A’Ibom Govt Urges  State Varsity Lecturers to Shelve Strike

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Government has reacted to the planned resumption of industrial action by the Joint Action Committee of the Akwa Ibom State University, saying it was unnecessary.

Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet in an interview with journalists in her office, said such proposed action is needless   as Governor Umo Eno has already directed payments in lieu of their demands.

Mrs Etiebet noted that governor Eno, who few weeks ago called the union leaders to meeting in his office, is a listening leader and a promise keeper who does not need to be threatened with any strike before he does what needs to be done.

She said: “All the financial demands that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU, SSANU and NAAT of Akwa Ibom State University presented to the governor as their reason for the earlier strike are being addressed as directed by the governor.

“These include the payment of 2023 leave grant, 2023 13th Month salary (Enomber) and approval for payment of palliative for 2023.

“The governor has approved that all of these be paid. But remember, due process has to be followed so that we don’t end up making mistakes.”

On the issue of constitution of Governing Council of the University, the Commissioner noted that: “Government is in the process of constituting governing councils for all its tertiary institutions.”

On the issue of the construction of students’ hostels, she hinted of ongoing arrangements by the state government with a private firm, for a public private partnership (PPP) model for the construction of a new hostel blocks in the school campus.  

She therefore, reasoned that Governor Eno should rather be commended for all he has done including giving priority to the welfare of civil servants and retirees in the state despite scanty resources and current economic realities.

 Etiebet wondered why a governor who has been consistent in keeping to his promises for Akwa Ibom people across sectors would have to be threatened with a strike action for an issue to be sorted out.

“That does not apply to Governor Umo Eno. When he approved additional N2.7 billion for the continuous payment of gratuities to retirees in the state, there was neither protest nor strike action by NLC, NUT or even the retirees. Let us continue to believe in him as he believes in good governance,” the commissioner said.

She appealed to the unions to continue to show understanding as the payments gradually come to fruition.

Possible Reprieve for Suru Worldwide Ventures in Supreme Court over Takeover by AMCON

Precious Ugwuzor

For Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited, the recent Supreme Court judgment has provided it reprieve to obtain justice in the protracted case between it, Access Bank Plc Limited and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) over the latter’s takeover of the company.

The case started from Federal High Court and got to Supreme Court, which directed both parties to go back to the Federal High Court where the case started.

In AMCON’s reaction, its spokesperson, Jude Nwauzor said: “Please read the Supreme Court pronouncement again. It referred the parties back to the Federal High Court, which is AMCON’s court of first instance.”

On February 16, 2024, the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, nullified the takeover of the multibillion landed property of Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited by AMCON, which was headed by Ahmed Kuru but recently replaced with Mr. Gbenga Alade.

In the judgment, the court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Agim affirmed the lower court’s decision to immediately halt the company’s takeover, and ordered a new hearing  at the High Court.

Agim was unequivocal in his saying: “I find no merit in this Appeal.”

The Appellate Court in its lead judgment by Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu lampooned AMCON for failing to join Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited as a defendant in the suit before the Federal High Court and had rendered the takeover order a nullity.

Instructively, the reprieve, which finally came the way of the firm, was a soothing balm, which it deserved.

The Managing Director of Suru World Wide Ventures Nigeria Limited, Dr. Edward Akinlade, has several businesses like the massive investments in Best Western Lagos Hotel, Ikeja; Opebi Hotel Projects, Ikeja; and land in GRA, Ikeja GRA Town Houses.

Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited had carved a niche for itself in the competitive and challenging Nigeria business environment when it made aggressive inroad in the economy, and added great input in employment and  services delivery years ago.

With an initial workforce of over 2,000 people, the firm was later faced with Nigeria’s peculiar economic downturn. This development was to compel it to rationalise its workforce and operations, leaving only 250 workers to operate with.

During the process, the company had taken loan facility from the defunct Oceanic Bank before the bank’s takeover by Access Bank Plc.

Following the firm’s challenge in offsetting the loan facility, AMCON, the financial regulator, came into the fray to enforce the repayment order statutorily.

AMCON had sought the enforcement order by asking the security agencies to provide personnel needed to recover the loan from Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited.

The case had traversed rough legal journeys since 2018 and in at the Court of Appeal, Lagos, before the lead Judge, Justice Ogakwu, in Suit No FHC/ CS/1059/2016: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria vs Inspector General of Police and Others,  delivered on May 30, 2017 the lower court said: “ In view of the foregoing, the plaintiff has not only made out its right to undisturbed  and peaceful possession of the property located at No 86 Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos State; No 12, Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos State; and No. 12,Allen Avenue, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos State.

“It has also made out a case to warrant adequate protection by the defendants in exorcising its established rights in Exhibit A, B and C”.

Besides other moves to recover the property,  the company was suddenly greeted with a new development in the ongoing case from  Deployment Energy Company, IDECO, which claimed it had come with a paper from AMCON that it was the new owner of the property at 12, Rev Ogunbiyi Street, GRA, Ikeja.

The move was, however, deflated by Suru Worldwide Company Nigeria Limited, after it  deployed its legal teeth to dismiss the company.

The company dismissed the claim that its loan facilities were non-performing as claimed by IDECO, adding that the classification of the loan as non-performing was not their fault, but due to the breach of the agreement entered into by its disbursement by the creditors.

It regretted that the development eventually stalled their (Suru’s) projects, which it claimed were about 95 per cent completed as August 2019.

However, not wanting to take chances, the management of Supreme Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited approached the National Assembly in Abuja for legislative interventions.

It sought the support of the then Speaker House of Representatives, Hon, Femi Gbajabiamila to save them from AMCON’s  further embarrassment and recover their property for them.

Now, close observers of the happenings in the sector said the coast would soon be clear for the management, staff and other stakeholders of Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria to make unhindered access into the Nigerian and global economies with its dynamic businesses.