The Traditional Ruler of the Otumara community in Lagos mainland, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, has issued a warning to the National Theatre management against using the police to intimidate and harass workers, especially union leaders.
The caution follows the recent arrest and detention of Comrade Habib Usman and Comrade Monday Alonge, the Chairman and Secretary of the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), National Theatre chapter, by policemen attached to the Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB) of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The unionists, according to the traditional ruler, were arrested having been petitioned against by the General Manager of the parastatal, Prof Sunny Ododo for condemning the attitude of the management towards the welfare of the workers.
The union through petitions written to the Minister for Arts and Culture and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, dated March 6th and October 4th, 2023, alleged unfair, unjust, and one-sided disciplinary actions against its member and thus demanded the immediate suspension of the General Manager.
Consequently, the management through a letter issued and signed by the Director, Human Resources Department, Agbo Ita, for the General Manager, invited Comrades Usman and Alonge to the FCID, Alagbon, for interrogation.
Kalejaiye queried the arrest and subsequent detention of the union leaders while describing it as unwarranted and undeserved.
While condemning the act, he wondered when the FCID, Alagbon becomes the disciplinary arm of the National Theatre saddled with the responsibility of arresting and detaining vocal union leaders and workers.
He, however, implored the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hajia Hanatu Musawa to intervene before it further degenerates into a crisis situation.
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Speaking on the consequence of such tyranny on the workers, he said: “It would affect the level of productivity of the workers and also the activism of the union leaders. If any worker or even the union or its leaders are found wanting, one would expect the management to set up a fact-finding panel to investigate the alleged wrongdoings and then come up with their recommendations.
“It is out of place for the management to hand over its workers to the police when no criminal act has been established against such workers. The workers are in fear of who could be the next victim of persecution.
“We are all stakeholders in the Nigerian project. We want a better Nigeria and that is why we should endeavour to do what is right at all times. To this end, I want to appeal to Minister Hanatu Musawa to investigate this matter and ensure fairness, equity, and probity are attained.”