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Aggrieved Niger-Delta youths protest, want Tinubu to investigate Akpabio
Youths from Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Akwa-Ibom states are not happy with Godswill Akpabio, senator-elect for Akwa-Ibom North-West district for what they described as his lackluster performance when he was minister of Niger-Delta.
Grouping under the aegis of the Anti Corruption Crusaders Network, the Niher -Delta youths shut down the East~West road, the only road linking the whole of the region to other parts of the country, asking for the probe of Akpabio. They also asked President Bola Tinubu to move against his senate presidency bid.
Akpabio, former Akwa-Ibom state governor, is contesting tomorrow’s Nigeria’s senate presidency.
With placards, bearing various unprintable anti-Akpabio inscriptions, the youths said they are not proud that the 60-year-old is contesting the exalted position of senate presidency, alleging that he performed woefully as minister of Niger Delta.
One of the leaders of the protesters who did not want names mentioned, said “Don’t support any criminal in your government. The likes of Sen. Godswill Akpabio should not be named president of the senate in the 10th National Assembly. It will be like a cat kept in the same room with fish. It will devour them. Like goat in the same room with yams. We the people of the Niger Delta region are saying that Sen. Akpabio is grossly incompetent going by his record when he was minister of the Niger Delta. He did everything alone. Every employment he did, he gave everything to Akwa Ibom state.”
Another said: “I can understand the pain of our youths. It is very unfortunate where the wealth of this country is coming from still going through this kind of perennial pain and suffering. Look at the road— the only road that feeds the Niger Delta economy. The FG needs to respond to the challenges of the Niger Delta urgently, especially on this road. Some of our leaders have betrayed us. In appointing leaders, we need to look at their track records. The golden eggs were laid in this place. We want reformation. Some people are not supposed to be there. Akpabio knows himself. He has squandered our commonwealth. He was there as a minister, he did nothing. Senate presidency is an exalted position. The number three man in the country must be fearless, someone that isn’t stained. Akpabio has messed us up. We are not happy. What is he going back there to do? Must we keep recycling old politicians? “
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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