Osun state offices close as labor strike begins over local council funds

Government buildings in Osun State were closed on Monday at the start of a three-day industrial action organized by labor in support of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) over statutory allocations that have not been released to local councils. Reports indicated that entrances to the Osun State Government Secretariat and the State House of Assembly in Osogbo were secured, with no staff or commercial activity observed at the two sites. The secretariats of Olorunda and Osogbo local government areas also remained shut. In Osogbo, pupils of public schools were sent home after teachers joined the strike. In a statement issued on Sunday, November 9, Osun State NLC Chairman Christopher Arapasopo and Secretary Victor Amusan instructed every union affiliated with the state chapter to join the action. The NLC said the strike followed the end of a seven-day ultimatum given to the federal and Osun State governments regarding the continued withholding of statutory allocations from local governments in the state. According to the congress, attempts to resolve the disagreement had not succeeded. It added that the strike was consistent with decisions reached at an emergency meeting of its State Executive Council on October 28.