News
Crisis: Rivers ALGON chairman pleads with Tinubu, NLC to stop members of NULGE from staging another sponsored protest
…says Rivers NLC and NULGE has been infiltrated by Fubara.
…Settled Members with Caretaker Cttee appointments
…Caretaker Committee Members make a U Turn.
…lists names of beneficiaries
Chairman of Rivers State ALGON chapter, Hon. Allwell Ihunda has pleaded with President Bola Tinubu and the national body of organised Labour to stop members of NLC and TUC from orchestrating further damage to the state via another sponsored protest.
He also noted that Rivers NULGE and Labour have been infiltrated by the State Governor Sim Fubara who offered NLC and ALGON membership of caretaker committee appointments.
Ihunda made this disclosure this while briefing journalists in Portharcourt on Sunday declaring that:
“The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Rivers State Chapter has become aware of the orchestrated plans of the leadership and members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Rivers State and its collaborators to destabilize the fragile peace prevailing in Rivers State.
On Monday the 24th day of June, 2024 they’re storming and attacking the Police officers stationed at the various Council Secretariats in Rivers State under the guise of protesting against the presence of the Officers of the Nigerian Police securing the Council premises.
“This plan which was conceived, fertilized and hatched by the officials of NULGE in collaboration with the officials of the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Siminialayi Fubara, is designed to over-awe the Nigerian Police and chase them away from securing the Council Secretariat so that the illegal Care-Taker Committees recently appointed and sworn in by the Governor of Rivers State to operate from “anywhere” can break into and take over the Council Secretariats and give themselves the cover of legitimacy using the Council Secretariats.
He however listed the list of the beneficiaries as follows:
Mr. Big-Joe Ntar, Chisa Ordu, Azubuike Edward, Kingsley Ogwe, Daniel Wisdom, Kpobari Zarakpege, Chinwe Nmerukini, Ngozi Okenwe
” Some of the NULGE officials and members appointed into the purported Care-Taker Committees include the following:
1. Engr. Thankgod Ichem
Ikwerre LGA Care-Taker Committee
Tai LGA Care-Taker Committee
Ahoada West LGA Care-Taker Committee
Ahoada East LGA Care-Taker Committee
ONELGA Care-Taker Committee
Ogu/Bolo LGA Care-Taker Committee
Gokana LGA Care-Taker Committee
PHALGA Care-Taker Committee
Emohua LGA Care-Taker Committee
10.
Michael Onwuli
Omuma LGA Care-Taker Committee
11.
Jamena Erokosima
12.
Lolo P. Clifford
13.
Abigail Chiolu
14.
Okorite Bobmanuel
15.
Ishmael Idante
16.
Isaiah Daniel Obianime
17.
Gilbert Onyewaji
18. Christian Nwanwho
19.
Mimi Gospel
Degema LGA Care-Taker Committee
Asari-Toru LGA Care-Taker Committee
Obio/Akpor LGA Care-Taker Committee
Akuku-Toru LGA Care-Taker Committee
Andoni LGA Care-Taker Committee
Okrika LGA Care-Taker Committee
Abua/Odua LGA Care-Taker Committee
Oyigbo LGA Care-Taker Committee
Eleme LGA Care-Taker Committee
20. Jumbo Neena ere
21. Florence Nwala
Khana LGA Care-Taker Committee
Etche LGA Care-Taker Committee.
“These individuals and those who are priming them to be used for the pursuit of this devious scheme do not seem to care about the well-being of the people of Rivers State and the imperative for the preservation of peace, law and order in Rivers State.
“NULGE
has been infiltrated and compromised by the Governor of Rivers State and its officials and unsuspecting members are now being hoodwinked and drafted into fighting, under the guise of protest, as foot soldiers to promote the divisive partisan private interest of the Governor.
“Against this background, we want to use this medium to once again call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene by calling the Governor of Rivers State to order with a view to avoiding a breakdown of governance, law, and order in Rivers State.
“We call on national leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and all well-meaning Labour and Trade Unions as well as Civil Society Groups to take proactive steps to prevail on the NULGE officials in Rivers State to jettison the planned protest and confrontation with the Nigerian Police which may plunge our dear Rivers State deeper into avoidable crisis and possible loss of lives.
” We call on the well-meaning members of NULGE in Rivers State to recognize the planned protest/demonstration as an orchestrated scheme to lure them into fighting for the promotion of the private agenda of some selfish individuals and politicians and to shun the planned protest/demonstration and patiently await the peaceful resolution of the legal issues involved in Local Government Administration in Rivers State which are already pending before courts of competent jurisdiction.
” No good will come from needless protests and confrontation with law enforcement agencies who themselves are patiently awaiting judicial determination of the issues involved.
” Let us all keep fate with the due process of the rule of law for in the fullness of time, sanity, normalcy and order shall be restored to the administration of Local Government.
By Gloria Ikibah
Communities in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, are beginning to see visible signs of change as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu recently launched a series of public infrastructure projects.
The initiative, which began on Friday, took Kalu across three key wards Bende, Itumbauzo, and Uzuakoli, where he formally opened a number of completed facilities. These include blocks of classrooms, administrative offices, rehabilitated roads, and new boreholes.
Bende Constituency, one of the largest in the country with 13 wards, has long grappled with infrastructure gaps. The newly delivered projects are seen as part of a broader effort to close those gaps and raise the standard of living in the area.
Residents say the projects are already making a difference in both school attendance and ease of movement between villages. Many hope this momentum continues in the months ahead.
…as labour minister call for stricter laws to protect workers
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed serious concern over the state of workplace safety in Nigeria, calling for urgent legislative action to prevent further injuries and fatalities.
Speaker Abbas made the call during the 2025 World Day for Safety Conference, with the theme: “The Legislative Perspective: Safety First – Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians”, organised by the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.
The Speaker who was represented by Ondo lawmaker, Rep. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, said that the occasion was a reminder of the need to protect Nigerian workers from occupational hazards.
He said: “Today’s event is very significant, especially in the lives of workers across the globe. It reminds us of the need to guarantee the safety of workers against occupational hazards and fatalities.
“In societies where life is not given the right premium, workers are exposed to various accidents and dangers. Every worker has a right to be protected.”
Speaker Abbas acknowledged the global importance of the World Day for Safety, which was launched in 2003 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), and shared alarming statistics. “About 2.3 million workers lose their lives every year from workplace injuries and health hazards, with about 160 million non-fatal injuries,” he noted.
Abbas lamented the lack of reliable data In Nigeria, and said the most recent figures—238 deaths and 3,461 injuries in the construction industry—date back to between 2014 and 2016. “Even those reports are incomplete,” he added.
He also cited a study at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, which found that 52.7 percent of health workers surveyed had experienced needle pricks, while 53.3 percent reported incidents of blood splashes, and linked this to greater risks during outbreaks like Ebola and COVID-19, recalling the sacrifices of Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh and Nurse Justina Ejelonu, who died after coming in contact with the index Ebola case in 2014.
The Speaker blamed many of the injuries in construction sites and criticised the neglect of safety in public buildings.
“Unsafe acts and unsafe working conditions, including lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), hoisting gear, appropriate scaffolds and ladder protection.
“Most public buildings and workplaces in Nigeria are design-built and opened for use without safety checks. Apart from fire extinguishers, you hardly see buildings marked with reflective signs that guide workers in emergencies”, he lamented.
Abbas promised that the House would review and streamline existing laws to improve enforcement and public health protections.
“As the law-making body, the House of Representatives is poised to cause the necessary review of existing laws and seek ways to make them more effective in safeguarding public health and safety”, he added.
The Chairman Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Rep. David Idris Zacharias in his welcome address said the event marked a historic moment in our nation’s journey towards building a safer, more resilient society.
He stressed that safety must be prioritized, embedded in every policy, and included in every planning phase of our national projects. Whether it’s construction, road, workplace, environmental, or food safety, these are not peripheral issues—they are central to our well-being.
According to Zacharias, the committee’s mission is not only to pass laws but to ensure they are implemented effectively.
He acknowledged that enforcement gaps, poor awareness, and weak appreciation of safety still plague the country. However, he added, and that these challenges present us with immense opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and learn from others.
The committee chairman therefore called for partnerships with businesses, labour unions, NGOs, and the public.
He promised stronger enforcement, increased funding, more monitoring, and public awareness campaigns.
“Safety must be everyone’s concern. From the smallest corner shop to the largest industrial complex, we all have a role to play. We envision a future where safety is embedded in every organisation’s culture, every construction project, and every government policy,” he said.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, in his message called for stronger legislation and cooperation among stakeholders to build a safer work environment for all Nigerians.
He also emphasised that while innovation is necessary, it must not come at the cost of workers’ welfare.
He said: “The theme of today’s conference, The Legislative Perspective: Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians, highlights the critical role of legislation in helping to shape a resilient and future-ready occupational safety and health framework.
“Legislation is central to navigating the digital frontier responsibly; ensuring that innovation does not erode the foundational rights, dignity, and welfare of the Nigerian worker.
“The safety of our workers must be anchored on secure technologies, sound data protection, and inclusive policy frameworks that uphold international labour standards”.
Dr. Dingyadi also stressed the importance of collaboration through the tripartite model involving government, employers, and workers’ organizations, to ensure policies are both enforceable and inclusive.
He further acknowledged delays in reviewing labour laws but said progress had been made, and called for unity across all sectors to build a lasting culture of safety.
“Year 2024 marked significant progress with the publication of Nigeria’s revised OSH Country Profile and the Federal Executive Council’s approval of landmark OSH regulations such as the Construction Safety Regulations 2024”, he added.
The Minister also spoke about the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, which he said was developed through wide consultations.
“The Ministry has led the development of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, which has been crafted through our distinctive Tripartite Plus framework. We count on the continued partnership of all stakeholders to make this a reality.
“Together, let us rise to the challenge of building a resilient safety culture, underpinned by innovation, inclusivity, and a shared commitment to protecting the lives of all Nigerian workers”, Dingyadi stated.
Reflections of Victor Oluwafemi Walsh in development communication, policy innovation in Africa
Infrastructure: Kalu Builds New Classrooms, Roads, Boreholes In Bende Communities+PHOTOS
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