Metro
Labour Day: Organised Labour decries state of insecurity
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Organised Labour in Kogi has called on government to match words with actions in tackling insecurity in the country as it has reached a crescendo, capable of plunging the country into eternal crisis.
Comrade Gabriel Amari, Chairman of Kogi State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) made the call at the 2023 May Day (Workers’ Day) celebration at General Muhammadu Buhari Square, on Monday in Lokoja.
He said that time was running out and the clock ticking fast towards imminent danger as the hydra-headed insecurity monster had engulfed the country in all forms and all parts.
Amari observed, “ISWA/Boko Haram in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West, Fulani herdsmen attacks mainly in Middle-Belt and other regions, IPOB secessionist killings in the South East, inter-tribal wars communal clashes, kidnapping for ransom all over Nigeria, the list is endless.
He said that Nigerian Workers and their families were most affected directly or indirectly in all insecurities and violence adding that prior to the reign of insecurity, Nigeria was a hub for foreign investments and a tourist destination.
“Sadly, most industries and factories have closed and relocated to neighbouring countries where their safety is guaranteed. The few remaining industries operate at minimal capacity leading to staff lay-offs and pay cuts”, he said.
In Kogi, the Labour leader said it was disheartening and painful to note that despite all the Governor Yahaya Bello’s efforts in the area of insecurity, there were still security infractions in the state.
“It is a fact that Kogi state is an agrarian society; farmers depend on cropping and other agricultural practices to earn a living. Therefore, the frequent attacks by herdsmen on farmers constitute a huge threat to the social and economic stability of the state.
On the forthcoming governorship election in the state, the Organised Labour urged politicians to guard against the danger of turning elections into “a must-win adventure.”
The NLC Chairman therefore called on politicians and their supporters to imbibe the culture of tolerance and respect for the rule of law and implored INEC to conduct a credible election in Kogi.
He said that the theme for this year’s celebration, “Workers’ Rights and Social Economic Justice”, was appropriate, considering the nation’s current Nigerian economic depression in the face of its transition into a new administration on 29th May, 2023.
Speaking earlier, Mr Daniel Alhassan who represented the Federal Ministry of Labour at the occasion, commended the Organised Labour in the state for adoption of collective bargaining which had culminated in industrial peace in the state.
He appealed to the Federal Government to look into the issue of autonomy of Local Governments and the state government to address the plight of Local Government workers and teachers on percentage salaries.
In her remarks, the State Head Of Civil Service (HOS), Mrs Hannah Odiyo said many of the issues raised by the NLC Chairman had already been addressed by the government.
Odiyo said revealed that Governor Yahaya Bello had been working hard to make life better for workers in the state adding the government had entered into partnership with a private estate developer to provide more owner-occupier houses for the workers.
A Human Rights activist, Mr Idris Miliki in his goodwill message urged labour to always engage leaders and duty bearers on leadership saying it was disheartening that in spite of the presence of Rivers Niger and Benue, there was hardly potable water to drink.
Miliki who is also the Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) urged government should look into the welfare of workers beyond salary payments.
He also urged the government to tackle the issue of perennial flooding of the state by waters from the Rivers Niger and Benue to avert further hardship on the people.
The Nigerian Pilot reports that the May Day celebration also featured colorful march past by workers from affiliate bodies of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state. (Ends)
**As thugs loyal to Abure unleash mayhem on LP protesters from Edo
There seem to be no end in sight for the crises in the Labour Party as the Edo State chapter has officially ratified the suspension of the National chairman of the party, Julius Abure.
This was contained in a correspondent to the National Headquarters of the party titled: Ratification. Of the suspension from the membership of Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North qEast LGA, Edo State.
The letter which was signed by the chairman and secretary of the state chapter of the party, Com. Ogbaloi K.S.E State Chairman and Com. Akhere Frederick respectively and was copied INEC.
The Letter reads,
“Here forwarded to you and for your notification, the ratification of the suspension of Comr Barr. Julius Abure from the membership of Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North East LGA. Edo State.
“The State Executive Council, Labour Party, Edo State, comprising of the State Working Committee, the 18 Local Government Chairmen and the 18 Local Government Secretaries met on the 24” of May, 2024, at about 11:00pm, to consider the matters presented on the suspension of Comr. Barr. Julius Abure by his Ward in Arue, Uromi, Esan North East LGA, and the upholding of the suspension by the LGA Excos.
“After clinical analysis of the accusation, the Council found them weighty and further ratified and upheld the suspension.
Meanwhile, Thugs suspected to be loyal to the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), on Monday unleashed mayhem on Protesters believed to be LP supporters from the Edo State chapter who were at the party National secretariat to demand Abure’s ouster.
The anti- Abure protesters stormed the party headquarters in a number of vehicles holding placards and chanting solidarity songs.
No sooner than some of the protesters stepped out of one of the vehicles than the suspected thugs swooped on the vehicles with sticks and other objects forcing the drivers to zoom off.
A detachment of armed policemen and operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) intervened when the thugs started throwing stones into the nearby Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in pursuit of reporters who were convering the fracas.
The intervention of the security officials prevented the situation from further degenerating. A police vehicle is currently stationed in between the warring factions.
By our correspondent
The Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria (KYN) the umbrella body of Kuteb world wide has accused Gen. Theophilus Danjuma ((rtd) of deliberately distorting and inventing new history of Takum Chieftaincy to benefit his tribal people (Chamba)
Chief Emmanuel Ukwen, President General Kuteb Yantso of Nigeria stated this while addressing newsmen in Jalingo on Friday.
The accusation is coming after the recent appointment of HRH Bar. Sopiya Gboshi as chief of Takum who was presented with staff of office by Gov Agbu Kefas to succeed late Ukwe Ali Ibrahim kufang ll who died 28 years ago.
The Kuteb also accused Gen. Danjuma and his associates of making plans to demolish the Takum Central Mosque and the ancestral palace of Ukwe Takum which had been located behind the Mosque.
Chief Ukwen recalled the recent speech presented by Dajuma during the coronation of the newly appointed chief of Takum against the Kuteb and late Ukwe Takum Ali Ibrahim was unjust and unacceptable.
“It is a pity that TY Danjuma referred to late Ukwe Ali Ibrahim as a very bad and terrible chief on flimsy reasons because he was a Kuteb man and a Muslim.
Record have it that late Ukwe Ali ibrahim was an honest and peace loving leader who ruled over the people of Takum from 1963 to 1996 and was adjuged by all as a leader with fear of God.
“We have uncovered a sinister move by Danjuma and his cohorts to force the State Governor to demolish the Takum Central Mosque and the Ukwe Takum Palace which is located behind the Mosque under the guise of Urban development.
“We want the whole world to know that the graves of our late Ukwes who reigned and died are in the palace.
“Any attempt by Danjuma and his cohorts to desecrate the tombs of our fathers will amount to cultural genocide,” he said.
The Kuteb leader also accused Danjuma of preaching peace in the public while he has secretly instigated and funded many crisis in his hometown, Takum.
The very recent was the sponsoring of Fulanis to wipe out over 200 Kuteb villages preparatory to the forceful installation of a Chamba Chief inorder to weaken and silence the Kuteb people in Takum.
“The Kuteb through Ukwe Takum ruled Takum from 1510 to 1996 uninterrupted by any other tribe, how comes Danjuma is forging history that the Kutebs are people from the hills? Ukwen questioned.
Meanwhile, Gen. Danjuma during the convocation of the Chief of Takum described the Kuteb people as troublesome and urged the State Governor, Kefas Agbu to be careful with the Kuteb people.
Forefront recalls that Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria shortly after the appointment of the new chief of Takum, vowed not to recognise the newly crowned chief Sopiya Gboshi from Chamba tribe.
The Kutebs vehemently vowed not to recognise the new Chief and would exhaust every legal means to recover their ancestral stool.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Kogi State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of five persons in a fatal auto crash on Kabba-Obajana road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
The State Sector Commander, Samuel Oyedeji, who confirmed the accident and death of the five to newsmen on Thursday in Lokoja said three others survived the accident with serious injuries.
Oyedeji attributed the accident which involved a Ford Galaxy space wagon and a Mazda car, to speeding and wrongful overtaking.
“The head-on collision between the two cars moving in the opposite directions happened due to speeding and wrongful overtaking by one of the drivers.
“We have been preaching against drivers flouting road safety rules and regulations, yet these motorists hardly heed our warnings.
“Five persons lost their lives in the fatal accident that left three others seriously injured,” he said.
The Sector Commander said that officers from the command immediately carried out a rescue operation at the scene of the accident and rushed the three injured persons to General Hospital, Kabba for medical attention.
Oyedeji said the remains of the five dead persons were also deposited at the mortuary of the Kabba General Hospital.
The Kogi Sector Commander admonished motorists to always endeavour to always obey road safety rules and regulations to avoid fatal auto crashes on the highways. (Ends)
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