National President, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Michael Olukoya, principal officers of the NUT and the national leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) will, today in Ibadan, lend their voices to the ongoing battle between the Labour movement and the state government over the involvement of individuals, alumni and missionaries in the management of public secondary schools.

President, Oyo State chapter of the NUT, Mr Samuel Akano, confirmed on Sunday evening that 13 national officers of NUT and five national officers would be on ground to examine the ongoing impasse, especially the continued detention of five Labour leaders, since last Friday.

Among the mission of the national officers is meeting with State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, while also seeing to the perfection of the bail granted the Labour leaders by the magistrates’ court sitting on Friday, at Iyaganku, Ibadan.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the NUT, Oyo State wing, has expressed disgust at the reported dissociation of leader of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Mr. Ogundiran Olusola, from the ongoing struggle of the state’s Labour movement against the state government and the management of public secondary schools.

The union, in a statement signed by Assistant State Secretary, Mr. Oyediran Abiodun, held that Ogundiran’s statement was “misguided and purposed to cause ripples within the ranks of the Labour movement in the state.”

NUT described as “mischievous and fraudulent,” the decision of Ogundiran to dissociate himself from the ongoing battle between the State Government and the Labour movement, especially noting that a leader of the JNC, Mr Oparinde Kehinde, was also one of those Labour leaders presently detained at Agodi prison.

The union regarded Ogundiran’s position as “his personal view and expression” and not that of the NUT and any affiliate member of JNC.

•Sourced from Nigerian Tribune. Photo shows NUT President Michael Olukoya.