Governor Alao-Akala announced the decision to pay the teachers at a thanksgiving church service organized to mark two years of his administration in Ibadan.
The governor rescinded the decision of his administration to withhold the salary of the teachers following a passionate appeal by Archbishop Joseph Akinfenwa, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State chapter.
Before, the state government made the u-turn, the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Layiwola Olakojo had on Monday declared that the teachers would forfeit their March salary for their involvement in the strike action in line with the government’s “no work, no pay policy.”
Olakojo had stated that the Otunba Alao-Akala led administration believed in discipline, hence it is enforcing the “no work no pay” rule to punish teachers who stayed away from their duty posts in March to instil discipline in every segment of the public service.”
“It is a known fact that teachers did not work in March. And the state executive council has therefore resolved not to pay them for the period. This is the position of government for now,” Olakojo stated.
But Governor Alao-Akala, while speaking during the church service held at the Cathedral of St. James the Great, Oke Bola, Ibadan told the congregation that “the teachers will now have their March salary.
“It is intact. We will pay the March salary in addition to the May salary any moment from now. Everybody in Oyo State will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he stated, adding that he will continue to rule Oyo State with the fear of God.
