By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

The Federal Government on Tuesday sued for peace in the ongoing industrial action by Organised Labour, which crippled economic activities in Kaduna state.

The government appealed to the parties to return to dialogue to end the industrial dispute.

Labour’s warning strike to protest the sack of workers by Governor Nasir el-Rufai entered its second day on Tuesday with no end in sight for the dispute.

Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, appealed to Governor el – Rufai, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Ayuba Wabba as well as President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Quadri Olaleye to immediately cease fire.

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In a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Charles Akpan, the Minister said the appeal became necessary following threat by electricity workers to withdraw service nationwide.

The statement reads: “We are not unaware of what is going on in Kaduna State. It is a labour issue, which has snowballed into a national strike and picketing by the two labour centres and affiliate unions.

“We hope and also pray the Kaduna state Governor not to escalate matters to such a level where it becomes uncontrollable. We also appeal the to the leaders of the labour centres to step down action to make way for discussion.

“My ministry is wading into the matter and therefore calls on the two warring parties to give peace a chance.”

The statement added: “Importantly, I appeal to workers in critical sectors not to tamper with electrical or water installations so as not to bring more sufferings to the people of Kaduna and the nation at large.

“This is because we have it on good authority, following a complaints by the Minster of Power that workers have threatened to trigger a nation-wide blackout by interfering or switching off the national grid.”

By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Millers and workers at the Abakaliki Rice Mill Limited on Tuesday protested alleged multiple taxations and other ill treatment by leadership on the company against them.

Their protest led to shutdown of business activities at the mill.

They lamented the leadership’s actions has made many customers to stop patronising the mill.

They alleged N370 is being collected from farmers per bag before they bring in their paddy rice into the mill for processing.

They added another N370 is charged per bag before the rice is allowed to be taken after processing.

They maintained an empty bag used in bagging the rice after processing, which is supposed cost N150 goes for N300 in the company.

One of the protesters, Irem Bernard, accused the leadership of selling adulterated and poor quality products to them.

“Abakaliki rice mill since 1950 is a place where we feed the whole nation but today, only one family is enjoying, nothing is moving fine here anymore because the mill has been in bad leadership.

“My machine has broken down severally time without number because of adulterated gas here they imposed bags on us that immediately you put rice into it, it will tear and the rice will pour on the ground,” he said

A regular buyer, Theodore Eneh from Ogbete Main Market, Enugu who was stranded following the protest, said his colleagues have stopped buying rice in Abakaliki rice mill and turned to the north because of alleged multiple taxation and unwholesome practices in the rice mill.

Caretaker Committee chairman of the mill, Ogodo Samuele, said the protesters were free to express their feelings.

“The most important thing is that it is been carried out within the frame of legality. People trying to express themselves while asking this and that, I don’t think that there is anything bad about it. Since we have not recoded any causalities or anybody hurt in anyway. It is just a peaceful protest.

“One of the reasons according to sources is the issue of revenue that we are paying which is on the higher side, even though it is not true as the case may be because every organization has a little token you give government as the case may be then together with.

“Following the down of economy, every state has to fall back on their IGR to be able provide the need of the people and that is the area we are trying to make necessary adjustment.

“You know collecting money from people is very, very difficult. That is the point you people met us,” he said.

By Kolade Adeyemi, Jos

A professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology University of Jos (UNIJOS), Grace Ayanbimpe and her husband kidnapped by gunmen in Jos, the Plateau state capital on Monday have been rescued by security operatives.

The Nation reports the Professor was abducted in the early hours of Monday with her husband.

It was gathered the victims were released unhurt.

Gunmen had stormed the couple’s residence behind Haske Quarters, Lamingo in Jos North Local Government Area and whisked them away.

Spokesman of Plateau Police Command, Ubah Ogaba, who confirmed their rescue to The Nation, said: “With the concerted efforts of the Police Tactical team Plateau State Command, Hunters and Vigilantes, the Kidnapped victims Prof Grace Ayanbimpe and her husband Mr Isaac Ayanbimpe were released unhurt.”

The Delta State electorate and not Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will decide who takes over the reign of governance on May 29, 2023, the Director of Communications, Tony Amechi Foundation (TAF), Sharon Isaalah has said.

She spoke in reaction to a statement credited to the Ika-born medical doctor-turned politician over the weekend in Asaba, the state capital, saying he would not hand over power to anyone who doesn’t believe in equity and fair play. She stated that the governor was playing God rather than being grateful for his political journey so far.

The Foundation noted that the 2023 gubernatorial election in Delta State will mark the end of the criminalities of Okowa’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that the people will ensure the umbrella party is not only voted out but the disastrous administration will be swept off using the broom of the APC.

Miss Isaalah said the governor was mistaking the state and her citizens for 2019 when they deceived and hoodwinked the people into voting the PDP, noting that Okowa’s misrule is embarrassing enough. She noted that his administration is the worst in the state since its creation.

“Never has Deltans witnessed the kind of tribalism in government as being witnessed under Governor Okowa where numerous infrastructures are sited in Owa-Alero his village at the detriment of other tribes in the heterogeneous state.”

Isaalah noted that an ethnic irredentist and jingoist can never decide who rules the oil-rich state, noting that democratic power and not political gerrymandering resides in the people and that, at the right time the governor will feel the heat of dividing Delta State along clannish lines. She alleged that Governor Okowa does not see the state beyond Owa-Alero, his community where most of his political appointees hail from.

Isaalah stated that Okowa rode on the crest of ethnic blackmail to power to which he never showed appreciation in terms of service delivery.

The oil-rich state, she averred, is better without Okowa as she calls on the governor to bury his plan to transmute to Senator in 2023. She added that the people of Ndokwa nation will take their pound of flesh at the right time:

“You cannot, after impoverishing a people, playing and tossing them like football, turn around to ask them for votes,” she said.

She further noted that “Okowa has insulted the people of Ndoka nation and Delta State in general enough; he has deceived us enough and he cannot determine who the governor becomes because the state is not his exclusive preserve,” she said.

The people, she added, are aware of the fact that no malevolent would be allowed a say in the destiny of the state any longer let alone decide who becomes what, when and how – on behalf of a sinking dynasty.

She said: “We are watching developments as they unfold in the state, particularly the swinging of the political pendulum as we drive the process of freeing the state from the hands of a selfish bunch who doesn’t believe in the betterment of the people. How do you, in 2021, talk about 2023, are you God?”

The brand ambassadors of Leadway Pensure PFA Limited took to the local airport in Lagos and Port Harcourt to celebrate workers on Workers’ Day.

They positioned at the departure lobby, departure lounge, and arrival walkway of the local airports in Lagos and Port Harcourt engaged traveling workers who took advantage of the public holiday to return home and reunite with their loved ones.

Those registered with Leadway Pensure PFA and have downloaded the Pensure App on their mobile devices, were appreciated.

According to Ronke Adedeji, Managing Director/CEO of Leadway Pensure, the Pensure App was a one-stop-shop for customers to stay updated on their accounts and initiate major transactions.

Adedeji said: “Showing appreciation and recognising effort helps people feel valued and worthy. As an organization in the business of helping people get more out of life, we are committed to doing things that constructively affect the lives of our customers at the moment and in the future.

“Certainly, every worker deserves commendation for the hard work and the value they bring, and it’s noteworthy that Leadway Pensure continues to take up this initiative.”

Leadway Pensure PFA, Adedeji added, provides unrivalled pension services, leveraging advanced technology and the right people to make its customers’ experience exciting.

“Leadway Pensure PFA has remained in the top five Pension Fund Administrators when it comes to investment performance, as it continually delivers competitive returns on investment. It upholds its promise of prompt payment of retirement benefits; over N120 Billion has been paid as retirement benefits to date… It is important to recall that the brand recently emerged as the most admired finance and pension brand at the recently held Africa Brand Awards, carting away the best customer care award at the ceremony,” the Leadway Pensure boss said.