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Rivers NLC Crisis: Unions Fault Itubo’s Second Term Bid

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The bid by the incumbent chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Council, Commrade Beatrice Itubo, for second term in office has triggered off widespread criticisms from the affiliate unions.
In an interview with The Tide yesterday, in Port Harcourt, the unions called on the outgoing NLC boss to step aside for a more competent and qualified person.
The State Secretary, Administration of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE), Comrade Tobins Tamunoiminabo, said the move by Itubo to seek second term in office when she had retired from active service is against the labour law.
He said that even the recent labour guideline states clearly that the contestant must have spent four years in service to qualify for elective position, adding that the NLC chairperson’s desire to seek a second term “is an error,’’ he said.
“Labour movement in the state is dead and the workers are suffering, no promotion, increment or gratuity. We need somebody that will put things in order’’.
The chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, The Tide Chapel, Comrade Akujobi Amadi, felt that the chairperson should step aside, because according to him, under her first tenure, workers did not benefit.
“If she did not achieve anything when she was in active service, is it at the retirement level that she will achieve something for workers?
“Her claim of contesting under the pension union is neither here nor there because her check-off has not gotten to the union for once six months after her retirement’’, he said.
The Chairman noted that the NLC Joint Council has not been active in the state due to the nonchalant attitude of the labour leadership, insisting that there is an urgent need for the delegates to consider interest of the workers.
Another senior member of NLC who pleaded anonymity faulted the move by NLC chairperson, saying that Article 20 of NLC says, “if you are holding a position in NLC and retires, you should leave the position immediately.
“The fact that SEC allows her to finish her tenure does not guarantee her the right to seek for a second term which will set a bad precedence.
He noted that Adams Oshiomhole example, which Itubo relies on was an illegality and should not be allowed to continue.
In her contribution, Rivers State Women Committee Chairperson of AUPCTRE, Joy Tonye, expressed concern over the second term bid of Mrs Itubo, saying that she was not even qualified to contest for her first term bid because she did not meet the requirements of the NLC constitution which stipulated four years on active service prior to contest.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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