I survived many kidnap, assassination attempts in last 1 year – Rivers Assembly Speaker opens up
Martin Amaewhule, Speaker, Rivers House of Assembly says he is thankful to God for surviving kidnap, assassination attempts in the past years.
Mr Amaewhule made this known during his 52nd birthday thanksgiving service at the All Saints Anglican Church, Eliozu, Obio/Apkor Local Government Area, Rivers.
“I am not just marking another birthday but acknowledging that many people had planned to take his life in the last one year, but God didn’t allow them.’’
Recounting how he survived a harrowing experience in 2008, he said that he narrowly escaped death during the incident.
Amaewhule noted that he was abducted by some unidentified gunmen at his resident as he arrived after a Sunday church service.
“Some of you were here in 2008 when a preacher was preaching right here on a Sunday service, on that faithful day, I didn’t know the people who came to kidnap me were also in the service.
“After service, they tactically followed me to my residence, tied up my security guard and abducted me and took me to a forest where they held me hostage for five days.
“They placed thorns under my feet and inflicted several injuries on my head and body in the process of moving me from one hideout to another within the forest.
“They fed me with biscuits throughout the period even as I almost bled to death,” he said.
The speaker, however, expressed gratitude to God for his numerous blessings, guidance and preservation over the years.
“’When God does things for you, it is important to appreciate him for more.
NAN
Dangote Refinery: Nigerian govt appeals to PENGASSAN to shelve planned strike
The Federal Government has appealed to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, to suspend its planned nationwide strike over its dispute with the Dangote Refinery.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, made the appeal in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
It would be recalled that PENGASSAN had earlier direct its members nationwide to withdraw their services in protest against the alleged sack Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery from midnight on Sept. 28.
The union also accused the management of the refinery of anti-labour practices and discrimination against local employees, prompting the Federal Government’s intervention.
Dingyadi said the ministry had already initiated moves to reconcile the parties to prevent the crisis from escalating.
“The ministry of Labour and Employment, through the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, has extended invitations to the leadership of PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Refinery to attend a conciliation meeting in my office on Monday.
“I appeal to both parties to be mindful of the importance of the petroleum sector to the country, being the core of her economy.
“A strike will not only lead to heavy revenue losses but also cause hardship for Nigerians. Its impact on economic stability and national security cannot be underestimated,” he added.
The minister urged the union to withdraw its strike declaration to allow the Federal Government mediate in a peaceful atmosphere.
NAN
