Author: The Nation

Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has whittled the powers of some traditional rulers in the State by upgrading some Obas to First Class monarchs.

The Governor, who banned the closure of markets over traditional festivals without his approval, also elevated some Chiefs to the status of Obas in various communities across the State.

He said no shops in residential areas would be closed when approvals are given for the closure of markets.

Traditional rulers who were elevated from grade B Monarch to grade A were Owa-Ale of Iyometa, Ikare, Akoko Northeast local government, Ajana of Afa Okeagbe, Akoko North West, Alale of Akungba, Akoko South West.

Those elevated in Akure North, Akure South and Ifedore were Okiti of iju, Ogbolu of Ita-ogbolu, Oloba of Oba-Ile, Alara of Ilara mokin, Olujare of Ijare, Olowa of Igbara-Oke.

In Ondo South, the traditional seat that got uplifted were Oluoke of Okeigbo, Maporure of Agerige, Eletikan of Etikan, Ahaba of Ajagba, Odogbo of Omiland, Larogbo of Akotogbo, Orunja of Odigbo, Halu of Ode-Aye, Orungberuwa of Erinje.

Others were the Ojomo-Luda of Ijebu-Owo, Olupele of Ipele, Elemure of Emure-Ile, Olumoru of Imoru and Olute of Ute.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, who spoke after the weekly state Executive Council, said some crises in some communities were resolved and disputed stools were regularised.

Olateju stated that the issue of paramountcy was still pending and awaiting amendment of the State’s Chieftaincy Law.

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She said: “Some persons have been parading themselves as Olofun of Irele in Irele Local Government and Olu of Igodanlisa in Okitipupa Local Government without the approval of the State Executive Council.

“Such persons shall be arrested and investigated for their infractions against the State Chieftaincy Law.

“The State EXCO also noted the permit granted for the observance of traditional festivals in the state. The government hereby reiterates that there shall be no closure of markets without the approval of the Governor.

“Where approval is granted, such approval shall be limited to the Oba’s market alone, not shops in residential areas.”

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, said Governor Akeredolu was ready to implement report of the Justice Ajama Panel to look into Chieftaincy Matters in the state which was submitted. eight years ago.

He urged those promoted Obas and Chiefs to await the government White Paper on their elevation.

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has suspended its nationwide strike, which lasted for three months after reaching a new agreement with the Federal Government.

National President of NAAT, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, made this known while addressing newsmen after the National Executive Council meeting of the union in its national secretariat at the main campus of the University of Abuja on Thursday.

The union, like other unions in universities, had blamed the “failure” of the government to honour the 2009 agreement made between the Federal Government and the unions.

Nwokoma said NAAT had embarked on the strike on 21 March, 2022 to press home its demands which include non-full implementation of FGN/NAAT 2009 agreement, refusal to release enabling circular for the implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for academic technologists, non-payment of the arrears of Earned Academic Allowances to our members, among others.

The NAAT President revealed that the union following a robust engagement with the government was able to secure commitments and resolutions on some of its demands, even as it rejected the ‘No work, No pay’ policy of the Federal Government.

While briefing the reporters, the NAAT President, Nwokoma called on the government to honour all the agreements.

He however insisted that the government pay the backlog of salaries for the period the union was on strike.

He listed commitments secured from the Federal Government to include the release of enabling circular on CONTISS 14 and 15, agreements on payment of arrears of minimum wage/consequential adjustments, payment of occupational hazard allowance, implementation of responsibility allowance, among others.

Nwokoma said: “Following this understanding with the Government, NAAT as a democratic union directed all her branches to conduct a referendum on whether to suspend or continue the strike action. The National Executive Council of NAAT met and considered the results from branches today Thursday 25th August, 2022.

“The result of the referendum from branches showed that 80.56% voted in favour of suspension of the strike while 19.44% voted for continuation of the strike action.

” Subsequently, NEC came to the conclusion that the demands of NAAT were substantially being addressed.

“Consequent upon the above result, calls and appeals by well-meaning Nigerians, students, parents and other critical stakeholders, NEC in session, in the interest of the Nation unanimously resolved to suspend the ongoing strike action for three (3) months to enable government address all the issues at stake, effective from midnight of Friday, 26th August, 2022.

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“By this development, all NAAT members in tertiary institutions are directed to resume work with effect from the date stated above. NAAT, therefore requests that students, especially final year project students/researchers with on-going research activities and other unfinished practical works can come over and would be attended to.

“On the Federal Government of Nigeria position to invoke the No work, No pay rule, NAAT totally rejects this in its entirety as we are not the architect of the prolonged strike action but rather FGN’s failure to address all the contending issues promptly. It should be noted that NAAT complied with all laid down procedures before embarking on the industrial action.

“Therefore, NAAT demands in strong terms the payment of our withheld salaries without delay.

“It is important to state that at the expiration of the three months window period, NAAT will not hesitate to resume the suspended strike action without notice if all the issues agreed upon with the Honourable Minister of Education, on behalf of Government are not holistically addressed.”