By Ola Ajayi
IBADAN—THE retirement of the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State chapter, Comrade Olu Abiala has created fears in the minds of many teachers in the state.

Abiala, who was perceived to be the thorn in the flesh of many successive governments in the state announced his retirement after 20 years of meritorious service in the union last week.

Many teachers have described his retirement as ill-timed this time that the state government is yet to resolve the issue of 27. 5 per cent salary increase which had resulted in indefinite strike by the teachers.

One of the teachers, Mr. Ojedele Samuel who expressed the fears said many teachers were confused and not happy at the retirement of the scribe at this time that the matter of the salary increase had not been resolved.

They entertained fear that, now that the man who was seen as their saviour had gone, what would become of the union and the struggle.

When Vanguard called Abiala on phone, he explained that the teachers should not entertain any fear, adding that it was the best time for him to retire having spent 20 years with the union.

He said, “I believe that other comrades would not allow the struggle to die. They would fight it to a logical conclusion. All of us are writing our histories. If we do it well, we will get commendation for our efforts which may not come from man at times.”

Though the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had met the government, he said the strike could last till next year.

He added that until the government came out with circular cementing whatever decision the parties arrived at, the strike would not be called off.

He encouraged the teachers to be resilient in the struggle, saying they had already been prepared to gird their loins because the strike may extend beyond expectation.