The Nigeria Labour Congress, Delta State chapter, shut down the state secretariat in Asaba on Friday to protest the death of Deputy Director Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda. Adeda, a staff member of the Ministry of Secondary Education, reportedly died in hospital on Friday, a day after an alleged incident at the Prof Chike Odozien Secretariat. Workers locked the entrances, preventing normal official activities, as they demanded an investigation into Adeda's death.
According to sources, Adeda was allegedly assaulted during a confrontation involving Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu. The incident allegedly started when Ashibogwu asked Adeda if he knew him, and Adeda replied that he did not. However, the allegation of assault has not been independently established, and the circumstances surrounding Adeda's death remain under investigation.
Delta State NLC Chairman, Goodluck Ofobruku, addressed the workers during the protest, stating that they were unhappy with the incident and concerned about their safety at work. Ofobruku said the union would engage the state government to find an amicable resolution to the matter. He stated that workers would return to their duties on Monday if the government assured them of their safety but would remain at home if their concerns were not addressed.
Ofobruku emphasized that workers must feel safe in their workplaces and that those responsible for Adeda's death must be brought to book. The union leader's comments reflected the workers' demands for an investigation and action against those responsible. Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Joint Civil Service Negotiating Council, Benson Efeotor, appealed to workers to remain calm and avoid violence or destruction of property while the union continued discussions with the government.
Efeotor visited the Ministry of Education and sought information about Adeda, who worked at the Science Centre. He assured workers that the council was working to establish what happened. The government has also begun to investigate the incident, with Commissioner for Works and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, addressing the workers and union leaders.
Aniagwu stated that the government's immediate priority was to establish the facts and determine the cause of Adeda's death. He assured workers that the circumstances surrounding the death would be established, and necessary action would be taken based on the findings. Aniagwu appealed for restraint and commended the workers and union leaders for handling the protest peacefully.
The state government is expected to continue discussions with labour unions as workers await further clarification on the circumstances surrounding Adeda's death. The incident has raised concerns about worker safety and the need for investigations into allegations of assault. The government has promised to take necessary action based on the findings of the investigation.
Key points
- Workers in Delta State, Nigeria, protested the death of Deputy Director Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda, shutting down the state secretariat.
- The Nigeria Labour Congress demanded an investigation into Adeda's death and assurance of worker safety before returning to work.
- The state government has begun investigating the incident and promised to take necessary action based on the findings.
