Kwara workers issue 14-day strike notice to govt over agreement breach.

Kwara workers issue 14-day strike notice to govt over agreement breach.

Public workers in Kwara State, under the aegis of the Joint Kwara Labour Congress, yesterday, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government over the alleged refusal to implement the agreement it reached with the union.

State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Muritala Saheed, who spoke on behalf of other unions, said the ultimatum became effective from Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

Other labour leaders at the event included State Chairman of the TUC, Tunde Joseph, the state chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Saliu Suleiman, among others.

The NLC Chairman said they had “observed that our dear state is falling apart and the body language of our government does not suit the purpose of mending the cracks. These cracks cut across both formal and informal sector of our State economically, psychologically, physically and morally.

“On several occasions both NLC and TUC of this state have written government on demands of Workers and observed ills in our State. Unfortunately there was no change or attempt to address issues raised in our letters.

“As we speak, all industrial Unions in the state have one demand or another that requires government attention, this is not forthcoming as the government has remained invisible/incommunicado.

“Most pathetic is the fact that government of our dear state has refused to honour/implement all written and gentleman agreement it entered into with labour.

Among these are Non-implementation of N35,000 Wage Award for all categories of Workers in Kwara State following fuel subsidy removal, Refusal to domesticate and implement 40 percent peculiar allowance as approved and provided for by the Federal Government of Nigeria, and Non-payment of Consequential adjustment to pensioners since.”

Others are the approval of the current New Minimum Wage in 2019, lack of willingness to pay Local Government Workers Outstanding Arrears, outstanding Arrears of promotion for 2020, 2021 and 2022, non-implementation of 100 percent CONHESS and 100 percent Hazard.

Join hands with Alia to develop Benue, Ganduje tells opposition.

Join hands with Alia to develop Benue, Ganduje tells opposition.

The national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Tuesday, January 9, told the opposition parties in Benue state to join hands with Governor Hyacinth Alia to move the state to the next level.

He gave this advice while congratulating the Benue state governor over his victory at the Supreme Court.

Ganduje in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu in Abuja noted that the verdict by the apex court confirmed Governor Alia’s well-deserved victory in the 2023 governorship election.

He then called on the opposition and well-meaning people of Benue state to join hands with the Governor to ensure the socioeconomic development of the state.

He said: “The Supreme Court ruling is a confirmation of both the perfect will of God and the undeniable choice of Benue state people.

“It also reinforces the confidence our people have in the judiciary. This is a good development for the advancement of democracy in our dear nation Nigeria.

“The APC and our teeming supporters in Benue state are satisfied with the transparent and accountable leadership you have exhibited since you took the oath of office and allegiance on May 29, last year.

“Please accept my warm congratulations on your victory and my best wishes for your success as you prepare to take up the responsibilities and challenges of your high office.

“I wish to assure you and the people of Benue state of the continued support of the party.

“It is time for the people of Benue state from all political parties and all ethnic subgroups to rise and support you as our God-ordained governor.”

Fubara vows to complete Etche-Igbodo road in Rivers.

Fubara vows to complete Etche-Igbodo road in Rivers.

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to complete the remaining section of the Etche-Igbodo road in Etche Local Government Area following outcries by residents.

The governor after inspecting the road observed its deplorable state and vowed to urgently commence work to complete the road.

A statement signed by the governor’s Special Assistant, Media, Boniface Onyedi, said Fubara visited the area on Tuesday in response to complaints from residents in Umuohie-Igbodo communities.

The governor was said to have driven on the entire stretch of the bad section to the Okpala community of Imo State to assess the condition of the bad section and the level of work required to complete it.

He acknowledged that the immediate past administration did a great job when it reconstructed the Etche-Igbodo road and observed that the deplorable section was not completed then and had become a problem for residents and commuters.  

He said: “We got this complaints that a section of the Etche-Igbodo road that was not completed is creating a very big problem for the residents here. 

“So, I know that the previous administration did a very great job here, so I came myself to see what the problem is and from what I’m seeing here, it’s really a problem. 

“We, as a government we see what we can do immediately to complete this section so that there will be very easy traffic along this route.

“It’s really bad, you can see that. I wonder how these people manage during raining season because if we are in dry season, it is bad this way then it must be terrible during the raining season. So we will do something about it immediately.”

Fed Govt seeks ASUU’s support for strike-free academic system.

Fed Govt seeks ASUU’s support for strike-free academic system.

The Federal Government has sought the support of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to ensure that the country runs smooth academic sessions free of strikes.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the appeal after a meeting with the union’s leadership.

She urged the union leaders to join forces with the government for national progress.

A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Olajide Oshundun, said the minister told ASUU leadership, led by its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, that she believed in mutual understanding between the union and the government to move the country towards the same progressive direction.

She expressed worry about unending disputes in the nation’s academic system, saying: “We should be part of the process to ensure such actions are averted.”

The minister called for “proactive problem-solving rather than reactive conflict resolution”.

Onyejeocha extended an open invitation for dialogue and complete transparency to ASUU.

The minister urged the union to allow the ministry to know its problems, noting that by prioritising open communication and proactive problem-solving, both parties could work together to ensure a smooth academic session in 2024 and beyond.

She said this would eventually paved the way for a vibrant and flourishing educational landscape.

Onyejeocha said: “I crave your indulgence to allow the ministry to know all the issues you think we should know. I want us to be on the same page, from item one to the last, for the sake of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Labour Ministry is not supposed to be reactive but be proactive. We should be part of the process to make sure that every issue is addressed.

“I am a product of the university system. We want to be on the same page because of the Renewed Hope Agenda. We have to move at the same pace. I believe that we can move in the same direction.”

The minister urged ASUU leaders to consider the current economic realities when presenting their demands.

She called for pragmatism on past agreements between the union and government, suggesting that some demands might need re-evaluation in the light of the nation’s financial constraints.

NAFDAC seeks stiffer counterfeiting law without fine option.

NAFDAC seeks stiffer counterfeiting law without fine option.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has promised to remain resolute in its commitment to rid the country of counterfeit drugs and unwholesome products.

It affirmed that threats to the lives of its officers as well as the recent negative press concerning the activities of fake drug manufacturers and sellers of substandard food and beverages would not discourage its efforts at ensuring the safety of drugs and food consumed in Nigeria.

NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who restated the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s health, noted that an urgent review of the nation’s law on counterfeiting would address the issue.

Adeyeye said the support of the National Assembly for the review of the extant law for stiff penalties without an option of fine for the offenders had become expedient.

The NAFDAC boss said this would deter the audacious stance of perpetrators in the illicit trade, who appeared unfazed by existing penalties.

Section 3 (1) (a) of the Counterfeiting and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004, states that ‘Any person who commits an offence under (a) Section 1 of this Act, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or more than fifteen years or to both such fine and imprisonment’.

Section 3 (2) states: ‘Where an offence under Section 1 or 2 of this Act has been committed by a body corporate, every person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a proprietor, director, general manager, secretary or other similar officer, servant or agent of the body corporate (or a person purporting to act in any such capacity), he, as well as the body corporate, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished accordingly’.

Though she did spell out details of the agency’s proposed penalties, Adeyeye stressed that stiffer penalties without an option of a fine would discourage perpetrators from engaging in such illicit trades.

According to her, the recent exposure of a cartel involved in the production of fake wines and soft drinks in Aba, Abia State, underscores the gravity of the situation.

Adeyeye assured Nigerians that NAFDAC remained steadfast to battle those aiming to profit at the expense of the well-being of their fellow citizens.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the director general expressed dismay at uncomplimentary commentaries in a section of the media.

She cited the interception of counterfeiters in Eziukwu Market in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the agency’s commitment to fighting counterfeiting.

The NAFDAC boss said the agency would not be deterred by unfounded allegations, urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

Adeyeye said officers from the Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) as well as Pharmacovigilance and Post-Marketing Surveillance directorates had been empowered to apprehend those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs and substandard food items.

According to her, despite numerous life-threatening encounters and attacks on NAFDAC officers, the agency remains undeterred in its mission to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

Adeyeye urged fellow Nigerians to provide useful information on the activities of counterfeiters, saying: “They live and operate in our midst. We should say something when we see something.”

The NAFDAC boss promised that the agency would persist with its sensitisation activities across the country in the new year, ensure that Nigerians were aware of the threats posed by counterfeit products.

Court declares Anyanwu as PDP national secretary.

Court declares Anyanwu as PDP national secretary.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The court also in a judgment delivered on Tuesday restrained the national leadership of the PDP from appointing any person as acting National Secretary, adding that in line with the party’s constitution, Anyanwu’s four-year tenure ends December 9, 2025.

But the PDP rejected the judgment, saying it would be appealed.

Reacting, the PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ali Odefa, told The PUNCH: “Certainly, we will appeal that judgment. There was an earlier judgment from Enugu declaring Udeh-Okoye as the secretary. We will appeal it.”

After Anyanwu became the PDP’s governorship candidate for the November 11 election in Imo State, demands for his resignation intensified.

On October 20, the South-East zonal executive committee of the PDP nominated Sunday Udeh-Okoye to replace Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.

However, the National Working Committee of the party on November 14, 2023, ordered Anyanwu to step aside and directed the deputy national secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, to take over.

Two members of the party, Geoffrey Ihentuge and Apollo’s Godspower, filed an ex-parte motion stopping the defendants from removing Anyanwu as National Secretary.

In the suit, the PDP; its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun; its National Executive Committee; the National Working Committee of the party, and the Independent National Electoral Commission were joined as the first to fifth defendants, respectively.

The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, had on November 23 stopped the PDP from removing Anyanwu as National Secretary pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

Delivering judgment on the matter on Tuesday, Justice Ekwo also declared that any meeting held, or resolution reached, by the party to prematurely remove or prevent Anyanwu from exercising the powers of his office would be in violation of Article 47 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“The plaintiffs have been able to demonstrate, with credible evidence, the threat and move by the PDP leadership to remove its national secretary without due compliance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“The court is duty-bound to prevent that from happening. The plaintiffs do not have to wait until the 1st-4th defendants carry out their threat before coming to seek redress. In such a situation, the court is bound to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs,” he held.

The judge also restrained INEC from recognising any purported appointment of any person as national secretary of the party, whether in an acting capacity or otherwise, except Anyanwu

Tinubu Slashes Travel Convoy By 60%.

Tinubu Slashes Travel Convoy By 60%.              .....office of the President, VP, First Lady, Ministers and heads of agencies affected.

President Bola Tinubu has slashed by 60 per cent the travel expenditure of government officials in his administration.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the decision was part of cost-cutting measures of the Presidency.

He said that the decision will affect the office of the President, Vice President, First Lady, Ministers and heads of agencies.

He said, “Tinubu has directed that all state entourages be drastically reduced. This is not a request. It is a directive. The office of the president and staff will be affected. VP, appointees are affected.

“By this directive, there will be a slashing of expenditure on official travel by 60 per cent.”

He said consequently the President is limited to 20 number of staff outside the country.

He also said every minister is limited to having just four members of staff on any foreign trip while heads of agencies are limited to just two.

Ngelale said Tinubu has also said that he will no longer travel with huge security delegations to any state in the country.

The presidential spokesman also added that if the president travels to any state, the security in the state will take care of his security and the same applies to the vice president and other top government officials.