Agriculture
NLC Wades Into NUCSSW’s Dispute
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has settled the dispute between the Federal Secretariat Branch of the Nigeria Union of Civil Service Stenographic Workers and its national headquarters.
The Secretariat branch of the union had dragged its National Headquarters before the National Industrial Court over its leadership crisis which began 2001.
When the matter came up for report of settlement the Claimant’s Counsel, Mr Enobong Ette, informed the court that the terms of settlement had been prepared.
Ette also informed the court that the parties in the suit had also consented to it following the intervention and effort of the NLC.
He, however, urged the court to enter the settlement as the consent judgment of the court to mark the end of the 12-year dispute that has affected the Union.
“I am glad to inform the court that the terms of settlement are ready and I urged the court to enter same as the consent judgment of the court.
“It will be on record that, these terms of settlement will resolve a 12-year dispute that has affected the progress of the Union,’’ he said.
Similarly, the counsel to the defendant, Mr Anthony Itedjere, confirmed that the parties in dispute had reached an amicable settlement and urged the court to enter consent judgment.
The parties agreed to amend the constitution of the Union within two years to meet the yearnings of its members.
Also contained in the terms of settlement is the agreement that the NLC should organise a special congress for the union to reunite all its members.
Mrs Lucy Offiong, the representative of the NLC in court, thanked the court for the opportunity given to the leadership of the congress to settle the matter.
While entering the consent judgment, Justice Adejumo enjoined the NLC to always encourage harmony among its members to avoid litigation.
“The terms of settlement are hereby entered as the final consent judgment of this court and it is binding on the parties.
The judge ruled “Parties are hereby ordered to abide by it in full.’’
The Tide learnt that when the case came up for hearing in January, Justice Babatunde Adejumo had urged the NLC to make effort to resolve the dispute.
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.