An appeal has gone to the Kwara State Government to pay the backlog of salary arrears for the staff of the state owned institutions so that academic work could commence immediately in the interest of the students.

The College Alumni Representatives and executive members of College of Education, Ilorin made the appeal yesterday during a visit to the Chief of Staff, Government House, Ilorin, Alhaji Yusuf Babatunde Abdulwahab.

College Alumni Representatives who were led on the visit by Dr Zainab Bola Balogun said the strike action embarked upon by staff of the colleges had paralyzed academic activities.

This, according to Dr Balogun had negative effects on students who are the future leaders of the country.

She added that inability of staff to receive salaries for the past few months had led to serious economic hardship to the affected workers.

She however appealed to the state government through the Chief of Staff to quickly see to the plights of the affected institutions.

Responding, the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yusuf Babatunde Abdulwahab told the delegation that government had approved the payment of October salary and another 40 percent out of outstanding salary arrears.

He said government had not been resting on his oars to ensure the full payment of salary arrears, adding that salary arrears of the affected workers would be paid as soon as the second batch of the bailout from the Federal Government was received.

The Chief of Staff appealed to the alumni to talk to the union members and staff to resume work in the interest of the students.

Members of the College Alumni Representatives and executive on the visit included Alhaji Tunde Iyanda, Alhaji Kazeem Sabi, Alhaji Lanre Idilobe, Elder E. A. Adebara and Mr F. D. Gidado among others.