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Union activities’ suspension in Edo higher institutions not witch-hunt – Obaseki
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his government’s decision to suspend all union activities across state-owned institutions of higher learning is not aimed at witch-hunting anyone but to protect the interest of students in the state.
The decision followed the protest by students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, over the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, after which the government directed all cadre of staff to report to their duty posts immediately.
Obaseki, while addressing veteran labour leaders, who were on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City, said the workers’ decision to down tools was not justifiable given that the state government has been up and doing in meeting her financial obligations to the school and its workers.
He noted that their action amounts to injustice against the students whose peers are having unbroken academic calendar in private and other state-owned universities across the country.
Obaseki said, “We don’t play politics with education. We will not compromise education because we are who we are today because of the quality of education that we received. As a government, we are committed to improving education as the reforms we are putting in place are in the long-term interest of the staff of AAU.
“Our students cried to us begging us to help them go back to school, resume classes and graduate, and we approached the lecturers to go back to class, but they said no. What do you want us to do?
“If ASUU has a problem with the federal government, how is that our problem in Edo State? This is a deliberate effort to give private universities an edge and advantage over government-owned institutions. If ASUU has a problem with the federal government, why should we suffer in Edo?” he queried.
Obaseki added, “We have done so much in the AAU and have embarked on several reforms and wonder why a school like the AAU that is about 45 years old with over 30,000 students can’t pay their bills.
“We are ready to discuss but don’t put someone’s problems on us as we are a small state and want to build modern institutions ourselves, and expect everyone to cooperate and not to fight us for providing quality education to your child. Even some of these union leaders have their children abroad.”
The governor also appealed to the former labour leaders to intervene by reaching out to the union to reconsider their position as the state government is willing to discuss and resolve any lingering issue.
He further stated, “Work with us and let us stop this confrontation. We are ready to talk, but go and appeal to them. The state government is not fighting them. It’s time to sit across the table and make sacrifices to improve the educational system. Please, appeal to them; we are not the federal government. If they are fighting the federal government, they should go and do it in Abuja. We are in Edo and want to manage our resources and get the best in the interest of the students.”
Obaseki noted that his administration is labour-friendly, adding, “This is why in almost seven years, there has not been any serious labour issue in the state.”
On his part, leader of the group and a former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the defunct Bendel State, Comrade Olu Aderibigbe, hailed the governor for increasing the minimum wage from N30,000 to N40,000.
He said, “No employer of labour in Africa will increase wages without negotiation but you have achieved this. Thank you for the building of the Edo State Civil Servant Secretariat, the John Odigie-Oyegun Training Academy, and the construction of Labour House.
“You are one of the most labour-friendly governors in the country,” the former labour chair added.
News
Otti appoints CMDs for Govt Hospitals, Abia Poly Rector, others
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has approved the appointments of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for government owned hospitals in the state members of the governing councils of state-owned institutions.
The Governor made the appointment in a statement signed by Kazie Uko, his Chief Press Secretary, on Monday.
The appointees are Kalu U. Kalu Executive Secretary, Primary Healthcare, Chimezie Okwuonu – CMD, Specialist/Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia, Prof Ijeoma Nduka, CMD, ABSUTH, N.O.E. Kamanu – CMD, General Hospital, Aba, Odochi Azubuike – CEO, Health Management Board, Agbonma Ukaobasi – SSA, Ease of Doing Business and Mrs Victoria Onwubiko the MD/CEO, ABSSAA.
Others are Lydia E. Onuoha, Chairman, ASUBEB, Eno J. Eze Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Kachy Etolue, Special Adviser, Energy, Dr Ngozi Azodoh, Special Adviser, Health, Nkolika Cleopatra Ubani, SSA Legal.
Otti also appointed the members of the governing council for Abia State Polytechnic Aba, with Stanley Egege as the chairman while Okoro, Christopher Kalu is the Rector.
Other members of the Governing Council are Uchechukwu Job Iweha, Rose Mbara Nelson, Mrs Lawrencia Onyemachi
Members of governing Council of Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu were also appointed by Governor Alex Otti, with Prof. Mba O. Okoronkwo as the chairman while Prof Solomon Umeham, Nduka O. Elendu and Mazi Obasi Lawson are to serve as members.
In the same vein, Governor Otti appointed the members of Abians in Diaspora Commission, with Alwell Okey Agbara as the chairman while Leonard Ibeka, Rev Annie Onwuchekwa, Bob Ibeneme and Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe are to serve as members of the commission.
News
Lagos teacher arraigned for alleged defilement of 3-year-old pupil
A 48-year-old teacher at a private school in Lagos, Tolulope Adeyemi has been arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court for alleged indecent sexual assault of her three-year-old pupil.
The state police command arraigned Adeyemi who resides at 23, Salisu Lawal Mobil Road, Ilaje- Ajah, Lagos, before the court for indecent sexual assault. The prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem told the court that the offence was committed on Sept. 22, 2023, at a private school in Mobil Road, Ajah, Lagos.
The prosecutor said the victim, a three-year-old girl was assaulted by her teacher. According to him, the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Osunsanmi adjourned the case until April 22 for legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
News
Delta killing: Army warns community says No hiding place for their killers
The Nigerian Army has warned the Okuama community in Delta state, to “be ready to face the full wrath of the law”.
This follows the killing of soldiers who were on “a peaceful and mediatory mission”, following a communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities.
In a statement signed by Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director Army Public Relations, the Army flayed the community for resorting to propaganda instead of fishing out the culprits.
It read: “The unfortunate killing of troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army (NA), while on a peaceful and mediatory mission, after a reported case of communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba Communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State respectively is not only despicable but should be unreservedly condemned by all.
“These were troops committed to peace and security of lives and property of citizens and non-citizens alike in the Niger Delta Region, murdered in cold blood by an armed youth gang of Okuama Community, in the most gruesome, heartless and cruel manner and went ahead to sacrilegiously debase their remains by ripping out their hearts by the very people they were there to protect.
“Regrettably, the community complicit in this dastardly act has resorted to media propaganda and shenanigans, rather than engage in a positive effort to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This again is a clear indication that the murder of the troops was a communally orchestrated attack against legitimate forces.
“The falsehood being peddled by these criminals and their cohorts to whip up sentiments and sway the public to coverup, endorse or support the outrageous criminal acts of their armed youth gang should be disregarded in its entirety, it is only a ridiculous attempt at justifying their crime, rather than turn in themselves to security agencies. There is no amount of propaganda that would arm-twist the narrative, they are complicit and must be ready to face the wrath of the law.
“While law-abiding citizens are assured that there will be no reprisal on the part of the troops, we enjoin all to go about their normal activities, even as ongoing efforts are scaled up to positively identify and isolate the criminals to account for their atrocious deeds.
“The Chief of Army of Staff, Lt Gen Toareed Lagbaja, while commiserating with the families of the officers and soldiers who lost their lives, has directed that no stone should be left unturned until the perpetrators of this gruesome acts are apprehended to face the full wrath of the law. Troops are determined to get to these criminals, there is certainly no hiding place for them.”
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