We Don't Recognize Any NULGE State
Executive -LG Commission's Chair
The Ondo State Government hassaid
it would not recognize any of the two parallel executives of the Nigeria
Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state. The union
has been enmeshed in crisis following the emergence of two separate
state executives under the "Integrity" and "Vision" groups after its
August 14, 2008 election.
The Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission (ODLGSC), Chief
Olabisi Johnson while addressing top officials of the commission said
the two groups would not be recognized until they put their house in
order. He frowned at the level which the two groups have turned unionism
in the state to, saying "the two unions have dragged NULGE's image into
the mud." He said the commission had issued a circular to visit various
offices in the local government council's secretariats to assess the
punctuality of workers.
The Chairman who warned workers against absenteeism vowed that appropriate
sanctions would be meted on any council worker that was not available
during the visit. He said the state government has taken necessary measures
to settle the crisis within the union. Johnson commended the state government
for approving overseas training for local government officials, noting
that this was the first of its kind in the state. It would be recalled
that administrative activities have collapsed in all the 18 local councils
in the state following the development.
Group Tasks Indigenes to Pray Against
Bloodshed
The National Coalition Democratic
Youth (NACODY) has urged the people of Ondo State to pray against bloodshed
over the impending appeal tribunal verdict. The Justice Garba Nabaruma's
five-man tribunal had ruled in favour of Labour Party (LP) governorship
candidate, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as the winner of the election.
Governor Olusegun Agagu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose
victory was nullified headed to the Appeal Court which would determine
the case after the end of Ramanda Festival. National coordinator of
the group, Mr. M.D. Balogun, in a statement issued on Thursday said
the two contending parties (PDP & LP) should make themselves available
for a three-religious crusade in Akure for God's intercession to prevent
war after the verdict. According to him, the crusade to be organized
free by NACODY is in fulfillment of God's promises that no life would
be lost in the state after the appeal.
The group which has its headquarters in Abuja pointed out that leaders
of the two parties would be held responsible if they failed to mobilize
their supporters to the religious rally for the prayer session. The
group has suggested the first week of October for the divine exercise.
The leadership of the Coalition requested for an audience with Governor
Olusegun Agagu to offer solutions to the political problem, unemployment
menace and Niger-Delta crisis among many others in the state.
18 Global Exchange Volunteers Visit State
Adelegation of Global E x c h a n g e Volunteers comprising 18 young
people made up of nine from Nigeria and nine from the United Kingdom
whose ages range from 18 - 25 years have begun a three-month voluntary
service in Akure with a visit to the traditional ruler of the town,
the Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Adesina, to receive his royal blessing.
In his introductory speech at the palace, the Programme Supervisor and
leader of the delegation, Mr. Ahmed Baba Jibril, a Nigerian, explained
to the monarch that the Global Exchange Volunteers Scheme is a sixmonth
programme that brings young volunteers to work on local projects annually
in different countries chosen for the purpose, noting that Akure is
chosen as a host community for this year's Nigeria phase. Jibril further
stated that the scheme is a partnership exchange programme between the
British Council, Voluntary Service Overseas and the Youth for Christ,
Nigeria, designed for cross-cultural exchange among participants.
He also informed the Oba that when they are in Akure for the three months
duration, the young volunteers would conduct sensitization campaigns
on climate change and its effects, after which they would travel to
Newham, United Kingdom for another three months as the concluding part
of the six-month exchange programme. Welcoming the young volunteers,
Oba Oluwadare Adesina, informed them that Akure people and indeed the
Yorubas of Nigeria have a rich cultural and traditional heritage, which
makes them respectable and unique, adding that the people are peace
loving, hospitable and enterprising.
The traditional ruler encouraged them to make good use of the opportunity
provided by the programme by interacting freely with their host families
and other people with a view to learning one thing or another about
the people’s culture, tradition, values or history and even try to eat
the local foods. Oba Adesina told his visitors that he spent 27 years
in the United Kingdom before he came back home to ascend the throne
as a king, stressing that he learnt a lot about the culture and tradition
of the British people. He wished them success in their endeavours and
prayed God to grant them a happy and memorable stay in Akure.
Ayodeji Abimbola, Akure
back
to top
