News
CONUA Begs Tinubu To Alleviate Hardship
The Congress of University Academics has urged President Bola Tinubu to expedite action on policies to alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of the oil subsidy and the floating of the naira.
In a communique released after the CONUA National Executive Committee meeting held at the University of Benin from July 12 to 14, the association’s National President, Niyi Sunmonu, urged the President to announce a commensurate minimum wage to cushion the effects of the policies.
The CONUA president also emphasized the importance of addressing the welfare of its members, criticising the withholding of three and a half months’ salary due to a strike action undertaken by a sister association.
He said, “The NEC reviewed the state of the nation and noted the excruciating pains Nigerians have been going through as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy since May 29 2023 and the subsequent policy of floating the naira.
“The union further notes that President Bola Tinubu has assured the nation that a series of measures are being put in place to alleviate the suffering of the people.
“We urge the President to expedite action on those measures, particularly the announcement of a commensurate minimum wage and other measures that will cushion the effect of this untold hardship being currently experienced by the citizens.
“The continued withholding of the three and a half months salary of members of CONUA due to the strike action embarked upon by a sister academic staff union in the Universities is rather unfair. CONUA, as a union, has consistently maintained that it never declared and was not part of the strike action.”
He added that, “What the government has done was to lump together those who embarked on strike with those who did not! This is unjust and is tantamount to punishing the innocent along with the guilty. Through its unwarranted punishment of CONUA members, the government is inadvertently promoting the use of strikes as means of pursuing workers’ demands.
“CONUA-NEC therefore notes with apprehension that failure to process and pay these outstanding salaries could throw the universities into serious crises and jeopardize the peace currently being enjoyed.”
The CONUA president also called on the government to address promotion arrears spanning seven years for some academic staff.
He noted that arrears of Earned Academic Allowance for 10 sessions were owed, with payments made only for 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2022.
He further stated, “It was discovered that when the payment of the four months (March, April, May, and June 2022) salaries out of the seven and a half months of pay withheld by the government as a result of the strike action embarked upon by the other union was paid, through the Presidential prerogative, the third-party deductions were not released and up till now they have not. Information on its whereabouts and when it would be released was not provided by the Federal Government.
“The NEC is demanding, unequivocally, that the agencies of government involved be directed immediately to release these third-party remittances, without further delay.
“The 2014 Pension Act was intended to stop the humiliation and misery of pensioners who characteristically had problems with getting their pension entitlements years after retirement.
Retirees under the 2014 act therefore looked forward to timeous payment of their entitlements upon the conclusion of necessary documentation. The FG has failed to pay pension entitlements for over one year after retirement.”
Sunmonu also called on the Minister of Education to facilitate the inclusion of CONUA in all TETFUND programs and committee compositions involving academic unions, describing the present situation as discriminatory.
The union also drew the attention of the Ministers of Education as well as Labour and Employment to the remuneration of academics, which has remained stagnant since 2009 despite the steady rise in the cost of living.
While criticising the recent hike in electricity tariffs, CONUA argued that universities should be granted special status regarding these tariffs because they are not income-generating institutions. In the short term, and in the long term, the Federal Government should work with relevant university departments to generate electricity.
CONUA also condemned the Federal Government’s proposal to hand over universities to investors, noting that the move would cripple the universities.
News
Elder Statesman, Others Emerge PH Boat Club’s New Officials
The Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 has elected new officers to pilot its affairs.
An elder statesman and staunch supporter of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart emerged the club’s Secretary.
Sir Hart’s emergence followed an election conducted by the electoral committee over the weekend which threw up new officials to pilot its affairs at its corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The election which was adjudged one of the most credible, fairest and freest elections in the annals of the Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947, saw the emergence of Dan Harrison as Chairman.
Other members elected to run the activities of the body are Chief Coker Jimmy, Dr Oma Awoh, Chief Bib- Manuel Afonya, Dawari Dingo, Dango Kala- Otaji, Bara Alagoma and Dago George.
Recall that Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 was founded by the former Military Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Many years after its inception, the club is still waxing strong with notable personalities as members.
Former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief AbiyeSekibo is also a prominent member of the club.
The elected officials including Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart were subsequently sworn in, signalling a new chapter for the revered group of bigwigs in the oil- rich region.
With the likes of an elder statesman, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart on board, the narrative has changed for Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 as expectations are high.
The newly elected boat Secretary, Sir Fubara Hart promised to work assiduously with the chairman and other members to chart a new course for the esteemed club.
He said efforts are in top gear to enroll new members who will contribute their quota to the advancement of the club.
Sir Hart described his emergence as an act of God, promising to support the new leadership to achieve the desired objective.
He hinted that the core values of the club would be upheld with vigour, saying working in synergy with the principles laid down by its founders remains their watchword.
He said the rules and regulations of the club shall be sustained in the interest of the club and every legitimate member.
News
New Oneh Eta Akpajo Emerges
The Akpajo Clan in Eleme Local Government Area was recently agog with activities following the coronation of HRH Emere Sunday Obo as the Oneh Eta Akpajo XII/paramount ruler of Akpajo clan in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Emere Obo was crowned by the traditional staff bearer of the clan, Chief Joseph Goka on behalf of the land priests at the community square.
Before his coronation, the new King was an acting traditional ruler of the community since the death of his predecessor, Emere Friedrich on the 11th of January, 2023.
He was also a member of the late King’s Council of Chiefs and member of Nchia and Eleme Council of Chiefs respectively.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his coronation,the new Akpajo monarch said his reign will usher in peace and prosperity to the Kingdom.
He said he intends to work together with the government and companies operating in the Kingdom to attract development to Akpajo clan.
According to the monarch, he will always seek the advice of his elders and other clansmen before taking any decisions.
“I have promised them that I cannot use my authority to do anything without hearing from them first,” he said.
Emere Obo also stressed the need for the youths in the area to toe the path of peace, adding that as a traditional ruler, his responsibility is to ensure that Akpajo clan remains peaceful.
He also assured the government of support and praised both past and current administrations in the State for siting projects in the community.
Also speaking , the traditional staff bearer of the clan, Chief Joseph Goka said Emere Obo’s installation was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo Kingdom.
He also told newsmen that the king makers have not received any protest from any quarters concerning the installation since the process started months ago.
Chief Goka equally said his crowning of the monarch was based on instructions from the clan’s land priests and expressed optimism that Emere Obo is capable of representing the clan Traditionally and other wise.
Chief Goka described Emere Obo as trustworthy and law-abiding, adding that having worked with the late traditional ruler, Emere Obo has a full knowledge of the customs and traditions of not only Akpajo clan but the entire Eleme Kingdom.
He assured the new monarch of the support of the people of Akpajo and the entire traditional institution in the area.
Also speaking, one of the community’s land priests, Levy Kattey Jumaa said the installation of the new Akpajo monarch was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo and Eleme kingdom.
According to him, the new King has all the qualities expected from a chief in Eleme land, stressing that Emere Obo was only ascending the throne of his fathers having come from the royal family of Akpajo Kingdom.
He urged the public to disregard any insinuations concerning the installation, ”if at all there is any,” adding that it is only the land priests families that talk about kingship installations in Akpajo and Eleme and no other persons outside the land priests families can do that.
By: John Bibor
News
Awo Idemili Community May Become Ghost Town If
If urgent steps are not taken by concerned authorities, the Awo Idemili community in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State may become a ghost town, due to incessant killings, arson and kidnapping of residents by some alleged criminal elements suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB).
The Tide’s sourc learnt that a certain family, the Emenikes, said the only possible solution to save the lives of the family members and that of others was to seek protection in a foreign land.
According to sources, one of the family members, Mr Peter Emenike was adbucted and murdered in a gruesome manner by people believed to be members of the IPOB recently.
It was further learnt that Peter Emenike, now deceased, was the Personal Assistant to the Imo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Traditional Matters and was never a member of any secret organisation as to warrant the fate that befell him.
His only offence as further gathered, was an alleged intelligence leaked to the Imo Government which the IPOB framed up in order to get him and his family members nailed.
It also learnt on a good authority that Peter Emenike’s lifeless body alongside that of his wife was found at their residence in Awo – Idemili, Imo State on 14th November, 2024 .
It was also reported that few days later, some family members of the Emenike family were declared missing and as one of them was found dead by a bush path, while others were still held hostage as at when this report was filed.
The Tide’s source claimed that a letter purportedly written by the IPOB members was delivered and dropped inside the car of the deceased bearing the insignia of the IPOB with the inscription: ‘None of your family members can hide for long’.
Unconfirmed report has it that the family, out of fear could not immediately report the matter to the Imo State Police Command as the group is believed to possess some spiritual powers to identify their perceived enemies from afar.
The family members of the deceased including oneMr Daniel Emenike, Boniface Emenike , Paul Emenike and others are now under serious threat by the separatist group (IPOB), thus the urgent need for protection especially in a foreign land.
A security analyst who pleaded anolmity, warned that the assassination of Peter Emenike and the serial killings and abduction of his family members stood as a signal to a new phase of IPOB’s operations .
“ This is not an attack on one family , but on the nation and our collective safety . The government must act swiftly not just to rescue the family but to reaffirm their stance on zero tolerance to terrorism “ he said .
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