Biafra: Igbo leader urges FG, IPOB to dialogue

THE Onyedu Ndigbo of Ibadanland, Chief Aloy Obi, has called on the Federal Government to dialogue with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over the alleged marginalisation of the South-East region.

This was as he lent his voice to call for restructuring of the country, noting that the implementation of the report of the 2014 national conference would serve as a useful guide for a genuine restructuring exercise.

Obi made the submissions in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Wednesday, noting that IPOB must, however, work with Igbo leaders and group, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

He noted that any restructuring that would tamper with the national unity should be carefully examined, but added that regional autonomy would fasttrack the socioeconomic development of the component units of the country, as witnessed in the old Western Region under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The Igbo leader asked the Federal Government to listen to the allegation of marginalisation and pointed at the present political appointments at the centre, in which he claimed the Igbo were not well represented.

Bello bans trade unions in Kogi higher institutions

Yinka Oladoyinbo -Lokoja

THE Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday, banned all forms of unionism in the state-owned tertiary institutions in the state.

This came as the governor said a fraud of N157 million was uncovered and perpetrated by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.

The governor, who said this at the Government House, Lokoja, said the ban on unionism covered all the state-owned tertiary institutions, adding that the directive was with immediate effect.

According to him, the proscription order followed the decision of the members of staff of the polytechnic to embark on strike when there was no dispute between them and government.

He stated that government had made progress in resolving all issues relating to adequacy and frequency of remuneration for all categories of civil servants in the state.

Bello, however, said government found the state of affairs foisted upon the state by the current strike by JAC in the polytechnic unacceptable.

While proclaiming the proscription of the unions, the governor said government would consider all academic staff of the institution who did not resume normal academic duties immediately as having resigned from the employment of the Kogi State government and of the institution and would treat them accordingly.