Protests by Local Government workers on Friday hampered the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Plateau Central Zone, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The local council workers were protesting the State Government’s inability to implement the N30,000 minimum wage in the second week of December 2020, as agreement on the matter was only reached on Jan. 11, 2021.
NAN reports that in spite of the agreement reached between the council Chairmen and the various labour unions including NULGE, the workers kept all the Secretariats of the councils under lock and key pending when they would receive alerts of their two-month salaries.
NAN observes that only Pankshin Local Government out of the five councils of Bokkos, Kanam, Kanke, Mangu and Bokkos, in the zone were able to hold the ceremony, because of the protest.
The Chairman, Pankshin Local Government Area, Mr John Damap, however, held the celebration at Nefur Arena, outside his council’s Secretariat.
Damap, who made a huge cash donation to the Pankshin area chapter of the Nigerian Legion, commended the tremendous roles played by the fallen soldier in sustaining the peace and security of the country during the civil and World wars I and II.
“We in Pankshin local government area insisted that our workers protest shouldn’t hamper this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day and here we are celebrating your unforgettable contributions to nation building.
“As a council, we will continue to support the families of fallen heroes. This is because we know some of the problems you are facing in this our difficult time.
“We, indeed, appreciate the roles you are even playing nowadays in keeping and maintaining the peace and security of Pankshin local government area, Plateau and Nigeria.
”We will continue to partner with you for the growth and development of the nation,” he said.
Responding, retired Maj. Ayuba Jimang, Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Pankshin area chapter, commended the chairman and his principal officers for celebrating them and always being there for the legionnaires at critical moments.
Jimang pledged the readiness of the legion to work with the council toward maintaining peace and security of Pankshin in order to meet the much-desired development of the area.
Also speaking, Dr Amos Cirfat, Provost, Federal College of Education (FCE), Pankshin, commended the security roles the legionnaires were playing in the society and charged them not to relent.
Cirfat was represented by the college’s Dean of students Affairs, Dr John Mafalai.
He said: ”For the fact that you have retired from service, your contributions are very much needed to help the country to overcome her security challenges and build a virile and vibrant nation”.
