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Insecurity, Major Hindrance To Productivity Of LG Workers -NULGE
The President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Kaduna State Chapter, Mr Rayyanu Turunku, says insecurity has been a major hindrance to the productivity of local government workers across the state.
Turunku said this at a security meeting organised by a Civil Society Group, “ Make Kaduna Better Youths Initiative,” held at its Secretariat, yesterday in Kaduna.
Turunku noted:” Most of the local government workers and their families were affected by kidnapping and other forms of insecurity in the state which hampers their activities. “
According to him, the most worrisome trend faced by the local government areas across the state was the issue of informants.
“Our major problems are not even the bandits, because they usually don’t have information about communities they attack, the people giving information and directing targets to them are our major issues, because we live with them and can’t identify them.,” Turunku lamented .
He commended the security personnel on their roles in tackling the menace and called on them to do more in protecting the lives and property of the people.
The NULGE president also urged the security agencies to have mutual relationships and understanding with the locals and voluntary security outfits across communities, for ease of operations.
“Although the local security outfits have limited roles in security operations, they should be empowered and encouraged by the government to do more in providing information to security personnel on advent of likely threats to communities,” Turunku said.
Earlier, the Commisioner of Police in the state, Mr Mudassiru Abdullahi, assured respective traditional institutions and people of various communities of an improved secured atmosphere in the state.
Represented by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), of Sabon Gari Division, CSP Abdullahi Yusuf, the commissioner pledged to deploy more security personnel,to curb the recent upsurge in communal disputes in some villages.
The police boss used the opportunity to call on people in the state to embrace dialogue in attaining peace, saying,” it is priceless.”
He further maintained:” No society develops in an atmosphere of rancour and apprehension thus, considering the communities as agrarian settlements, the need to ensure peaceful coexistence can never be overemphasised, especially amidst the current farming season.”
Abdullahi noted that, the police command would continue to work with special constabularies, towards achieving the objective of peace,as well as sustainability, for meaningful development in the state.
He urged the people of Kaduna state to be peaceful and law abiding, noting that, violence does nobody any good .
Also speaking, the convener of “Make Kaduna Better Youth Initiative,” Mr Samaila Sammani, said that, the meeting was to discuss and proffer youths-based solutions to the issues of insecurity in Kaduna state.
“The Kaduna State Government is trying its best on tackling issues of insecurity, however, we as youths have greater roles to play in curbing the menace,” he said.
He called on the Kaduna state government to see the need of including the youths into the security committees in the state.
Sammani also called on the public to help the government in tackling insecurity by reporting suspicious movements of strangers and people in communities to the appropriate authorities.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene