The FCT chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has called on striking workers to resume duty in the interest of the territory.The Chairman of the association, Mr Danladi Chiya, made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.Report says that workers under Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees and Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) had embarked on strike over non implementation of the new minimum wage.

Chaya,who is the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, said that all area councils in the FCT had commenced payment of the new minimum wage of N70, 000, urging the workers to return to work. He appealed to the local council workers and members of the unions to consider the plight of the children who have been forced to remain at home due to the strike.“We are not having issue with anybody, but what we are asking for is to let our children resume school since we have started implementing the minimum wage.“Leaving our children at home is what is our concern, because we are all from this place, so we are pleading that there is an open door for further negotiation with all unions,” he said.Also speaking, the Secretary of the association, Mr John Gabaya. said that it was important for the workers to resume work and give room for further negotiations.Gabaya, who is the Bwari Area Council Chairman, said that the news conference was also to call on all relevant stakeholders to return to the negotiations table for other related matters to be discussed.He called on the unions to call off the strike immediately to enable the councils work to achieve their aims and objectives,” he said. (NAN)

By David Torough, Abuja 

A coalition of youths under the aegis of Ukum Young Elites (UYE) has demanded an unreserved apology from former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam, over alleged derogatory remarks he made about the people of Ukum Local Government Area.

The group, comprising sons and daughters of Ukum across political affiliations, condemned what they described as unprovoked and demeaning comments made by Senator Suswam during a recent meeting held at the Ukum Local Government Council Hall, Sankera.

In a viral video circulating on social media, Suswam was allegedly heard referring to the people of Ukum with derogatory expressions such as Abumeior and Undyor, which loosely translate as “fools” in Tiv.

“We view Senator Suswam’s descriptions and utterances as mockery, demeaning, and the highest level of insult to the Ukum people, whose ancestral lands have been taken over by herdsmen and bandits,” the group said in a statement signed by several community leaders, including Abraham Waroh, Prince Tyodoo Livinus, and Comrade Jacob Katyona.

They noted that the community is still mourning the loss of lives from repeated attacks by armed herdsmen, and described Suswam’s remarks as insensitive.

“It is disheartening that Suswam, who is the highest beneficiary of Ukum’s benevolence, in turn calls us fools and embarks on a mission to mock and dance on the graves of our murdered relatives,” the statement added.

The youths recalled that during Suswam’s early political career, Ukum people played a decisive role in his electoral victories, including the 1999 PDP primaries, the 2003 House of Representatives election, and the 2015 senatorial contest.

“Perhaps Suswam now sees us as fools because we have always stood for him, even when Ukum sons were in the race. We have learned our lesson nonetheless,” the group declared.

The group also accused Suswam of failing to speak out against the killings of their people by armed herders and criticized him for allegedly siding with Governor Hyacinth Alia against whom the people had protested over what they described as failure to protect lives and property.

“It appears Suswam was not in Ukum to sympathize with us over the attacks but to register his anger over our protest against Governor Alia, his friend. This is unfortunate,” the group said.

They faulted Suswam’s reported suggestion that Ukum people should be grateful to the governor for providing security support, saying security is a constitutional responsibility and not a favor.

In their words: “No one owes Governor Alia any special thanks for using the security vote. This is basic knowledge we expect from a former governor and a lawyer.”

The group demanded that Suswam tender a public apology for the statements attributed to him, insisting that Ukum people are not fools.

“Ukum’s hospitality and loyalty to Senator Suswam over the years stemmed from our cultural ties and belief in his leadership, but we will not accept insults,” the group concluded.

The statement was jointly signed by Abraham Waroh, Prince Tyodoo Livinus, Pila Daniel, Comrade Jacob Katyona, Hon. Shagba Orbeenga, Hon. Joseph O. Orverga, Udeti Aondolumun Ernest, and Comrade Yoosu Soonen.

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The Police Command in Ekiti has arrested three suspected armed robbers and kidnapper on highway in the state.The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.Abutu noted that when the operatives of the Safer Highway Unit intercepted the three suspects in a commercial vehicle, they claimed they were traveling from Ondo State to Kwara.

He stated that it took the bravery and professional tactics of the operatives to arrest them as they initially tried to escape arrest by approaching the checkpoint at a high speed. He said investigations revealed that they were members of a particular cult group who were traveling to Kwara for an operation.Items recovered included one locally made pistol concealed in a towel, two live cartridges, three phones, one power bank, a substance suspected to be a charm, and a cash sum of N155,000.In another related development, the Safer Highway Unit Operatives, during its stop and search, arrested a suspected kidnapper in a commercial bus.Abutu said the suspect, who attempted to bribe the policemen with a sum of N50,000 but was turned down and arrested, claimed to be en routing Kwara from Ondo State but could not give a definite location.He said items recovered from him were a cash sum of N397,000, 10kg of red oil, two smart phones, one head torch light, one lighter, an empty black bag and one black face cap.He said all the suspects were currently undergoing thorough investigation.According to the Police PRO, the command solicits the support and cooperation of members of the public at all times, including during stop and search operations, to enable success in the fight against crimes and criminality in the state. (NAN)