Nasarawa NLC Splits Into Factions Over Planned Strike

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The Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has split into two factions over a planned industrial action in the state.

Organised labour in the state had on May Day given the state government a one-week ultimatum to meet the demands of workers or they would go on strike.

However, during a state executive council meeting, the members of the NLC chapter in the state impeached the chairman, Adeka Abdullahi and replaced him with, Umar Bala, who was vice chairman.

Abdullahi was impeached for allegedly ordering the suspension of the strike on the basis that negotiations are ongoing with the government.

This did not go down well with members who felt the government did not take their ultimatum seriously.

Bala said Abdullahi was impeached because of members had lost confidence in him.

He said, “Since we came on board, honestly, we have not achieved anything as a labour in Nasarawa State. We keep on signing agreements with the government and they keep on failing.

“The former chairman was removed because we do not have confidence in him and he has been wining and dining with the government. That is why we cannot have respected before the government.”

He added, “We urge the government to act fast to our demands or else we will be left with no option to see what we can do; the struggle has just begun. Workers in Nasarawa State have suffered a lot, they have a setback ”

However, Adeka rejected his impeachment and ordered a suspension of the strike, saying negotiations are ongoing.

He said, “I want to assure the workers of Nasarawa State that they should remain dogged, they should remain loyal to the presiding officer led by Abdullahi Adeka. I still remain the chairman of NLC in Nasarawa State and I am not shaken by any group of persons that can just sit down and think that they can plan a palace coup that will not yield any fruitful result.”

Workers in Nasarawa State are, however, still on strike with offices under lock and key except for health workers who refused to join the strike.

Meanwhile, the Head of Service has issued a press statement instructing workers to go about their normal duties and ignore any directive from the Umar Bala-led faction.

“It is hereby reiterated that any civil servants that do not adhere to this directive and fails to report to duty will be held personally liable for his/her action,” he added.

“Permanent secretaries and chief executives of commissions, boards and parastatals are therefore to ensure compliance by opening and maintaining attendance register for their staff and submit same at the close of work on a daily basis to the permanent secretary, civil service secretariat, office of the head of civil service as any absenteeism will be treated as abscondment.”

Police Kill Suspected Killers Of Area Commander In Delta

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Police operatives in Delta State have killed some of the suspected killers of Police Area Commander, Ughelli, ACP Usman Danbaba.

The five of the suspected murderers were killed in a gun battle with operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad in the state.

They are believed to be members of a syndicate that specialises in kidnapping and armed robbery.

The police officer was attacked on Sunday evening and succumbed to gunshot injuries on Tuesday morning.

An eyewitness said gunmen had trailed him to the roundabout opposite the palace of Ovie of Ughelli on Isoko Road and attacked him there.

He was allegedly shot twice at close range during the attack.

International Society Donates Educational Facilities In Abia

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An International Society for Education in Indianapolis, USA, has donated educational facilities worth thousands of Naira to Umutowe Central School, Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area Abia State. In recognition of the state of educational facilities in Nigeria and the urgent need to remedy the situation.

In recognition of the state of educational facilities in Nigeria and the urgent need to remedy the situation.

Speaking during the ceremony, the President of the Nigeria chapter, Professor Uche Grace Emetarom accompanied by the National Treasurer, Professor Okpete Roseline Kanu said that, their aim to support the professional growth and teaching practice of educators throughout all phases and levels of their careers using its programmes, services and strategic partnership is yielding the desired results.

She hinted that the International Organisation raised some money for Nigeria chapter in 2015, tagged “9 for Nigeria Project”, to assist with giving teachers and students and pupils the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.

“I want to say that the Nigeria chapter will continue to strive in its little ways to improve the situation of teachers and pupils in the school,

“I hope these donations, which include re-flooring of classroom block will be helpful in advancing teaching and learning the school.”

Shortly after inspecting the re-floored classroom block, Prof. Okpete urged the teachers to utilise the educational materials effectively to impact knowledge on the pupils.

“I want to commend the pupils for using Igbo language to recite the National anthem, pledge and Abia anthem,

“I want to stress the need for the use of Igbo language in educating and impacting knowledge on the pupils for proper transmission of knowledge,

“I call on the teachers to be human, gentle and apply wisdom and professionalism in handling the pupils to achieve positive results.” Prof. Okpete said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Umuahia South Council of Traditional Rulers and Towe I of Umutowe autonomous communities, HRM Eze Godfrey Onwuka has commended the humanitarian outreach and appealed to the teachers to sustain the facilities given to them.

In their respective speeches, the PTA Chairman; Mr I.C. Nwosu and the Headmistress of the school Mrs Kate Oriaku appreciated the gesture and promised to utilise it effectively and efficiently.

Prior to this event, the same donation was been made to St. Thomas R.C.M. School 3, Agbowo, Ibadan, Oyo State; St. Patrick’s Nursery and Primary School, Ozuabam, Arochukwu Local Government. Area, Abia State; Obinaetiti Community Primary School, Arondizuogu, Ideato Local Government Area, Imo State; Central School, Umunko, Igboetiti, Enugu State; and Ukunu Community Primary School, Eziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State.

Osinbajo Inaugurates Sovereign Authority Investment Board

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The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has inaugurated the board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

Dr Ade Ipaye, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, NSIA Chairman, Mr Jide Zeithin, MD/CEO, Uche Orji, Board Member, Ms Halima Buba, Board Member, Urum Kalu-Eke, CRO/ED NSIA and Board Member, Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli, Board Member Bello Maccido, Board Member Lois L. Malhunga-Dibie during the Inauguration of Board of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) at the State House in Abuja

Members of the board include Lois L. Malhunga-Dibie, NSIA MD/CEO, Uche Orji, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, NSIA Chairman, Mr Jide Zeithin, Ms Halima Buba, Urum Kalu-Eke, amongst others.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and the New NSIA Chairman, Mr Jide Zeithin

The inauguration took place on Friday at the President Villa, Abuja.

Osinbajo urged the members of the board to be fully dedicated to carrying out their roles.

Board Member Lois L. Malhunga-Dibie, NSIA MD/CEO, Uche Orji, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, NSIA Chairman, Mr Jide Zeithin, Board Member, Ms Halima Buba and Board Member, Urum Kalu-Eke during the Inauguration of the Board of NSIA at the State House in Abuja

He said, “As representatives of the people, our charge is simple: we require you to fundamentally improve the performance of the authority and strengthen its operations,”

CJN Lashes Out At Politicians For Interfering With Court Processes

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The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has criticised politicians for trying to influence the judiciary and interfere with the course of justice.

The CJN said this when the Supreme Court affirmed the election of the Mr Okezie Ikpeazu as the Governor of Abia State.

Justice Onnoghen, who led the three-man panel of the Supreme Court on Friday, warned politicians against trying to blackmail the judiciary.

He disclosed that there was a security breach in the case and the court would investigate and punish those responsible for it.

The CJN wondered why politicians would bribe court employees to know the judgement or who would write the judgment.

He also wondered why some would seek to interfere with the court’s business or blackmail the court, stressing that without the courts there would be no society.

“Politicians should just allow the judiciary to do its job. We will investigate how that breach came about in my time,” he said.

“The other time it was a Senator who did it, a court staff was punished. But in my time, whoever is involved will be punished.”

SSS seeks Court order to detain Ifeanyi Ubah for another 14 days

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The State Security Service (SSS) has approached a Federal High Court, Abuja, to detain the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas Ltd, Ifeanyi Ubah, for another 14 days pending the completion of its investigation, counsel to the businessman told a federal court in Lagos on Friday.

The Lagos division of the Federal High Court had, on Tuesday, ordered the secret police to produce Mr. Ubah in court on Friday.

But at the resumed hearing, Mr. Ubah’s lawyer told the court that “the applicant has not been produced, rather we were served this morning with a notice of preliminary objection and a counter affidavit to the application itself being filed yesterday.”

“After your lordship’s order on the 9th of May, 2017, the 4th and 5th respondents went before the FCT High Court on the 10th of May and obtained an order to detain him for 14 days in other to complete their purported investigation,” he said.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Mohammed Idris said he would act with “great caution” in the matter.

“I will not make an order for the release of the applicant pending the completion of the 14 days,” he added.

The judge adjourned till May 18 for continuation of the matter.

The SSS had arrested Mr. Ubah over allegations of “economic sabotage” and diversion of petroleum products to the tune of N11 billion (1), a claim the business mogul denies (2).

Court grants ex-Minister, Bala Mohammed, bail

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A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Friday granted bail to a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, with a bond of N500 million. Mr. Bala is accused of fraudulently receiving over N800 million as gratification while in office as minister.

He is also accused of failing to declare his assets. He was remanded in Kuje Maximum Prison on Wednesday pending the determination of his bail application.

Delivering the ruling, the judge, Abubakar Talba, said Mr. Mohammed should produce two sureties with an equivalent sum as indicated in his bail bond.

The two sureties must have landed properties in Abuja, and must also show evidence of tax payments in the last three years for their properties. The court also ruled that the sureties must comprise one senator and a federal civil servant of directorate cadre.

The case was adjourned till July 4, for trial.