By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Teachers protest exclusion from Governor Fubara’s Christmas bonus.
Port Harcourt, Rivers State — Approximately 100 primary and secondary school teachers employed by the Rivers State Government have rallied in protest at the Government House in Port Harcourt, citing alleged exclusion from the N100,000 Christmas bonus recently sanctioned for civil servants by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to the demonstrators, while other civil servants have reportedly received their bonuses alongside their December 2023 salaries, the teachers are perplexed as to why they have been omitted from this benefit.
Governor Fubara’s approval of the bonus, announced just before the Yuletide holidays, elicited jubilation among workers and garnered support from both the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in the state.
The discontented teachers, occupying the Government House, voiced their grievances and urged the state government to address the situation promptly.
Speaking to the press on Friday, one of the teachers identified as Oke stated, “We were thrilled when we learned about the governor’s approval of a N100,000 Christmas bonus for all civil servants. We anticipated a wonderful last Christmas.
“But as of today, in January, some of us, as you can see, have not received the Christmas bonus. Schools are set to resume on Monday, and most of us have returned after traveling. We’ve depleted our resources, so we’re here to register our complaints and appeal to our governor to intervene and ensure the release of our N100,000 Christmas bonus. It would significantly alleviate the impact of the current hardship, especially in this January.”
Other teachers accused their banks and the state Universal Basic Education Board of failing to address the matter adequately.
An official from the government addressed the protesters, commending their peaceful approach and assuring them that their concerns would be thoroughly examined.