THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2013
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NEWS
Why we’re backing sacked poly workers, by unions T T
HE national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and that of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) yesterday explained their reasons for backing the 32 sacked workers of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo, Ondo State. The unions alleged that the workers were being victimised by the institution’s management and the government. They spoke with reporters through their representativesthe Zone C Coordinator of ASUP, Mr. Adewale Dosunmu and the National Secretary of SSANIP, Monday Jegede, after the court session. The unionists said they were at the National Industrial Court
From Leke Akeredolu, Akure
to support the sacked workers, comprising 10 lecturers and 22 non-teaching staff. Dosunmu said efforts by the national bodies of the unions to intervene in the matter had failed, following the refusal of the government’s representatives to listen to the national bodies. The Zone C Coordinator of ASUP said: “This case is not new to me. I was a victim of victimisation. For 26 months, I was jobless. Femi Falana Chambers handled my case at the National Industrial Court, Lagos and I was eventually
14-year-old drowns in Osun River From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo
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14-YEAR-OLD boy, Sefiu Sikiru, yesterday drowned in Osun River on Gbongan Road in Osogbo. According to an eyewitness account, the boy with his two friends went to the river to fish. At about 2pm, the boy slipped into the river when trying to catch a fish with a hook and was drowned. It was learnt that his friends ran away. A neighbour, Saheed Buhari, reportedly informed some Moslems praying at a nearby mosque to rescue the boy. He reported the incident at the Ataoja Police Station and men of the State Fire Service and local swimmers were invited to rescue the boy. The Nation learnt that the three-hour rescue mission was frustrated by the downpour. A police source, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the incident.
Residents flee Oke-Ogun over armed robbery From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo
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RMED robbers have laid siege to six border communities in Saki-West Local Government Area of Oyo State. The communities, namely Okerete, Orita, Ayemojuba, Akorede, Jariogbe, and Yankan-Alade close to Nikki, a border town between Nigeria and Benin Republic, are inhabited by Fulani herdsmen. A source said bandits attacked the herdsmen, disposessing them of their money. Residents are said to have relocated to Saki for fear of further attacks. The Fulani herdsmen on Sunday invited the State Commander of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN), a para-military outfit established by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, to save their lives. The VGN Commander, Mr. Sunday Olajide, said of the 10,000 officers and men under his command, 500 would be deployed to provide security at the border communities.
Oyo security outfit extends service From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan
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HE Oyo State joint internal security outfit, Operation Burst, has extended its service to Oke-Ogun Zone II, comprising Saki West, East and Atisbo local governments to combat border and other related crimes. Operation Burst, consisting of the military, police, State Security Service (SSS) and Civil Defence Corps, was inaugurated yesterday in Saki West Local Government to maintain law and order. Commander of Operation Burst Brig.-Gen. Laz Ilo said it has extended its service to the zone to ensure the security of lives and property. Ilo hailed Governor Abiola Ajimobi for giving security priority. He said this is responsible for the development in the state. According to him, the security outfit would replicate the success it had achieved in Ibadan. Gen. Ilo said: “Let’s not politicise Operation Burst because it is a security outfit. The residents should not be intimidated by the presence of our officers. They are here to protect you and you should give them information to make their job easy.” Addressing his men, the commander urged them to have zero tolerance for indiscipline, stressing that any officer caught in such an act would be dismissed. “Our mission is to respond to every distress call from the civilians. You must not mount any roadblock. Harassment of civilians is forbidden. You should shun bribery because anybody caught will be punished,” he said. The Caretaker Chairman of Saki West Local Government, Mr. Dapo Popoola, lauded the governor for approving the deployment of the force in the zone.
paid my 26 months’ salary. This matter is similar to it and I think my case should be used as a reference. I see victory at the end and I believe my people will be liberated. “These people are being victimised. They were accused of many things. They called them politicians. ASUP is a union; it is not a political party. They went on strike to demand their rights. Instead of being justified, they were victimised. ASUP national body has written letters and mediated in the matter. But when we realised that these people were buying time, we concluded that the judiciary is the last hope and this is why we are in court today.” Jegede alleged that several times he had attempted to see the governor, but was denied access to him. He said: “As the National Secretary of SSANIP, I wrote
to the governor seeking audience with him. I followed this up about six times, but they disallowed me from seeing him. Later, we contacted the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and it intervened. But the governor refused. The workers are being punished because they are demanding their rights. They refused dialogue because they have no genuine reasons for sacking the workers. “We contacted the NLC. On the inauguration day of the governor, I was here, the President of NLC was here in Akure. We tried to meet the governor on this issue, but he refused. Before we attempted to meet him, we met the Rector and the Chairman of the Governing Council twice, but they did not give us genuine reasons.” Justice A.N. Ubaka adjourned the case till October 4 for hearing.
Lagos organises prayer for peace, harmony
HE Office of the Senior Special Assistants to Lagos State Governor on Christian Religious Matters yesterday organised a one-day fasting and prayer for residents. The programme, held simultaneously at the five divisions of the state, namely Lagos Island, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe, was attended by Christians from different denominations. The first Bible passage was taken from 2 Chronicles 6:22-41 and the second passage was taken from 2 Chronicles 7: 11-14. Clerics prayed for peace and religious harmony, and protection against evil perpetrators. They also prayed for Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and their families; the executive, legislative and judicial arms; political office holders; civil servants; religious leaders and Lagos State residents. Speaking after the event at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the Senior Special Assistants to Governor Fashola on Christian Religious Matters, Rev. Sam Ogedengbe and Rev. Funmi Akitoye-Braimoh said: “Lagos State Government organised the religious programme to promote peace and religious harmony among residents. “We thank God that there is security in Lagos, but we need to continue to pray against insecurity. This is our Jerusalem, we need to ensure that there is peace, harmony and development in Lagos. The Bible says we should pray for our leaders. That was why we prayed for Governor Fashola, Deputy Governor Orelope-Adefulire and others.” Monsignor Bernard Okodua of the Catholic Church, Rev. Sunday Ola Makinde of the Methodist Church and Bishop Magnus Atilade of the Gospel Baptist Church were among the clergymen that attended the event.