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Labour Lists Conditions For Suspension Of Strike

Published

14 years ago

January 11, 2012

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday gave conditions for dialogue and eventual suspension of the nationwide strike against federal government’s fuel subsidy removal last week.

Making their stance public during a protest rally by both unions to Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, the two unions stressed that the Presidency should first revert to the old pump price of fuel before any dialogue would ensue.

Chairman of the NLC in the State, Chief Chris Oruge and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Chika Onuegbu insisted that the President should listen to the voice of the people.

Chief Oruge said, “the workers of Rivers State are saying No to subsidy removal. We want you to carry our message to our brother, the President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan”.

He continued, “it is not that we don’t want to obey our brother but if you go outside now you will see a lot of Nigerians trekking…Transport fares and everything have gone up. The N18000 minimum wage is worthless”.

The Rivers NLC chief averred that the State Governor had enormous powers as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum to prevail on the Presidency to retain the fuel subsidy.

He explained that the protest was one way labour wanted to register its displeasure on the policy.

In a similar vein, The Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Chika Onuegbu argued that since the removal of the fuel subsidy, Nigerians were undergoing numerous hardships, including sudden rise in prices of foodstuffs, transport fares among others.

As a result, he explained that labour’s action had become crucial to addressing the plight of Nigerians, adding, “on behalf of the Nigerian people we want to appeal to Mr President to listen to Nigerians and listen to us by reverting to the old pump price of fuel, with that we can now dialogue.”

Responding, Governor Chibuike Amaechi assured them that their request would be tabled before the President but used the forum to invite labour to a town hall meeting where he would explain government’s policies better.

Rt Hon. Amaechi stated that so far palliatives had been put in place to ensure that fuel doesn’t sell above N137 in the state and that government had liaised with the Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) to bring down transport fares to N50 except on some routes which would charge above that.

In addition, he disclosed that a special discount market was underway in the three senatorial districts of the state to sell products at subsidized rates to the populace.

Besides, he noted that his administration had rolled out plans through the 2012 budget that would ensure more public utilities are provided, as he assured that free education and health will be the pivot of his government.

He sued for understanding from labour, saying, “it is not that government is not aware of the people suffering. We are very conscious of your problems including the President…We know that there are challenges”.

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.