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Reclassification: Itsekiri group gives Chevron 28-day ultimatum
The National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG) Worldwide has issued a 28-day ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) to commence the reclassification of Itsekiri graduates under its Vocational Training Programmes (VTP 5 and 6) and Operational Training Programme (OTP 2).
The group made the call in a statement signed by the NAIG’s President and General Secretary, Mr Ben Eburajolo and Mr Esiategiwa Mino, respectively, on Monday in Warri.
Eburajolo, who read a copy of the statement at a media briefing, said that the association would not hesitate to disrupt operations of the multinational in its communities, should it fail to respond to their demands.
The group also demanded the immediate resumption of development in Oil Producing Areas and provision of light and potable drinking water to Itsekiri host communities.
Eburajolo said that the graduates were competent in their various locations and did not violate the company’s laid down rules.
He said that the reclassification of the affected graduates should be backdated, noting that they had completed the practical side of the training.
“Their reclassification should be backdated to January 2016 and January 2017 for VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6, respectively.
“CNL should resume Operation and Maintenance (O&M) training with employment in view, immediately as enshrined in our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with you,” he said.
Eburajolo said that the graduates were working in their respective organisations when Chevron promised them employment with good pay after their training.
He alleged that the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, intervened on the matter in 2017 adding that the CNL management promised to do the needful in 2018.
The group’s leader said that CNL had always claimed a dropped in crude oil prices as the reason for not reclassifying the affected graduates, noting that those on VTP4 were reclassified when the price was below $40/bbl.
He noted that the prices of crude oil had risen and had been stable to above $70/bbl.
However, a staff of the CNL who did not want to be mentioned, simply said that the claim “ was not true”. (NAN)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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