Sequel to the disagreement in the leadership of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Port Harcourt International Airport Branch, says the disagreement is uncalled for.
Making the position of the union known while interacting with The Tide, Chairman of NUATE at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Mr Felix Ogude, noted that individual interests, rather than constitutional provisions are being brought to bear in the quest for leadership.
According to him, the Constitution has spelt out how the activities and business of the union should be carried out.
Why the Executive of the union could not stick to the Constitutional provisions, he said, wondering.
“The Constitution of the NLC is clear about how elected officials of the union could be removed, and we will not allow sentiment of any kind that will jeopardise the peace of the union. Comrade Beatrice Itubo was duly elected as Chairperson of the State Council, and any process for her removal that does not follow due process will not stand.
“She had informed us of her political interest in one of our State Working Committee meetings, and promised she was going to do the needful at the appropriate time.
“How come all this rush to take over the leadership, when the majority of the executive are not in support, knowing that an elected official cannot be removed in office, even when contesting an election”, Felix said.
The NUATE State boss, however, blamed comrade Emecheta and his group for being responsible for the current problem and the leadership crisis rocking the union, and urged them to retrace their steps.
He stated that NUATE will not be a part in any way in what will bring crisis to the State Council of the NLC.

By: Corlins Walter

The Controller, Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre, Mr Felix Lawrence, has charged inmates not to see their incarceration as a barrier, but rather another window for excellence in life.
Lawrence said this during the graduation ceremony of the centre students at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Port Harcourt last Friday.
The Controller, who spoke through the Human Resources Manager, Mr Benson C. Luke told the inmates to aim high irrespective of their incarceration.
According to him, the graduand-inmates have so far proven that one can excel in any condition or environment regardless of the nature.
He also charged them to use the ‘power’ given them to fight vices in the society, saying that education is the bed rock of the society.
“Education is not easy. We call on you all to reintegrate them into the society. Don’t stigimatise them by avoiding them upon their release”, he said.
In his view, the Deputy Controller, Mr Effiong Etim, who described the opportunity to study while in incarceration as a special privilege, cautioned against its abuse by the beneficiaries.
One of the ways to abuse it, Etim said, was to fall back to crime upon their release to the society.
He revealed that all the inmates are within the budding age of 25, which he tagged the epic of one’s youthful age that can be utilised positively in any given environment.
The Deputy Controller also hinted that there is provision for skills acquisition programme for those who are willing to get trained.
Meanwhile, the Registrar of NOUN, Mr Felix Eluka, reassured the inmates of the institution’s decision to offer free education to as many as may wish to school while in prison custody.
“We are here to formally present certificates to those who made it. Seven of you in all.
“Two made Second Class Upper Division, while the rest made Second Class Lower Division. We appeal to inmates to pick our forms. The university is offering you free education. No money to be spent, even the form”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of the the graduands, Mr Cletus Akanazu thanked both the Prison’s management, the Director, Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Special Centre of NOUN, Dr Nnenna Chukwuma, and promised to be good ambassadors upon their release to the ‘outside world’ as they fondly refer to the society.

By: King Onunwor

The United Kingdom/Nigeria’s Occupational Safety And Health Association (OSHA), Rivers State Chapter, has trained over 167 teachers in safety management.
The association made this known in its recent advocacy programme with the theme, National Safety Advocacy Programme (NSAP) Schools Workplace Safety and Security In A Dynamic Environment, aimed at creating awareness for pupils and teachers to raise an alarm in emergency situations.
The association, led by its State Chairman, Dr. Chris Mitchell, visited a total of 16 primary and secondary schools and trained over 3,280 pupils and students on safety and security consciousness in a dynamic environment.
Mitchell, during the training programme urged the pupils and students to be conscious in preventing domestic and fire accidents, which, he said, have claimed lives and properties.
He taught the students, teachers and proprietresses proprietors the basic of safety and security in classes and offices.
Mitchell, on behalf of the Association, donated over 20 first aid boxes to the 16 schools visited, while about 50 teachers were selected and trained on fire safety, evacuation strategies and first aid.
The training, which took place at Jarspok International School, Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt, had in attendance various safety experts and personnel.
In his training sessions with the teachers, Engr. Abraham Odogwu equipped them with the four key principles of safety; Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery (PPRR).
Odogwu warned the various staff on the dangers of cooking, explaining that “the best method to prevent flameable fuel is to prevent its spillage. Propane gas has 2.0 – 9.5kgl explosive range and should be properly handled”, he stated.

By: Ike Wigodo