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Rivers NUJ Gets New Executive …Moves To New Secretariat’ Morrow

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American Ambassador, James Entwistle (left) fielding questions from journalists during his visit to the Senate President Bukola Saraki in Abuja last Thursday

American Ambassador, James Entwistle (left) fielding questions from journalists during his visit to the Senate President Bukola Saraki in Abuja last Thursday

After weeks of horse-trad
ing, a new executive of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has emerged.
The new executive led by Mr Omoni Ayo Tamuno emerged at the end of a keenly contested elections that took place at the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) secretariat, Port Harcourt.
Tamuno who was the immediate past vice chairman of the NUJ, Rivers State Council, polled 147 votes to emerge the chairman of the council. He beat two other contestants, Messrs Stanley Job Stanley and Imikubi Lillybox (both of the Radio Rivers Chapel) to a distant second and third positions respectively.
Stanley who was the immediate secretary of the council scored 80 votes, while Lillybox garnered 52 votes. Three votes were, however, declared void by the Returning Officer, who represented the national secretariat of the union.
Two other positions that were contested are those of secretary and vice chairman.
Mr Soibi Max-Alalibo of The Tide Chapel beat his office colleague and only challenger, Mr Tonye Orabere to emerge the secretary. While Max-Alalibo scored 145 votes, Orabere polled 130 votes, with seven votes declared void.
In the vice-chairmanship category, Miss Uche Agbam of the Rivers State Television (RSTV) Chapel emerged winner after polling 115 votes to defeat Mrs Clarice Azutalam of the Federated Chapel who scored 85 votes and Mr Jim Opiki of the Independent Monitor who polled 76 votes. Four votes were declared void in this category.
It will be recalled that the election was earlier scheduled to hold in May 21, but following a protest against the disqualification of a chairmanship candidate, Mr Obed Omah of the Radio Rivers Chapel, the election was ‘paused’ by the national secretariat of the union.
Supporters of Omah under the aegis of New Era Campaign Organisation led by Mr Tonye Jenewari later gave Obed’s campaign structure to Ayo Tamuno to produce the new chairman.
Speaking shortly after receiving certificate of return,  new chairman thanked the journalists in the state, especially his supporters, for the trust and confidence reposed in him to lead the union.
He declared that the election has produced ‘no winner, no loser’promising to carry everybody along in the new administration.
Reviewing events that led to the emergence of Ayo Tamuno as the new chairman, Mr Jenewari noted that Omah’s disqualification gave Tamuno a clear lead ahead of his rivals.
“The result of the chairmanship election they just announced is a product of serious politicking and good understanding between our group (Obed’s group) and Ayo Tamuno’s group
“It all happened within just 48 hours after we confirmed that Obed would still not be allowed to contest,” he said.
The new executive is expected to move into the new ultra-modern secretariat built for the union by the immediate past state government of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi along Moscow Road, tomorrow.

 

Boye Salau

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Reps Urge FG To Pay ASUU, NASU’s Withheld Salaries

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The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to pay the withheld salaries of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU).
This followed the adoption of a Motion of Urgent Public Importance by Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa) during plenary on Wednesday.
Presenting the motion, Fulata said that the government must accede to the unions’ demands because they were genuine.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the President to direct the relevant bodies to come up with modalities for negotiation with both ASUU and NASU.
The House said this would enable them to come up with workable, implementable and final agreement to be signed by both parties.
The House urged the president to direct the Ministry of Finance, to ensure full implementation.
The House mandated its Committees on University Education, Polytechnic Education, Federal Colleges of Education, Labour and Productivity, Finance, Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

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Bill To Prescribe Salaries, Allowances Of Judicial Officers Pass 2nd Reading

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The bill seeking to prescribe salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of Judicial office holders in Nigeria has passed second reading at the Senate.
This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Sen. Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) at plenary on Thursday.
Presenting the bill, Ashiru said the bill, an executive bill, was forwarded to the two Chambers of the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, in accordance with provisions of Section 58(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
He said the bill, in a nutshell, seeks to prescribe salaries, allowances and fringe benefits for judicial officers in order to nip in the bud, the prolonged stagnation in their remuneration.
This, he said was to reflect the contemporary socio-economic realities of the time.
Ashiru said the bill intends to unify the salary structure, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial officers holders both in the Federal and at the State levels.
“This proposed legal framework, undoubtedly, will bring about significant improvement in the welfare, capacity and independence of the Judiciary, which have been contentious issues of public discourse over the years.”
He said that the intent of the bill was in conformity with the current administration’s resolve to strengthen the country’s Judiciary and the criminal justice system .
This, he said was to ensure its independence in the performance of its constitutional role, as the arbiter of the temple of justice.
He urged the senators to support the expeditious passage of the bill in view of its importance to the socio-economic and political development of this country.
Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), who seconded the motion said it was necessary to ensure adequate remuneration of Judicial officers was in line with the current economic reality.
He said that there was the need to provide an adequate remuneration that would prevent judicial officials from being tempted for corruption.
Sen. Orji Kalu (APC- Abia ) commended the executive for presenting the bill to prescribe a remuneration for the judicial arm of government, saying that no right thinking Nigerian would want to oppose it.
He urged the officials to ensure that justice is dispensed rightly to Nigerians.
He also urged the government to improve remuneration of other sectors given the economic reality.
Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jubrin (APC-Kano) said the President has done creditably well by presenting the bill for remuneration of the judicial officials.
He said the judicial officials had suffered in silence for as they were not disposed to speaking up on the issues, just like the labour unions.
He said it was cheery and commendable for President Tinubu to have brought the bill, which was designed to enhance the salary and welfare of the judicial officials.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpiabio said presentation of the bill was a right step in the right direction by President Tinubu.
Akpabio, referred the bill to the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative inputs and to return back to plenary in four weeks, after the bill was read for the second time.

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Court To Hear Suit Against Ganduje’s Suspension, May 28

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Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, has fixed May 28 for hearing in the substantive application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Dr Ganduje is challenging his suspension from the party by factional ward executives led by one Basiru Nuhu Isa.
He was first suspended by APC Ganduje Ward executives led by one Haladu Gwanjo on April 15. Another faction emerged and also announced suspension of Dr Ganduje on April 20.
The Tide source reports that the secretary of the party in Kano, Zakari Sarina, said the suspension by the faction was another case of impersonation.
Dr Ganduje is seeking a declaration that his suspension from the party without giving him opportunity to defend himself amounts to violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing.
He is also seeking a declaration that his suspension by the faction was unlawful, null and void.
Counsel for the embattled APC chairman, Hadiza Ahmad, applied for service on the respondents by substituted means which the court granted.
Justice Liman adjourned to May 28 for hearing in the matter.

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