As workers in Ondo state on Thursday joined the ongoing nationwide strike leading to total shut down of activities in government, banks, public schools, hospitals and government-owned media organizations, markets especially the popular Oja Oba located close to the palace of the Deji of Akure was also put under lock and key as the monarch embark on a seven days traditional leave.
The strike followed the directive of national leadership of the Organized Labour over failure of the federal government to negotiate and implement a new national minimum wage.
Market women and traders as well as some owners of private businesses also decided to stat at home .
When Daily Trust went round the Akure, It was discovered that public offices were shut while schools were also under lock and key.
In Ondo town, Ikare-Akoko, Oka , Owo and other parts of the state, workers shunned their duty posts.
Banks in the state capital and other offices were shut while ATMs remained the only working channel for people to withdraw money.
Gates of the state High Court, National Industrial Court, Appeal Court and Federal High Court and Magistrate Court located at Oke-Eda, Alagbaka and Igbatoro road in Akure were under lock and key .
The Ondo state chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Soladoye Ekundayo, Comrade Tayo Ogunleye of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) represented by the state Secretary, Alhaji Adewale Sanusi and the Chairman of the Joint negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Abel Oloniyo led other labour leaders to move round public offices to enforce the strike in the state.
In an interview, Ekundayo commended workers in the state for complying with the directive on the strike, noting that public institutions/offices would remain closed until government yield to the demands of the workforce.
Ogunleye disclosed that leadership of all labour unions in Ondo state should ensure all workers stay away from their duties post until further notice.
However, the labour leaders forcefully moved out some workers who were working at state owned radio station ,Orange FM on Irese road, Akure and Comprehensive Health Centre, Arakale, Akure.
The Deji of Akure Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi II has gone on seven day traditional leave leading to the close of popular Oja Oba and other markets close to the palace for the period.
