Home Blog Page 1417

Imo Workers Celebrate Uzodimma’s Victory, Elders Council, IPAC Too

By
The Source
-
0

It was celebration galore at the Government House Owerri on Tuesday as workers in Imo State trouped out in their numbers to celebrate the reelection of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Also same day, members of the Imo State Elders Council and the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) stormed the Government House Owerri to celebrate with Governor Uzodimma on his victory at the polls and to assure him that they are solidly behind him on his electoral victory.

The civil servants, led by the Head of Service, Barr Raymond Ucheoma and his Permanent Secretaries, had turned out in their numbers, danced and prayed to God for granting their  requests to have Governor Uzodimma reelected because of what he has done for the workers in particular and the State in general.

Members of the Imo State Elders Council were led by their Chairman, HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya while the politicians under the umbrella of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) were led by Ichie Livi Ekeh of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The IPAC members had called on their candidates who took part in the Saturday November 11 governorship election in Imo State and lost to forget about any form of litigation and support the Governor, saying that Governor Uzodimma’s victory was not only overwhelming, but that the process that gave him victory was largely free, fair and credible.

Among them were the five governorship candidates – Dr. Iwuanyanwu Isaac (Booth Party), Edoziem Clinton Chibuike ( Allied People’s Party), Isiodu Uchechukwu (PRP), Prince Andy Anyadike( Zenith Labour Party) and Dr. Lawrence Cole Okwara (NRM) – who congratulated Governor Uzodimma on his re-election.

Other IPAC Parties in attendance were the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and Action Alliance (AA).

They described his re-election and victory as well deserving and promised to mobilise the other governorship contestants to ensure they are on the same page on the Governor’s victory and the need for them not to waste their resources on needless contestation in court.

In his address, Eze Ilomuanya said they came to congratulate the Governor on his re-election victory and to thank Imo people, security agencies and even the governorship candidates in particular for accepting the result and quickly congratulating the winner.

Eze Ilomuanya called on his fellow Elders to continue to make sacrifices that will ensure peace and harmonious coexistence in Imo State.

He implored the Governor to strive and improve on the achievements he recorded in his first tenure in office.

Some of the Imo Elders who came to congratulate the Governor include Engr. E. C Iwuanyanwu, Chief Greg Mbadiwe, Justice Benjamin Njemanze, Prof Maurice Iwu, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, Princes Gloria Akobundu, Sen. Chris Anyanwu, Rt Hon. Maxwell Duru, among others.

Explaining the reason the civil servants came to congratulate the Governor, Ucheoma said his reelection was not just free, fair and credible, but that the winning indicates how much the Imo civil servants in particular and the people of Imo State at large love Governor Uzodimma.

Ucheoma recalled the good things the Governor has done for the Imo civil servants and said his re-election means a lot to them because Governor Uzodimma has now been repositioned to do more for them and the State.

The civil servants proceeded to present a gift of an art impression of the Governor, and a congratulatory cake which Governor Uzodimma cut with his deputy governor- elect, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru,  key civil servants and some top government officials.

Responding, a happy Governor Uzodimma assured the Imo workers that the loyalty they have shown that culminated in the reform in the civil service, increase in the emoluments, constant payment of salaries, including the 13th month, payment of minimum wage and recently, increase in their minimum wage, are pointers to better things to happen to them.

He urged them to remain committed to their duty as his plan is to make Imo civil servants the envy of other workers in Imo and elsewhere.

To the IPAC members, Governor Uzodimma said in every contest there is bound to be a winner and a loser, but that it is gratifying to note that IPAC members have shown that in the just concluded governorship election in Imo State, there are no bad losers.

He thanked them for coming to identify with his victory at the polls and assured them that everyone has a role to play in making Imo the State of our collective dream.

Addressing the Imo Elders Council members at the New Exco Chambers, the Governor assured them that the confidence reposed in him by the re-election will not be betrayed and that the renewed mandate is a challenge to him to do more for the people.

He thanked the Elders and also congratulated them on his victory on behalf of the Government and people of Imo State.

The Governor said their sacrifices and contributions, as well as their ideas helped to reduce political tension with the concept of the Charter of Equity.

He said that he was not surprised over his victory “because Imo Elders as well as Stakeholders took a decision that went beyond political and ethnic inclination.”

The Governor recalled that “the Charter of Equity was a proactive measure to remove acrimony and tension that had enveloped Imo politics in the past, it was a decision the elders took in good faith,” insisting that he was not just convinced but that he bought into the idea.

He assured the elders that his successor will be produced by the Charter of Equity.

Continuing, Governor Uzodimma informed that the journey to a new Imo has started, saying that despite every distractions in his first tenure he was able to achieve results which helped and encouraged Imo people to re-elect him.

He appealed to the elders to go home and relax as he will get it right.

Governor Uzodimma said he will use the renewed mandate judiciously, with the fear of God and will not allow mischief makers to derail the good programmes and policies of the 3R administration.

The Governor who appealed to the elders to always guide their utterances, said that the Imo Citizens will always refer to what they said and go by that, reassuring them that the next Governor will not come from Orlu zone.

On the workers strike, the Governor informed the elders that it is on record that Imo workers are not owed a dime as salaries, noting that despite all odds he was able to clear backlog of judges’ salaries he met on assumption of office in 2020.

He said if at all some workers are being owed, it may not be up to 2% “and it is because there are discrepancies in their records or they are fraudulent in their payroll records.”

The Governor said that having achieved automation of salaries and pension his government is now embarking upon “installation of clock-in and clock-out” system to check truancy in work place and to fish out some workers who get their regular alerts when they don’t even come to office.

On the problem of Nigerian Labour President, Comrade Joe Ajero, the Governor regretted any assault on him but condemned in its entirety the way and manner the President ignored his root and decided to besiege the State as though there are no authorities or government in Imo State.

He said that the entire scenario is regrettable and told the elders that as Governor he will not succumb to intimidation of any kind.

Lady Ekomaru, Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, Majority Leader, Dele Onyemechi, Chief Whip, Chigozie Nwaneri, Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barr COC Akaolisa, Commissioners, other political appointees and Sir Chukwuma Ekomaru attended a witnessed all the events.

INEC Reacts Says Kogi Accreditation Figures Intact

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has denied tampering with some figures related to last Saturday’s Governorship election in Kogi state.

The Commission described the allegation as unfounded saying update data relating to the poll are still on the Bimodal Accreditation Voter Accreditation System, (BVAS).

A statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna National Commissioner and Member Information and Voter Education Committee stated: “The attention of INEC has been drawn to some media reports alleging that the Commission was tampering with the accredited figures of voters in the Kogi Governorship Election results uploaded on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.  However, these reports are unfounded.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the most accurate and up-to-date Voters’ Accreditation Data is available in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which is used for the authentication and accreditation of registered voters at various polling units on election day. It automatically retains the accreditation data of all voters.

“The BVAS is designed to primarily work offline without Internet connectivity, which facilitates faster and seamless authentication and accreditation experience for voters.

“However, when its application is active or in use, depending on the strength of its connection to the Internet, the BVAS automatically exports the accreditation data to the Accreditation Backend System (ABS).

“This exportation of data does not happen when the device’s application is inactive or when the internet connectivity is poor.

“The same experience applies to a situation where more than one BVAS gadget is used at a polling unit with more than 1,250 registered voters.

“This could be compared to a situation when poor network services delay the delivery of an SMS sent from one individual to another through a mobile phone.

“At the close of poll, Presiding Officers are expected to press the data exportation button on the BVAS to ensure that all the accreditation data are exported to the ABS.

“This process, referred to as synchronization and which is ongoing, could lead to changes in the accreditation figures as more data flow in to update the existing figures.

“This is the basis for the caveat provided on the IReV portal, regarding the accreditation figures. The accreditation data cannot be changed on the BVAS after the close of poll.

“The public should disregard the misleading report and misinformation.”

LAHA  To Regulate Multiple Taxation Of Transport Unions, Summons Top Govt, LASTMA

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Mudashiru Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the face off between Transport Unions and Officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, which led to the strike action by  Commercial Transport Workers in Lagos on Monday, the Lagos State House of Assembly has waded into the issue.

The Lawmakers at Plenary on Tuesday frowned at the alleged recklessness of some motorists operating in the State just as the Lawmakers raised concerns over the activities of some officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, with the transport Unions.

At  Plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the House invited the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, to appear and give explanations concerning the incessant recklessness of drivers and the roles played by LASTMA officials.

Also invited, among others, is the General Manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba.

The decision of the House followed a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ raised by a member, Hon. Temitope Adewale, on the death of two officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) resulting from a road rage engaged in by two drivers.

Speaker Obasa, while noting that incidents involving recklessness of drivers and careless attitude of LASTMA officials were on the increase, said, in addition to the invitation of the affected top officials, there was a need to revisit the laws guiding transportation in the state.

“The Commissioner and others can be invited so we know what to do to change the current narrative. It is good that we also look at the law to see the penalties. Maybe this would reduce such recklessness on the roads.

“The driver who has been arrested must be prosecuted to the latter. If the driver is not found, the owner of the vehicle should be arrested where the driver is an employee of someone so as to serve as deterrent to other motorists,” Dr. Obasa said.

The Speaker also supported suggestions by the Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, and another lawmaker, Gbolahan Yishawu, that modern technology be added by the government in the cleaning of roads in the state, but said it was necessary to accommodate the sweepers, who, he argued, were employed to earn a living and assist their families.

“We have to call on our people, the road users, to be very careful. LAWMA should also come up with ideas to help protect staff, insure them and make the motorists know when the sweepers are working,” the Speaker said while calling for more enlightenment of motorists.

The House held a minute silence in honour of the deceased while Obasa instructed the Clerk, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to convey a condolence message to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, the House of Assembly may dust up the law regulating transportation to address the problem of alleged multiple taxations by various unions in the sector.

Dr. Obasa gave the hint following a motion raised by Hon. Adewale, over a recent protest against alleged extortion by the transport unions in Lagos.

“This alleged extortion affects our people generally and looking at the economic condition of the country, we need to intervene. We must be able to define the paths that these unionists have to tread so that they do not make life unbearable for the people.

“At every bus stop, they collect money causing traffic snare. At the end, the man making the payment would go home with nothing and to avoid this, he has to put the weight on the commuters.

“We must avoid a situation where people would be moved to take laws into their hands. We need to extract seriousness out of this situation. Where there is a law, there will be penalties,” he said while calling for the engagement of candidates recently interviewed for recruitment into the Neighbourhood Safety Corps to expand the security network in the state.

The House resolved to invite the transport unions in the state for discussion.

TCN, Ondo Primary School Teachers Shun Strike

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
NLC Protest

By Ayodele Oni

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has distanced itself from a  publication which claimed a nationwide electricity blackout was imminent following the industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Recall that many affiliates of organized labour, on Tuesday, complied with the strike directive and suspended their services.

TCN, has swiftly denied that it joined in the strike, stating that there is no truth in a media report about a looming national blackout.

The TCN stressed that the assertion which claimed that the Head of Public Affairs of TCN had predicted a nationwide power outage, is incorrect and deceptive.

In a statement released by the TCN management and posted on its official X account on Tuesday, it was clarified that the Public Affairs Head did not make any such statement.

The statement further revealed that the country’s power grid is fully functional and continues to consistently supply significant electricity to distribution load centres throughout the nation.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby states that the publication alleging that the Head of Public Affairs of TCN said that there will be a national blackout is false and totally misleading.

“The statement is mischievous and baseless as TCN, through the Public Affairs Head, did not make such a statement.

“We hereby note that the nation’s grid is intact and supplying bulk electricity to distribution load centres nationwide.

“As of when issuing this statement, the TCN National Control Centre Osogbo, which controls bulk power transmission nationwide, is actively operational.”

In Ondo state, there are conflicting report on the strike as the organized labour claimed its success, while another report stated that pupils and teachers in primary schools were at school on Tuesday.

In a statement by the State Universal Basic Education Board, it commended teachers especially those in Public Primary Schools across the State for being in Schools doing their jobs despite the indefinite strike called by the Labour  to press home their demands.

The Executive Chairman Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB Victor Olabimtan lauded the teachers for displaying uncommon dedication to duty and loyalty to the present Administration.

He enjoined the teachers to continue to do their jobs to the best of their abilities as the government will always prioritize their welfare.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced that members joined the ongoing and indefinite nationwide Strike as directed by the national secretariats of the two bodies.

In a Press Release signed by the State NLC Chairman, Victor Amoko and the TUC Chairman,  Clement Fatuase, workers in the State are advised to comply with the strike directive appropriately.

Both NLC and TUC leadership as well as the State JNC Chairman, Ademola Olapade said the strike is basically on issues that affect the attack on the NLC President,  Joe Ajaero and non-implementation of some agreement reached with the Federal Government aftermath of fuel subsidy removal.

The Ondo organized labour insisted that the strike is not against the Ondo State government, but to protest against impunity in the country.

The leadership called on all affiliate executives to ensure strict compliance with the directive of the national body until the matter is resolved.

Nigeria Army Laments Fake Recruitment Adverts, Vows To Punish Perpetrators

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Army has lamented the spate of fake recruitment advertisement and Online Portals by fraudsters.

The Army disclosed that the Direct Short Service recruitment advertisements are fake and a way of defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians.

The Army in a statement on Tuesday, by the Director, Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, urged Nigerians, especially those interested in joining the Service to disregard the advertisements.

The statement partly reads:

“The Nigeria Army has noted the alarming rate of the spread of fake online recruitment information, particularly regarding the Nigerian Army Direct Short Service Recruitment Portal for the year 2023.

“The NA wishes to state that the false online publication is a deliberate fraudulent effort by some unscrupulous persons to mislead the public.

“Considering the damage these fake online publications could do to the psyche of would-be candidates and the general public, it is crucial to clarify that the fake online Direct Short Service Portal 2023, is a scam and should be clearly avoided.”

Nwachukwu said the Army has commenced the process of arresting the perpetrators of the crime, urging Nigerians to report those portals to the service.

“The NA has already set measures in motion to apprehend those behind the fraudulent portal. Accordingly, members of the public are enjoined to report any suspicious recruitment portal or activities to the NA.

“The NA will continue to remain committed to ensuring a transparent and credible recruitment process through the NA’s established official channels of communication. These channels include the official Nigerian Army website and social media platforms https://army.mil.ng Twitter @HQNigerianArmyFacebook, HQ Nigerian Army and other reputable media outlets.

“It is important to rely on these official sources for accurate and up-to-date information, rather than fall victim to fake recruitment online advertisements. Fake recruitment advertisements will inevitably mislead potential candidates and expose them to the vagaries of fraudulent activities of scammers,” he added.

“The perpetrators of this dastardly act will be brought to book and severely punished”, the statement said.

Jonathan Celebrates Diri, Hails His Governorship Victory, Says Victory For All Bayelsans

By
The Source
-
0

By Charles Igbo

Dr Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, has hailed the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri,  on his victory at the Governorship polls.

In the election held on November 11, 2023, Diri, seeking for a second term in office, defeated his closest rival, former Governor of the State/the immediate past Governor of the State, Timipre Sylva. He beat Sylva to a distant second place.

In a statement which Jonathan personally signed and posted on X, he congratulated Diri on his victory, and described the Governor’s victory as “victory for all Bayelsans.”

Diri secured 175,196 votes to beat Sylva who polled 110,108.

Said Jonathan in the post:

“Congratulations to His Excellency @govdouyediri on his re-election as the Governor of Bayelsa State,”

“Your victory at the poll is well-deserved, as it demonstrates the people’s faith in your leadership and reward for years of commitment to peace, prosperity, and progress of Bayelsa.

“Your success confers on you more responsibilities, as the people have, through the ballot, entrusted you with hope and expectation for a better and prosperous future.

“I urge you to reciprocate this confidence reposed on you by the people through this mandate and work for the general good and progress of all Bayelsans, irrespective of political affiliation, senatorial district, clan or community.

“I commend all the candidates for their participation in the just concluded election and for their determination and passion to serve the people of Bayelsa. The victory of one candidate does not translate to a conquest of the other.

“This is a victory for all Bayelsans. I urge all stakeholders to put the interest of the state above personal and political interests. We must, at this time, unite and work towards building a better Bayelsa.

“My dear Governor, your re-election should consolidate the unity and progress of our dear Bayelsa State.

“Finally, I call on the electoral umpire and other stakeholders to take seriously the issues of the off-cycle elections and work towards the improvement of the electoral system and sustainability of our nation’s democracy.”

Samdaddy Resumes As PDP National Secretary, But Stopped By Abuja High Court From Parading Self As  One

By
The Source
-
0
Senator Samuel Anyanwu - Sam Daddy

By Charles Igbo

Smarting from the technical knockout given to him at the Governorship polls of the November 11, 2023 in Imo, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Candidate, has been given another technical knockout by an Abuja High Court.

Anyanwu, popular as Samdaddy, resumed as the National Secretary of the PDP, on Tuesday, after his Governorship defeat and was welcomed by his staff.

But an Abuja High Court stepped in and poured cold water on his joy on resumption.

The Court asked him to cease parading himself as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Justice M. M. Adamu who ruled on a motion brought by a member of the party, Douglas Nwachukwu, filed by his lawyer, F. S. Jimba Esq. dated October 30, stopped Anyanwu from performing the function of the office of the Secretary of the party.

A couple of weeks earlier, a High Court in Enugu had given same order and asked  him to step aside as the National Secretary of the PDP.

Nwachukwu had asked the Court for some reliefs which include * An Order of Interlocutory injunction restraining the 1st Defendant (PDP) whether by itself, National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, servants, agents, privies or any other person howsoever described from recognizing, accepting or dealing with the 2nd Defendant (Anyanwu) as the Nation Secretary of the 1st Defendant pending the determination of the substantive suit.

*An Order of Interlocutory injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant from parading or acting as the National Secretary of the 1st Defendant pending the determination of the substantive suit.

After listening to the argument, the Court held that:

*”That this application succeeds and the Orders are hereby granted as prayed.

*”That an Order of Interlocutory injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st Defendant/Respondent whether by itself, National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, servants, agents, privies or any other person howsoever described from recognizing, accepting or dealing with the 2nd Defendant as the National Secretary of the 1st Defendant pending the determination of the substantive suit.

*”That an Order of Interlocutory injunction is hereby granted restraining the 2nd Defendant/Respondent from parading himself or acting as the National Secretary of the 1st Defendant pending the determination of the substantive suit.”

The Court adjourned the case to 24th January, 2024 for the hearing of the substantive suit.

Ekiti: Ilawe Community Hands Over 107 Hectares Of Land For Federal College Of Education Take Off

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Ilawe community in Ekiti State has donated 107 hectares of land to the federal government for the take off of a college of education.

At the handover of the land, the State Government directed the Surveyor General to perfect necessary documents of the land, which has been surveyed to the federal government.

With the handover of the land, the Federal College of Education, Ilawe Ekiti, has formally commenced operations.

Speaking at the occasion, the Alawe,  Oba Adebanji Alabi, described the occasion as a fulfilment of a great dream saying “this is a dream come true despite all the vicissitudes.”

Welcoming the delegation from the Federal Ministry of Education Abuja, the Ekiti State ministry of education, as well as all Principal Officers of the Federal College of Education  to the occasion, Oba Alabi appreciated President Bola Tinubu for approving the immediate take off of the Federal College of Education while eulogizing former President Mohammadu Buhari for giving the initial approval.

A statement by media adviser to the monarch, Ajibade Olubunmi, said Oba Alabi added that the struggle by Ilawe community to have the College began in 2016 through series of letters and memoranda to the federal government from him.

Alawe, a former Chairman of Ekiti Traditional Rulers Council, expressed gratitude to those who stood by him and the community in the realization  of the Federal College of Education in Ilawe, promising that the community would reciprocate the gesture by giving support in whatever way possible to the government of the day.

“As a grateful community, we will continue to support all the people oriented  programmes of the federal and state governments.”

The leader of the federal government delegation, who is the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew Adejo, said the establishment of the school was a practical demonstration of the federal government’s determination to expand educational opportunities, and invest in the training of future educators.

The permanent secretary thanked the State government for its support, saying making the institution become a reality by President Tinubu, was an evidence of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

The  Provost of the institution, Dr  Ikuejube Ajigbade, explained that the College of Education was a special one, and a two in one school, as it would serve as both a College of Education and University, awarding both NCE Certificate and Degrees.

He explained that “the college would run courses in both Education, Sciences and Technology, while plans are on to also to extend the trend to vocational and allied studies, in order to produce job opportunities for our teaming youths.”

The Ekiti State Governor,  represented on the occasion, by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Kofoworola Aderiye, congratulated the Ilawe community for the siting of the institution and for already making available, a total of 107 hectares of land for its permanent site.

He stated that the site had been surveyed by Surveyor-General, for further necessary action.

The governor said that the erstwhile facility of the Government Girls College, Ilawe Ekiti, which was built by the Federal Government, had also been released for the take-off of the Federal College of Education, pending the adequate development of the permanent site.

NBF Suspends VP Omo-Agege For Impersonation

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

The Vice President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, (NBF), Azania Omo-Agege has been suspended.

His suspension has been approved by the board of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, after he was found guilty of impersonation.

This was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary General of the NBF, Akinyele Oladapo, who explained that Azania Omo-Agege impersonated the President of NBF, and this was confirmed by various African Boxing Federation Presidents.

According to the statement, the suspension was taken at the board meeting held on November 11, 2023, in which he was unable to defend his actions concerning the unauthorized press release/letter to the International Boxing Association (IBA) which embarrassed the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Federal Ministry of Sports and the entire country.

The statement revealed that Azania Omo-Agege forged and printed letterhead of the NBF without approval.

The statement read; “At no time has Azania Omo-Agege briefed or written any report on the outcome of meetings at AFBC and IBA for the action of the President.

“That you failed to utilize the opportunity provided by the board to reconcile you and the President at the last zoom meeting.

“That you constituted yourself as one man parallel body against the majority of the board who affirmed the decision to join the World Boxing body as a step in the right direction for the growth of boxing.

“Your claim to IBA that President of Nigeria Boxing Federation Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah has ceased to be President according to constitution is null and void as well as embarrassing.”

The statement also requested Azania Omo-Agege to withdraw the letter written to IBA on Nigeria, the suit against the World body, issue a press release denouncing the earlier release, write an apology to the President as well as board within 21 days.

NLC/TUC Strike: Business Activities Grounded In Lagos, As Banks, NRC Join The Bandwagon

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
NLC Protest

By Akinwale Kasali

The proposed Nationwide Strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC and other affiliate Unions has crippled business activities in some States around the Federation.

In Lagos, the commercial hub of the nation, the nationwide strike was adhered to by some affiliates of the NLC and TUC following the decision of the National Executive Council meeting of the labour unions, held on November 13, 2023, in Abuja, resolving to embark on the strike.

Some Banks in the State were under lock and key, while Rail Transportation was shut down as the National Railway Corporation, NRC, Union followed the NLC and TUC directives.

Segun Esan, the Secretary General, Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, said that the union was involved in the strike and no train was running as a result.

“In effect, therefore, all the workers of Nigerian Railway are duty-bound to join the nationwide strike action from zero-zero hour of Tuesday, 14th November, 2023 by staying back at home and away from their offices.

“All the offices, stations, workshops, and entire premises of the corporation remain locked and inaccessible from zero-zero hour of Tuesday, 14th November, 2023, till otherwise directed by the Congress,” Esan said.

Also, the President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions, Mr Oluwole Olusoji, said advice had been sent out to members on compliance.

He said that members had been advised to ensure the safeguard of lives and property from people who might be used to take undue advantage of the situation.

“We will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds,” Olusoji said.

The Nationwide Strike is as a result of the alleged failure of the Federal Government to address issues affecting workers, such as the minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and poor governance.

Also, both Unions had made some demands, which the Government had allegedly failed to address following the recent crisis in Imo that resulted in the alleged brutalisation of the NLC President,  Joe Ajaero, and other members of the labour unions.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress also joined the nationwide strike in compliance with the directives of the national body of the union.

The primary, secondary and tertiary institutions also joined the strike.

It was observed that primary and day secondary school pupils who went to school as early as 7.30 am were compelled to return home as they did not meet teachers in the schools.

It was gathered that the strike has also affected operations in banks, hospitals, and other public places in the state.

Similarly, the Audu Bako State Secretariat, was also closed following the commencement of the strike, even though some workers who were not aware of the strike reported to work in the morning but had to return home later.

It was gathered that Students in Bayero University Kano who are currently sitting for their first semester examination are also affected by the strike as a number of them who went to the examination halls  had to return to their respective hostels.

The Kano State Ministry of Education has also suspended the 2023 Secondary Schools Qualifying Examination scheduled to take place today, until further notice.

A statement signed by the Director of Public Enlightenment of the Ministry, Balarabe Kiru, revealed that the suspension is compelled by the industrial action embarked upon by the NLC and TUC nationwide.

The statement, however, appealed to the people concerned, especially students and parents or guardians, to bear with any inconvenience that may be caused by the suspension.

1...1,4161,4171,418...2,983Page 1,417 of 2,983