…Says State Conference yet to hold
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Anambra State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe, has urged the general public to disregard any meeting not convoked by him, describing the gathering of 14 persons in a beer parlor at Aguleri where it was purportedly reported in an online publication that they held a meeting with Local Government Commissioner led by one Rasaq Lawal as a charade and absolute waste of time.
Comrade Adigwe who made this known while fielding questions from newsmen at the State Secretariat of NULGE in Awka, urged Ndi Anambra to ignore those described as rumor mongers and peddlers.
“You see, here is the State Secretariat of NULGE Anambra state and I’m here addressing the press from my table, NULGE is yet to hold its state conference, those peddling those lies are detractors, interlopers whose aim is to tarnish the image of the union, NULGE and those people are facing criminal charges of impersonation at Magistrate Court.
“It is even laughable that on their list of contestants, the likes of Chinedu Ukah and Odife Alagwu they claimed to have contested for Deputy President and Trustees respectively were elected as auditors and young workers according to their online publications. This is what desperation can cause! So, disregard them as NULGE is preparing for her elections which will be made public and be monitored by all agencies responsible for industrial unions in accordance with the union constitution”, he said.
The President also expressed dissatisfaction over the attitudes of Mr. Commissioner for granting such an audience to one Rasaq Lawal, a retired General Secretary, who has been declared illegal and also restricted by the National Industrial Court of Abuja Division by Hon. Justice .O. Y Anuwe on 11th November, 2022, Suit No: NICN/ABJ/ 316/2020.
He said that the pictures from their meeting with Mr. Commissioner is being circulated over the media space with different captions that the charade they did in Aguleri had been endorsed and certified by Mr. Commissioner even when industrial matters were on exclusive list.
Comrade Adigwe expressed dismay over the actions of Mr. Commissioner for holding such outing, even after the visit of the Union’s National President to Anambra State, Comrade Ambali Akeem who is also the NLC national Treasurer on 8th of August, 2023 to Mr. Commissioner.
He stated that those interlopers would end up portraying Mr. Commissioner’s image in a bad light to the general public in which the damage was ongoing already.
“Industrial unions are being controlled from their National secretariat, it is worrisome that after the visit of the National President of the union, who is the arrowhead of the union on the invitation of Mr. Commissioner, same Mr. commissioner played host to a group already declared illegal by the law court in which he is aware of the judgment, and now they are using that meeting to tarnish Mr. commissioner’s image as unlawful personality and in the other publications they cited him as his sponsor placing him as one who is sponsoring disharmony in NULGE Anambra state Chapter”, he added.
He advised rumour mongers among them to desist from peddling lies and carrying false propaganda against the leadership of the Union, and join hands with them for the overall good of NULGE Anambra State Chapter.
The NULGE Boss assured members of the union of improved welfare, favourable and quality working conditions
Comrade Adigwe reiterated his determination towards taking NULGE to a greater pedestal.
He noted that himself alongside his State executive, had made some remarkable achievements, despite the distractions coming from some elements who would not want the union to grow, even as he appreciated Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo for his kind gesture towards improving the workers welfare in Anambra State, which were not limited to ten percent salary increment, twelve thousand naira cash award and other palliative packages to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
He also acknowledged the massive infrastructural development in Anambra state and prompt payment of salaries, gratuities and pensions as well as settling the arrears of the State workforce.
The State President expressed his joy over Mr. Governor’s fulfillment of his campaign promises to the workers when he led the industrial unions to support his Gubernatorial elections in 2021.
The Anambra NULGE President, Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe revealed that the ongoing transformation agenda of the local Government system is his uttermost priority in line with Solution agenda, citing the ongoing computer literacy training of local Government workers being organized by the Union and the Local Government Service Commission, LGSC.
Comrade Adigwe also expressed delight over the successful branch elections of the various local governments recently conducted, and maintained that it would help to boost the strength of the workers in the local government levels as he charged those elected to live up to expectations.
Photo: Anambra State NULGE President, Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe.
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