NIGERIA. Abuja: The President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Dr. Nasir Idris, said on a press conference this weekend that approximately 800 school teachers in northwestern Nigeria have been confirmed killed. He advised strict measures to be taken undr the continuing situation of insecurity and banditry.
“I can authoritatively say that we have lost up to 800 teachers in the Northeast’’ Idris said, and explained that the alleged number of teachers is due to murder, kidnapping, and being a victim together with the school children when bandits visit schools to operate.
As Boko Haram insurgency plagues Nigeria, Mr. Idris used strong words to invite the federal government to wake up from their slumps and provide adequate security for schools. He insisted that more than property, they have the obligation to saveguard the lives of innocent children and that of their teachers and school staff.
Mr. Idris stated that if nothing is done by the government, the remaining teachers will be left with no other option but to cease going to class, and that the profession being at risk, motivational measures should be taken in regards with teachers’ wage, welfare, and bonuses such as improving the overall conditions of classrooms.
