Politics
Workers Day: Imo NLC appeals to Uzodinma to complete payment of gratuities
The Imo State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Comrade Chigemezu Nwigwe has appealed to the State Governor, Hope Uzodinma to complete the payment of pensioners’ gratuities.
Nwigwe made the appeal as the State chapter of the NLC joined its counterparts to mark 2025 Workers Day Celebration at Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu square in Owerri.
He said that workers in the State appreciate the Governor’s effort in establishing harmonious relationship with the workers’ union in the State, especially in providing a reliable transportation system for workers and making the State secretariat complex more conducive to workers while carrying out their day-to-day activities.
The NLC boss in the State, however, enjoined the Governor to ensure that the long abandoned gratuities of pensioners by previous administrations becomes a thing of the past.
“We appeal to His Excellency to continue the exercise of payment of pensioners, because of those who are yet to get paid.
“We assure you of the continued support of Imo workers to the growth and development of the State,” he said.
Addressing the workers, Uzodinma congratulated them, assuring them that all issues relating to shortfalls in the payment of the new minimum wage and promotions will be resolved.
He urged the workers to always adopt dialogue rather than confrontations as a means of resolving differences with the Government.
“I recall with some sense of regret that for many years before 2020, Imo workers suffered abandonment by previous administrations without promotions, suffered manipulated payroll system, irregular payment of pensions, and non-payment of gratuities for well over 15 years.
“The 2025 May Day celebration calls for a reflection on the greater path that the Imo workers have trod until now that they are enjoying the automated payroll system, regular payment of salaries and pensions, as well as payment of gratuities to retired workers, and the promise to commence payment of the second tranche of gratuities to pensioners,” the governor maintained.
The number one citizen of the State revealed that plans are underway for special salary scale for teachers and medical personnel, saying the State Government is poised to attract the best hands in those sectors knowing the critical roles they play in shaping the future.
Uzodinma thanked the State House of Assembly for repealing what he regarded as obsolete laws which he said prevented reforms in the health sector.
“I seize this opportunity to encourage the civil servants to enroll in the Health Insurance Scheme initiated by this Government as the benefits of enrolling cannot be measured.
“I charge the workers to strive to be civil in their conduct and actions as government will not tolerate indolence and corrupt practices,” the governor warned.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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