Ondo state has warned the Senior Special Assistant to Ondo state Governor on special duties, Dr Doyin Odebowale for making unfounded allegation against teachers in the state, urging him to refrain from further abuse of workers in the state.
The organised Labour includes the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).
In a protest letter addressed to the governor which was signed by the state Chairmen and Secretaries of NLC, TUC and JNC, Sunday Adeleye-Oluwole, Helen Odofin, Niyi Fabunmi; Omokehinde Shado, Tajudeen Balogun and Kehinde Olomiye respectively, they called on the Governor to call Odebowale to order before he causes industrial disharmony between the state government and the workforce.
Odebowale had at a news briefing in Akure accused teachers in the state of engaging pupils in domestic chores, warning the teachers to desist from using pupils to work in the private farms under the guise of practicals for agricultural studies or face sanction or Prosecution.
According to Odebowale, “We gathered that some teachers in schools in rural areas have formed the habit of using pupils to work in their private farms under the guise of doing agricultural practicals. Some send female pupils to be cooking for them.
But in a letter to Akeredolu dated 17th November, 2020, the organized labour described as unacceptable, vituperation of Dr. Odebowale against the respected teachers in the employ of Ondo State Government who had been doing and giving their very best in line with best practices of the teaching profession.
The letter reads, “THIS ABUSE MUST STOP: “Abuse they say is inevitable when purpose is not known”. Dear Mr. Governor, the above truism describes the vituperation of Dr. Odebowale against the respected Teachers in the employ of Ondo State Government who have been doing and giving their very best in line with best practices of the teaching profession.
“Your Excellency, it is unthinkable that Teachers who have been at home for over seven (7) months of Coronavirus compulsory holiday will resume only to be tagged irresponsible by an itinerant personae-non-grata.
“Dear Sir, Labour feels it is high time, people with questionable record be left out of governance and not allowed any space in the public service of our dear Sunshine State where values and virtues are appreciated in persons exhibiting them, just as our teachers have.
“The mouth diarrhea of Doyin Odebowale has not just manifested in his recent attack against our members in NUT and ASUSS as reported in both electronic and print media, he has verbally too, assaulted teachers and Local Government Workers to the face of the NUT State Chairman calling them unprintable names.
“Your Excellency, we strongly pray that, this will be the very last time Doyin Odebowale will attack either verbally or in print any civil servant in the State or else, the story will not be palatable for him to tell.”
The Labour unions cautioned that if unchecked, reckless attitude of Odebowale could set the workers against the government.
“We equally pray Sir, that a total stranger like him causing disharmony and displeasure between labour and government be allowed to go back to his base. The damage he he’s caused is enough! His Special duties, if unchecked will cause special wahala o!
“In conclusion, Dear Governor, we have enough issues to attend to rather than this distraction. We pray for you that your second term of office shall forbid ‘bad-belle’ people like ‘Odebowale’ who should be in the forest hunting games.”
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