BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI, ABUJA

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Chapter, has explained why it’s members have commenced on an indefinite strike today, Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Our reporter gathered that the indefinite strike by the teachers is coming after a 14-day ultimatum which the union had issued to the six area councils in the territory over non payment of their outstanding entitlements and other unresolved industrial issues.

Pupils who went to school on Wednesday were said to have returned home disappointed, saying their teachers directed them back on getting to the school gates.

The Union said it had directed all the primary school teachers in the territory to resume the suspended strike action with effect from Wednesday.

In a communiqué signed by the State (FCT) Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Shafa, and issued at the end of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting of the Nigeria Union Of Teachers (NUT) FCT Wing at FCT teachers’ house, Gwagwalada, Abuja, the union said
all Public primary schools in FCT are to remain closed until the Union’s demands are met.

According to the communique, “We appeal to all teachers to remain calm and disregard any counter directives except as directed by the Union.”

“The SWEC-in – session acknowledged and applauded the effort of the Honourable Minister of FCT, His Excellency, Barrister Nyesom E. Wike (CON) on his intervention and payment of 40% of the total sum of 25 months Minimum Wage Arrears to the Primary School Teachers.

“However, the SWEC In Session noted with great displeasure the non response of the Council Chairmen to the fourteen day ultimatum issued to them, nor did they attend to the industrial issues raised.

“Payment of the remaining 60% of the 25 months minimum wage arrears; implementation and payment of arrears of the 25% and 35% salary increase; implementation and payment of arrears of the 40% peculiar allowance; payment of Arrears of the N35,000 wage award; and correct and continuous implementation of the template on outstanding entitlements of the teachers as agreed in 2022.”

Reacting to the development, Secretary, FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), Dr. Hassan Sule, appealed to NUT to suspend strike until all avenues are being exhausted, as discussion with leadership of the six Area Councils is still in progress.

Sule, who is the acting Chairman of the Board, said: “I just finished talking to FCT ALGON chairman and the NUT Chairman now. We sat down with the NUT and ALGON chairmen, and we resolved that they are going to compute how much the outstanding payment is now, so that the ALGON chairman will now write officially for the intervention.

“But, maybe the the timeframe they gave, which the ALGON chairman is complaining that it is too short as they have not finished the computation yet, and they said let us finish all our work.

“Likely, we will be meeting on Friday, based on what I discussed with the ALGON Chairman now.”

… As resources covers 54% of total area of world’s ocean

BY AKUDORO GLORIA

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Wednesday revealed that the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has signed a 15 years contracts with 22 contractors for the exploration of critical mineral resources.

The Agency also revealed that the resources in the area covers 54 per cent of the total area of the world’s ocean.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola who spoke at the Stakeholders’ Sensitization Workshop on Deep Seabed Activities, in Abuja, presented the “Overview of the Deep-Seabed: Prospects for the Blue Economy”, stating this deep-sea mining, involves the mining of Polymetallic Nodules (PMN), Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS) and Forromangganese Crusts (FMC) with 22 contractors.

The 2-day Workshop organized by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with the NIMASA and supported by the ISA and National Boundary Commission (NBC) is aimed at raising awareness amongst key stakeholders about the importance of deep sesbed exploration and exploitation and addressing environmental and social implications towards ensuring effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects of deep-sea mining.

According to NIMASA DG, the ISA has concluded Regulations, rules and guidelines for the exploration stage but yet to conclude on regulations for the exploitation phase. “This is the principle reason why exploitation of mineral resources in the area is yet to commence.”

“All mining activities within the area are in the exploration stage and no exploitation has taken place. The ISA in controlling the resources within the area is mandated to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects of deep-sea mining.

“To this end, the ISA established Mining Code regulatory framework. These comprises rules, regulations and procedures issued by the ISA to regulate prospecting exploration and exploitation of marine minerals in the area,” he added.

Presenting the deep seabed benefits, Dr. Mobereola hinted that this offers significant opportunities for Nigeria’s economic growth, technological advancement and resource security.

He said by tapping into the vast reserves of Polymetallic nodules, sulphides and cobalt-rich crusts found in international waters, nations can secure essential minerals critical to the global economy, particularly, in the renewable energy and technology sector.

“However, these benefits must be balanced with robust environmental safeguards and regulatory Frameworks to ensure that deep seabed mining is conducted sustainably, minizing ecological impact whilst minizing the potential for shared global prosperity,” said the NIMASA DG.

Deep Sea Mining, he said can be done in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) within the jurisdiction of national Governments/coastal states and/or in Areas beyond national jurisdiction – popularly referred to as the ”Area” or “international waters”.

In his opening address, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Secretary, Oloruntola Olufemi, affirmed that the transition from a fossil fuel-based to a mineral-based economy presents opportunities for Nigeria to leverage its marine resources, particularly in wave and tide energy, to generate clean energy that will contribute significantly to the nation’s energy needs.

According to him, the establishment of the Ministry in 2023, demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to diversifying it economy and capitalizing on the global surge in deep-sea exploration, and therefore, the nation cannot afford to lag as it is one of the major oil-producing country with an extensive coastline and inland waterways.

Also speaking, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, ably represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ogbe, highlighted the complexity of deep-sea exploration and its environmental implications that demand a multifaceted approach that integrates the expertise and resources of all relevant stakeholders.

Dr. Alake, while assuring the support of Ministry of Solid Minerals, called for a deepened collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA, NBC, Ministry of Environment and other agencies while working closely with international bodies such as the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to ensure a comprehensive policy framework.

By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka

Following the alleged murder of indigenes of Umunri Clan in Nawfia, Anambra State recently, the Worldwide President General (WPG) of Ezumezu Umunri, literally meaning (Ony’isi Ezumezu Umunri na Uwanine) has called for justice, peace and calmness, and also condemned in its entirety, such barbarous act, describing such as foreign in their clan

The WPG, Prince Emeka Egwuekwe, who doubles as the Apakata Onyii 1 of Enugwu Agidi na Umunri recently sent the message to Enugwu Ukwu, Agukwu and Nawfia, all being member communities of Nri Clan.

Addressing them, he said: “My dear ancestral relations of Enugwu Ukwu Nri, Nawfia Nri and Agukwu Nri in the ancient kingdom in Igbo land, I am using this medium to express my heartfelt and strongest condemnation of the alleged gruesome murder of indigenes of our clan from Agukwu and Enugwu Ukwu in Nawfia. The brutal murder is unacceptable and has no place in Umunri Clan and our society in general.

“My heart bleeds for the deceased families and I can imagine the trauma and pain they are passing through in this critical time of our country. No one deserves to die in such a manner and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that justice is not only done to address the uncivized and condemnable act, but also to ensure that the land is cleansed. The land is usually cleansed to appease God and wipe away the blood of one’s kingsman, in Igbo land by the perpetrator (s) relocating to other areas for the required number of years, as demanded by the custom ( Igba oso ochu).”

While passionately pleading for calm, restraint and peace in the provocative criminal act, the Onyeisi Ezumezu Umunri, advised that the law be allowed to take its course, instead of resorting to unlawful activities, which if not averted will result into blood – letting, suffering and bad names for communities in the clan. He therefore called that all hands be on deck to fish out those who did the evil act, for them to be held accountable for their action.

However, he called for healing and reconciliation toward building a better Umunri Brotherhood and a society where such evil act isn’t repeated. While preaching that they don’t let such tragedy divide them in Umunri Clan, Prince Emeka Egwuekwe, advised that they continue to remain united, which if done will go a long way to promote peace and harmony among Umunri.