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NPA asks maritime workers to suspend planned strike

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, has urged the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria to suspend its planned strike.

Bello-Koko, while disclosing this in a statement on Monday, said that the NPA has successfully brokered peace between the union and operators in the oil and gas industry over non-compliance with Stevedoring regulations.

The MWUN had, last week, threatened to shut the nation’s seaports, jetties, and oil and gas platforms on Tuesday (today) over what it described as the continued refusal of the International Oil Companies and Stevedoring Contractors to comply with the Stevedoring Extant Laws, “lack of access to work locations, lack of remittance of 3 percent MWUN levy by Stevedores.”

The union also complained that it had written a series of letters, press releases, ultimatums, marine notices, and several ministerial orders but all were serially ignored even as they blamed the NPA for allowing the IOCs to operate without control.

However, reacting to this, Bello-Koko said the agency would do all it takes to ensure peace and industrial harmony among the groups.

“We will do all it takes to ensure industrial harmony and prevent the shutdown of crucial production platforms of the oil and gas, and allied industries that maritime workers control. The national economy cannot afford any shutdown at this time,” he said.

Bello-Koko added that at the end of the meeting which took place at the agency’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos State, a communiqué addressing the workers’ grievances and subsequent suspension of planned strike action was signed.

Bello-Koko noted that those in attendance included the Executive Vice-President (Down Stream), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Adedapo Segun; Deputy President, Nigerian Labour Congress, Adewale Adeyanju; President, National Association of Stevedoring Operators, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola; Managing Director, Nigerian Pipeline Storage Company, Mr. Bayo Adenrele; and the Assistant Director, Distribution System, Storage and Retail Infrastructure of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, amongst other industry leaders.

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16-year-old student swept away by flood

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A final-year student at Government Day Secondary School, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, Miss Praise Malachi, tragically lost her life to flooding while rushing home to check her SSCE results, which a friend had told her were excellent.

The 16-year-old had earned a scholarship from the Centre for Girls Education, Zaria, in recognition of her outstanding academic performance.

Her father, Emmanuel Malachi, recounted that around 6:00 pm after heavy rain, Praise’s friends informed her at his shop about her results. Excited, she hurried home to check them on her phone but slipped while crossing a small river formed by severe erosion and was swept away by the floodwaters. Her body was recovered the next day in Hunkuyi, Kudan Local Government Area.

Neighbors Danladi Mudi and Emma Yashi explained that the area’s worsening erosion has made it highly prone to flooding, with several children having lost their lives in similar incidents before.

Habiba Mohammed, Director of the Centre for Girls Education, described Praise as an exceptional student and expressed deep sorrow over her death. She urged authorities to address the erosion problem and build a bridge on the dangerous road to prevent further tragedies.

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Flood: NEMA issues new warning

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has instructed its field offices along the River Niger to enhance flood preparedness in response to rising water levels upstream in the Republic of Benin.

NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, urged residents in flood-prone areas to stay alert and begin relocating to safer, elevated areas.

Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara states were identified as high-risk zones. She also called on state governments to strengthen their emergency response agencies and activate contingency plans.

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NAFDAC : Fake Cowbell Milk in circulation

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) advises Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid purchasing counterfeit 12g Cowbell “Our Milk” sachets circulating across the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency explained that the counterfeit product imitates the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk” packaging, which Promasidor Nigeria Ltd stopped producing in September 2023.

The legitimate product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.”

The fake sachets unlawfully bear the Cowbell brand name, NAFDAC registration number and packaging design, despite not being manufactured or distributed by Promasidor.

The counterfeit products currently in circulation are imitations of the discontinued ‘Our Milk’ packaging and are not manufactured or distributed by Promasidor,” the agency stated.

“They bear unauthorised use of the brand name, NAFDAC Registration Number, and packaging design.”

The regulator raised concerns over the health risks posed by the counterfeit product.

“Risk Statement: Consumption of counterfeit milk poses serious health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients.

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” NAFDAC warned.

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