May Day: Akwa Ibom NLC begs Gov Eno for ICT centre, injection of more funds into primary schools

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has appealed to the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to ensure the construction and equipping of an Information and Communications Technology, ICT, centre in the state.

It also urged the governor to inject more funds into the primary education sector to ensure that the payment of pensions and gratuities of retired teachers is at par with their counterparts in other sectors.

Chairperson of the NLC in Akwa Ibom, Comrade Sunny James, made the appeal in his remarks during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at Uyo Township Stadium on Friday.

James recalled that the appeal for an ICT venue was made to the then governor in 2022, expressing hope that the renewed call would yield a positive result and give workers in the state the opportunity to be computer literate.

He assured the governor that all workers, starting from the office of the head of service and other MDAs, would be trained at the venue in batches at a minimal cost, while also calling for the full employment of casual workers across the MDAs.

“We appeal to the governor to give us an ICT venue. This centre will give our workers who do not know what a keyboard is the opportunity to learn at a very cheap rate.

“We urge the governor to inject more money into the primary education sector so that our retired teachers will flow along with others. This request is very dear to our heart,” he said.

While thanking the governor for being up and doing in paying workers’ wages and welfare, the labour chairperson urged him to look into the issue of nominal promotion, expressing hope that it would soon be a thing of the past in the state.

James expressed dismay that some teachers in the state promoted in 2024 only recently received their letters, regretting that by implication, those affected have lost both 2024 and 2025 entitlements. He therefore urged the governor to look into their plight with the aim of correcting the anomaly.

Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in the state, Comrade Kingsley Akpan, described the 2026 Workers’ Day theme, “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work,” as apt, saying these factors have posed impediments to decent work.

He intimated the governor on the level of labour exploitation and alleged slavery in some multinational companies operating in Akwa Ibom, as some of these companies have reportedly refused to pay lawful settlements to workers they engage.

“We urge the state government to call the affected companies to order because the TUC will not allow them to take the rights of workers,” he said.

Akpan, while acknowledging the efforts of the state government in job creation, called for the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport, Ibom Science Park, as well as the revival of ALSCON, saying the job opportunities inherent in these sectors are unimaginable.

Responding, Governor Umo Eno, represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, congratulated workers and assured them of his continued support through policies that prioritise their welfare while sustaining development across the state.

“We have enjoyed a strong and productive relationship with organised labour under your leadership. Even in moments of disagreement, we always chose constructive engagement over unnecessary conflict,” Eno said, while commending the leadership of the NLC.