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Saturday 22 September 2018

Osun Election: CSO commends high voter turnout

How INEC is making it difficult for people to vote in 2019

Nwagwu, who is monitoring the election in the state, made the commendation in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.

Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reforms, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has commended the high turnout of voters in the ongoing governorship election in Osun.

Nwagwu, who is monitoring the election in the state, made the commendation in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

He said that between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. accreditation and voting had already commenced as people trooped out in orderly manner to exercise their franchise.

“We are coming out from Ife now, accreditation and voting is ongoing. The punctuality is pretty nice in the areas that we have observed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

“But generally, people are coming out to vote and the climate is calm and relatively peaceful,’’ he said.

The chairman also commended the relative peaceful atmosphere under which the process is going on.

He, therefore, expressed the need to encourage the people of the state to continue to maintain the maturity they put in during the campaigns and the poll and remain peaceful.

He expressed optimism that the outcome of the election would reflect the will and aspirations of a greater percentage of the people.

“It is good to continue to encourage the people of Osun to maintain the maturity that they put in during the campaigns and ensure that they remain peaceful.

“We hope that the outcome of the election reflects the will and aspirations of a greater percentage of Osun people,’’he said.

NAN reports that a heavy security cordon was thrown on the state with massive deployment of policemen and other security personnel including soldiers who were sighted on the outskirts of the state capital.

NAN also reports that there are 3,010 Polling Units and 755 Polling Points spread across the three senatorial districts and 30 local governments areas of the state.

Although INEC registered a total of 1,682,495 voters, some 400,000 Permanent Voters Cards remained uncollected as at Friday.

NAN also reports that although 48 parties are participating in the election, the frontline candidates are Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples, Democratic Party and Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic (SDP)

Osun Election: CSO commends high voter turnout



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People In Peaceful Countries More Pessimistic About Peace Prospects Than Those In Conflict Zones, Says New Poll

International-Peace-Day-2018

London, 19 September 2018 – People in more peaceful countries are more pessimistic about prospects for peace than those in conflict environments, according to a survey of 15 countries commissioned by International Alert and the British Council.  The Peace Perceptions Poll 2018, conducted in partnership with global polling agency RIWI, asked people around the world about their perceptions of peace and […]

The post People In Peaceful Countries More Pessimistic About Peace Prospects Than Those In Conflict Zones, Says New Poll appeared first on Complete Sports Nigeria.

People In Peaceful Countries More Pessimistic About Peace Prospects Than Those In Conflict Zones, Says New Poll



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Warning signs of alzheimer’s disease

Cholera outbreak: Yobe records 906 fresh cases, 61 deaths

Yobe State government has confirmed that 906 fresh cases of cholera have been recorded in the state with 61 deaths while 50 others are still on admission in hospitals across the state. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Kawuwa, who made the disclosure in a statement in Damaturu, said Acute Water Diarrhea (AWD) cases were […]

Cholera outbreak: Yobe records 906 fresh cases, 61 deaths

Cholera outbreak: Yobe records 906 fresh cases, 61 deaths



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#OsunDecides2018 : The process has been credible – Oyetola

#OsunDecides2018 : The process has been credible – Oyetola

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola has expressed satisfaction in the governorship election in Osun State.

Continue reading #OsunDecides2018 : The process has been credible – Oyetola at Vanguard News.

#OsunDecides2018 : The process has been credible – Oyetola



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Banned Australian batsmen Warner & Smith make club returns

David Warner scores a match-winning century and Steve Smith makes 85 as the banned duo return to competitive cricket in Australia.
Banned Australian batsmen Warner & Smith make club returns



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Osun Poll Witnesses High Turnout Amid Tight Security

LEADERSHIP

There was high turnout on Saturday as residents of  Osun headed to their polling units to vote in the governorship election. Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) covering the election report a high turnout at many of the polling units visited across the three senatorial districts of the state. A heavy security cordon […]

The post Osun Poll Witnesses High Turnout Amid Tight Security appeared first on Leadership Newspaper.

Osun Poll Witnesses High Turnout Amid Tight Security



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Leganes Coach Pellegrino Drops Omeruo For Eibar Clash

omeruo-leganes-laliga-santander

By Adeboye Amosu: Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, has been dropped by Spanish club, Leganes for today’s (Saturday) league match away against Eibar at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurúa, reports Completesportsnigeria.com. Omeruo, who is on loan at Leganes from English Premier League side, Chelsea, is yet to make an appearance for the club this season. […]

The post Leganes Coach Pellegrino Drops Omeruo For Eibar Clash appeared first on Complete Sports Nigeria.

Leganes Coach Pellegrino Drops Omeruo For Eibar Clash



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Adebayo Shittu: Kemi Adeosun’s case is different from mine – Minister

The minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu has said that his case is different from ex-finance minister, Kemi Adeosun’s alleged certificate forgery saga.

A report recently revealed that Adebayo skipped the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu has said that his case is different from ex-finance minister, Kemi Adeosun’s alleged certificate forgery saga.

Adeosun recently resigned from President Buhari’s cabinet following allegations of certificate forgery levelled against her.

Premium Times also revealed that Adebayo skipped the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The report stated that Shittu was born on March 23, 1953, studied law at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, graduating in 1978.

He then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, qualifying as a lawyer in 1979.

According to Premium Times, “Months of discreet checks at the NYSC headquarters showed that the communications minister did not present himself for service after graduation and is yet to do so till date.�

Speaking to newsmen on Friday, September 21, 2018, the minister said that he did not get a fake certificate like that of his former colleague.

Daily Post reports that he said “I left (University) in 1978 and left law school in 1979 and the constitution says anyone who qualifies to contest an election or who has gone through an election and wins, he is obligated to move through the House of Assembly which I did for four years, so it is a form of higher service as far as I’m concerned, and even now, I am still in service.

“There is a world of difference. Unfortunately, Kemi had a fake certificate, I didn’t present any. I didn’t have one; I simply followed the constitutional requirement that if you are qualified to contest an election, it is compulsory for you to serve the nation in the capacity that you won an election.�

According to Law Nigeria, section 13 of the NYSC Act states as follows:

 (1)    Any person—

(a)    who fails to report for service in the service corps in the manner directed by the Directorate or as the case may be, prescribed pursuant to the provisions of this Act; or

ALSO READ: What the law says about skipping NYSC

(b)    who refuses to make himself available for service in the service corps continuously for the period specified in subsection (2) of this section, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of twelve months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Adebayo Shittu has also signified his interest to run for Governor in Oyo on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adebayo Shittu: Kemi Adeosun’s case is different from mine – Minister



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'There is no problem with Cavani' – Tuchel silences rumours of PSG rift

Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani

The striker was replaced against Liverpool in midweek, but the coach says he still trusts the Uruguay international forward

'There is no problem with Cavani' – Tuchel silences rumours of PSG rift



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APC suspends chairman

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Onitcha Local Government area of Ebonyi Stat, on Saturday, suspended its party chairman, Mr Uchenna Agwu, for alleged anti-party activities, indiscipline and insubordination. Mr Kenneth Nwali, Onitcha Local Government Secretary of the party, announced this in a statement in Isu, the headquarters of the Council at the end of […]

APC suspends chairman

APC suspends chairman



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Unification Bout: Joshua, Povetkin Square Off Tonight

LEADERSHIP

Anthony Joshua returns to Wembley tonight in a heavyweight world title unification showdown with Alexander Povetkin of Russia. ovetkin, who won Olympic gold in 2004, is the mandatory challenger for the WBA title – but all four of Joshua’s divisional belts will also be on the line in London. The Russian was granted a world […]

The post Unification Bout: Joshua, Povetkin Square Off Tonight appeared first on Leadership Newspaper.

Unification Bout: Joshua, Povetkin Square Off Tonight



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#osunDecides: Voting in many centres in Ede, Ile Ife peaceful

#osunDecides: Voting in many centres in Ede, Ile Ife peaceful

ABOUT 1.2 m voters are expected to elect a new governor today during the fifth governorship election in Osun state

Continue reading #osunDecides: Voting in many centres in Ede, Ile Ife peaceful at Vanguard News.

#osunDecides: Voting in many centres in Ede, Ile Ife peaceful



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Iran FM blames 'foreign regime' backed by US for parade attack

This picture taken on September 22, 2018 in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz shows injured soldiers lying on the ground at the scene of an attack on a military parade that was marking the anniversary of the outbreak of its devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq.<br />At least eight troops were killed on September 22 in an attack on a military parade in the southwestern province of Khuzestan, the province's deputy governor Ali-Hossein Hosseinzadeh said. / AFP PHOTO / ISNA / ALIREZA MOHAMMADI

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blamed “a foreign regime” backed by the United States for Saturday’s attack on a military parade which killed at least eight troops and several civilians.

“Terrorists recruited, trained, armed & paid by a foreign regime have attacked Ahvaz,” Zarif said in a tweet, adding: “Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable for such attacks.

“Iran will respond swiftly and decisively in defence of Iranian lives,” Zarif vowed, adding “children and journos” were “among casualties”.

The gunmen opened fire on the large crowd of spectators watching the parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz and then attempted to attack the viewing stand for official dignitaries before being shot and wounded by security forces, the semi-official Fars news agency said.

The deputy governor of Khuzestan province, Ali-Hossein Hosseinzadeh Hosseinzadeh, told the semi-official news agency ISNA that “eight to nine” troops were killed and more than “20 injured”.

The rare attack targeted Khuzestan, a province bordering Iraq that has a large ethnic Arab community and has seen separatist violence in the past which Iran has blamed on its regional rivals.

Iran FM blames 'foreign regime' backed by US for parade attack



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Commonwealth champion Lee treated for cancer

Malaysia’s Commonwealth champion and former world number one Lee Chong Wei is being treated for nose cancer.
Commonwealth champion Lee treated for cancer



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World: Brazil fires diplomat accused of assaulting women

Brazil fires diplomat accused of assaulting women

RIO DE JANEIRO — A Brazilian diplomat accused of assaulting women in the past was fired this week after neighbors heard a woman calling for help from his home in Brasília and summoned the police.

The diplomat, Renato �vila Viana, had previously been accused of kicking and head-butting an ex-girlfriend in November 2016, knocking out a tooth.

The episode prompted a group of female diplomats to raise the nearly $15,000 the woman needed for reconstructive surgery.

Violence against women is endemic in Brazil, but there has not been a widespread public reckoning of powerful men here.

While public servants in Brazil enjoy significant job security, several colleagues wondered why Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, known as Itamaraty, didn’t act sooner to oust Viana, who was fired Wednesday.

The Association of Brazilian Diplomats said in a statement that it had expressed its concerns about Viana to the Foreign Ministry several times.

“Valuing and respecting women are fundamental values of this organization,� the group said in the statement. “We will be vigilant to demand that episodes of this nature are punished severely.�

Dênia Magalhães, Viana’s lawyer, said her client denied both the new and the past accusations.

Brazil’s foreign minister said in public notice that Viana had been fired after disciplinary proceedings. An Itamaraty spokesman declined to respond to questions about the case.

Viana, 42, has been in the foreign service since the late 1990s and had served in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Caracas, Venezuela, among other postings.

According to news accounts, police responded to Viana’s apartment after a woman screamed for help from a window. Police officials in Brasília said Viana had been charged with physical assault and domestic violence.

Magalhães said Viana was trying to restrain the woman after she had a “psychotic break.�

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Ernesto Londoño and Manuela Andreoni © 2018 The New York Times

World: Brazil fires diplomat accused of assaulting women



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FG inaugurates community projects in Ogoja LGA

ogojaPASTOR Usani Uguru Usani, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has inaugurated a community town hall and a solar-powered water project at Ishibori and Abakpa communities in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River.

Mr Marshall Gundu, the Director of Press, the ministry, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The minister said that this was in line with the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of the people at the grassroots.

“This administration has not come to recompense evil for evil, every government has the responsibility to serve the society and we are doing so without any partisanship.

“We are spreading projects in every community and various constituencies in the Niger Delta region according to their needs and availability of resources’’.

Usani said that government’s efforts in Ogoja land were not limited to the town hall and a solar-powered borehole alone, adding that several other people-oriented projects were being handled by the ministry.

According to him, many ongoing internal road projects being undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Ogoja Local Government Area will soon be completed and inaugurated for the use of the people.

ALSO READ: #OsunDecides2018: Ooni blesses Omisore’s governorship ambition, as SDP rounds off campaign in Ile-Ife

The minister charged the people of Ishibori and Abakpa communities and Ogoja land in general and the entire people of the Niger Delta region to remain law-abiding citizens.

He urged them to make effective use of government’s projects in their localities and ensure the security of the facilities, saying that would encourage the government to do more.

The Permanent Secretary, of the ministry, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu, said that social welfare and community engagements were critical components of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

Aliyu, who was represented by the Director, Community Development and Education of the ministry, Mrs Lauren Braide, said that attention was given to the provision of community facilities.

He said that this was due to their far-reaching impacts on citizens’ participation in governance.

The post FG inaugurates community projects in Ogoja LGA appeared first on Tribune.

FG inaugurates community projects in Ogoja LGA



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Brighton vs Tottenham: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview

Mauricio Pochettino’s men head to the Amex Stadium looking for their first win in three games in all competitions

Brighton vs Tottenham: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview



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This pastor is doing what everybody says the church should do (WATCH)

Early this morning, I stumbled on a video on Facebook of a pastor ministering. Little did I know that I was about to be moved to tears.

In the video, Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe of the Celestial Church of Christ (Genesis Centre) in Lagos while preaching stopped abruptly and called on a woman in the congregation and gave her all the money the congregants had given that day.

Ogundipe emphasised that he’s called to be a blessing to his members and not the other way round.

Over the years, many people have criticised the Church and labelled it a business centre focused on milking members of their resources, and this act by Prophet Ogundipe will go a long way in showing a side of the Church not usually made public.

See video below:

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = ‘https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.1’; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));

I am speechlessI can only thank everyone that has reached out to me because of this video. I feel honored. Truth is, I do not know anything about this Church nor the the Godly gifted pastor. I saw it on a friends status who said he also copied it from another source. and decided to share. You can also copy the link and save unto your different devices. We all need Gods favour in our lives and I take this medium to call on God favour, Blessings, Success and peace of mind for whoever watches this video or has reached out to me. God Bless.

Posted by Femi Brainard on Thursday, September 20, 2018

Read » This pastor is doing what everybody says the church should do (WATCH) on YNaija

This pastor is doing what everybody says the church should do (WATCH)



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The Instagram Explore page is the digital candy store of the social media era

There’s no question about it: Instagram is where the fun is. And over the years, the photo and video sharing platform has evolved to improve user experience, even if blatantly co-opting the Stories feature of Snapchat and making Snapchat look extinct. In 2016, Instagram’s algorithm feed shifted from the chronological timeline, meaning that each time you open the app, the photo at the top won’t be the most recent but instead an older image that the algorithm thinks you really won’t want to miss.

The algorithm also plays a huge role in the kind of content you see on the Instagram Explore page, which essentially evolved from the Popular page. In the era of social media overload, the Instagram Explore page is a digital candy store generated from high engagement: posts you have liked and posts liked by other people whose photos and videos you have liked. With that dizzying permutation, the Explore feature on Instagram is the evidence field of a post’s transient viral power, and what this means is that content popular today would be taken over by another popular content tomorrow.

It’s like billboards trying to get your attention, from a marketing perspective. Despite neither following the separate accounts of actress Lala Akindoju and Chef Fregz, I was able to watch clips of their wedding on the Explore page. Furthermore, current affairs and pop culture are centrifuged to produce the best highlights: Cardi B throwing a shoe at rap archrival Nicki Minaj at a New York Fashion Week party, Linda Ikeji’s baby delivery, Dele Alli’s weird hand goal celebration, and Serena Williams outbursts at the US Open Women’s Final. It’s a kind of disorder in disorderliness, content curation seemingly deserving of your attention.

The glut of videos jostling to be consumed bear the aesthetic markers of news-sharing platforms. An Instablog video, for example, with its shaky, brazenly dark vibe and a meditation on micro-journalism. Comedic accounts and their churn of clichéd clips, dotted with celebrity goofs and impressions. Shaku skaku, the viral dance that has since taken over minds, can’t seem to die because pop stars like Tiwa Savage keep extending its shelf life with every opportunity at making an Instagram video.

The Explore page is an independent observer of our cultural and political zeitgeist, documenting every cultural moment and digital content swamping through our feeds. So if you see a video of a suit-wearing cat parodying itself as James Bond, best believe it was curated just for you.

Read » The Instagram Explore page is the digital candy store of the social media era on YNaija

The Instagram Explore page is the digital candy store of the social media era



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Equality of the sexes and the African woman

Equality of the sexes and the African woman

It has become very fashionable in recent times for Africa and Africans to ape the Western World on issues of social development; what with the advent of and proliferation of social media, it has become easy to be in the know of what happens in any part of the world in real time without leaving the comfort of one’s home.

Continue reading Equality of the sexes and the African woman at Vanguard News.

Equality of the sexes and the African woman



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Manchester United vs Wolves: Team news, injuries, possible lineups

Manchester United will today take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League at the Old Trafford. The Red Devils head to the game following a 2-1 victory against Watford in the Premier League last weekend. United manager, Jose Mourinho will be without the suspended Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford. Midfielder, Ander Herrera could return in […]

Manchester United vs Wolves: Team news, injuries, possible lineups

Manchester United vs Wolves: Team news, injuries, possible lineups



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N7.6bn Fraud: Court Refuses To Stay Hearing In Uzor Kalu, Others Trial

LEADERSHIP

Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday dismissed two applications seeking to stall further hearing in the on going trial of former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, who is being tried for N7.6 billion fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Idris declined to stay […]

The post N7.6bn Fraud: Court Refuses To Stay Hearing In Uzor Kalu, Others Trial appeared first on Leadership Newspaper.

N7.6bn Fraud: Court Refuses To Stay Hearing In Uzor Kalu, Others Trial



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FSARS rescues 4-year old son of Borno APC Chairman, arrests 3 kidnappers

A man in handcuffs

Operatives of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Maiduguri have rescued Kashim Bukar-Dalori, the four- year old son of the Borno All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman kidnapped on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the boy was kidnapped from school around 1p.m. by an unknown woman who falsely claimed to be a relative.

Demian Chukwu, The Borno Police Commisioner, had earlier said that police personnel had lunched a full investigation to rescue the child from his abductors.

A source told NAN that three of the kidnappers were arrested in Maiduguri and Kano on Friday on thier mission to collect N20 million ransom from a family member of the victim.

The source said: “It has been an exhaustive investigation.

The suspects, a male who pulled out to collect the ransom of N20 million in kano, has also been arrested by our personnel.

“The boy, who was kept in Albarka Hotel in Maiduguri by a lady, was rescued and handed over to the family.

“It was after collecting the money that our IRT personnel from Kano arrested her.

After her arrest, they promptly told us where the boy was kept. So we quickly mobilised our men and cordoned off the hotel in Maiduguri.

“She was the one that went to the school and picked him.�

Edet Okon, Police Public Relations Officer, Borno Command, confirmed the story.

Okon said: “I can comfirm that the son of the APC Chairman that was kidnapped has been rescued and the suspects were also arrested.

The suspects would be investigated and charged to court.�

FSARS rescues 4-year old son of Borno APC Chairman, arrests 3 kidnappers



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NUPENG: Oil and gas workers threaten strike over alleged Chevron’s anti-labour practices

An off-shore rig.

The national leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Association (PENGASSAN) on Friday expressed concern over what it called looming mass job loses.

Oil and gas workers unions are threatening industrial action over alleged plans by the management of Chevron to circumvent labour contract guidelines to sack thousands of its workers.

The national leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Association (PENGASSAN) on Friday expressed concern over what it called looming mass job loses.

The unions said they were concerned with the manner with which the Chevron management was executing the end of M15 and H15 contracts.

They alleged that the agreements were “laced with hidden plans and intentions to unilaterally and heinously sack thousands of contract workers.’’

But Mr Esimaje Brikinn, the General Manager, Policymakers, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Ltd, said the firm was committed to workers’ welfare and the growth of the nation’s economy.

“Chevron Nigeria Ltd, operator of the NNPC/CNL Joint Venture, confirms that the existing contracts of all its manpower services providers will expire by end of October, 2018.

“The expiring contracts are being replaced with new manpower services contracts, which have been awarded in accordance with the open tender process conducted by the NNPC/CNL Joint Venture in accordance with its standard procedures, the requirements of the National Petroleum Investment and Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of NNPC, and requirements of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

“CNL is already executing the contracts with the successful contractors.

“CNL reiterates its commitment to support the economic development of Nigeria through its strategic investments and economic development programmes,� he said in a text message to
the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The unions said: “At this juncture, we are further constrained to notify the general public that NUPENG and PENGASSAN will not hesitate to embark on a nationwide industrial action on this matter.

“We have already placed our members on red-alert should the management of Chevron remain recalcitrant or adamant to rescind its anti-labour decision which is grossly injurious to Nigerian workers.’’

The unions said in a statement that Chevron had continued its plan to implement the anti-workers policy in spite of ongoing mediation by Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and established Labour Contract Staffing Guidelines in the oil and gas industry.

The statement was signed by Mr Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN General Secretary and Mr Adamu Song, NUPENG General Secretary.

“While Chevron had decided to close M-15 and H-15 contracts by 31st October, 2018, it is really disturbing to see the new contractors being engaged by Chevron management and whose labour contract will take effect on November 1, 2018, to start advertising all jobs.

“In spite of clear provision for `roll over’ of the existing workers on the jobs, consequent upon which large numbers of the current workforce are most likely to be abruptly thrown into the Labour market in their own country.

“The leaderships of the two unions in the oil and gas industry see such arrangement as cruel, callous and by all standards an affront on the Nigerian constituted authority and industry extant rules.

“Without sounding immodest, it has now become quite glaring that Chevron Management is flippantly overstretching the good intentions of the unions (NUPENG & PENGASSAN-NUPENGASSAN) to entrench peaceful and harmonious industrial relations particularly at a critical time like this when the country is approaching an election year.

“Without mincing words, we are deeply bothered by the purported claims being peddled around by Chevron management that their action of sacking Nigerian workers is a directive from National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPPIMS) and the Nigeria Contents Monitoring and Development Board (NCMDB).

“We then begin to wonder if the role of these reputable government agencies is to create jobs for Nigerians or to compound unemployment situation as already prevalent in the country,’’ the unions said.

They appealed to the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to wade into the matter without further delay.

The oil and gas workers also appealed to other stakeholders to prevail on the oil giant to exercise restraint by ensuring a “smooth transition into the new contract circle by adhering to the guidelines which provide for `roll over’ of workers.’’

NUPENG: Oil and gas workers threaten strike over alleged Chevron’s anti-labour practices



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