The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Four

  • Strike grounds four Edo tertiary institutions

    Strike grounds four Edo tertiary institutions

    The industrial action by workers of four Edo State-owned tertiary schools has stalled academics for the past two months.  The workers insist they would not return to work until the government pays salary arrears and increases subvention to the institutions.  But the government insists it is not owing the workers, reports OSAGIE OTABOR.

    Academic activities have been grounded for over two months in four tertiary institutions owned by the Edo State Government.

    They are the College of Education, Ekiadolor, College of Education, Igueben, Institute of Science and Technology, Usen, and College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi.

    Lecturers and non-academic members of staff of the institutions have been on strike since August over alleged failure of the state government to pay the differentials of 16 months of salary arrears arising from the implementation of Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges Academic Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and the Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institution Salary Structure (CONTESISS).

    Workers of the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi are, however, on solidarity strike with the schools.

    Managements of the striking institutions have enforced the no-work-no-pay rule the workers’ salaries have been stopped.

    The strike, led by lecturers of the institutions, began in June when the students were about to write their examinations. The lecturers earlier went on a three-day warning strike followed by a two-week work-to-rule.   In August, the students of the College of Education, Ekiadolor were sent home on a mid-semester break because they destroyed vehicles and property while protesting their teachers’ refusal to return to work at a time they were about to write examinations.

    They blocked the Benin-Lagos highway and reportedly attacked the convoy of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin kingdom, who was on his way to Ibadan to attend a function to mark his birthday.  However, his security attachés fired tear gas to drive them away, an action that upset the students and led to the rampage.

    However, a student, Enabulele Ugbesia, said the protest was peaceful.

    “Our lecturers went on a three-day strike. After that, they went for one week and now they began a work to rule strike. We are about to write our examinations and they are delaying us,” he said.

    Following the expiration of the work-to-rule strike, the workers embarked on a full strike after several meetings with the government ended in a deadlock.

    Last Wednesday, they took their protest to the streets of Benin and marched to the Government House bearing placards with various inscriptions.  They wore black attires to mourn the dwindling fortunes of their institutions.

    In a position paper addressed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the workers under the aegis of Coalition of Unions of State Owned Tertiary Institutions, listed other issues in dispute to include the non-payment of salaries for periods spanning between one and four months, and the use of pension and cooperative funds to pay salaries.

    It reads in parts: “The dilapidation of infrastructure in all the concerned institutions has culminated in the non-accreditation of courses and programmes in these institutions. Hence, government should as a matter of urgency provide adequate funding for the purpose of meeting accreditation needs and standards.

    “Government should not only condemn but sanction the unilateral management practice of using cooperative, Trust Savings and Check-Off dues of our unions to pay staff salaries.”

    “Government should adequately fund these institutions to enable them meet their statutory obligations of paying pensions and gratuities to deserving retirees. We demand our members not captured in Horne Edo State Pension Scheme as a result of non-gazetting of their institutions to be listed.”

    President of the Coalition Mr. Fred Omonuwa said they could no longer bear the pains after a series of engagement with the state government through the Commissioner of Education.

    He condemned the resort to blackmail and harassment of their members by managements of the institutions.

    He criticised the decision of the state  to pay their counterparts in Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, regular monthly pension and gratuities as well as increased subvention while they were left unattended to.

    Omonuwa, who called for a resumption of negotiations with the state government and all agreements duly signed, urged the government to restore peace and harmony to the institutions.

    However, contrary to the workers claims, the Commissioner for Establishment, Labour and Special Duties, Comrade Didi Adodo, said the government was not owing them as an agreement signed in 2010 indicated that the government would not pay arrears if it implemented the new salary structure.

    Edo State Head of Service Mr Igbaeremen Obazele said a team headed by Rev Peter Obadan, a former Deputy Governor, has been constituted to look at the issues raised by the unions

    Obazele attributed the delay to failure by the managements of three out of the four institutions to make the required statistics available.

    He said: “You don’t hold meetings without computation. You cannot negotiate without adequate records. The summary of this issue is money. The summary of your demand is increase in subvention and the government cannot make increase subvention without knowing what is on the ground”.

    However, Provost of the College of Education, Ekiadolor, Prof Amen Uhunmwangho, said his institution has submitted all the required documents to the state government.

    He said he was particularly worried over the strike action and said the state government intention was to check the records to enable it act fast.

    When The Nation visited the college, the students lamented the poor state of their hostels. More than eight students stay in a room, while the surrounding was filthy.

    Meanwhile, the management of the Edo State College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, has told its striking workers not to expect their October salaries if they continued to stay away from work.

    It said its workers have been paid up to date and that they have no excuse to be absent from work.

    A circular signed by the Acting Registrar, O. Osawemwenze, said the management was committed to full implementation of the no-work- no-pay rule.

    It was gathered that other institutions have stopped the salaries of the striking workers.  The students have been asked to go on mid-semester break.

  • Truck kills couple, four others in Ondo

    All was gloomy at the weekend in Oka-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State where  a newly married couple and four other persons were  killed by a truck.

    The truck, it was gathered, ran into the residence of the couple located close to Oka hills.

    The couple, who were said to be sleeping in their bedroom when the incident happened, died instantly.

    A resident of the area, who identified himself as Gidado, said the accident occurred when most of the residents were still sleeping.

    It was gathered that the truck, which was travelling to Abuja, belongs to a manufacturing company.

    Besides the couple, four other persons were also killed by the truck.

    Gidado said the victims were returning from a prayer.

    Accidents are frequent on the road, which is plied by trucks.

    Most of the trucks belong to manufacturing companies.

    Some of the trucks are often parked dangerously on the road, a situation which affects a traffic flow and result in accidents.

    It was gathered that the remains of the couple, whose names could not be ascertained, as well as the other victims, had been deposited  at a government hospital.

    No official of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) has commented on the acccident.

  • Four shot dead over politician’s N50,000 gift

    Four shot dead over politician’s N50,000 gift

    Four persons were reportedly shot dead when hoodlums clashed over a N50,000 cash gift by a politician in Mosafejo, Amukoko in Lagos, at the weekend.

    Those injured are in hospital.

    The politician was said to have given the money in appreciation of his constituents’ support.

    The trouble started when the hoodlums disagreed over how to share the cash.

    A group threatened to cause trouble when those with the money insisted on taking a larger share.

    It was gathered that a similar incident occurred last year when one person was killed over a N20,000 cash gift by the politician.

    A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said one of those killed was a member of the vigilant group simply identified as Omoba.

    The source said Omoba, who resided at Opeleye Street, Ajegunle went to the scene to restore peace but was caught in the cross fire.

    The hoodlums, it was learnt trailed another man to an Indian hemp joint on Ogungbe Street and also killed him, the other two were killed at Ajenifuja Street in Amukoko.

    A resident, Tunde Saheed, advised the politician to look for other ways of rehabilitating the hoodlums and stop giving them money.

    “If not for poverty, would they have descended so low?. If he really wants to assist them he should find other means. He should not allow his gesture to cause death in this community again because it is wrong”, he said.

    A source at Amukoko Police Station confirmed that the matter was being investigated.

  • Four killed as truck rams into market

    Four killed as truck rams into market

    Four persons died yesterday when a truck lost control and rammed into a market at Odo-Eran bus stop on LAU-Iba road yesterday. Eleven others were injured.

    Eyewitnesses said the truck’s brakes failed when its driver was trying to negotiate a sharp bend at about 10 am.

    The truck was said to have rammed into the market to avoid over-running a tricycle riders’ park.

    A male victim described as a Good Samaritan died while attempting to save a woman from being overrun by the truck.

    Moments after pushing the woman out of the way, a rod from the truck was said to have struck the Good Samaritan.

    The driver, it was gathered, attempted to escape from the scene but traders seized him and inflicted machete wounds on him.

    An eyewitness, identified as Balogun Towiwa, said: “The truck driver would have been killed but for the timely intervention of officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).”

    The truck was loaded with bags of sachet water belonging to Dammy Pure Water, which is situated at 22, Church Close on Igando Road.

    Hon Salami Adedoyin, a politician, said: “The driver was saved by FRSC. He wanted to run, but was apprehended by traders who used machetes on him.”

  • Four petition rights group over unpaid N6.9m

    Four petition rights group over unpaid N6.9m

    Four ex-employees of Tec Ventures Company, Lagos have dragged their former employer, Mr Thomas Ejimadu Chukwure before the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), over alleged N6.9 million debt owed them since 2012.

    In a petition appealing for CDHR’s assistance, Messrs Sylvester Agwuibe, Eugene Emiantor, Hope Chigbo and Mrs. Augustina Chichi Nkemka pleaded with the human rights group to help them to prevail on Mr. Chukwure to pay them the amount which they alleged he is owing them as salaries.

    They stated that the company which started operation in 2001 with Messrs Agwuibe, Emiantor and Mrs Nkemka (the accountant) as the pioneer staff, grew into a multi-million Naira business enterprise due to the staff commitment.

    They told the CDHR that initially, their employer was treating them well, adding that it was as a result of their hard work and dedication to duty that they secured landed property for their boss at Agbara at the cost of N2.1 million and an additional N100, 000 for the agent who facilitated the purchase of the property. They also said another sum of N8 million was given to the managing director for land procurement from the company’s account.

    They maintained that their employer instructed them to pay his wife who is not a staff of the company N95, 000 monthly, the house maid N6, 000 and private tutor of his children N10, 000.

    They revealed that from 2008, their boss began paying their salaries at his convenience and by installment.

    “Some staff had to resign but some of us who remained loyal and faithful stayed, even though he did not pay our salaries in May, June, July and December 2012.

    “In December, 2012, he told us that he was closing down the company to enable him to source for fund to revitalise the firm. He took us outside and locked the company. That was how he cunningly terminated our appointments without due process.

    “In January, 2013, we called him to know the position of things only for him to accuse us that we stole his money and liquidated his business.

    “All agreements we entered into and signed concerning reward, leave allowances dividends and others he violated.

    “We had worked in his company for 12 years and we have nothing to show for our dutifulness. So, we want CDHR to help us regain our rights and entitlements and defend us from our oppressor and suppressor director,” they stated.

    When contacted for comment on the issue, Mr. Chukwure said he had stated his case to the CDHR  and there was nothing else he would say. He added that he would want all parties to the issue to be present to state their views.

    Countering Mr. Chukwure’s claim, the Coordinator of CDHR Isheri-Oshun Unit to which the petition was directed, Comrade (Mrs.) Chinazo Ifechigha who is also the Financial Secretary of the rights group at the state level said Mr. Chukwure honoured the CDHR’s invitation once and had refused to honour subsequent invitations aimed at resolving the matter.

    She urged Mr. Chukwure to appear before the rights group in order to resolve the matter so that all parties would be convinced that justice had taken its full course.

    Commenting on the issue, a member of the group and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Curriculum Theory, University of Lagos, Dr Chinedu Ifechigha, said the pitiable plight of an average Nigerian worker, especially those in the employ of private entrepreneurs, has been a source of worry to labour analysts and activists who argue that the employers are not humane enough so much so that they pay the employees non-living wage.

    Some, he maintain, derive bestial pleasure in treating their workers in a shabby and callous manner, even as they could terminate the appointment of any of the workers in a feigned administrative restructuring.

    “The average Nigerian worker lives in the present. He neither has a gladdening secured tomorrow nor could he be proud of his yesterday.

    “Instead of caring for the well-being of the workers whose lives they have used and whose labour had become the foundation of the employer’s prosperity, they (employers) wear them out and discharge them, some with unreasonable reasons.

    The employees, most times, are discharged without tangible benefits on which they will fall back on in their old age. The employers should remember that all that is of value in the society is the product of labour,” he said.

  • Ogbeche hits four for Cambuur

    Ogbeche hits four for Cambuur

    Former PSG striker, Batholomew Ogbeche, is in scintillating form after scoring four goals in Cambuur’s 9-0 mauling of ONB in an international friendly match played in the Netherlands on Saturday.

    The Nigerian was introduced at the beginning of the second half and found the back of the net in the 49th, 50th, 65th and 66th minute respectively.

    Michiel Hemmen scored a stunning brace after 36 minutes, while Calvin MacIntosh and Sander van de Streek added one each as the first 45 minutes ended four-nil in favour of the Dutch Eredivisie campaigners.

    At the beginning of the second half, Ogbeche was introduced to add more bite to the attack and also get his fair share of the goals.

    The 29-year-old striker increased the lead in the 49th minute before adding his second one minute later with a fine strike.

    He followed up with pulled goals in the 65th and 66th minute, while Oebele Schokker completed the rout in the 90th minute.

    A Nigeria international since 2002, aged 18, Ogbeche was picked for that year’s FIFA World Cup, and appeared in two group stage matches in an eventual group stage exit.

    He moved to the Netherlands, signing at SC Cambuur until the end of the 2013-2014 Eredivisie season. In his first match for the Dutch side, Ogbeche scored one goal and made one assist.

  • Remembering the ‘Offa Poly Four’

    Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY) have remembered their colleagues, who were killed in a clash with the vigilante group of the institution’s host community 13 years ago. AKINOLA OLUYI (ND II Mass Communication) reports.

     

     

     

    May 8 remains a sad day for the students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY).

    In 2000, what started as an argument between students and members of Offa Vigilante Group in an off-campus hostel escalated into a clash in which four students died.

    The polytechnic came under siege as students and members of the town’s vigilante group clashed, forcing the management to close down the institution for more than six months. When the dust settled, four students were killed; scores escaped with injuries.

    Muhydeen Bankole, Abdullahi Kabiawu, Emmanuel Adeagbo and Nurudeen Ayinde were the casualities.

    Thirteen years after, students of the polytechnic have remembered their slain colleagues. Every May 8 is set aside to commemorate the “efforts” of the deceased, who students said fought for their freedom from the polytechnic’s host community.

    “The likes of Kabiawu, Emmanuel, Nurudeen and Muhydeen may have gone but their memories still linger in our mind,” an Engineering student said.

    The mayhem, CAMPUSLIFE learnt, ensued when the vigilante group imposed a ban on students from visiting certain places in the community and restricted their hours of movement to 9pm. It was gathered that the vigilante also told the students to always put off their hostels’ light at night.

    Students rejected the imposition, describing it as an assault of their liberty.This resulted into argument, which later turned bloody. Akinniyi Jegede, who was in ND I Mechanical Engineering at the time, told CAMPUSLIFE: “When I got admission in that year, the polytechnic was peaceful. There was nothing like crisis of any form. But when we resumed for the second semester, the vigilante tried to impose some order on us; they issued information that all student in the community must stay indoor starting from 9pm. We disagreed with them and protested. Many lives were lost, even properties were destroyed in the school. We lost students. It is a memory I will never forget.”

    Remembering the slain students in a programme held in Adesoye Hall on the mini campus with the theme: Only the land of peace germinates the seeds of progress, students, who were clad in black clothes, held lit candles to mourn their fallen heroes.

    During the memorial lecture, former Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Mr Mashood Bello Igbin, said the crisis that brought about the remembrance was as a result of the misunderstanding, misconception and misinterpretation.

    He said despite pleas by the management and the SUG at that time, members of the vigilante group stormed the campus to destroy properties and kill students. He called for mutual understanding between security outfits and students, praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

    Speaking, the SUG president, Hammed Omuiyadun, said it was necessary for people to always remember their heroes. “We mourn the martyrs of freedom from the shackles of oppressors. Truly they were the sacrificial lambs for the present liberty being enjoyed by the students of the institution. We love you all but God loves you most, adieu,” Hammed said.

    Matthew Fabusiwa, ND 1 Mass Communication, said: “Despite the fact that I was in secondary school during the crisis, I was aware of the damage the crisis caused the community. It saddened the heart because we were shocked when the news spread that many students had been killed. With these, I am sending my condolence to the families of the deceased. God will give you the heart to bear the loss. Security agencies should always engage in dialogue rather than using lethal weapons against us.”

    Michael Ijiyede, HND II Mechanical Engineering, advised the management to always support the remembrance, which he said served as a means to further make sacrifices to society.

    Other highlights of the occasion included candlelight procession across the host community. Also, the students gathered to pay tribute to the slain students at a location on the campus.

  • Four feared dead as van plunges into Lagos river

    Four feared dead as van plunges into Lagos river

    Four people were feared dead yesterday when a Hilux van plunged into Majidun River in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

    An eye witness who simply identified himself as Solomon said the Hilux van marked KSF 918 AU belonging to Ikoyi club plunged into the river after hitting the pavement of the river on high speed.

    According to him, “This accident happened in the morning when I was driving out. It is like the driver lost control or something. He didn’t slow down before approaching the bridge. The next thing we saw the vehicle somersault into the river.”

    The General Manager Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke- Osanyintolu who confirmed the incident said the van has been recovered while rescue operation continued as at the time of this report to recover the bodies of the four missing persons.

    According to him, “A Hilux van owned by Ikoyi Golf Club, plunged into Majidun river in Ikorodu at about 5.30am this morning. Upon notification of the incidence, stakeholders moved in to the scene and rescue, operation commenced. The vehicle has been recovered. However, bodies of the four occupants are yet to be recovered.”

    The GM been said rescue operation has intensified to ensure that the missing persons are recovered.

    Also Navy officer and local divers were at the scene, helping out with rescue operation.

    Our reporter learnt that one of the victims identified as Kolawole Ahmed, a manager with Ikoyi Golf Club, drove the vehicle, having closed from work yesterday morning on his way home.

    The spokesman of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) South – West, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said the agency had mobilised its officials to the scene of the accident for rescue operation.

    As at the time of filing this report, he said the bodies had not been recovered. He, however, assured that NEMA would mobilise more of its officials for the operation.

     

  • Four die in car crash

    Four persons died yesterday when their car plunged into the Choba River in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The victims, it was gathered, comprised a child, a grandmother and two others, whose identities were yet to be ascertained. The driver reportedly survived the accident.

    Sources said two vehicles– a Toyota Camry and a commercial bus– were involved in the accident .

    The drivers were accused of over-speeding.

    The accident damaged the iron railings on the bridge. The car was still on the bridge as at the time of this report.

    Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) recovered the bodies from the river.

    NEMA’s Zonal Coordinator Emenike Umesi confirmed the incident.

  • One in four men has erectile dysfunction

    ABOUT one in five men over age 40 reports moderate or severe erectile dysfunction, and according to a recent Australian study, these men could also have an increased risk of heart disease and early death.

    The study isn’t the first to make the link between erectile dysfunction and heart disease, but it’s first to find the link among men with even mild erection problems.

    “These results tell us that every man who is suffering from any degree of erectile dysfunction should be seeking medical assistance as early as possible and also insisting on a heart health check by their doctor at the same time,” said Dr. Rob Grenfell, director of the Heart Foundation, Australia’s heart disease organisation, in a statement.

    An erection requires a steady flow of blood to the penis, while heart disease occurs when vessels feeding the heart are blocked by plaques and ruptured clots.

    “The reason why erectile dysfunction can serve as an early marker of silent cardiovascular riskit has been termed “the canary in the trousers”is not known exactly. Possibilities include the fact that the arteries of the penis are smaller and more sensitive to problems with the lining of the blood vessels than those of the heart, brain and limbs, so may show problems before a man experiences symptoms of overt cardiovascular disease,” says Banks, who is scientific director of the 45 and Up Study.

    Whatever the mechanism, Banks says men shouldn’t simply ignore erection problems and continue to treat them with medications such as Viagra or Cialis.

    “Erectile dysfunction is extremely common in men with heart failure, and since a large proportion of heart failure is undiagnosed, particularly at its early stages, erectile dysfunction may serve as an early marker of acute heart failure that subsequently manifests itself and necessitates treatment in hospital.”