Court orders lecturers, other unions to suspend strike

The National Industrial Court in Ikoyi has directed the Staff Unions of the Lagos State Polytechnic to suspend the strike action embarked upon on August 1, 2017.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said the court ruling by Justice F.I. Kola-Olalere preceded the hearing and determination of the Unions’ notice and preliminary objection to the notice of the interlocutory injunction by the Lagos State Government.

Mr. Bank-Olemoh said the State Government took the agitating staff unions of the institutions to court after their refusal to halt the industrial action in the interest of students while the Ministry of Education explored an enduring solution to the lingering crisis.

The statement revealed that the Unions filed a Statement of Defense and preliminary objection on Friday, August 11.

“Hon. Justice Kola-Olalere adjourned the hearing of the preliminary objection by the defendants to Wednesday, September 27, 2017, and directed the parties involved to explore amicable resolution of the issues before the adjourned date in line with the provision of section 20 of the NIC Act, 2016,” the statement added.

According to the Special Adviser, the Akinwunmi Ambode administration recently increased the monthly subvention of State tertiary institutions and has always paid staff salaries promptly.

He reiterated the administration’s resolve to entrench stability in the institutions with the aim of ensuring that students, as well as faculty and staff, freely pursue the transformative innovation and research that will ensure the continued prosperity of Lagos State and the country, as a whole.

Mr. Bank-Olemoh assured that Lagos State Government is committed to finding a permanent solution to the issues raised by the Unions.