Workers’ strike: Delta Assembly Speaker’s CPS lied, says PASAN

·        Writes Speaker

·        Demands apology, retraction of ‘libelous publication’

Workers of the Delta state House of Assembly, under the aegis of Parliamentary staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Delta state have expressed disgust with the statement issued by Mr. Henry Ebireiri the Chief Press secretary (CPS) to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya in which the for CPS described the protesting workers as “miscreants.”

Monday Igbuya, Delta Assembly Speaker.

Literally making the point that the CPS lied, the workers in a memo signed by PASAN Chairman Comrade Edozie Emmanuel and Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Osubor, and addressed to the Speaker, entitled: “Libelous publication against PASAN”, the workers declared: “We draw your attention to the above subject, and particularly to a publication in The guardian Newspaper of Thursday, November 17, 2016, page 25, captioned :Delta Assembly, union may clash over non-implementation of agreement” and at last paragraph wherein one Mr. Henry Ebireiri –Chief Press Secretary to the RT. Hon. Speaker acted on behalf of and in the authority of the Speaker, referring to PASAN members as “miscreants and dismissing the purported agreement reached with the House Leadership.

“We write to express our dissatisfaction and displeasure of the above mentioned publication. In the light of the above, our Union demands:

·         A retraction of the said publication via The Guardian Newspaper.

·         A formal letter of apology to PASAN.

“We wish to state that our Union is an umbrella body canvassing and dialoguing for better staff welfare package and our membership is made-up of responsible, credible and worthy public servants who are guided by extant rules.”

DESTMA authorities apologize to Trend FM, journalists for incivility

The authorities of the Delta State Traffic Management Agency, DESTMA, led by the Director General, Mr. Stephen Dieseruvwe and the Director of Operations, Navy Commander Sam Azubuike Idah (Rtd) have apologized to the pioneer private radio station in the state, Trend FM and journalists for being temperamentally uncivil after the radio station aired a news report from the arrest of a school bus driver who allegedly beat the traffic and ordering down of school children from the bus on their way to school.

The duo Wednesday, 23rd November, 2016, offered these apologies during a press conference with journalists in Asaba to clear the issue. They both asked the forgiveness of journalists who had come so hard on them, adding that they realised they had made mistakes in the cause of carrying out their official functions.

The DG, Mr. Stephen Dieseruvwe therefore sought the synergy of the media practitioners in order to succeed, adding that their assignments included traffic control, management and enforcement for the purposes of ensuring free flow of traffic within the state for a better social economic activities in the state. He stated that any driver that is stopped is as a result that a traffic offence has been committed, exonerating the field men from indiscriminate arrests and collection of money from offenders.

However, the confident Navy Commander Sam Azubuike Idah (Rtd) described self as gentler and simpler in office than when on duty on the roads; explaining that he is not a superman to be above mistakes. He affirmed that he had from inception of the Agency, conceptualized a system where the staff would be firm but fair, adding that so far a traffic has been beaten by making calls while driving, not putting on sit belt or beating the traffic light, such offender must be arrested.

He explained that what happened at the Trend FM where he had gone to complain against their broadcast was unfortunate. He said of a truth a driver, driving a school bus for Benita School was stopped and booked for traffic offence, but was not arrested, neither were the school children ordered down from the bus.

Mr. Idah maintained that after the incident the driver refused to leave the scene with the argument that he would not have the money to pay, but instead called a parent who came and asked the children to come down from the bus.

He stated that when he heard that the school vehicle was impounded and the school children ordered down, he was furious and had gone to locate Trend FM to speak with the studio manager or the supervisor; but when he could not see any of them, he ended up speaking with a staff where words were exchanged whether palatable or not he could not give account.

The former military man said the Proprietress of Benita School and the conductor of the school bus could testify to the true state of the story. He said the driver committed offence to have beaten traffic and when stopped had no driver's licence. He posited that the Agency does not collect fine which is exclusively reserved for the judiciary, stating that what they collect is penalty after an offender has been handed a citation.

Mr. Sam averred that he had lived in the US for a long time to understand how to respect the rights of the media and freedom of information. He said there was no intention to confront the Trend FM in an uncivil manner, stressing that we should let bygone be bygone and work in synergy to move the Agency and the state government to the next level of development.

Moreover, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Norbert Chiazor commended the DESTMA team for taking the bold step to come and brief the press and to clarify things. He advised them not to wait until relationships go sore before taking the fire-brigade approach to solve issues.

Chiazor admonished the duo of Dieseruvwe and Idah to show maturity and lead the transport organisation by example and not to allow misunderstanding creep into it. He implored them to recognise the power of the media and always ensure that they build synergy and partnership with the press in order to succeed in their assignment.

Written By: Patrick Ochei.

Nigeria's Ex-minister abducted in Kaduna

Gunmen have reportedly abducted Nigeria’s former minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse in Kaduna state. Daily Trust reports that Hirse was abducted “right in front of the residence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s powerful nephew, Alhaji Mamman Daura, on Inuwa Wada road in Kaduna.”

Mamman Daura was reportedly at home when the gunmen struck It was learnt that the former minister, with his friends, had gone on a condolence visit to the family of the late Sultan of Sokoto, Ibrahim Dasuki on kabiru road. This is a few meters from Inuwa Wada road. He then decided to make a quick stopover at the house of Daura who was reportedly at home and was receiving guests and other family members.

The report quoted a witness as saying that Hirse alighted from his car with a friend he simply identified as Talba and was exchanging pleasantries with some guests who were standing in front of Daura’s house when an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla drove into the street at top speed and stopped in front of the former minister and his friends. The witness said the three young men, armed and masked, jumped down from the car and accosted the former minister almost immediately.

 “From what I could hear, they were asking him to get into their car but he was trying to seek further explanations from them but at that time, people started approaching the scene so one of them raised the gun he was holding and made to shoot but it did not fire, he tried it the second time and it failed, but the third time, a shot rang and people ran for dear lives,” the witness said

At the time of this report, the whereabouts of the victim was yet to be ascertained and the police was yet to react. Kaduna has gradually become a hub for kidnappers in Nigeria. In October, Laurentia Laraba Mallam, the minister of the environment during the government of Goodluck Jonathan, was abducted along with her 73-year- old husband, Pius in Jere, in Kaduna state. She was released about 24 hours after the incident. 

Resign now, Sokoto protesters tell Buhari

·       Call for Jonathan’s return indicates rejection of Buhari, says Group

By Sylvester Ugwuanyi 

Critics of the Buhari administration, under the banner of the Wailing Wailers have stated that Thursday’s incident in Sokoto, where some young residents bearing placards asked the visiting ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to “come back” shows that President Muhammadu Buhari “has been rejected by the same people who massively voted him in 2015.”

Protesting Sokoto youths and their placard.

The group, in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Usman Abubakar, stated that the lingering economic woes in the country, as well as the rising inflation rate was an indication that Buhari does not have solution to the nation’s problems, and should as such honourably resign.

Recall that Jonathan was in Sokoto State to pay a condolence visit to the family of late 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Ibrahim Dasuki, when some youths in Hubbaren Shehu called on the former president to come back to office. 

The late Sultan is the father of Sambo Dasuki, who served as the National Security Adviser under Jonathan.

The statement by the wailers read: “We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari for the second time within the week to honorably resign and return back to his farm in Daura for retirement.

“It is glaring that Mr. President does not have any solution to the lingering economic woes, hardship and suffering that has befallen the country. We cannot continue to take it that all is well when the economic situation in the country is critically disastrous.

“Just days ago, reports showed that Nigeria’s inflation has risen to 11 years record breaking 18.3%. In the history of Nigeria, the last time we experienced hyper inflation, depression, recession and famine was when Buhari brutally upset a civil rule and took over powers in 1984.

“The repeat of 1984 brutal and violent rulership is panning out in 2016, it is quite unfortunate that students of history jettisoned all they knew about Buhari and packaged him as a reformed democrat. We are happy in a way that all those that propped him up and elevated him to Aso Rock are now in deep regret.

“Those that supported him out of ethnic and religious sentiments are now aware of the gravest mistake as Hunger, Starvation and poverty does not respect ethnic group or religion, but, it is being exerted on all and sundry. It is in evidence that Nigerian people are totally ill-fated with Buhari.

“This is why we are calling out that Mr President should tow a very noble and honorable path by resigning and hand over powers to the National Assembly.

“We called for his resignation on Tuesday, little did we know that the Sokoto and other Northern states’ people are also demanding his resignation.

“This was obviously demonstrated when the former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan paid a condolence visit to sympathize with the family of the late Dasuki, in Sokoto State. It is on reports that the residents thronged out in their thousands with placards chanting “Baba Jonathan Please Come Back.”

“Truthfully speaking, if the country is moving in the right direction, no one will care about the rejected stone, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Since Buhari came to power, it has been one bad policy or the other, it has been brutal enforcements of one unworkable policy or the other.

“Time is fast spent, the economy is chattered beyond redeemable levels and the entire system is in tatters. we enjoin all Nigerians to rise up from docility and demand for #BuhariMustGo.

“Leadership should not be a do or die affair, it should not also be a matter of forceful foisting of oneself on Nigerians as though we do not have rights to demand for removal or impeachment of a failed president.

“We are making this call because we want Nigerians to begin again to experience good economy devoid of recession and spiral downturn and wide spread of poverty.

“Nigerians do not deserve alarmists, propagandists and genocidists to seize the leadership of this great country. We must look for noble men of worthy characters to lead our nation.

“We are also using this medium to sensitize Nigerian youths to rise up in unity to the occasion and begin to think of replacing some of the old people who want to perpetuate themselves and their lineage in power. If they say the youths are the leaders of tomorrow, the question is, when will the tomorrow be? If youths themselves sit back without taking action? Now, we declare that tomorrow is now and Nigerian youths must now arise in strength for the good of our people and the nation.”

Source: Daily Post

Cynthia Unoma Ude for investiture as President Lions Club

  

The International Association of Lions Club will on Saturday, November 26^th, 2016 present Lion Cynthia Unoma Ude as the Centennial President of Asaba Nnebisi Central Lions Club for the 2016-2017 Lions year of District 404 A1, Nigeria.

The event which will hold at Nelrose Hotels, Asaba at 12 noon will also see to the presentation of other club officers, as well as double as a fund raising luncheon. It will be chaired by the Chairman/Chief executive officer of Ugoland Continental Limited, Mr. Basil Ohiaeriaku.

The invitation card to the event indicated that gate fee of N1,000 will be taken per guest.  

OKOWA INAUGURATES DTSCTDA BOARD, CHARGE MEMBERS TO IMPLEMENT ASABA MASTER PLAN

  

DELTA State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has inaugurated the Chairman and Members of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) Board with a charge on them to faithfully implement the master plan of the state capital.

Governor Okowa congratulating Chif tom Amioku

Former Commissioner for Works in the state, Chief Tom Amioku is the Chairman of DSCTDA while other members of the agency include Chief Austine Igbine, Hon. Chinwe Monu-Olarewaju and Hon. Sunny Emeyese.

 Chief Clement Ofuani has earlier been sworn in as Director General of the Agency.
During the inauguration ceremony which took place at the Government House, Asaba, Governor Okowa disclosed that though the country was facing financial challenges, the chairman and members should think outside the box, get investors and ensure that Asaba wears befitting look as the capital of oil-rich Delta State.

Governor Okowa in red cap with members of the board.

"We believe that an Agency has to be established to give Asaba a befitting look as capital city; we have tested gentlemen and a woman to pilot the affairs of the agency," the governor said, "it is going to be a great challenge based on the current financial situation in the country and our state but, it is time for us to implement the master plan of Asaba, address the problems of infrastructure and tackle the issues of waste disposal by liaising with Oshimili South local government council and the Waste Management Board."

He added, "at a time when there is not a enough fund, this is time to be very proactive in partnering with the private sector to achieve developmental goals of the captial territory, we must all realise that where we find ourselves as a state and as a nation, it is time to prepare a future for our children."

"The foundation requires that we must engage the private sector to develop the capital city which is well located as it is within the reach of many places; I strongly believe we can develop Asaba as a state capital," Governor Okowa reiterated.

He congratulated the Chairman and members of the  DSCTDA, urging them to also, look at the industrial park located within the capital city with a view to ensure that it was put to proper use, especially, by industrialists.

Responding on behalf of members of the DSCTDA, the Chairman, Chief Amioku thanked Governor Okowa for finding them worthy to serve the government and people of Delta State in that capacity, assuring that they will do their best to carry out their functions effectively.

"As members of the newly inaugurated Board, we share Your Excellency's vision for a full and ramified development of Asaba Capital Territory infrastructurally, environmentally, ecologically and aesthetically; a full and all round development of the state capital territory will no doubt promote tourism in the state, provide more comfort to all Deltans and non-Deltans alike that come to the state capital for one reason or the other, and ultimately boost business and commercial activities in the state capital, thereby, enhancing the economic viability of the state," Chief Amioku asserted.

Locked Assembly gate: Delta Speaker turns street boxer, engages protesting workers in fisticuffs

·         Workers express lack of trust in House leadership

·         Call Speaker ‘Sapele thug’

·         PASAN suspends strike following assurances by Timi, Mayuku, Okeme, Osanebi

It was a show of emotions, anger, fury and frustration on Wednesday (16/11/2016) morning when the Speaker of Delta state House of Assembly, Monday Igbuya before bewildered onlookers, resorted to the use of violence to gain access to the Assembly complex locked by striking workers who also formed human shield to barricade the gate to press home their demand for the payment of their entitlements.

Speaker's vehicle at the Assembly complex gate.

The Speaker’s official Lexus jeep drove to the gate of the Assembly complex and was stopped by the protesting workers who resisted his attempt to forcefully enter the complex without addressing their demands. Enraged by the boldness of the determined workers, the Speaker alighted from his jeep, walked furiously to the gate, and physically shoved aside a protesting staff blocking his move to enter the premises, in the ensuing melee, he clenched his fist like a boxer, angrily taunting the massed workers to approach him for exchange of blows.

PASAN leaders reporting back to workers on the meeting
with House Principal officers.

Seeing that the situation was degenerating into a free-for-all, the security orderlies attached to him swiftly moved him out of the brawl line, walking him through the foot path gate into the complex. Not done, the Speaker made for the gate to open it from his vantage position inside, the obviously now enraged workers resisted him forcefully, contested the gate with him in a tug of war, and successfully prevented him from opening the gate. Stupefied by the Speaker’s resort to violence, the workers rained abuses on him calling him “Sapele thug.”

To stop the hullaballo from further degenerating, other legislators quickly alighted from their vehicles, and went to broker peace with the Speaker and the workers. Their intervention paid off, creating an enabling atmosphere for a dialogue between the Speaker and other legislators, and the leadership of the workers, who were protesting under the aegis of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).

Inside the Assembly complex when the enraged Speaker
was being pacified to calm down.

Earlier in the brief congress the workers had during which the PASAN Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Edozie reported the outcome of their meeting with the speaker the previous day, he said:

PASAN members enforcing no entry into the Assembly
complex .

“The earlier strike was not called off but suspended, since the resumed strike, we have gathered in the Speaker’s house yesterday, (Tuesday, 15/11/2016) for a tripartite meeting involving PASAN executive, NLC and the principal officers of the Assembly. There, we gathered in the Speaker’s house that His Excellency, the Governor has approved our demands. We have been assured that Governor has approved our demands, and I believe they cannot lie to NLC. I have not seen the approval, but I believe that the entire House cannot lie,”

House members's vehicles prevented from entering the Assembly
complex by the protesting PASAN members.

In their response, the workers some of who took turns to speak were wary of the promises. One of them said: “The leadership of the House of Assembly has not earned our trust. We advocate that the status quo remains until we receive concrete evidence of the approval. We know how politicians do, and have their way. No alert, no strike call-off. We have been deceived before."          

With the Speaker now calm and the equally calm attention of the workers secured,  Dr. Tonye Timi, Barrister Daniel Mayuku, both lawmakers, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi and Mr. Mike Okeme, special adviser on Labour to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa were able to speak with the PASAN members, reassuring them that their four-point demand has been approved by the governor; that the Governor has approved payment of outfit allowance; that the staff clinic will be equipped with drugs, and that the appointment of deputy clerk will be handled administratively. They pleaded with the workers to open the gate, suspend their strike and give them the benefit of doubt about the promise of approval.

After a heated congress later, the PASAN leadership suspended the strike. A statement to this effect signed by Comrade Emmanuel Edozie and secretary Comrade Emmanuel Osubor stated: “ Arising from the intervention of the Special assistant to the Governor of Delta State on labour matters and the Nigerian Labour congress, and based on the negotiations and avowals of the leadership of the Delta state house of Assembly, PASAN in confidence and trust that the issues raised in our communiqué of 31^st October, 2016 would be resolved immediately, hereby suspend the ongoing strike.

“PASAN also has the assurances of the leadership of the House that no member staff of the House of Assembly Service Commission would be victimized or witch-hunted in anyway, form or manner by reason of this industrial action.

“To this end, staff of the House of Assembly Service Commission and the Delta State House of Assembly Complex are advised to resume and go about their normal duties.”