-Comrade Stephen A Knabayi, NUT, FCT Chair
The State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT wing, Comrade Stephen A Knabayi said there is the need for teachers to protect the NUT from assult and degradation. This was contained in a welcome address he delivered at the opening ceremony of a 3-day study circle Leadership training workshop for FCT SWEC members which took place at FCT teachers House Gwagwalada, Abuja on Tuesday 15th-Thursday17th March 2016.
He further said that the day the Union crumbles is the day their jobs are exposed to all manners of ridicule and hazards. He said the Union crumbles by their actions,how they present the Union to the society,by their behaviours, what they do or fail to do.
He therefore said the Union must enjoy members faithfulness, support, protection, loyalty and service.
He said what distinguished the Nigeria Union of Teachers from all other Unions apart from their high intellectual bent, the frequency of which officers are exposed to various forms of Training workshop, Seminars etc. stand out.
He said Nut has a rigid policy of training and continuous re-training of its personnel. He said this is bon out of their conviction that their personnels are the greatest asset that they have, hence, the need to ensure that they are properly equipped for their roles. He said the result of this three days gathering will enrich and equip us with more knowledge to face the challenges of piloting the affairs of the Union at their varios Local branches and above all, the State wing Executive Council.
He also called on his professional colleagues on the need for them to take their jobs serious with all seriousness it deserves, he said as an executive member of the Union in their various schools are mirrors which other teachers are expected to emulate, therefore they can not afford to fail, he advised them not to hide under the umbrella of being a union leader to neglect their primary assignment.
He said they are first of all teacher before you are elected a Union leader.
The training workshop had resources persons from the National Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), they include; Rt. Hon. Simeon D Shinpu, the national coordinator NUT study circle project, Comrade M.M Brimoh, senior assistant Secretary General NUT, Lagos State wing, Comrade Josephine James ECE desk officer NUT National Head office, Comrade Salamatu Aliu, gender desk officer NUT National office.
The participants were drawn from the state wing Executive Council members comprising of State and branch trustees, chairman of All Nigeria Conference of principals of secondary schools (ANCOPS), FCT chapter, Chairman of Association of Primary School Head teacher, FCT chapter.
The 3-day study circle leadership Training workshop took the participants through the following topics, collective bargaining,General view of trade Union, NUT constitution, Economic empowerment in relations to Union development, Discursion on leadership traits, gender equality in the activities of NUT, Capacity building in relation to Union development, Management of information, Labour Laws and decrees.
by Peter Adejobi
