The new Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ekiti State Wing, Comrade Bamidele Olaitan Daodu has sought the co-operation of members to rebuild the union.
The Chairman made the plea in his office in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday while speaking with journalists. He said his primary assignment was to make the union more viable and prioritize welfare of his members.
Justifying his new position, Comrade Daodu said the State Wing Executive Members passed a vote of confidence on him being the first Vice Chairman, haven noticed that the former chairman was not teacher’s friendly, engaged in gross misconduct and financial mismanagement of Union’s fund during his reign. Saying, the national body asked comrade Oke Emmanuel to step aside to allow investigation into the allegations levelled against him.
He said “A vote of confidence was passed on me being the new chairman during the cause of our meeting on Friday at the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC).” He promised to carry stakeholders and members along in his administration.
Explaining reactions of teachers on his emergence, the new chairman said “the mood of our teachers have been positive because people are rejoicing that we are having a change in government. We only thank God that we are witnessing this now because the teachers have concluded plans to revolt during the forthcoming World Teachers Day in order to express their level of anger in the presence of the governor due to the high-handedness of the former Chairman”
If things go into excess, it won’t portray us in good form in the presence of the governor because the teachers were planning to embarrass comrade Oke Emmanuel in the presence of the Governor. As teachers we are role models. We should lead by example and with the present situation of things, the teachers are joyous ”
” I told members of the SWEC that my coming on board is to rebuild the union because things have gone so bad and I will try to seek the co-operation of every member of SWEC and seek advice where necessary so that the task at hand will be achieved.”
Given reasons why erswhile chairman was suspended, “One of the things that affected the man in question was his inability to consult and listen to advice especially from leaders. When he was on board, he specifically told us frankly that he doesn’t have any leader. I will relate with our leaders and take advice from them. The welfare of the subordinates will be taken as paramount. I will take it as a priority to look into their welfare”.
He said: “The national body will be coming down here to probe the allegations that have been levelled against the former state Chairman. The suspension was taken at the national, the state Secretary was only given a directive by the national and we are acting on the directive given by the National.”
Lending his voice, the Acting Secretary of the union in Ekiti State, Oguntayo Titus, emphasized that the decision to suspend Comrade Emmanuel was supported by all the SWEC members in Ekiti state wing of NUT.”
Explaining what transpired, the acting secretary said “When NUT discovered abnormalities in Ekiti State Wing, the Regional body wrote to us that they are coming to mediate for us and find a lasting solution to the problems. But the (suspended) state Chairman, comrade Oke Emmanuel frustrated the move which made the national body sent for a standing committee and some representatives of the staff to come down to Abuja to hear their views. It was on this that the national body passed the verdict (suspension).”
The new chairman stated that fifteen allegations were levelled against his predecessor at Abuja that the suspended Chairman could not proffer satisfactory answer to anyone .
While applauding Governor Oyebanji for not only being teachers friendly but prioritizing teachers’ welfares, comrade Daodu said the Governor has demostrated that he is a son of a teacher through his Programmes and packages for teachers. He reiterated that Ekiti teachers are solidly in Support of his administration.
Adding that the SWEC are preparing for successful hosting of 2023 World Teachers Day that is being celebrated on 5th October every year, saying glamours would be added to this year celebration while calling on members from the sixteen Local Government Areas to troop out enmas for the celebration.
Recall that the new Chairman was the first Vice Chairman of the union in Ekiti state before his elevation. He hails from Ilupeju Ekiti in Ifeloju Local Council Development Area.