Lecturers in Ebonyi College of Education (EBSCOI) Ikwo Thursday joined the nationwide strike declared by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).

The chairman of COEASU (EBSCOI chapter), Osmond Oboke, disclosed this at a news briefing on Thursday in Abakaliki.

The leadership of the union on June 14 declared an industrial dispute to press home its demand for improved conditions of service.

According to Mr Oboke, 15 members of the college have died as a result of poor conditions of service in the college. He said that seven of the 15 were members of the academic staff and eight were non-academic staff members.

Mr Oboke further said some lecturers in the college had left for greener pastures because the conditions of service were getting worse in the college.

He expressed concern that some lecturers became bedridden with different ailments, including stroke.

“According to research, between 2015 and 2021, the staff population on different types of loans for recurrent spending has risen to 100 per cent. The result of the same research, however, reveals that from 2004 to 2006 and from 2007 to 2014, the number of staff on consumer loans were zero per cent and 20 per cent respectively,” added the union leader.

He added, “The statistics reveal a startling reality of the deteriorating conditions of service in the college.”

COEASU’s national leadership resolved to go on strike after its meeting at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta, on June 10. The decision was a result of the union’s assessment of the level of President Muhammadu Buhari regime’s response to its requests.

The strike came after the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum issued to the government on the lingering issues of industrial concerns. 

(NAN)