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SSANU, NASU Strike Cripples Activities In UNIPORT

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As the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) members of the University of Port Harcourt enters its 9th day, activities at the university have been completely paralysed.
A visit to the three main campuses of the university, namely Choba Park, Abuja and Delta Park confirmed that the entire university system has been shut down.
In a chat with the Chairman of SSANU, who doubles as the Chairman, Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU, UNIPORT, Comrade Bernard Chukwu, he said activities in the university would remain shut until the Federal Government does the needful by addressing the grievances of the unions.
He enumerated some of the contending issues to include, Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), minimum wage arrears, renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, among others.
“The strike has been a wonderful experience. Our members fully complied with the directive of our national secretariat. The compliance level here in UNIPORT is above 80 per cent. For instance, the matriculation of newly admitted students billed for February 16, 2021 has been postponed.
“Again, election of some principal officers scheduled within this period has also been suspended. It is not that we like the development, but because of a government that refused to do the right thing: a government that will enter into agreement with labour unions and refuse to honour it.
“How do you look at an agreement of 2009 which the Federal Government entered into with SSANU and NASU still being debated, today, over 11 years after? This is the worst government in Nigeria as far as labour issues are concerned,” Chukwu said.
The chairman said he was sceptical that any agreement reached with the Federal Government now that SSANU and NASU were talking with them may not also be implemented.
“Now that the Federal Government is talking with SSANU and NASU national in Abuja, if agreement is reached, do you think they will implement it?” Chukwu asked rhetorically.
Chukwu said his advice for the Federal Government was to agree on one thing, and do that one, instead of agreeing on everything and do nothing.
He referred to the 2009 agreement that was still begging for attention after 11 years, as a case study.
“We don’t have confidence that the agreement to be reached will be implemented. Government should be proactive in dealing with labour issues, they must not wait until there is strike before they act on agreements,” the chairman said.

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Niger Delta

Rotary Club Gets Kudos Over Humanitarian Activities

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The District Governor, District 9141, Rotary Club international, Rotarian Chinedu Ikegwuani, has commended the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt for its high. level of humanitarian activities.
Rotarian Ikegwuani said this in Port Harcourt while handing over for use thousands of mattresses and pillows donated by the Rotary club of Port Harcourt in conjunction with Nestello Nigeria limited to the transit hostel also build by the club for the Trans Amadi Police Station.
He said the club has continued to touch members of the society in several ways, describing it as the Rotary magic.
According to the District 9141 Governor, Rotary club has distinguished itself as far as humanitarian activities are concerned, adding that virtually every areas of human lives have been impacted on by Rotary club both locally and internationally.
He charged the the police to make the best use of the materials, stressing that the club will not relent in assisting the police and other security agencies to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
Also speaking, former district Governor of the club, Rotarian Ijeoma Okoro, urged for regular maintenance of the facility.
She said the gesture will enable the Trans Amadi Police Division to discharge its duties effectively.
Speaking, the President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Rotarian Victor Wariso, said the club will not relent in its support to security agencies.
Wariso said the Rotary club of Port Harcourt has remained consistent in assisting members of the public since it foundation years ago.
He also urged for proper maintenance of the facility while the mattresses and foams be given to those in need.
Managing Director of Nestello Nigeria Limited, Ernest Illochukwu, who noted that he is a Rotarian, said the club has continued to do good across the world.
He said the club is working in different areas of human endeavours , stressing that the activities of the club have continue to impact positively on members of the society.
Earlier, the representative of The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Trans Amadi Police Division, DSP Patrick Arawumi, commended the club for the gesture, promising that the Division will put it into judicious use.
The club later planted trees at the police station and Commissioned of billboards at the Rotary centre.

John Bibor

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Rivers

RSG Assures NYSC Of Support  …As 1,771 Corps Members Begin Service In Rivers

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s support in positively shaping the future of youths in the country.

 

Governor Fubara gave the assurance yesterday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State during the swearing in ceremony of the 2024 Batch B Stream 1 Corps Members deployed to the State.

 

A statement by the Head of Press Unit,

Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, said a total of 1,771 Corps members were sworn in during the ceremony.

 

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Hamilton Amadi, Sir Fubara noted that he would continue to make conscious effort “to give priority to the welfare of youths by providing them an enabling environment to discover and harness their God-given potentials.”

 

He commended the management of the NYSC for their strategic improvement to sustain the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, designed to empower Corps members and make them self-sustainable at the end of the service year.

 

Earlier, the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. George Mfongang, commended the Corps members for their honest and patriotic sacrifices in nation building in the last 51 years.

 

He urged them to see their mobilization into the National Service as a rare privilege that should motivate them to work hard to entrench unity, socio-economic development, peace and prosperity of the nation.

 

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi represented by Justice Opufaa Ben-Whyte, administered the Oath of Allegiance on the Corps members at the occasion.

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Rivers

Customs Intercepts 40ft Container Filled With Arms, Ammunition and Illicit Drugs

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The Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) has intercepted a 1X40ft Container Filled with various arms, ammunition and illicit drugs at Onne Port, Rivers State on Monday.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi presented the confiscated weapons to the media in Onne, Rivers State.

According to him the 40ft Container MAEU165396 with the items originated from Turkey.

He said that the arms and drugs were concealed within shipments of used clothing adding that several individuals have been arrested and are currently in detention awaiting persecution.

He said that working within their local structures, they followed diligently as the Importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a Private Bonded Terminal.

“Consequently, on Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to thorough physical examination. The examination result revealed the following alarming contents:
Eight Hundred and Forty-Four (844) units of rifles,
One Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred (112,500) pieces of live ammunition.

“The breakdown is as follows:
764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles
10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles
50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles
20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles
Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM).

“The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags” he said.

The Customs boos stated that, the duty-paid value of the container is Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (?4,171,710,000.00).

“In connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice.

In another development, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, he revealed that customs also intercepted yet another 8×40-foot container on transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port.

 

“Upon examination, they were found to contain the following:
Six containers laden with:
1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml)
3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg)
Duty-paid value: Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira
(?9,600,000,000.00)
Two containers laden with:
720 bales of used clothes
With Duty-paid value: ?144,000,000.00

“The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (?13,915,710,000.00).

The items, CGC Adeniyi pointed out that it would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser for diligent investigation, and ultimately rigorous prosecution.

Also speaking he interception of illegal arms, ammunition and illicit drugs according to the Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, ACG Charles Orbhi said that the interception of illegal arms, ammunition and illicit drugs is not just matter of law enforcement but a very critical steps in safeguarding lives and properties, and also to promoting peace and the rule of law.

“Today’s demonstration stands as a testament to our dedication and commitment to the goals share as a people in this country” said Orbhi.

 

Kiadum Edookor

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