REJOINDER: A CALL FOR CALM, UNITY, TRANSPARENCY AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING OVER THE ₦5,000 TEACHERS’ ID CARD DEDUCTION
I wish to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for his demonstrated commitment to the welfare of workers and, particularly, for taking steps to pay the outstanding salary arrears owed to teachers and other workers which were left unpaid by the previous administration.
This gesture is significant and deserves commendation. At a time when many workers are facing serious economic challenges, the payment of withheld salaries is a clear indication that the welfare of workers remains a matter of concern to the present administration. Your Excellency, this good gesture will surely speak for you and remain part of the positive legacy of your administration as we approach 2027.
However, while appreciating the government for its efforts, we must also encourage constructive dialogue whenever concerns arise. The recent controversy surrounding the ₦5,000 deduction for teachers’ identification cards should therefore be approached with wisdom, maturity, understanding and the spirit of brotherhood.
A CALL FOR CALM AND UNDERSTANDING
As a leader and advocate for peace, I wish to respectfully appeal to all affected teachers to remain calm and hold their peace. We acknowledge that teachers have legitimate concerns and that they deserve to be properly informed about any financial deductions affecting their salaries or arrears.
Nevertheless, considering the prevailing security challenges confronting Taraba State and Nigeria at large, we must be careful not to allow an issue that can be resolved through dialogue to unnecessarily create tension, division or confrontation.
Our teachers are valuable members of society. They are nation builders, and their welfare matters to all of us. We therefore appeal to every affected teacher to accept the present deduction in good faith, while trusting that the concerns raised will be properly addressed through constructive engagement.
There is no need to overheat the polity or create unnecessary conflict between teachers, their union and the government.
RESPECT FOR LEADERSHIP AND DIALOGUE
We equally appeal to our teachers to continue to respect the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and other legitimate structures established to represent their interests.
Leadership is not always perfect. Where abnormalities are observed, they should be corrected through dialogue, consultation and constructive criticism—not through insults, confrontation or division.
We encourage our teachers to trust those entrusted with leadership and representation, while equally encouraging those leaders to remain accountable, transparent and responsive to the people they represent.
As Christians and responsible citizens, we must remember that, “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). We are called to be our brother’s keeper and to pursue peace whenever peace is possible.
A WORD TO TSUBEB AND THE NUT
While appealing for calm from the teachers, I respectfully call on the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to learn from this development.
Going forward, no deduction of this nature should be made from teachers’ salaries or arrears without adequate prior information and consultation with the affected staff.
Transparency and communication are essential to building trust. Teachers should be informed well ahead of time about:
– the purpose of any proposed deduction;
– the exact amount to be deducted;
– the nature and quality of the item or service being provided;
– the duration and conditions attached to the arrangement; and
– the appropriate channels for questions or complaints.
Proper prior communication would have prevented much of the misunderstanding and tension surrounding the present issue.
THE QUALITY OF THE ID CARDS MUST JUSTIFY THE DEDUCTION
Having said this, I strongly appeal to TSUBEB and the NUT to ensure that every teacher whose salary or arrears has been deducted receives the promised identification card.
Furthermore, the cards should be of high quality, durable and fit for purpose, with a reasonable lifespan of at least five years, considering the amount deducted from each teacher.
Teachers should not be made to pay for cards that are substandard, easily damaged or require unnecessary replacement shortly after issuance.
If the deduction has been made for the production of permanent identification cards, then the quality of those cards should correspond with the stated purpose and the financial contribution made by the teachers.
A WORD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
I also appeal to members of the general public, political actors, community leaders and other stakeholders to desist from deliberately instigating teachers or encouraging them to react unnecessarily.
At this critical period in our national life, we need more voices for peace, unity and constructive engagement—not voices that will inflame an already sensitive situation.
Disagreements can be resolved. Concerns can be addressed. Mistakes can be corrected. But once unnecessary conflict is allowed to escalate, the consequences may affect everyone.
Let us therefore act in love, promote understanding and remain our brother’s keeper.
OUR COMMITMENT
To our dear teachers, please remain peaceful and patient. We hear your concerns, and we understand your position.
At the same time, I wish to assure you that if any further deduction of this nature is made in the future without adequate prior information, consultation and clear explanation to the affected teachers, we shall stand with you and speak more strongly for your legitimate rights through appropriate and peaceful channels.
Our position is not to encourage confrontation. Rather, it is to ensure justice, fairness, transparency, accountability and respect for the dignity of our teachers.
We therefore appeal to all parties to sheathe their swords, embrace dialogue and allow reason to prevail.
Taraba State belongs to all of us. The government, TSUBEB, NUT and our teachers are partners in the development of our educational system. Let us disagree without becoming enemies, correct one another without hatred, and pursue our common interest without destroying the bonds that unite us.
May God continue to bless our teachers, strengthen the leadership of the NUT and TSUBEB, grant wisdom to His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas, and grant peace, security and prosperity to Taraba State and Nigeria.
Let us choose peace. Let us choose dialogue. Let us choose love. Let us be our brother’s keeper.
Signed:
Evang. Jesse Ephesian, JP
YOWICAN Chairman, North East Zone, Nigeria
