Niger Delta
Offices Deserted, Roads Closed, As Workers’ Strike Enters The Second Day In C’River
Government offices in Cross River State and roads leading to them have been deserted since Monday as civil servants complied with the indefinite strike action declared by the leadership of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over welfare-related issues.
Our correspondent, who went round Calabar Metropolis to monitor compliance or otherwise of the strike, observed that except for few senior civil servants who were seen lurking around their offices, the premises of both the new and old State Secretariat, housing many government ministries, departments and agencies, had been under lock and key.
The NLC Chairman in the State, Comrade Ben Ukpepi, in a telephone chat, said “the strike is total and successful. However, there are some TUC members who are senior civil servants who opened their offices but they cannot do without NLC members who are at home and are complying with the strike order.
“Even some TUC members are also complying because the TUC withdrew from the strike only on the leadership level. As everyone knows, we are not fighting for ourselves but for workers whose rights and privileges have been taken away. The strike will continue until government is ready to meet our demands.”
Mr. Christian Ita, The Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser, Media to Governor Ben Ayade, also in a chat with correspondents, said NLC should see reasons why the strike should not continue, and noted that, “few days ago, the Deputy Governor spoke with the leadership of the Organized Labour and restated the resolve of government to look into the matters NLC raised. Governor Ben Ayade is a labour friendly governor. The truth is that the time for such discussion is simply not right.
“COVID-19 has ravaged the economy of states and nations and in fact some states are contemplating salary cut while companies are even laying off workers. Recession is staring everybody in the face globally. As we speak, political appointees in the state have had their salaries cut by 20 percent in the face of the dwindling allocation to the state.
“Few months ago, the federal allocation was about N800 million but today it has gone down to roughly N600 million. We cannot be talking of any money matter now because government is battling to pay salaries for the past two months. Let them give government enough time to tackle those matters.”
It would be Recalled that there was a stalemate at the weekend over the matter when the TUC distanced itself from the strike, and warned its members against taking part. Its secretary, Ken Bassey, argued that the group preferred continuous negotiation with the state government to iron out the issues under contention, and that the timing for the strike was wrong due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the NLC had insisted that Gov Ayade should accede to the 8-point demands of the Organized Labour, which they said, include
payment of outstanding gratuities to retirees from 2014; implementation of promotion; immediate return of names of workers removed from payroll and the immediate pay rolling of about 2000 recruited workers who have been working since 2018, amongst others.
From Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
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The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has called for renewed commitment towards strengthening the historic ties between the Asaba and Warri Kingdoms for mutual benefits.
Azinge made the call recently in Asaba, when he played host to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, in his palace.
Reflecting on the longstanding relationship between the two royal institutions, he recalled the deep bond shared by the Olu’s father, Ogiame Atuwatse II, and his predecessor, the late Prof. Chike Edozien.
He said the cordial relationship extended beyond official engagements, adding that he and his family also maintained close personal ties with the immediate past Warri traditional ruler.
The Asagba expressed optimism about the future of the relationship, commending the Olu for his deliberate efforts to revive and strengthen the agelong alliance between both kingdoms.
He pledged to fully support any initiatives aimed at deepening the cooperation, while also lauding the Olu’s leadership qualities.
He described the Olu as “a visionary monarch with a strong global outlook”.
Azinge also praised his visitor for his “humility, composure, and commitment to elevating the status of his throne on the international stage”, saying that such qualities exemplify ideal traditional leadership.
He urged the Olu not to relent in his efforts, describing his growing influence and recognition within and beyond Delta as commendable and worthy of emulation.
He said, ”You are a leading light in your own right. Long before ascending the throne, I have watched you closely and observed your trajectory as a King; a Sovereign, and you epitomise all that a monarch should be.”
The Asagba also highlighted existing personal connections between both royal families, noting that the Olu’s Queen shared a close relationship with his daughter, further strengthening their bond.
Speaking on broader regional engagement, Azinge disclosed that he recently returned from a five-day working visit to Sierra Leone, where he held high-level meetings with traditional authorities, academia, and government officials.
He said discussions during the visit emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among African traditional rulers, particularly within the West African sub-region.
According to him, the President of Sierra Leone, in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS, encouraged traditional leaders to build stronger networks and consider having periodic meetings to promote unity and development.
Azinge expressed the confidence that such initiatives, when realised, would include key monarchs, such as the Olu of Warri.
He reaffirmed the role of traditional institutions in supporting government efforts, particularly in areas, such as security and community development, emphasising the need to for them to leave lasting legacies.
Earlier in his remark, the Olu of Warri expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage, describing the visit as both “significant and memorable”.
He apologised for his absence at the Asagba’s coronation and assured that he would return for a more elaborate visit at a mutually convenient time.
The Olu recalled the cordial relationship his father shared with the late Asagba, saying that it afforded him early exposure to the Asaba royal institution and its traditions.
He reiterated his commitment to reviving and strengthening the relationship between the two kingdoms, emphasising the importance of unity for the progress of their people and the country.
Ogiame Atuwatse III also extended an invitation to the Asagba to attend his fifth coronation anniversary, scheduled for August, expressing the hope for continued collaboration in the years ahead.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Command in Akwa Ibom State says investigation is ongoing on the recent recovery of explosive materials at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSC Richard Metong, told The Tide’s source in Uyo, the State’s capital, that the centre was safe and secure.
“We are currently investigating the incident, we must identify those responsible for that.
“We are working with sister security agencies to ensure that those behind the act are unmasked and prosecuted”, he said.
Metong continued that the command had maintained a close watch at the facility since the recovery of the explosives.
“Normal activities are going on at the center, There is no panic anywhere within and outside the facility”, he said.
The PRO stated that the command had activated inter-agency operation at all custodial centres in the state.
It would be recalled that on April 28, some explosive materials were recovered within the premises of the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre.
According to police statement, the recovered include, 90mm high explosive rounds and 45cm length of burning fuse.
The police also recovered one pair of pincers, one flat screwdriver, two pieces of 12mm iron chisels and one 6cm conduit iron pipe.
Niger Delta
INC Polls: NRC Passes Confidence Vote On Electoral C’tte … Wants Diri, Others To Mediate For Unity
The National Representative Council (NRC) of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), on Monday passed a vote of confidence on the Justice Francis Tabai-led National Electoral Committee which conducted the April 13th 2026 National Executive Council (NEC) elections of the socio-cultural organization.
The NRC is the legislative arm of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body, the INC.
Speaking during a valedictory plenary, members of the council praised the electoral umpire for conducting what it described as free, fair and credible polls, saying nothing less was expected of it.
According to the body, the Chairman of the electoral body and its members displayed the highest level of professionalism and were unbiased in the assignment given them, saying members of the electoral body remain some of the most sincere and disciplined minds in the Ijaw nation.
While speaking on a recent letter, which allegedly emanated from the office of the outgoing National Secretary of the INC, purportedly saying that the outgoing NEC would swear in a new NRC, the Legislative Leader of the NRC, His Royalty, Anyanate Kio, condemned the statement, noting that the outgoing National Scribe’s letter was faulty .
He noted the letter does not have the backing of Congress nor does it have that of the INC President, but that it came from the wishful thinking of the incumbent National Secretary, describing the letter as that of a wrongful thought.
“Yes, elections have come and gone. The electoral committee did a great job by conducting not only a free and fair election, but for also giving so much credibility to the system by using electronics voting.
“As members of the NRC, we believe and know that there is no election in any part of the world which is totally perfect, hence we’ll like to commend the National Council of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-CITRE) for playing a fatherly role in the process.
“We believe also that the Governor-General of Ijaw nation, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, and other stakeholders will work towards finding lasting solutions to the grey areas and contending issues surrounding the just-concluded elections.
“But part of our resolutions today at plenary was that all members of the NRC participated and did well as members in the past four years in the NRC, and therefore we want to give them certificates of excellent participation”, the NRC leader said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
