Economy
Aviation unions suspend picketing of Caverton Helicopters
…As Sudan protesters move to protect Khartoum sit-in***
The unions in the aviation sector on Monday suspended their plan to picket Caverton Helicopters Limited, following successful deliberations with the airline’s management.
The unions, however, picketed the offices of in-flight service providers, Newrest Aviation Services Limited and Serv Air, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, for alleged anti-labour practices.
Report says that the unions are: The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
Others are the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
Mr Aba Ocheme, General Secretary, NUATE, told NAN that the picketing of Caverton Helicopters was suspended following the agreement by the management to pay all the sacked workers their entitlements.
“This morning, we held a meeting with the management of Caverton and they have agreed to pay the severance benefits of all the sacked workers within five weeks.
“They have also agreed to look into other pending issues concerning staff welfare, and have promised to give us feedback soon,” Ocheme said.
On the picketing of the in-flight service providers, he said both organisations had prevented their members from joining unions in the aviation industry.
“We have a court case with Newrest ASL at the National Industrial Court, Lagos, over this issue, but there is no court order that we cannot picket the company.
“We have some persons who have indicated interest to join us and are even paying check up dues, but the management is preventing them from doing so.
“They have even gone further to make the job difficult for these persons by victimising them,” the general secretary said.
He disclosed that the picketing of both companies would continue on Tuesday, as other affiliate trade unions from outside the aviation sector had indicated interest to join the protest.
In the meantime, Sudanese protesters moved to block an attempt on Monday to break up a sit-in outside the Defense Ministry, where demonstrators have been pushing for a quick transition to civilian rule after President Omar al-Bashir was ousted, a Reuters witness said.
Troops had gathered on three sides of the sit-in and tractors were preparing to remove stone and metal barriers, but protesters joined hands and formed rings around the sit-in area to prevent them.
The protesters, numbering about 5,000 with more arriving, chanted “Freedom, freedom” and “Revolution, revolution”, and appealed to the army to protect them.
Some drummed and waved national flags as they mingled in the street, while others took shelter from the sun under parasols and makeshift tents.
Earlier, Sudan’s main protest group, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), issued an urgent call for people to join the sit-in and foil any attempt to disperse it.
“We hope that everyone will head immediately to the areas of the sit-in to protect your revolution and your accomplishments,” the SPA said.
It said there were continuing attempts to disband the sit-in.
The sit-in outside the compound, which also includes the intelligence headquarters and the presidential residence, began on April 6, after more than three months of protests triggered by a deepening economic crisis.
On Thursday, Sudan’s army announced that it had removed and detained Bashir after three decades in power and was setting up a transitional military council to run the country.
Since then the head of the military council and of Sudan’s powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) have both been replaced, as protesters have continued to call for change.
The SPA has demanded the immediate handover of power to a civilian transitional government as well as the prosecution of former officials.
On Monday the military council said it was restructuring the joint forces command, appointing a new chief of staff for the army and a deputy.
Britain’s ambassador to Sudan, Irfan Siddiq, said he had met the deputy head of the transitional military council, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and had “asked for clarity on whereabouts of former President Bashir and other senior former regime figures”.
When the military announced Bashir’s ousting, they said he had been arrested and was being kept at a “safe place”.
Sudanese sources told Reuters that Bashir was at a presidential residence under “heavy guard”.
Siddiq said on Twitter he had also requested the reform of the NISS and the release of detainees, as well as the cancellation of all bureaucracy and permits for delivering humanitarian aid.
Dagalo, known by his nickname Hemedti, heads Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which human rights groups have accused of widespread abuses in the Western region of Darfur.
Sudan’s government has previously denied wrongdoing by the RSF.
…High turnout of Civil servants in Oyo, Osun States, lamenting the high cost of rams
Government offices in Kano State witnessed low turnout of workers on Tuesday as civil servants resumed duty after the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
The Federal Government had declared Monday, June 9, and Tuesday, June 10, as public holidays to mark the annual Muslim festival.
A Correspondent of the Press who monitored activities at various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Kano metropolis, reports that only a few workers were present at their duty posts as of 9 a.m.
At the Kano State Secretariat along Audu Bako Way, a handful of staff were seen settling into their offices, while others were observed engaging in light discussions.
The situation was similar at the Gidan Murtala Secretariat, where some senior officers were seen holding brief meetings with their subordinates.
At the Federal Secretariat on Katsina Road, attendance was also low, although some departments recorded partial resumption of activities.
Speaking to the NewsMen, a civil servant, Malam Isa Musa, said he resumed work early to attend to pending official assignments.
I resumed by 8:30 a.m. to ensure continuity in our service delivery. We thank God for a peaceful Sallah and are now back to our duties,” he said.
Another staff member, Mrs Aisha Ismael, said the holiday provided an opportunity to rest and reconnect with loved ones.
“I had a good rest and spent time with my family. Now it is time to return to work and serve the public,” she said.
However, the NewsMen observed that the Kano Municipal Local Government Secretariat remained largely deserted, with only a few workers on the ground.
At some commercial banks, staff were seen attending to customers, while security personnel manned the entrances.
Markets and shops across the city also reopened, with commercial activities gradually picking up.
Eid-el-Kabir, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
Similarly on Bauchi State, many civil servants on Tuesday failed to report to their duty posts after the Eid-el-Kabir holidays, the NewsMen reports.
The Press correspondent, who visited the State Secretariat, Federal Secretariat, and some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Bauchi, observed that only a few workers were present at their duty posts.
At the Abubakar Umar State Secretariat, some members of staff were seen loitering around, while several offices remained locked.
The situation was similar at the Federal Secretariat, where only a few workers had resumed.
Speaking to the Press, a civil servant, Mr Dennis Audu, said he resumed work early to attend to outstanding work.
I resumed by 8:30 a.m. to ensure continuity in our service delivery.
“We thank God for a peaceful Sallah and we are now back to our duties,” he said.
The Federal Government had declared Friday June 6th and Monday 9th as public holidays to mark the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
However, in Oyo State, Federal and Oyo State civil servants resumed work in Ibadan on Tuesday, after the Eid el Kabir holidays, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
A Press correspondent, who monitored activities at the Federal and State secretariats on Tuesday morning, reports that many civil servants were seen at their duty posts.
At the Federal secretariat, located at Ikolaba area, some workers were seen within the premises exchanging pleasantries while going into their respective offices.
At the Federal Ministry of Works, the staff members were settled and carrying out their work at their respective posts when the Press visited.
A staff member of the National Directorate of Employment, who identified himself as Kingsley, confirmed that all staff of the agency were already at their duty posts, as at 8:10a.m.
He expressed gratitude to the government for the holidays, which enabled him to rest and attend to domestic issues.
At the state secretariat, located at Agodi area, workers were seen carrying out one assignment or the other.
A staff of the Civil Service Commission, Mrs Helen Adeniyi, said that she enjoyed the holiday because she had quality time with her family.
Adeniyi said that she’s back to work with vigour for better performance and dedication.
Also, a member of staff in the Ministry of Information, Mr Ismail Olajide, said the Eid-el-Kabir holidays were spent judiciously as he was able to visit his family in Saki town.
Olajide said that the ram and rice purchased at a subsidised rate from the state government enabled him to have a joyful Sallah celebration.
Equally, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Civil servants and commercial businesses in Osogbo resumed work fully on Tuesday, after the extensive festive holidays for the celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah).
The NewsMen reports that commercial banks and other businesses which closed for the Sallah celebration have all reopened
The Osun State Secretariat in Abere, Osogbo, and other government offices have also opened for the day’s operation with some staff members seen carrying out their duties.
Similarly, the Federal High Court, Osogbo, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Osun State House of Assembly and other business offices located in Abere were all opened.
Mr Ibrahim Adeyanju, a civil servant at the state secretariat, who spoke with the Press, said that the Sallah break allowed workers to travel and celebrate with their families and loved ones.
Adeyanju, however, said that a lot of Muslims had to celebrate the 2025 Eid low-key, because of their economic situation in the country.
According to him, the cost of rams and food items was rather on the high side.
“I can state for a fact that we (my siblings and I) had to make do with just two rams, instead of the four we used to kill every year.
“I am from a Muslim family where all the children and their families gather yearly, in our home town, to celebrate the Eid-ul-Adha with our aged parents.
“We, the children, as a form of tradition, kill a ram every year to celebrate the Sallah; but because of the cost of the rams this year, we were forced to adjust and combine resources,” he said.
Also, Mr Oluwagbemiga Abdulfatai said the essence of the Sallah was more important than the merriment.
Abdulfatai said the faith of Prophet Ibrahim and his total submission to the will of Allah was what all Muslim faithful, and by extension, every human being should emulate.
“The Eid-ul-Adha is about sacrifice, love and submission to the will of Allah.
“We all, irrespective of religious beliefs or affiliation, should love one another and make sacrifices to make the world and country a better place.
“Though things look a bit rough and tough now, if we practice love for one another and make necessary sacrifices, especially from our leaders, Nigeria will be better,” he said.
The Press reports that the Federal Government has declared Friday and Monday as public holidays for the celebration of the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah).
Economy
Ocean Resources: Oyetola Restates Nigeria’s Commitment To Protection, Sustainable Management.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has restated that Nigeria remains committed to ensuring the protection and sustainable management of ocean resources.
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMM&BE), Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi; Minister, FMM&BE; Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA; Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Director, Maritime Safety, FMM&BE, Mr Babatunde Bombata at the 2025 Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, France.
The good people of Enugu State may have emerged as the nation’s new toast as the Wife of the President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, empowered 400 women and young farmers across its 17 local councils, just as the Dangote Foundation donated 10,000 bags of 10kg rice.
The Maritime First learnt that agricultural inputs also distributed included wheelbarrows, seedlings, fertiliser, pesticides, livestock feed, piglets, chicks, a cassava processor, and other essential farming equipment.
The initiative is part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), aimed at empowering vulnerable groups and farmers across Nigeria.
Mrs Nkechingere Mbah, Wife of the Enugu Governor, on Saturday distributed the items on behalf of Mrs Tinubu.
She described the programme as a remarkable boost for agriculture in Enugu, targeting women and young people to drive farming sustainability.
According to her, the initiative showcases a partnership between RHI and the state government for sustainable agricultural development.
Mbah noted that agriculture remains Nigeria’s economic backbone, with investment in farmers key to food security and economic self-reliance.
“We are here because of Her Excellency, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu’s inspiring commitment,” Mbah said while praising the impact of RHI.
She described the initiative as a life-changing project that has touched countless communities across all states, including Enugu.
Addressing beneficiaries, Mbah encouraged them to apply their new knowledge practically in farms and community engagements.
“This is your chance to grow, earn, and better feed your family,” she told the recipients.
She praised Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration for its strong support and additional funding to expand the empowerment programme.
A beneficiary, Mr Enoch Chijioke from Isi-Uzo, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the cassava processor he received.
“This is wonderful. I’ll use this machine to support my family and help grow Enugu’s economy,” he said.
In another development, the Dangote Foundation has donated 10,000 bags of 10kg rice to the Enugu State Government.
The Legal Adviser to Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu, Mr Osinachi Nnajieze, confirmed this during an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Enugu.
Nnajieze revealed that the bags of rice would be distributed equitably across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to him, each LGA in the state would receive at least 588 bags of rice, which are expected to be distributed to those who need them most.
He warned the council chairmen against hoarding or sharing the rice with their family members, relatives and friends, stressing that the gesture was meant for indigents.
“What we have decided to do as a state with what we received from the generosity of Dangote Foundation, is to ensure that it goes to the most indigent, to those who need it the most.
“We are so determined to be equitable and very diligent in the sharing that I have told even the people around me not to expect any bag of 10kg rice.
“None of us is indigent as the people that we are targeting, which is the goal of the donor, Dangote foundation, and also in line with the governance principles of our government,” Nnajieze said.
On his part, the State Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr Okechukwu Ede, appreciated the president of Dangote foundation, Alhaji. Aliko Dangote for the kind gesture.
Ede promised that the bags of rice would be shared among the 17 LGAs, noting that none of them would be short-changed.
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