By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Some teachers in Osun State, on Tuesday, refuted a report in an online news medium where it was alleged that the Chairman of the state wing of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Wakeel Alade Amudah, was lobbying the state government for tenure elongation and extension of service year.
The teachers, under the aegis of Concerned Teachers in Osun State, described the report as frivolous, baseless and inimical to the person of Comrade Wakeel Amudah.
The Concerned group of Teachers in a statement signed by Comrade Wasiu Ahinde on behalf of others and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the state capital, warned those behind the sponsored vilification and their promoters to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.
According to the teachers there had never been a time the Chairman pushed for service elongation, adding that the originators of the report should be ready to provide the evidence where Comrade Alade and the government officials were bargaining.
They however dispelled the rumoured rancour among the members of the union, saying “there are no ripples among the members of NUT in the state. There is no protest as being insinuated and we wonder why such baseless claims were made.”
He said: “By virtue of his extension of service by his employer, he is still a teacher at Isundunrin Middle High school and it is only an employer who can determine when employee ceases to be on her payroll. His earlier extension granted him is in line with the Osun State Public Service Rule 020411 which is to expire on 31st August, 2022. Therefore, he still remains a teacher until 31st August 2022 when his employer states otherwise.
“In line with Article 11 (b) of the Union’s Constitution, He is still financial member of the union as he paid his monthly check of dues up to the last salary paid by the state government (employer) in January 2021. Record is there for verification.”
The statement urged the general public to be informed that “it is the only organ recognised by the union as stated in the Article 5 of the Union’s Constitution to make decisions for the union. Any other decision or agreement somewhere is just a child play.
“Members should also be informed that the only supreme authority in the state wing is the State Wing Conference of Delegates as stated in Article 15 (iia) of the Union’s Constitution while decision makers for the state wing is State Wing Executive Council as stated in the Article 5 (iib) of the Union’s Constitution.
“He has not ceased to be a teacher because he is still an employee of the State Government duly earning his monthly salary from government and making his payment of dues to the union,” the statement added
The statement added that the interpretation of the Union as contained in the Union’s Constitution of Article 31(1) was not within unauthorised person except the NEC members of Union.
It said that “the interpretation of any of the provisions of this Constitution shall be determined by the National Executive Council. The Council’s interpretation shall be final and binding on all members of the Union”
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