The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Bayelsa health workers servethree-days warning strike over welfare

    Bayelsa health workers servethree-days warning strike over welfare

    The coalition of healthcare workers under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Unit-Branch, Okolobiri in Bayelsa State has expressed their displeasure over  what it called non implementation of welfare
    packages approved by Governor Douye Diri.

    In a statement  by the Union’s  Chairman, Comrade Dogiye, Lucky Ebiteinye and the Secretary, Comrade Ozeze Jasper, to press home their demand, the group  urged the Bayelsa State government to implement the approved packages or face a strike  scheduled to kick off on November 1.

    The Union,  in the statement, laments that after series of promises by the  governor on different Workers’ Day anniversary, that nothing has been done nor positive response given to their request by the authority concerned.

    The statement  reads: “In an attempt to have a continuos working and harmonious relationship with the Bayelsa State Government, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Unit-Branch, Okolobiri in Bayelsa State, in a congress meeting dated October 6, 2023 resolved to humbly remind the State Governor, Douye Diri on the  non-implementation of an executive pronouncement made on May 1, 2022 and May 1, 2023, Workers Day celebration, directing relevant government authorities to immediately implement the payment of reverse call-duty and hazard allowances to the affected health professionals.

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    “We request that the reverse call-duty allowance be implemented for its union members to reflect in October, 2023 salary to relief the burden created by economic challenges in the country and in anticipation of your pronouncement made months ago.

    “We also request that the hazard allowance be effected, the approval and implementation of the July 25,  2023 National Salary Income and Wages Circular on the Reviewed Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as attached below,” stated the Union.

    The group also demand that the payment of all pending promotion arrears to its members including the provision of vehicles to ease logistics and movement of staff due to transportation challenges in the country be met.

    The Union in an appeal, urged the State Governor to intervene in the prolonged matter, alleging that the undue neglect of their request has demoralized their work spirit, while cautioning that a 3-day warning strike to that effect will commence on November 1 2023.

  • NBA to Oborevwori: extend quality infrastructural projects delivery to judiciary

    NBA to Oborevwori: extend quality infrastructural projects delivery to judiciary

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Effurun branch, has urged Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to extend his building of quality infrastructural projects across the state, to facilities in the judiciary.

    It hailed the governor for awarding the projects for the construction of three flyovers, as well as expansion of the NPA-DSC Expressway at Effurun/Warri area of the state to Julius Berger Company PLC.

    Chairman of the branch, Ben Ubioworo Esq., who spoke with reporters after their monthly meeting, said Governor Oborevwori had broken the jinx of poor and substandard performance that had bedevilled the state for decades.

    Decrying the poor condition of courts in the state, particularly the courts in Effurun, Warri and their environs, Ubioworo urged the governor “to replicate the New High Court complex in Asaba, in the Central and South districts of the state.” 

    “The desire of His Excellency to revamp our road infrastructure should be extended to the state judiciary facilities.”

    Appealing to monarchs and youths in the area to ensure hitch-free execution of the N78 billion flyovers and road project, he said the timely completion of the projects would transform Effurun and Warri to mega cities befitting of their status as oil cities. 

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    “As a body whose duties include promotion of good governance, we have considered Your Excellency’s move and effort towards executing quality and standard projects to better the lot of ‘Deltans’ as a move worthy of commendation.

    “The recent award of the contract for the building of flyovers and roads in Warri/Effurun to a reputable construction company, Julius Berger, is an indication that you are poised to deliver quality governance to our people.

    “We therefore use this as an opportunity to express our appreciation to His Excellency and also to advise our monarchs, youths and community leaders to ensure and guarantee a peaceful and a secure environment, to enable the contractor complete the projects in record time,” the chairman said.

    Noting that the branch would commend “every sustained good moves of the governor geared towards the delivery of good governance to the people of the state,” he, however, added: “It will also not hesitate to constructively criticise His Excellency in areas where he is perceived not to be faring well.” 

  • Sylva victory excites Bayelsa APC

    Sylva victory excites Bayelsa APC

    The Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has  described as big win for democracy,  the judgement which reversed the   disqualification of its candidate for the November 11, 2023 Bayelsa State governorship election Chief Timipre Sylva.

     The Court of Appeal had on Tuesday in Abuja  reversed the disqualification of Sylva for the November 11 polls.

     This followed the October 9 judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided by Justice Donatus Okorowo which nullified the candidature of Sylva in the November 11 governorship election on the excuse that he had taken the oath of office twice as Governor of Bayelsa State. This led to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) de-listing  Sylva’s name from the list of candidates.

      A statement by the APC  Publicity Secretary in the state,  Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said justice has been served and it is victory for the state.

       “The Appeal Court by its ruling has given the people of Bayelsa State a choice on November 11. A choice between light and darkness. A choice between moving to the mountain top and descending to the valley below. A choice between moving forward and backward. Democracy is about choices. And the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in sponsoring this frivolous case has demonstrated its mortal fear of our party, APC, and candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.

     “The PDP is desperate. They do not want us on the ballot. We thank God that this distraction is now over. justice has been served.”

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     “The Appeal Court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, ruled that the first respondent (Mr. Demesuoyefa Kolomo) is not an aspirant in the elections and therefore lacks the locus standi to file the case; that the upper court cannot exercise jurisdiction where  the lower court lacks it; and that the appeal is meritorious and allowed. A cost of N1 million was  awarded to the appellant.

     “Provision of adequate and affordable housing in both urban and rural areas in secure, healthy and decent environment for all Nigerians is the primary mandate of this Ministry and equally one of the cardinal focuses of the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Therefore, the issues of Housing and Urban Development are being given the deserved attention. The Ministry intends to actualize the aforementioned mandate, through a multi-stakeholders and institutional engagements and collaborations.”

     Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Sen. Gbenga Ashafa said the government has to make concerted and deliberate effort at urban development, through building of new cities and regenerating of the old ones.

     He said through this, not only will we provide houses to our people, we will also deliver more liveable and secure environment to them.

     He added, “More importantly, the value chain of the housing industry remains the surest bet of creating jobs, both directly and indirectly, employing both professionals and non-professionals. This will enable us to reinforce growth and recovery in our Urban Economies.”

  • Our plans for  Benue IDPs, by Fed Govt

    Our plans for  Benue IDPs, by Fed Govt

    The Federal Goverment has restated  it’s commitment to address humanitarian challenges bedeviling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.

    A Federal Commissioner ,  National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, gave the assurance during the flag off   of the distribution of relief materials in Ichwa IDPs camp in Makurdi, the state capital .

    Aliyu said that the Federal Government’s ultimate goal  has been to see peace and security restored in Benue and in Nigeria, so that the IDPs can return to their homes and rebuild their lives.

    He said: “The Commission is working hard to strengthen our collaboration with the state government to address the humanitarian challenges and provide durable solutions. The plight of our dear brothers and sisters who have been forced to flee their homes by conflict is a pressing concern.

    “My dear brothers and sisters, I have seen you beaten by rain and scorched by the sun because you live in dilapidated make shift shelters. You have fled your homes and left behind your farm lands and lost your livelihoods. As a Commission, we are not oblivious of the numerous problems  you face.

    “I want to assure you that as the Federal Commissioner of The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, we are fully committed to assisting you with relief materials in the short term and livelihood restoration, housing, education for your children and healthcare for all.

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    “We are working with the state government to provide you with durable solution. As a gesture of our commitment, today, we will distribute some food items, non food items and empowerment materials. I assure you that we will come back to provide you with more support and more sustainable interventions,” he added.

    The federal commissioner noted that while efforts of cushioning the living conditions of IDPs in the camps is ongoing, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged that humanitarian aid alone cannot address the underlying problems, adding that the President under the Renewed Hope Agenda is working tirelessly to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the state and facilitate the IDPs return to their ancestral homes.  

    The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. James Iorpuu, intimated that there were  14,229 people made up of 2403 households in the Ichwa camp.

    Also, the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Aondowase Kunde, said that the humanitarian crisis in all of 21 IDPs camp in the state with over two million population had been quite overwhelming for the state government alone to handle.

  • Imo NLC drops strike plan over court order

    Imo NLC drops strike plan over court order

    Imo State wing of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has dissociated its members from the plan of the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to occupy Imo State from today.

    Addressing reporters in Owerri after a meeting with other Labour leaders in the state, the state Acting Chairman of NLC, Rev. Philip Nwansi, said organised Labour in Imo would not be part of the planned action because of a subsisting court order stopping the NLC from embarking on any such action.

    The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Imo State chapter, has cautioned the Ajaero-led NLC against any strike in the state, saying “Occupy Imo is politically- motivated.”

    The Industrial Court sitting in Owerri on October 27 granted an order restraining the NLC from embarking on any industrial action in Imo State.

    The NLC chairman said based on the court order, the planned strike code- named: ‘Occupy Imo’ had become illegal.

    “All the affiliate unions, we are obeying the court order and we urge Imo workers to be at their duty posts tomorrow as law- abiding citizens,” Nwansi said.

    He said besides the court order, the organised Labour in Imo State did not see any reason the national body should order a strike.

    “Imo State workers say no to ‘Occupy Imo’ because we have not found reasons enough for the action,” he said.

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    Nwansi noted that Labour in Imo State had been on the same page with the state government and wondered why the national body should cry more than the bereaved.

    He said since the Labour had no industrial dispute with the state government and since the court had declared the planned strike illegal, workers should go about their duties.

    CAN Imo State chapter enjoined the NLC leadership to shelve the idea of occupying Imo State in the name of a strike because of the negative impact it would have on the people.

    It said it was unthinkable for Labour leaders to contemplate strike in Imo or any other part of the country now because of what the people are passing through.

    CAN Chairman, Rev. Eches Divine Eches, gave the advice when speaking to reporters during a call on Governor Hope Uzodimma at the Government House Owerri, by the group.

    Eches, who said CAN had come to restate its position on the Imo Charter of Equity as the way to go in guaranteeing political stability in Imo, praised the governor on the giant strides he had recorded in the state since being in the saddle.

  • Monarchs reject suit withdrawal against Akwa Ibom govt 

    Monarchs reject suit withdrawal against Akwa Ibom govt 

    Thirteen paramount rulers have rejected withdrawal of the suit they instituted against Akwa Ibom State Government over the controversial Traditional Rulers Law.

    On October 17, Governor Umo Eno met royal fathers and asked them to withdraw the matter from court for settlement.

    Addressing a news conference in Uyo yesterday, one of the lead counsel for the plaintiffs (paramount rulers), Jumbo Udom, said the plaintiffs would not accept full withdrawal of the case from court.

    He said the defendants (Akwa Ibom Government) sought outright withdrawal of the case from the court and the motion did not go down well with the plaintiffs.

    He said the motion of leave of the court sought by his clients to explore peaceful settlement was enough for the defendants to accept.

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    The plaintiff’s counsel accused the counsel for the defendant, the state Attorney General, Uko Udom (SAN), “of vehemently opposing plaintiffs’ application for leave to settle the matter and for adjournment sine die.”

    “Udom insisted that the only condition for settlement is outright withdrawal of the case; otherwise, the defendants are prepared for the case to proceed.”

    According to him, the defendants’ counsel insisted that ‘‘if plaintiffs do not accept the condition to withdraw, the matter should proceed for further hearing.”

    He stressed that the matter would be statute-barred after three months if the governor employed delaying tactics in resolving the thorny issue.

  • Communities seek N10b from firm over destruction of property

    Communities seek N10b from firm over destruction of property

    • Company: we will address their grievances

    Some oil-bearing communities in Akwa Ibom State have protested the destruction of their buildings, farmland and economic trees by Geoseimic Survey Ltd.

    The communities, namely Ikot Oyoro and Ibiote in Mkpat Enin and Ikot Akan in Ikot Abasi local governments are demanding N10billion as compensation from the firm.

    Geoseimic Survey Ltd is seeking oil deposits in the affected communities for Sterling Global Petrochemical Company situated in Eastern Obolo Local Government.

    Youths and women of the communities stormed the premises of the company last weekend, alleging that the activities of Geoseimic Survey Ltd had destroyed their buildings, farmland and economic trees and polluted their rivers.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Geo Seismic Survey lack respect for local content’, ‘We seek government, civil rights society intervention’, ‘We prefer mutual dialogue to violence’.

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    Others are ‘We solicit the assistance of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly’, ‘Farmers lament over crops and economic trees destroyed during your seismic activities’, ‘We plead for compensation’, among others.

    Former Youth Leader of Ikot Akan community in Ikot Abasi, Imo Usen, said the peaceful protest was to draw the attention of the company and the state government to their plight.

    He added: “We have through our lawyers written to the management of Geoseimic Survey Ltd to address the havoc caused by their activities in our community, but they paid deaf ears.

    “Our buildings, farmland and even our rivers have been destroyed and polluted. An evaluation team was despatched to assess the damage done, but the company has refused to take responsibility.

    that the community would go to the extreme if the company did not pay the compensation for the destruction it had caused.

    Akwa Ibom State Local Content Monitoring and Compliance Committee has given the company three days ultimatum to address the concerns of the affected communities.

    The Community Affairs Manager of Geo Seismic Survey Ltd, Philip Aguda, an engineer; promised to address the grievances of the affected communities.

  • Youths pledge support for Tinubu

    Youths pledge support for Tinubu

    Youths of Rivers State under the aegis of Rumuhechiorlu Youth Forum (RYF), a socio-cultural organisation, have congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his Supreme Court victory.

    In a statement by RYF Coordinator, Innocent Okocha, made available to The Nation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the youth described the apex court victory and affirmation of President Tinubu’s victory at the polls as well deserving; and pledged their support to ensure his administration succeeds.

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    They pledged their continued support to President Tinubu through the representative of the state on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Tony Okocha.

    The youth lauded President Tinubu for appointing Okocha into the NDDC board, saying he made the right choice.

  • ‘Soludo breaking poverty cycle through youths empowerment’

    ‘Soludo breaking poverty cycle through youths empowerment’

    Bigly Oil & Gas Services, one of the authorised revenue collectors and partners of Anambra Internal Revenue Services (AIRS), has praised Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on his quest to break poverty cycle with the 1Youth 2Skills Initiative. 

    Soludo recently empowered 5,000 youths with N2billion and in the process, churned out 5,000 job creators in a massive human capital development drive. 

    Addressing reporters, Bigly Oil & Gas Services, through its spokesman, Dr. Harris Chuma-Odili, hailed Soludo for ensuring youths were not only being taught how to fish, but also given fishes. 

    He said: “It is certainly an unprecedented feat that over 5,000 Anambra youths, who were trained across life transforming skill sets, were equally empowered with N2billion as start-up grant with huge opportunity to access another N2billion loan from the Bank of Industry at single digit interest rate.

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    “At Bigly Oil & Gas, we are proud to identify with the ‘Solution Government’. With this initiative, Mr. Governor has not affected just 5,000 families when you analytically look at the ripple effect of this unprecedented empowerment. 

    “Governor Soludo, within a short period of time, has shown strong focus on addressing core issues of development. With this 1Youth 2Skills Initiative, the governor’s promise to create 1,000 youth millionaires annually is certainly realisable. 

    “Anambra is on the right track to become a major player in the MSMEs in Nigeria.

    “As one of the strong believers in the capacity of the Prof. Soludo-led administration, we enjoin Ndi Anambra to continue to support Governor Soludo and key into the policies being marshalled out to take the Light of the Nation to greater heights.”

  • Wife of Army Chief, others distribute palliatives to 620 widows, children in Rivers

    Wife of Army Chief, others distribute palliatives to 620 widows, children in Rivers

    Wife of the Chief of Army Staff (COA), Mariya Lagbaja, and other women under the auspices of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) have distributed palliatives to 620 widows, students and teachers in Rivers State.

    Mrs. Lagbaja, who is also the president of NAOWA was in the 6th Division, Nigeria Army to lay the foundation for NAOWA College, inaugurated the nursery and primary schools built by the division’s NAOWA chapter among other activities.

    About 80 widows of slain soldiers received bags of rice, cartons of noodles, buckets of vegetable oil, and an undisclosed amount of money.

    The association extended similar gestures to 40 teachers drawn from schools within the barracks and 500 students, who got school bags and writing materials.

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    Mrs. Lagbaja further inaugurated the NAOWA car park, 6 Division Creche and Nursery school and planted trees to fight pollution.

    While inaugurating the remodelled NAOWA nursery and primary school, she commended the wife of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Mrs Maryam Abdulssalam, for advancing quality education in her domain.

    She said: “I must say, that the total overhaul of the school structures and equipment in this wonderful, adorable and promising facility, as well as the establishment of the NAOWA Park in the school by Mrs. Maryam Abdulssalam, within this short period as the Chairperson, NAOWA 6 Division Chapter is a testament that she is an elegant mother with a heart of gold, who is devoted to adding value to NAOWA assets and advancing the educational pursuit of our children in the barrack community.

    “Her commendable action of executing these laudable projects is also a pointer to the fact that the Chairperson NAOWA 6 Division Chapter, is a keen supporter of my vision of ‘sustaining legacies through an unwavering commitment to unity and service for the betterment of humanity.”

    Lagbaja urged all NAOWA presiding members at all levels to emulate the action of Mrs Abdulsalam by formulating good initiatives that would impact positively the barrack community and society.

    In her remarks, the chairperson of the NAOWA 6 Division Chapter, Mrs. Abdussalam, explained that the decrepit condition of the schools propelled her intervention.

    Explaining that she could not allow an asset such as the 25-year-old school to rot away.

    She said: “25 years ago, NAOWA Nursery and Primary School was established in Port Harcourt Barracks for the provision of quality education to the children and wards of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army as well as the general public.

    “On my assumption of office on 25th April 2023, during my tour and inspection of assets belonging to NAOWA 6 Division Chapter, the Primary School was inspected and I observed that it was in a terrible state and not conducive for learning.”

    “A school that was originally meant to be an incentive for the barracks community was left to deteriorate to the level that the majority of wards were attending school outside the barracks thereby defeating the purpose for which the school was established.

    “The level of deterioration created a burning desire for an improvement to be made. Therefore, fixing the school to an acceptable standard became imperative.

    “The intention was to create a serene environment where pupils can thrive and their sound minds can flourish, curiosity can be nurtured and learning can be in a very happy environment.”