The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Union

  • Union of love birds

    Union of love birds

    The wedding reception for Babajide, a nephew of the former Minister of Transport and Aviation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, and Mariam was held penultimate Saturday at Darlington Hall, Illupeju, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    It was a day of fulfilment for Babajide, the chief marketing officer, Daniok Nigeria Limited, and former Miss Mariam Osaji, an Information Technology personnel with Electronic-Purse Systems penultimate Saturday as they said: “I do”. A reception held at Darlington Hall, Illupeju, Lagos.

    Their family members and friends gathered in their numbers, looking elegant in uniformed traditional attires. Many of the women were decked in gold gele.

    Babajide, an indigene of Ilesa in Osun State, is the son of the younger brother of the former Minister of Transport and Aviation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Pastor Segun Babatope; while Mariam hails from Asaba in Delta State.

    The hall was decorated in white and gold colours. The chairs were covered with white fabric and set around tables with golden overlays.

    As guests arrived at the venue, they exchanged pleasantries amid gospel music by Kool Jay sound entertainment.

    The event, anchored by Ademosu Ademola, began with hymns and accapela by The Veteran Voices, after which the emcee introduced the guests.

    The bride’s parents, Ogbueshi Paul Isichei Osaji and Joy, came in first. They danced from the entrance of the hall accompanied by family members and friends amid the spraying of new naira notes. They took to their seats and the groom’s parents did same.

    The entry of the couple in the hall caught guests’ attention. Many left their food, stood up to welcome the couple while some used phones, I-Pads and cameras to snap ‘the newest couple in town’ as said by the emcee. They came in with their friends and family members, took to the floor and displayed beautiful dance steps, wriggling their waists and flinging their arms around each other. They were smiled all through the event.

    Pastor Emeka Izeze led the opening prayer.

    The Chairman on the occasion, Pastor Solomon Odenema, took a reading from Exodus, 33 vs 14. He told the couple to allow the presence of God to follow them on their marital journey.

    He urged them to show perseverance and understanding, knowing that they came from different backgrounds.

    After the sermon, Pastor Odenema supervised the cutting of the cake. After which the couple fed each other.

    They had their dance after the bride danced with her father and other guests later joined them on the dance floor, dancing and spraying money.

    Telling her story with smiles, the bride said the journey has been good.

    “We have fought, broken up and made up several times. But I thank God we are here, today, as husband and wife. Babajide is a man with a good heart, a beautiful soul and a man willing to sacrifice his own pleasure and comfort for others,” she said.

    The groom said his wife is caring, homely, beautiful, and supportive in all areas.

    “When we first met in December 21, 2011, I saw that she was the centre of everybody’s attention; she is very cautious about how she looked and I really wanted to know who she was and here we are today. I feel so fulfilled,” he said.

    The Senior Special Assistant to President Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, advised the couple to hold on to God in the midst of all challenges.

    “God ordained the marriage and He is capable of keeping it,” Okupe said.

    Chief Ebenezer Babatope urged the couple to accommodate each other.

    “Be patient and sober; do not rush to judgment in the midst of any challenge and do not be sentimental nor jump to conclusion,” he said.

    The bride’s father said respect for each other is the secret of a marriage that will be successful.

    “The woman has to recognise that the man is the head of the family; she must respect her husband and the husband must do likewise,” he said.

    The groom’s father said there is more to life after wedding.

    “The couple must live a godly life so that they can experience the riches that are ordained in marriage by God. Marriages are breaking today because God is not in it; therefore, allow God to be in your marriage always,” he said.

    The bride’s mother described marriage as a sweet thing and urged the couple to be prayerful.

    The groom’s mother, Mrs Olubukola Babatope, Chief Executive Officer, B8 Shawama, told the groom to love his wife as he loved himself and the wife should be submissive and prayerful, noting that the decision of her husband must overrule her own.

     

  • Union seeks local government autonomy

    The leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Ondo State has urged traditional rulers and other stakeholders to ensure the quick passage of bill on local government autonomy by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

    The union noted that sections 3(2) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, gives recognition to local government administration which should be a legal entity distinct from the state and the Federal Government.

    Besides, NULGE said the third tier administration should be administered by democratically elected officials and have specific powers to perform a range of functions assigned to it by law.

    At a news conference in Akure, the Ondo State capital, President of state NULGE, Dr Bunmi Eniayewu praised President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly for the passage of the bill on local government autonomy.

    At the briefing were the Deputy National President (Southwest) of the Union, Oludare Famofo and other top officials in the state.

    Eniayewu noted that if local government is adequately funded, the poverty level in the country, especially at the grassroots, would be reduced.

    He thanked Nigerians for making their views on the need for local government autonomy known, stressing that Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the Ondo State House of Assembly are “workers-friendly.”

    The NULGE chief said Mimiko’s administration has not been using funds meant for the local government as erroneously believed, stressing that the state government is workers-friendly.

    He, however, decried the failure of most states in the country for not conducting elections in the local government and install democratically elected officials since 1999.

    The NULGE President noted that if the council officials are elected, such people would have been held responsible for any lapses in the third tier government. He said it is wrong to appoint sole administrators or chairmen of caretaker committees.

    He emphasised that people should be committed to the enthronement of democracy at the grassroots because of its closeness to the masses.

    Eniayewu further said the era of frauds in the local government administrations is gone; assuring that a well-focused local government system would soon emerge for the benefit of all.

  • Row over N18m union budget

    Row over N18m union budget

    There was confusion at the Students’ Union Building of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) last Friday, when students disrupted the proceedings of the Students’ Representatives Council (SRC), the legislative arm of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), whose members were meeting to ratify the union’s N18 million budget. AFEES LASISI (200-Level Political Science) reports.

    It was supposed to be a peaceful business, but the parliamentary sitting of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, last Friday, ended in a stalemate. The students engaged their representatives in a brawl, vandalising property in the Students’ Union Building (SUB).

    Following the fisticuff, Man O’ War cadets, on the invitation of the union president, Isaac Ibikunle, moved in to stop the scuffle. The cadets cordoned off the SUG Building, denying many students access after the union officials returned for business.

    The fight, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, was in reaction to a directive by Ibikunle to deny non-members entrance into the building where the union’s N18 million budget was to be ratified. But students said the order was against the provision of the union’s constitution, which gives non-elected students permission to watch the proceedings of the union.

    Section 13 (1) of the constitution states: “Any student and other interested person(s) may attend meetings of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) but only the elected members of that council shall have the right to contribute to the proceedings.”

    The students alleged that the union president wanted to bypass established rules to gather his loyalists in the parliament to ratify the budget. The Vice President, Clerk and some key members of the union were said to be absent when Ibikunle presented the budget for ratification.

    This did not go down well with occupants of the Obafemi Awolowo Hall, who had initially rejected the budget. The students wanted the president to convene a congress, where students would make input. The students also wanted the reinstatement of eight suspended members of the parliament.

    It was gathered that the feud between Ibikunle and his vice, Funmilayo Oladejo, was another factor that led to the disruption of the proceedings.

    While Funmilayo’s supporters called for a congress, Ibikunle’s caucus wanted a speedy ratification of the budget for the president to start his programmes.

    Some students accused the Vice President of ‘over-ambition’, claiming that she created a group to divide the the Ibikunle-led union. Some others accused Ibikunle of incompetence and said he was into unionism for personal gains.

    The General Secretary, Olatayo Shittu, said he was surprised when he saw the Man O’ War cadets denying students their “constitutional rights” to witness the SRC proceedings.

    He said: “Although on several occasions, our sittings have been disrupted by students, which might be the reason why the Man O’ War cadets were invited to protect the parliamentarians but students have constitutional right to be present at such meeting.”

    Olatayo noted that the budget should have been ratified 14 days after the officials’ inauguration, but he said the delay was caused by  disruptions by students.

    A student, Sola Ayo, said the directive by the union leaders not to allow students witness the proceedings was against Section 13 (1).

    “Looking at the militarisation of the SUB by the union leaders, it means the students are being denied their constitutional rights. We won’t allow them to impose their selfish wishes on the generality of students,” Sola said.

    After the cadets took over the union building, members of the parliament returned to ratify the budget.

    Ibikunle, reacting to the allegations against him, said he did not order the cadets to shut the gate against any student, saying the budget was for the interest of all.

    Ibikunle said: “We wanted to avoid violence; this was why the security men were brought in to ascertain that those coming in are students and not outsider, who do not want us to have peaceful reign by crippling the union’s activities.”

    On why he refused to call the congress, Ibikunle said: “I do not believe in congress anymore, because it is either its outcome leads to violence or the campus is closed down outright because of the students’ decision. We cannot afford to go back to the old ways anymore. The parliament has done the right thing in the interest of all students.”

    Seun Adewole, a student, said the union officials had always wanted to approve the budget without students’ input because of their intention to loot.

    He said: “They are all after their pockets without considering the difficulties students are going through since the reinstatement of the union. Why didn’t they want students to be there if it was not to loot the union’s funds?”

    Another student, Tunde Agboola, fingered the Vice President for the crisis, saying: “The union president has been trying his best since he was elected into office. But some students do not want his administration to succeed. Most of the meetings spearheaded by the vice-president have been declared unconstitutional and this tells us that she is an enemy of progress.”

    Funmilayo accused the parliament of selective ratification, saying the budget for her office was not approved. She described the outcome of the parliament sittings as daylight robbery on students, saying the president was playing god.

    She said: “What Ibikunle and his loyalists in the parliament did on Friday was a daylight robbery on all students and our collective treasure. They selectively approved budgets based on the personal wishes of the president and his co-travellers in the house. Ibikunle is trying to turn himself to a demigod and his actions are against the wishes of the students that elected us to lead them.”

    The VP said students must have input in the approval of the budget, advising the union president to call a congress.

  • Union decries attempt to scrap TRCN

    Union decries attempt to scrap TRCN

    The  Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has rejected the alleged attempt by the Federal Government to scrap the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

    The National President, Comrade Michael Alogba Olukoya,  said the attempt to scrap the TRCN was a misguided policy summersault that will not only ruin  and ridicule the teaching profession, but also bastardise standards and quality of education in the country.

    The union said TRCN is the only body that regulates the practice of teaching in the country from the primary to the tertiary institutions, and wondered why the federal government wants to scrap the council.

    Olukoya, said TRCN, established since 1993 through the TRCN Act CAP T3, has achieved a lot for the educational sector through its laudable roles in the accreditation and re-accreditation procedures in the Colleges of Education, National Teachers Institute (NTI) and universities.

    According to him, TRCN Act was enacted after a nation-wide strike by the union on the need to regulate the teaching profession in the country.

    He said the union will not fail to return to the trenches as it did in 1992 and 1993 before the federal government established the council, if the alleged ongoing attempt by the federal government to scrap the council is not stopped forthwith.

    NUT urged the government to allow the TRCN to remain as government has done to other regulatory bodies in the country like the Libraries Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), Nursing and Wid-wifery Council, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Medical Laboratories Science Council of Nigeria and Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN).

  • A union of doctors

    A union of doctors

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Adebayo Oshinowo (aka Pepperito), gave out his daughter, Dr Sekeenah Kehinde’s hand in marriage to Dr Abdul Hameed Adeoye at a colourful Aqidun and Walimat Nikkah. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

    It was a dream come true when former Miss Sekeenah Kehinde Oshinowo, a medical doctor with Lagos State and her counterpart, Dr Abdul Hameed Adeoye were joined in holy wedlock.

    The event would pass as one of the biggest and grandest witnessed in Lagos State in recent times. The road to the venue, the K and G Events Centre, along Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, was busy with vehicles making their way to the arena. Before long, its  parking lots were full and guests parked their cars by the road sides. The rows of cars on both sides of the road stretched for kilometres. Street urchins made brisk business directing guests to where to park their cars. Local drummers sang the praises of the guests at the gate as they entered the venue.

    It was a gathering of socialites, politicians and business moguls, who came to celebrate with family members and friends of the couple. Glamour and style were on display.

    One after the other, guests made their way into the expansive hall, which was filled.

    Many jostled to be let in at the three entrances which were manned by security officials. Only those with invitation cards were let in.

    It was a gold and silver affair. Decorations arched into the top central aisle from the sides of the hall. There was a red carpet too.  Chandeliers also dropped from the ceilings as well as big shinny disco balls of silver and gold. Colourful flowers were placed on the tables numbering about a 100. A table could take 10 guests.

    Soon, the couple arrived. First, was the groom in a white Infinity branded Limousine. Minutes later, the bride’s Rolls Royce pulled over behind it. The car was decorated with gold fabric, and there the bride sat until she was called in.

    The couple were led into the hall one after the other amid subtle Islamic songs and drum beats. Adeoye was clad in a blue suede Indian-like attire. The bride was called in afterwards. She too wore a blue Indian dress.  Later the couple changed to green coloured native dresses.

    The couple sat on separate white chairs on an elevated platform which background was decorated with hand-made paper roses. Those at the far end could see the proceedings clearly.

    The Imam of Lagos State College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Mallam Mutohir Adams, said the opening prayer before the President of the Supreme Council for Sharia, Sheik Imam Olajuwon, read from the Holy Quran.

    Though there were leagues of imams present, the preaching was delegated to the Chief Imam of the Lagos State House of Assembly, AbdulAkeem AbdulLateef.

    Imam AbdulWahab Omisore and parents of the couple were asked to witness the union.

    “Be patient Sekeenah; be humble; observe fasting, it has a lot of benefits and most of all, be very chaste.” Imam AbdulLateef said.

    After declaring them man and wife, the couple signed their marriage certificate.

    After a photograph sessions, the couple changed into a reception dress. Evangelist Ebenezer Obey dished out tunes that kept guests shaking their feet as they wined and dined to exotic drinks and meals. All the while, the lawmaker and the groom’s parents Alhaji AbdulWahab Adebisi-Adebayo went about attending to guests.

    The bride, a graduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, told The Nation how she met her beau a year ago at the General Hospital, Lagos where they began their internship on the same day.

    “He was so formal and very professional in his duties…that I liked. Though I noticed that he took particular interest in me when during rounds he would check to know if am fine. Sometimes when I am attending to a patient, he would come around to help me. One day, he walked up to me and asked to see me after work for something important.

    “He spoke to me about happiness, joy and peace. He spoke so well that I was taken aback and I loved the fact that he was confident. He knew what he wanted and began a formal relationship. With time, I began appreciating his person.

    “He was very sensitive and had the things I had been looking for in a man. I also wanted a God-fearing man and I fell in love with his zeal for being responsible. His love for family is second to none and he is also very romantic and I am content and happy that each time, I thank God that we made it.” Sekeenah said.

    In attendance were: Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his wife Mayowa; former Accountant General of Lagos Akiinwunmi Ambode; former Commissioner for Health Dr Leke Pitan;  Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire; Commissioner For Transportation Lagos State Hon Kayode Opeifa;  Chairman Amuwo Odofin Comrade Ayodele Adewale.

    Others were: Chief Olusegun Abraham; Human Resources Manager Nigerian Breweries PLc Mr Niyi Alabi; Chairperson Kosofo local Government Mrs Mosunmola Sofola; Vice Chairman Lagos west APC Chief Funsho Ologunde; Felix Fagbouhungbe (SAN); Senator Gbenga Ashafa and the treasurer Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Lagos State Branch Fred Oduwole.

  • Union of lovebirds

    Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Austria Balogun Biodun Owoseni has given his daughter Mojisola’s hand in marriage to Olawale Adesokan in Ijesa-Isu in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, writes SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN

    The marriage of Mojisola, daughter of Nigeria’s former ambassador to Austria, Balogun Biodun Owoseni, and her spouse, Olawale Adesokan, in Ijesa-Isu in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was a show of class.

    From the chaufeur-driven posh cars for the bride and her groom, to the couple’s attractive outfits, the reception and the vast choices of tasty dishes all affirmed the class of the couple’s families.

    From 8am, cars of various modes and moulds streamed into the town and, in a rather slow but steady motion, made straight for the Hossannah African Church Cathedral, venue of the marriage solemnisation.

    By 10am, rows upon rows of vehicles had formed on the main roads near the church, spreading into the adjoining streets and frontages of houses. This made vehicular movement a bit difficult for other commuters.

    From the glossy vehicles emerged, one after the othe,r well-dressed guests who, in groups of three, four or five, made for the church where a service in honour of the couple was slated.

    Friends, family members  and other well wishers, dressed in local and foreign attires, soon gathered in the church to take their seats. Thefront row was left for the bride, the groom and their parents.

    Mojisola and Olawale met at the University of Ibadan where their brilliance shone like a northern star. Although Mojisola, born in the United Kingdom, made a First Class, the brilliance of her spouse was irresistible. Fate caused their paths to cross and they had stayed glued to each other since. Aside academic brilliance, they are the last children of their families.

    They sat through the service occasionally waving in acknowledgements of the presence of guests.

    The parents of the couple   – Owoseni, his wife Mrs Idowu; groom’s father Chief A. Adesokan and mother, Alhaja Titilayo Adesokan – all  filed out in their attractive ofi attires (handwoven Yoruba outfit).

    The officiating minister, Bishop Samuel Ojumu, of the Bethel Cathedral Church worldwide, said in his sermon that marriage was pre-ordained, given what he described as the ingrained incompleteness in either sexes.

    Making copious references to the Bible and real life instances, Bishop Ojumu maintained that marriage in earlier times were mostly successful because the wife would always accept the husband as the crown on her head, which must not be taken for granted or toyed with; while the husband would regard the wife as that fragile egg which must not be tended carelessly, lest it would fall and break.

    He urged both to learn to accommodate each other’s shortcomings in words and indeed, adding that the facts of being born of different parents and at different times and being brought up in different places meant their thinking, beliefs and manners might be different.

    Ojumu encouraged them to learn to discuss issues and settle quarrels ‘in-house’ as a third-party option exposes their weaknesses and renders the home front susceptible to outside influences.

    Soon the church service ended and the photo session soon crept in leaving Mojisola and her spouse at the mercy of photographers and cameramen who plied their trade by giving orders.

    They soon came into the reception held at the Balogun Owoseni International School, Ijesa-Isu in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State about 2pm, hand in hand, beaming smiles.

    They exchanged brief pleasantries with a few friends before making their way to their seats after which followed some introduction of guests.

    It was however not an easy task to get the bride dancing, but she soon succumbed to entreaties and the dance floor indeed knew a couple had visited.

    Who won what seemed a contest between the latest bride and her husband, no one could validly say but it was apparent the two had received some tutorials in the dance art.

    The clement weather lent desirable support for the reception which soon came reduced to a carnival-like atmosphere as both families alongside many other dignitaries joined the bride and her groom in the dance task, pelting them with wads of new notes.

    And in no time, slices of the cake which had lain unattended soon came for the couple in a decorated plate like materials for a laboratory examination. The couple kissed as they shared a small piece of the cake to the admiration and commendation of bemused onlookers.

    Chairman of the reception, Chief Olu Bamisaiye, urged the couple to: “Let your maturity, tolerance and mutual love continue to grow as from this moment so that your union will remain for many others coming behind you an example to copy and emulate. Learn to cover and overlook your weaknesses and mistakes. Discuss issues and never expose secrets of your own family even to the closest of your friends”.

    Olawale said he never doubted that the union would work.

    “She is my love and my life. I have never been the same since I met her. She has mastered me the way only a wife should of her husband,” he said.

    The bride made a vow too: “I love Olawale and he knows I do love him. Today is the official start of a journey we had both started together long ago. I pray for God’s support and guidance on our latest journey together.”

  • Rail, union agree on welfare demand

    THe proposed strike by workers of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to press demand for enhanced welfare package has been shelved.

    A statement from the NRC management said, the two in-house unions which had indicated their readiness to down tools agreed to shelve the idea and work with the management in the implementation of a new welfare package.

    The statement signed by the NRC’s spokesman, Mr David Ndakotsu, said the agreement was brokered with the leadership of the two unions-Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NUR) and the Senior Staff Association (SSA) at a meeting with the management on September 5.

    “The NRC management and the unions commit to work together harmoniously in order to realise the objectives of the corporation and continue to provide adequate staff welfare,” the statement said.

    Ndakotsu added that both parties have also agreed to review the progress of the deal in two weeks.

    The NUR in a letter dated July 28 had served notice on the NRC management to proceed on strike following the failure of the management to accede to the demand for an enhanced pay cheque and improved welfare package.

    They had also demanded the recruitment of more hands to replace the aging and depleting workforce.

    The two unions had however at a joint meeting decided to shelve the action on the intervention of the NRC chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

    A review of the new working relationship is slated for September 23.

  • Union of officers’ kids

    Union of officers’ kids

    The cream of the society turned out last Saturday for the wedding of Idris Olabode, son of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye and Aminat Aderonke, daughter of former State Security Service (SSS) Director Col. Kayode Are in Lagos. AMIDU ARIJE and OMOLARA OGUNWALE were there.

    It was a wedding of children of military chiefs. The groom, Idris Olabode, is son of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye and the bride, Aminat Aderonke, is daughter of former Director of State Security Service (SSS) Col. Kayode Are. Their fathers’ friends, colleagues and associates came to share in their joy.

    The Oriental Hotel in Lekki, Lagos was packed full of dignitaries from far and near.

    Aminat, in her white flowing gown and silver earrings, was a beauty to behold. Idris looked radiant in his black suit, white shirt, pink tie and a pair of black shoes to match.

    The reception hall was decorated in various colours of satin material. Big flower vases were placed at strategic positions. Ushers in black and pink gowns led guests into the hall.

    Guests took their seats hours before the couple’s arrival.

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola arrived early and went round interacting with guests before the couple’s arrival.

    There was no dull moment; guests were entertained by the Shuga Band. Guests nodded their heads in rhythm to the music.

    The couple arrived in a white Infinity Limousine with the bridesmaids and groomsmen. They moved straight to sign the dotted lines at a makeshift registry inside the hotel.

    The bridal train made a grand entry into the reception hall, coming in in a lift.

    The bridesmaids wore pink gowns; the groom’s men were in grey suit, white shirt and pink tie. They danced into the hall.

    The guests, who were eager to catch a glimpse of the couple were surprised not to see them in the train. As they were stil wondering what is happening, the lovebirds entered through the back door to take their seats. They danced to the amusement of the gathering before sitting down.

    The couple’s parents were dressed in wine Aso Oke and cream lace with matching caps and head gears. They danced into the hall to be introduced to the guests.

    The duo of Okundalaiye Ayodele and TEE-A, a comedian anchored the ceremony.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun chaired the occasion. It began with prayers by Dr Segun Akintoye and Alhaji Ahmed Agbaje.

    Amosun enjoined the couple to love each other and be wary of external interference in their affairs.

    “To Aderonke, as from today, your husband is now your dad, respect him; Bode, your wife is now your sister, mum and everything to you; you will both give birth to male and female children,” he said.

    After his speech, Amosun called Fashola, who he referred to as “Class Captain” to supervise the cutting of the cake.

    Fashola joked with guests as he moved to the cake stand. Before performing the function, he urged the couple to love each other and to hold on firmly to Allah.

    He led the gathering to spell LOVE before the couple cut the cake.

    The couple took to the stage to feed each other in their first assignment. Then came dancing time. The bride and her father took the centre stage for the first dance. They were sprayed crisp new naira notes.

    The couple danced their hearts out amid spraying of naira notes by guests.

    The toast was made by Seyi Liz Kanu. He described the groom as friendly.

    Aminat described the day as her happiest, referring to her husband as “a wonderful man”.

    “It is a wonderful day, I am happy and I thank God for this, am very lucky to meet him; he is wonderful,” she said.

    Idris thanked Allah for the day’s success.

    In attendance were former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba; Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, John Jonah; President Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman, Forte Oil, Mr Femi Otedola; Chief Obafemi Olopade; Olorogun-Ide of Lagos, Chief Ismail Oladehinde Folaji; Obanikoro of Lagos, Chief Adesoji Ajayi Bembe and Oluwo Jakande of Lagos, Chief Ibikunle Bailey led the white cap chiefs; Yeye Oge of Badagry Kingdom, Mrs Lara Senami Adeniji Adele-Awhligan; Olukotun of Ikotun-Ile, Kwara State, Oba Abdulrasaq Adedayo Abioye; Chief Executive of Obasky Estate in Lekki, Chief Gbenga Obasa; Prof Dapo Afolabi; Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade; Dr Segun Awolowo among others.

     

  • Union urges govt to address energy, insecurity

    The Textile Garment and Tailoring Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (TGTSSAN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure  adequate supply of energy and subsidise electricity consumption, diesel and black oil in order to revive the sub-sector.

    In a communiqué issued this year’s  industrial relations seminar in Enugu, its National President, Comrade Ambi  Karu,  called on the government to tackle the insecurity in the country.

    According to him, it has hindered investors and stopped the movement of finished goods to the northern part of the country.

    The communiqué read in part: “Government should step up efforts to ensure adequate supply of energy and subsidise electricity consumption, diesel and black oil that are used in the factories.

    “Government should tackle the insecurity in the country that has hindered investors and stopped the movement of finished goods to the northern part of the country.

    “Government should reduce duties on chemicals and dyes-tuff and lift the embargo on the payment claims on Export Expansion Grant (EEG). Government should implement the recommendations of the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment that Nigerian officials and all our Military, Para-Military and Agencies should use made-in-Nigeria textiles”.

    The government through the Ministry of Labour and productivity, Karu said,  should ensure that workers are given free hand to unionise without undue interference from managements, adding that the government should implement its recommendations contained in the team analysis document presented from the office of the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment on ‘How Nigeria can revive her cotton, textiles and garment sub-sector’.

    In a related event, unions have been urged to organise their practices in order defend the rights of workers and the Nigerian masses. The President, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade Oladele Hunsu, disclosed this during a three-day capacity building and skills development workshop organised by the union in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    Hunsu tasked members to organise to save the movement from collapse, adding that the “union’s effort should go beyond organising workers in the factory and organise ways to save the industry”.

  • ‘Our union’ll be responsible’

    ‘Our union’ll be responsible’

    Olanrewaju Ogundipe is the chairman of Council of Faculties’ Presidents at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, a body charged with writing a new constitution for the Students’ Union Government (SUG), which the management wants to restore. The 400-Level Business Administration student tells TOLU GEORGE (400-Level Finance) why students unionism must return to the school.

    It has been almost 10 years since students’ unionism was proscribed at the University of Lagos (UNILAG); do you think there is a need for it now?

    Yes, because it is the mouthpiece of students and the essence of a union is to protect the rights and interests of its members. Members of the academic staff and non-academic staff have their own unions. So, why shouldn’t the students have their own union, too? Over the years, we have been deprived of so many things because we didn’t speak with one voice. To some extent, the Council of Faculties’ Presidents has been playing the role of the students’ union, but that is not enough.

    There are some students, who do not want the union restored, because they feel their complaints could be channelled through the Council of Faculties’ Presidents…

    But this body cannot function as a properly constituted students’ union. As the chairman of the council, I play two roles. First, as president of my faculty and second, as chairman of the faculties’ presidents. While I am trying to attend to things in my faculty, I am also trying to sort things out with the management. All these coupled with my studies are a load of tasks on my head. But, if we have a constituted union, it would be easy for the officers because the role of each person would be clearly defined. Then, the burden on faculties’ presidents would reduce.

    What is the level of support from the management?

    The authorities are totally in support of restoring the union. In fact, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, inaugurated the committee charged to draft a new constitution. He engaged the students in the process. Every faculty has two student-representatives in the committee. Halls of Residence chairmen and a few lecturers are also part of the committee. The VC said the management will not impose any provision on students.

    Given the violence students’ unionism is associated with in some schools, don’t you think that the union could cause disturbances when restored?

    With or without a students’ union, if there is a need for the students to agitate on some certain issues, they will do that without being prodded by anyone. There was no students’ union when we protested against registration and accommodation challenges. This tells us that students do not need to be told what to do; but the essence of the union is to speak for the students in a responsible manner. When there is an organised body, there will first be consultations and dialogues before protest can be thought of.

    As Vice Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, what are the activities of the body?

    My role majorly is to coordinate meetings and to see that a successful students’ union body is constituted. At our last meeting, we divided ourselves into sub-committees to hasten the process. There are committees overseeing structures of the union, such as finances, faculties, Halls of Residence, colleges and code of conducts.

    When shall we see students’ union in UNILAG?

    The management proposes next session, which means that elections should hold this semester. But it may also depend on when we are through with drafting the constitution. If we conclude on time, then there would be a students union in UNILAG next session.