Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

The Rivers State Government has shut down the operations of Africa Independent Television and Raypower FM in Port Harcourt.

According to a report on the media organisation’s website, the operations were shut down by telecommunications engineers contracted by the State Government who were accompanied by armed security operatives.

PUNCH also observed a live broadcast on the TV channel where the alleged contractors were seen disconnecting the wave guard from the antenna on the mast while riggers were seen dismantling the mast.

The statement reads, “Meanwhile, bulldozers were also deployed by the Rivers State Government to demolish the Transmitter Complex at the DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast Centre in Port Harcourt.

Management of the Company has been taken by surprise following the sudden turn of events as efforts were in top gear to resolve issues with the State Government amicably but the no notice incident is a heavy source of concern.

“Some officials of the telecommunications contractor told AIT that they were working on a directive from above to start demolition on Sunday despite the heavy rains as against a later date.”

PUNCH reported in March that the land on which the AIT/RayPower Radio station built its transmission station has been a subject of dispute between the state government and Daar Communications, Plc.

The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Osun Command, said six persons lost their lives in an accident that occurred on Imesi- Ile highway.

The Sector Commander, Mr Henry Benamesia, said this in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Mrs Agnes Ogungbemi, on Sunday in Osogbo.

Benamesia said two vehilces had head on collision on Saturday at about 9: 44 p.m. due to brake failure of one of them, resulting to the death of six persons .

He said that an articulated vehicle ( Red Daf ) without number plate, collided with another blue commercial truck on Imesi -Ile hill with casualties due to speeding .

” We have five dead victims taken to University Teaching Hospital in Osun (UNIOSUN) by the Nigeria Police before the arrival of FRSC team .

” The last dead victim was trapped under the truck and we were able to use extricate machine to remove the trapped body from one of the vehicles, ” Benamesia said.

Apparently perturbed by the increasing economic hardship associated with removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government and its attendant high prices of commodities, member representing Jere federal constituency in Borno state, Hon Ahmed Satomi has contracted 15 filling stations in Jere local government and Maiduguri metropolis to sell Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), a.k.a Petrol at the cost of N430 only per litre as his personal palliatives.

Recall that the current official price of petrol is sold between N630 to N637 per litre which have caused motorists and passengers huge economic burden for survival.

Addressing Journalists at the week end, the federal lawmaker who is also the Chairman House Committee on National Security and Intelligence at the national assembly, Hon Satomi said, the gesture which kick -started last Saturday 2nd September 2023 is a continuous process, as 100,000 litres were dispensed over the week end for motorists and residents irrespective of political affiliation.

On why he chose and directed his committee and the contracted filling stations such as G-Nile, some NNPC mega stations, Total, Bamus Oil among others to sale the product during the week end, the lawmaker said, this will quarantee not only motorists, but even civil servants have the opportunity in joining the queue to access the product at ease.

He however called on well-to-do individuals and organizations to emulate the gesture so as to impact positively on the living condition of all Nigerians, as according to Satomi, palliatives should not be carried out by government alone.

“Out of my little way to cushion the economic hardship, we have initiated palliatives for selling of petrol/PMS at subsized rate for our people which have started in phases.

“My committee led by Member Borno state House of Assembly, representing Jere Local Government, Hon. Abba Kolo Kyari has monitored the flagging off the exercise of 37,500 litres of petroleum products at the price of four hundred and thirty naira (N430) per litre against the government price of six hundred and thirty seven (637) to motorists and tricycles within the metropolis.

“Today, the committee will monitor the second phase of about 62,500 litres to be dispensed in some selected outlets and central filling stations such as Bamus oil-custom road, NNPC filling station-Damboa road, G- Nile filling station-Bulunkutu road and Mufimai Innami-Muna road respectively.

“This gesture will continue until we reach our target of 100,000 litres at subsidized rate for our people.

Likewise, i want to call on well-to-do individuals and organizations to emulate the gesture so as to impact positively on the living condition of all Nigerians, because palliatives should not be carried out by government alone.” Satomi stated.

He therefore urged motorists and interested members of the public to be law abiding and conduct themselves peacefully while accessing the products at the filling stations, as more of such palliatives would be provided.

Osun State Government wishes to inform the general public that it is not currently recruiting for any position in the state Civil Service Commission.

Any information circulating on social media or other platforms about recruitment by the Osun State Government is false and misleading.

On the issue of sale of forms by the Civil Service Commission, the public should be reminded that collection of employment forms is a normal routine with all civil service Commission. Such normal activity is however not an indication that the state government has started recruitment exercises.

Members of the public are hereby advised to disregard such information and report any attempt to defraud them using the name of the Osun State Government to the appropriate authorities.

Announcements will be made via official government channels anytime the government is ready to start recruitment of staff.

Mallam Olawale Rasheed ,

Spokesperson to the Governor

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has threatened to shutdown the economy starting with a two day warning strike next week.

The warning strike will take place on Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday September 6.

The decision was reached after the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Congress on Thursday.

Briefing journalists on Friday, the President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero while reading the resolution said, “NEC in session of NLC resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and the impoverishment experienced around the country.

“To commence a two-day warning strike on Tuesday and Wednesday, 5th and 6th September 2023 to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to also demand that the state vacates the illegally occupied national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. “

The NLC also resolved to embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo State within September.

The NLC raised the alarm over what it described as renewed onslaught by the government and its agents against labour unions.

Ajaero explained that the proposed strike action was necessitated as a result of the government deliberate neglect and disregard to engage the relevant stakeholders through the channel of social dialogue.

He said the Federal Government has refused to engage and reach an agreement with the organized labour on critical issues on the consequences of the unfortunate hike in prices of Petroleum which has unleashed massive suffering on Nigerian workers and masses.

He said, “There is a renewed onslaught against trade unions and its leadership by the states and its agents across Nigeria. The Police under the instruction of certain forces peddling the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gave invaded and occupied illegal the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers headquarters seeking to install its own executive”

(NAN)Some former presidential candidates of opposition political parties in the 2023 presidential election have called on President Bola Tinubu to include them in his government.

The presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Amb. Felix Osakwe, made the call while speaking on behalf of the Forum of Concerned Presidential Candidates when they visited the National Chirman of the APC. Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the presidential candidates include those of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), National Rescue Movement (NRM) and Action Peoples Party (APP) among others.

”Our forum is for peace and development of Nigeria. The president should be told that not all the presidential candidates are against his victory,” he said,

He explained that the meeting with Ganduje was to identify with the APC national chairman, thank God for his appointment and also identify with the Tinubu-led administration.

He added that the group also expect Ganduje to lead them to meet with Tinubu so he could hear their views.

Responding, Ganduje appreciated the forum’s visit and promised to convey their views to president Tinubu.

“I will convey your views and requests. And I will ensure that you see Mr President in person.I thank you for being faithful to your respective parties.

“I salute you for being good ambassadors of your own political parties, not destroyers of your parties, and not turning your political parties as a source of revenue,” Ganduje said. (