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Oyo NURTW fixes October 23 for election
Factional heads of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Oyo State chapter have agreed to conduct an election for the emergence of a Chairman and members of his executive council by October 23, 2019.
This was revealed today after a reconciliation meeting brokered by the State government and stakeholders in the State transport sector in conjunction with the national leadership of the union on Friday at the House of Chiefs, State Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan.
The meeting which was presided by the Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Professor Raphael Afonja, addressed the rancor between the warring factions of the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Oyo State chapter and to ensure harmony among members.
Professor Raphael further reiterated the need for the Union to represent the State well by not giving in to personal interest to affect the peace and tranquility of the State at large, assuring members of the readiness of the Seyi Makinde-led administration to foist peaceful coexistence among the union members.
He, however charged them to be law abiding and follow the dictates of their constitution, stressing that they should warn their members issuing out tickets to motorists at various Motor Parks on behalf of the Government to stop this until directives were given by the State government to the effect as investigations were ongoing to ascertain the actual revenue that supposed to be generated from the union to the coffers of government.
“Governor Seyi Makinde wants peace to reign among you so that the State can move forward and I’m also using this medium to tell the union leaders to warn their officials issuing out tickets to motorists at motor Parks on behalf of the Government to desist from this. This is because the money being generated is not getting to the government and Government is still trying to verify where the money is channelled to and also finalize how the matter will be handled.
“We can only relate with the union when they maintain peace and harmony which the state needs to drive a good economy. Anyone caught fomenting trouble among your members or extorting motorists will face the wrath of the law.”
In his words, Comrade Kayode Ogunyanbi, the Deputy General Secretary, NURTW Abuja who doubled as the current Acting Chairman, NURTW Oyo Chapter, appreciated the efforts of the Oyo State Government and the National President of the Union, Professor Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, for their magnanimity in facilitating the meeting to put an end to the rancor between the six leaders struggling for the position of NURTW Chairman State Council.
He added that the different factions have agreed and pledged to the State and people of the State that they have all come together as one and that there would be no more fracas among them.
The acting Chairman said it has been established among the factions that the NURTW members have seen reasons to work together, which led to the signing of agreement harmonization putting the union under one umbrella, emphasizing that only one person could occupy the post at a time, an assertion to which the factions consented to and agreed to an election that would be held on the 23rd of October, 2019.
The meeting had in Attendance the six leaders jostling for the Chairmanship position in the Union which comprised of Alhaji Abass Adigun Omonesin, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila (Auxiliary), Alhaji Raufu Oloruntobi, Alhaji Waheed Adeoyo, Alhaji Olajide Abideen Ejiogbe and Alhaji Lateef Opeyemi.
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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