As LP candidate storms Labour House

ABUJA–THE Organized labour, Tuesday said it would work for the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi in the 2023 elections.

The two labour centers, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), declared their support to campaign and do everything within their power to ensure that the Labour Party presidential candidate wins emerges victorious in the elections.

They declared their support in a separate speech made by their Presidents at the 10th anniversary lecture in honour of the labour veteran, late Conrade Pascal Bayau in Abuja

Delivering his speech, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said that Mr Obi is among the finest Nigerian and the first presidential candidate of Labour Party to be recognized by the labour Centre.

He however, declared NLC support for the Labour Party and her candidate, Peter Obi.

He said that the NLC will fully mobilize to ensure the victory of the party come 2023 general elections.

Wabba noted that it became pertinent for the organised labour to fully participate in campaigning to ensure that the candidate whose mantra will make life better for his members and Nigerians at large wins the election after the union realised that strikes and protests alone cannot change the narratives in Nigeria, especially as it conserns workers welfare and fair treatment to the working people.

On his part, TUC President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, said that all the labour unions are pleased and are ready to work with Peter Obi and that the entire labour movement has accepted, adopted and will support, and ensure workers vote massively for him in the 2023 presidential elections.

While describing the party as one who has a formidable and widespread structure, he stressed that there is a worker and in most cases, members of either TUC and NLC in every family across Nigeria.

He insisted that Labour Party is the only party for Nigerian workers.

In his address, Mr Peter Obi, said his visit to the leadership of the two labour centres was not to campaign but for a courtesy call, to honour the Organised Labour on whose party and interest he is seeking Nigerians vote in the 2023 general elections.

According to him, “My commitment is to move Nigeria from consumption to production and you can’t talk about production without labour. Labour is the engine of production, Capital and machine can do anything but labour is what makes it work. Because labour is the greatest contributor to production, it has to be properly remunerated.

“I don’t need to tell you how bad things are in this country today. if you are on wages, today Nigerians spend 100 percent of their wages on just feeding. So many don’t even know where their next meal will come from. They pay to train their children only for them finish school and stay at home without work.

“These are issues we need to discuss about. Nobody can be president without sitting down with the labour organisation to decide the future of Nigeria.

“We can nolonger have a situation where the leaders are here and workers are there. They must sit on the same table and talk. That is the beginning of the solution, that is what is happening all over the world.

“Nigeria is not a producing country. The collective effect of what we are suffering today is bad leadership. We have a leadership that concentrates on sharing. So you have to move from sharing formula to production formula.

“This is a country of 200 million people sitting on 923,000 square kilometers of land. They can’t feed themselves, they can’t export anything.

“Total Nigeria’s export including oil is under $2 billion for 200 million population. A similar country, not a first world country, one with the same tragectory with Nigeria in the year 2000, Vetnam, sitting on 331,000 square kilometers of land, a third of Nigeria’s land space and 100 million population, with half of Nigeria’s population, their total earnings last year was $ 312 billion.”

He said that more than half of the country’s youths of productive age are unemployed. ” This is what the Labour Party is seeking to sit down to discuss for the future of our country.” He added.

He went on to say that borrowing is not the problem of the country as other countries are also borrowing to support their economic development drive. However, he said; “If you borrow for consumption, you are in problem but if you borrow for production, you will progress.”

Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Benjamin Ikenchukwu, Keagborekuzi 1, on his 45th birth anniversary.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Tuesday, in Asaba, Okowa described the monarch as one of Nigeria’s most respected kings, whose virtues testify to his pedigree.

He noted that the monarch’s reign had been peaceful and commended him for creating an investor-friendly environment since he ascended the ancient throne of his forefathers.

According to the governor, Dein Keagborekuzi’s reign has been of great benefit to the people of Agbor Kingdom, Delta State and indeed, the nation.

“Over the years, His Majesty has continued to support the state government in addressing issues of unemployment, social deviance and other vices among youths in his Kingdom.

“You have remained a source of pride and inspiration to the traditional institution with your royal carriage which you have exemplified in the discharge of your duties.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Your Majesty, Benjamin Ikenchukwu I, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, on the occasion of your 45th birth anniversary.

“We pray that the Almighty God will continue to give you good health and wisdom to pilot the traditional affairs of your kingdom and offer valuable contributions to the development of our dear state and country in the years ahead,” he said.

By: Celestine Ukah

*Samoa to host 2024 edition of CHOGM

Following the rising tension and invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Togo and Gabon two West Africa French speaking countries have joined the Common Wealth Countries.

They were admitted into the organization recently at just concluded Common Wealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Rwanda, Africa.

With the admission of Togo and Gabon into the fold of the Common Wealth the total members countries now 56 countries, the two west Africa French speaking countries were admitted despite being French speaking even though the Common Wealth is for British colony countries spanning through Africa, America. Europe, Asia and Middle East as member countries.

It is however connected to the fear of what’s going on in Ukraine where Russia has invaded the country, the two small African Countries are easily looking to hookup with stronger bodies for help by any external aggression against any of the States.

By: Celestine Ukah

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu says the Commission has captured total of 84 million Nigerians into the voters register with a view of the number increasing due to the continuous voter registration nation wide.

Prof. Yakubu disclosed this in a conference held by INEC Monday, he noted that the voting strength of Nigeria is more than 11 countries put together making it very complex in conducting elections and managing human resources, hence early preparation enables smooth conduct of polls.

He reiterated INEC’s commitment to do what is right and make sure the will of the people is uphold at all time.

.*Says Buhari to commission Owerri/Orlu, Owerri/Okigwe Road, flag-off Owerri/Umuahia Road

*Lay foundation for International Conference Centre

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has granted a10-day window to bandits operating and hibernating in the forests in Imo State to leave the place immediately and surrender themselves and their arms to their traditional rulers for unconditional pardon or face bombardment if they fail to do so.

The 10-day amnesty grace by the Governor is with immediate effect and will be visited with severe consequences if not taken seriously by the bandits.

Governor Uzodimma who spoke at the Government House Chapel Owerri while addressing the congregation after Sunday Service said that government has decided to rid the forests in Imo State of bandits and accordingly, has procured the necessary equipment for the purpose, hence the need for those of them who want to be reintegrated into the society to take advantage of the amnesty and quit now and hand over their arms.

The Governor also said that Imo State will be hosting the annual Army Day Celebration from June 30 to July 6, 2022 and that no fewer than 10,000 military personnel drawn from the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Police, among others would be in attendance.

They would be led by the Army Chief, the Naval Chief, the Air Force Chief, the Police Chief, among others, according to the Governor.

President Muhammadu Buhari who is expected to declare open the Army Day celebration has also fixed July 12 – 13 as the period he would commission the Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe roads as well as perform the flag-off of the construction of Owerri – Mbaise – Umuahia (from Fire Service) and the Orlu-Akokwa roads and the foundation laying ceremony of the Imo International Conference Centre in Owerri.

Governor Uzodimma said the new roads will still be handled by Cranburg.

While congratulating Imo people for the relative peace that has returned to the State, the Governor explained that effective Monday, June 27, “Imo State will take delivery of military equipment that will be used to clear the remnants of bandits hiding in various bushes in the State.”

He however gave 10 days to bandits still operating under any cover in the forests to come out of their caves, “where necessary, report themselves to their traditional rulers or their Council Chairmen so that Government will grant them Amnesty.”H

He emphasised that the period of grace will not be extended as those who fail to take advantage of it will have themselves to blame.

The Governor said: “The State is more determined now than before to clear all bandits and to achieve this, the expected equipment and additional recruitment of more Ebube-Agu personnel working in collaboration with the Security Agencies in the State will be used to clear all the waterways and ride the state of bandits including crude-oil theft. All the waterways are under surveillance with the delivery of new Naval Equipment to the Naval Base in Oguta.”

Governor Uzodimma further directed the Interim Management Committee Chairmen of the 27 Local Government Areas in the State and the newly inaugurated 52 Coordinators of the Development Centres to resume fully in their headquarters and cooperate with their members and the Town Union President Generals to drive the Government message on security home.

Furthermore, he reiterated his assurance that the LGA elections will be conducted this year, adding that the ISIEC had been asked to resume the process towards the election.

Governor Uzodimma promised that “the election will be transparent, free and fair and only popular candidates will contest and win.”

The Governor told those aspiring to contest to go and sell themselves to their people instead of coming to loiter around the Government House Owerri seeking for endorsement they will not get.

He said his administration will like to leave behind a strong Local Government System that will stand the test of time.

The Governor thanked the congregation and the people of Imo State for their continued support for his administration, noting that “those who thought that they will destabilise the State have failed and will continue to fail.”