National
Passengers stranded as aviation unions begin strike
Passengers stranded as aviation unions begin strike
Passengers were on Monday stranded in the Murtala Muhammad Airport (MMA) terminal as Aviation Unions began their two-day warning strike.
The reports gathered that members of the union blocked the entrance of the MMA, leaving passengers stranded.
Officials of various aviation agencies including owners of businesses and staff within the airport didn’t have access to their offices.
NAN correspondent who monitored the airport noted that flight operations were grounded.
Also, there was heavy traffic around the airport and environs due to the strike.
NAN reports that passengers were seen trekking dragging their luggage due to the disruption caused by the strike.
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Some passengers, who spoke with NAN, lamented the situation noting that the passengers were at the receiving end of the “crossfire”
Mr John Thompson, who was visibly angry, expressed his frustration at the situation.
“Everytime there is an issue and they decide to go on strike, it is the passengers who have absolutely no business in it, that suffers.
“Like the daily problems in the country are not enough, they are adding theirs and I have nothing to do with it,” he said.
Another passenger, Miss Tinuke Adeite voiced her frustration at the trend of agencies embarking on strike due to internal disputes.
“What isn’t my business with the issues they have with the authorities and in all of these, I would miss my flight.
“There are better ways to resolve issues that destabilizing the economy of the country by going on strike,” she said.
NAN reports that the unions are demanding the immediate release of the reviewed Condition of Service, implementation of the minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NiMet since 2019
They also demanded the halt of the planned demolition exercise of aviation’s agency buildings in Lagos by the Minister of Aviation for an airport city project.
NAN reports that the unions had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Minister of Aviation and specific aviation parastatals on Feb. 7, over non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Others are the refusal of the Income & Wages Commission and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to release the reviewed Condition of Service of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
Passengers stranded as aviation unions begin strike
National
NSCDC, SON raid fake agrochemical factories in Gombe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in collaboration with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on Thursday raided two illegal agrochemicals factories involved in adulteration and sale of the commodity within and outside Gombe State.
The illegal factories are located in Kagarawal community in Gombe State.
During the exercise, three suspects in connection with a syndicate specialised in the crime were detained.
Briefing journalists during the exercise, the Gombe State Commandant, NSCDC, Muhammad Mu’azu described the perpetrators of the crime as unpatriotic in view of the damage being done to the food security effort of government.
Mu’azu said that the main suspects had gone out to supply their products and would be arrested as soon as possible.
He said that further investigation would be carried out and upon conclusion, the suspects would be taken to court for prosecution.
He assured that all those in connection with the crime would not be spared as their activities were costing unsuspecting farmers who patronise them their hard-earned money.
Explaining further, Mr Mohammed Alhaji-Bukar, the Director, SON, Gombe State office said that the raid was as a result of intelligence report after carrying out rural markets surveillance.
Alhaji-Bukar said that his agency in collaboration with NSCDC had intensified efforts to rid the state of adulterated agrochemicals to enable farmers get value for their money.
He said that the chemicals found at the illegal factory were used to adulterated pesticides and herbicides before selling to farmers mostly in rural areas.
He said that the suspects buy the real agrochemicals, get their packaging materials, mix them with other chemicals and repackage them for sale.
He said that the suspects take their finished products to various parts of the country, “the main suspect and owner of this factory has gone to Taraba State to supply his products.”
“The products here are of different brands and are all faked; having original containers and labels but fake contents.
“They buy the actual material, active ingredients and then buy the original and packaging materials of the products they use to sell.
“And then mix another chemical and put in those chemicals and sell it out in the name of the product of the real company.
“So you see your product in the market but it was produced here, some of the containers show that the products were made in South Africa, yet the factory is here,” he said.
Alhaji-Bukar warned the his agency in collaboration with NSCDC would sustain their effort to ensure that sub-standard materials do not find their way to the markets.
National
Nigerians Must Seek Permission to Use National Anthem – FG
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to seek official permission before using the national anthem to prevent potential misinterpretation. This directive was issued by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement released on Wednesday, October 8.
While the specific contexts in which permission is required were not detailed, the NOA emphasized its role as the custodian of national symbols, tasked with preventing misuse. “Permission must be sought from the Agency before using the National Anthem to avoid misrepresentation,” the statement noted.
Issa-Onilu also clarified the proper design of the Nigerian flag, stating that the correct shade of green is Emerald 2.0. He highlighted that past administrations had focused predominantly on infrastructure, neglecting value orientation, which led to the decline of institutions like the Boys’ Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, and the WAI Brigade.
The current administration, however, is committed to reversing this trend, with President Tinubu offering support to the NOA. Issa-Onilu further urged the production of local cartoon content to counter foreign influences affecting young Nigerians.
National
Federal Government Declares October 1st Public Holiday for Independence Day
…Minister of Interior Calls for Unity and Reflection on Nation’s Journey
The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, October 1, 2024, a public holiday in celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day anniversary.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who conveyed the government’s message to Nigerians both at home and abroad, congratulating them on this significant occasion.
Tunji-Ojo praised the resilience and hard work of Nigerian citizens, emphasizing that their sacrifices would not be in vain. In line with the theme for the anniversary, he urged Nigerians to reflect on the contributions of the nation’s past heroes and to be inspired for the challenges ahead, emphasizing that a united effort is crucial in building the Nigeria of our dreams.
The Minister extended his best wishes to all citizens for a Happy Independence Day and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their efforts toward nation-building.
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