The strike by lecturers in Colleges of Education in Kwara State took a new dimension yesterday when the state government ordered them to resume work or get sacked.

Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Alhaji Abdulwahab Opakunle, gave the directive in a statement yesterday.

The directive came 24 hours after the meeting of government representatives and union leaders under the aegis of Committee of Union of Tertiary Institutions (CUTI) ended in a deadlock.

The three state-owned Colleges of Education in Ilorin, Oro and Lafiagi have been on strike since April 7 demanding for improvement in infrastructures in the colleges, settlement of staff retirement benefits, among others.

Special Adviser on Labour to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Comrade Bisi Fakayode had told the union leaders on Tuesday that the governor wanted them to suspend the strike while negotiation continues.

However the unions rejected the call, requesting for a written agreement before the strike would be called off.