Ajimobi

The face-off between the Oyo State Government and labour may soon be over as the two parties commenced reconciliatory talks on Wednesday in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that workers led by the national leadership of the NLC had on June 6 declared an indefinite strike over their unpaid six months salaries.

The workers also rejected government’s controversial education initiative to involve private participation in the management of public secondary schools while also demanding the withdrawal of all charges against the labour leaders in a court of law.

A five-hour reconciliatory meeting facilitated by the State House of Assembly, however, held at the Executive Chambers of the Governors Office.

Speaking after the meeting, which ended at exactly 8.15p.m., the parties told newsmen that the reconciliatory process was on course.

Mr Peters Adeyemi, Deputy President of NLC, said that the meeting was a tough one that required extensive deliberation.

He said that the labours leaders would go back to brief members on the issues discussed and take a collective decision.

“We cannot take a decision on the ongoing strike action here unless we brief our people and collectively a decision is taken.

“Whatever is our decision would be communicated to the government and the media on Thursday,” he said.

Adeyemi commended the governor for his tolerance and the Assembly for its timely intervention.

Also speaking, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi commended the commitment and maturity displayed by the national leadership of both NLC and NUT.

Ajimobi said that he saw honesty of purpose in the discussion between the parties, expressing optimism that the outcome would be for the progress of the state.

“I have no doubt that we will all succeed at the end,” he said.

NAN also reports that the leadership of the NUT led by its President, Mr Olukoya Alogba, presented the union’s proposals on promoting educational development in the state to the governor.(NAN)