National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Wednesday, said that some suspected political thugs that brutalized the National president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero have been arrested.

DAILY POST recalls that the NLC president was attacked in Owerri, Imo State capital on November 1 when workers in the state staged a protest over unpaid salary.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, had declared nationwide strike, demanding the arrest of the suspected thugs and their sponsors.

Following the commencement of the strike, which has relatively crippled economic activities in some parts of the country, Ribadu, in a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, urged the organized labour to halt the ongoing nationwide strike.

He confirmed that some arrests had been made regarding the brutalization of the NLC president, pledging that the outcome of the investigation would be made known to the general public.

The statement reads partly, “The NSA is particularly worried about the implications of the strike action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.

“The NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.

“The Federal Government will never condone such an act.

“As a fallout of the incident, relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits.

“Available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard. The outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.”

[DailyPost]

The Organised Labour has disclosed that it was not served a court order, stopping its members from embarking on an indefinite nationwide strike.

Recall that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) issued an interim injunction last Friday to stop members of organised labour and their affiliates from proceeding with the nationwide strike scheduled to commence on November 14.

The President of the court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, issued the order on Friday while ruling on an ex-parte application.

The application was brought before the court by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the Federal Government and argued by Tijani Gazali (SAN), Acting Director (Civil Appeals), Federal Ministry of Justice.

Justice Kanyip said the order shall subsist until the determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions equally filed by the AGF.

Despite the court order, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Monday directed its members to commence mobilisation for a nationwide strike over the assault on the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, the TUC President, Festus Osifo, denied receiving any court order stopping the industrial action.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) President added that the federal government went to “shop” for a court injunction on the eve of the strike instead of addressing their greivances.

The ongoing nationwide strike declared by organised labour is a misplaced priority, Senator Adams Oshiomhole declared yesterday.

According to him, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) should take up issues on workers’ welfare rather than what will portray them as partisan.

Oshiomhole, who shot into the limelight as a labour activist, crowning his career as president of the NLC, wondered why the labour centres would not take on state governments that are not paying the N30,000 minimum wage but would embark on industrial action simply because its leader was assaulted.

The former Edo State governor spoke at Aso Villa yesterday after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The NLC and TUC called the strike yesterday to protest last week’s physical attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Ajaero flew into Owerri to protest the non-payment of outstanding salary arrears to workers.

Despite the workers’ leadership rejection of his intervention, NLC vowed to “occupy Imo State”.

During his picketing at the airport on arrival, he was beaten up and the police took him into “protective custody”. 

A few hours later, a photograph of Ajaero’s swollen face surfaced on social media.

He was not seen in public for days. On his return, he claimed that the police arrested him and handed him over to hoodlums who assaulted him.

Although the police denied involvement, Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun redeployed Imo State Commission of Police Mohammed Barde and ordered an investigation.

TUC President Festus Osifo announced the industrial action on Monday, saying it will be indefinite.

But Oshiomhole said: “Unfortunately, this strike is not about those issues. 

“And I think we have to be careful not to mix our political opinion with our responsibilities because the issues confronting workers are so many that they should become the priority.”

Oshiomhole urged the NLC to prioritise holding state governments accountable to the N30,000 minimum wage agreement, which covers both local government and state workers.

He wondered why the NLC was not mobilising workers against states still failing to implement the approved minimum wage while targeting the Federal Government.

Advising union leaders to engage vigorously on issues like unpaid salaries, he cautioned against actions perceived as overtly partisan.

He said: “The Federal Government had granted N35,000 increase. And those discussions were supposed to be for and on behalf of not only the Federal Government but on behalf of all workers in Nigeria, including those employed by local governments and state governments.

“Additional revenue accruing from the withdrawal of subsidy should trickle down to the states and the local government areas.

“I would have wished that somebody in the NLC recognises that the hunger in the stomach of federal employees is not any worse than the hunger in the stomach of those state employees, nor local government employees.

Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), says Adams Oshiomhole does not have enough information on the ongoing strike called by organised labour.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, Osifo said Oshiomhole, the senator representing Edo north, commented on the strike based on information passed from the presidential villa.

On Tuesday, the former Edo governor, while addressing journalists at the presidential villa, said the ongoing strike is politically motivated.

Oshiomhole, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), asked organised labour to prioritise the rights of workers rather than engage in politics.

NATIONWIDE STRIKE

Recently, the NLC and TUC said they were embarking on the nationwide strike to protest the alleged assault of Joe Ajaero, president of the NLC, in Imo state.

The strike commenced at midnight on November 14.

On Tuesday, there was partial compliance to the strike across the country.

The federal government had faulted the decision of the unions to embark on the strike.

‘OSHIOMHOLE IS BUSY WITH NATIONAL POLITICS’

During the interview, Osifo said Oshiomhole is busy with national politics, adding that the former NLC president should have reached out to union leaders for facts.

The TUC president said Ajaero did not travel to Imo state on November 1 to entertain political issues.

“Our senior comrade, Adams Oshiomhole, is giving opinion based on the information he has,” he said.

“Today, he is a senator who is busy with national politics. I think he does not have sufficient information, maybe later we will give him as much information as possible, once he reaches out.

“He went to the villa to meet with them. That is the information that was given to him in the villa. Has he spoken to Joe Ajaero and senior labour leaders in the country to have their opinion?

“Maybe the information he (Oshiomhole) got from the villa was that he (Ajaero) went there to play politics.

“But I will tell him clearly that was not the case.”

[TheCable]

The Organised Labour has clarified that it did not receive any court order stopping the ongoing nationwide strike that began on Tuesday.

It also accused the government of repeatedly flouting court orders, all the while, demanding strict adherence to judicial rulings from other institutions.

“Yes, we don’t have a service on the court order but we have a government today who perpetually does not obey court orders. When DSS was holding Emefiele, how many court orders were passed for Emefiele to be released? Countless number of them,” TUC President Festus Osifo, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, said on Wednesday.

The labour leader has announced that once the unions receive a court order regarding the ongoing strike, they will consult with their legal team and make a decision accordingly.

“We have a state that refuses to obey court orders. You now expect others to obey court orders but once we see it, we are responsible institutions, we will not say because the Federal Government continuously violate court institution, we will examine it and if it is the right thing for us to do, yes, we will,” he said.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the TUC on Monday ordered their affiliates to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight on November 14, 2023.

The PUNCH reports that the Federal Government, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Minister of Justice filed an ex-parte application praying  the court to stop the unions from embarking on the planned strike.

In his ruling, the President of the Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, cited Sections 17 and 19 of the National Industrial Court Act and ordered the unions to stop their nationwide strike.

Unions across the country initiated a nationwide strike on Tuesday, in a bid to demand justice following an assault on Joe Ajaero, the President of the NLC, which took place in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, on November 1, 2023.

Workers in several states joined the strike, shutting down activities at several government-owned facilities.

Partial compliance was observed in certain states as the industrial action unfolded, with a number of workers choosing to carry on with their regular duties.

[Punch]

Nigeria’s Afrobeats superstar Rema has appreciated his fans for coming to watch him perform at his “Ravage Uprising” 02 Arena show in London on Tuesday.

Recall Rema shut down the 20,000 capacity 02 Arena stadium with his concert that saw some Nigerian celebrities and thousands of fans traveling to London to watch the Afrobeats sensation perform.

Rema opened his act with a dazzling entrance of him regaled in a mask and black ensemble, straddling a stationary horse, and performing his latest hit, “DND.”

The ‘Calm Down’ crooner then eased into a melodic performance of “Iron Man” with a thrilling spectacle of Indian dance choreographers on either side of him.

Rema then progressed to perform his hits like “Dirty”, “Ginger Me”, “Addicted”, “Why”, “Dimension”, “Soundgasm”, “Fame”, “HOV”, “Trouble Maker”, “Lady”, “Don’t Leave”, “Dumebi”, “Bounce” and “Charm”, all from his growing catalogue of songs.

Meanwhile, one of the highlights of the night was when Rema ushered in his fellow Mavin Records colleagues, Ayra Starr, Crayon, and Magixx, for the performance of “Won Da Mo.”

During the show, Rema appreciated his fans for coming out to watch him perform regardless of the show holding on a work day.

He said, ”I want to say a big thank you for each and every one of you coming here tonight. London, I want to say you have a big place in my heart, I am very grateful for you all coming on a work day to see Rema regardless. I am grateful, it’s not easy to spend your hard-earned money to get my ticket. Thank you so much for standing beside me. I am truly grateful.”

Rema joined other award-winning Nigerian artistes like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and Asake to have sold-out the arena.

[Vanguard]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that repatriating the remains of Chibuikem Emmanuel, the Nigerian medical student murdered in the Philippines on October 23, 2023, by purportedly Chinese nationals, will incur a cost of N35 million.

This information was shared on the social networking platform X by Michael Ojuola, a friend of Emmanuel.

Ojuola had posted on X that the victim was “brutally murdered” by a group of Chinese.

“They tied his hands up, covered and tied his mouth and beat him blue-black until he gave up the ghost,” he wrote.

On Tuesday, the Director Consular, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Enya Francis, said the ministry was in close contact with the Embassy in the Philippines and was on top of the situation.

According to a statement by the spokesperson for Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Francis spoke during an investigative hearing on the matter by the Senate.

“Ikem’s corpse is yet to be buried as it will cost between N31m and N35m to repatriate and bury the corpse in Nigeria as against N10m to N15m to cremate it in the Philippines,” Francis was quoted to have said.

He emphasized that the daily cost of holding the corpse at the funeral home was accumulating at N30,000, underscoring the urgency to expedite the investigation and take necessary measures.

Blessing Essien, Emmanuel’s elder sister, highlighted his status as the family’s only son, expressing the family’s desire to honor Igbo tradition by bringing his body back to Nigeria for a fitting burial. She appealed to the Federal Government, specifically through the Senate committees, for assistance in repatriating the remains.

Chairman of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, informed the Senate Joint Committees on Diaspora and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Foreign Affairs that Emmanuel’s employer in the Philippines, along with five others, had been charged with murder.

Updating the committee led by Senator Victor Umeh, she reported the Nigerian embassy’s actions, including notifying the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines and involving the Inspector General of the Philippines National Police. Dabiri-Erewa explained that the police had concluded evidence gathering, presenting the case to the Mandaue City Prosecuting Department, which opted for murder charges.

President Bola Tinubu says his vision for Nigeria centres on transforming the country into a nation of builders and ensuring prosperity for future generations.

Naija News reports that Tinubu while speaking at the 55th International Conference, Exhibition and Emerald Anniversary of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, with the theme, ‘Sustainable HR, Business and National Development’ held on Tuesday, reiterated that poverty is not only shameful but it is unacceptable under his leadership.

The President insisted that his vision for the Nigerian workforce ensures every citizen is gainfully employed and can care for themselves and their family.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiru Onyejiocha, who represented Tinubu at the event, noted that in the face of global challenges, the current administration was committed to steering Nigeria towards self-reliance and reducing dependency on others.

He said, “I am reminded of the crucial role that human resources play in shaping the destiny of our nation. Our collective vision must transcend the ordinary, and today, I wish to share with you a vision that centres on transforming Nigeria into a nation of creators and builders, ensuring a prosperous Nigeria for us and future generations to come.

“As I have said repeatedly, poverty is not a shameful thing – but it is an unacceptable thing. Therefore, my vision for the Nigerian workforce is one where every citizen who wishes to be, is gainfully employed and able to take care of themselves and their family. Together, keying into this vision, we will banish poverty.

“We envision an unprecedented level of industrial activity, marked by the establishment of unique industrial hubs tailored to the strengths of each region in our great nation.

“Our commitment to ending poverty is deeply intertwined with our focus on economic growth and job creation. We recognise that sustainable development can only be achieved by fostering an environment where job opportunities abound, ensuring food security, and eradicating poverty.”

Commenting on the roles of HR practitioners, Tinubu said it was crucial in moulding and effectively managing people to become catalysts for economic resurgence in an increasingly competitive and changing world.

On his part, the President and Chairman of Council, CIPM, Olusegun Mojeed, noted that now more than ever, HR was responsible for shaping a progressive organisation and nation.

He said, “Sustainable people practice is a strong catalyst for cultural, national, and infrastructural development, among others. Talent supply will play a major role in creating and shaping the conditions in which organisations and nations will operate.”

Barring any last-minute change, the Appeal Court in Lagos will today, Wednesday, deliver judgment in the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran challenging the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Naija News understands that the court sent a notice to the parties disclosing that the judgment will be delivered today, November 15th by 3 pm.

Recall that on Nov 7th, the Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Yargata Nimpar had reserved judgment in the two appeals after listening to the arguments of the parties.

The court said the date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.

During the court session, Counsel to Labour Party, Mr Benson Olagbade, urged the court to allow the appeal and set aside the decision of the tribunal on the Lagos State governorship election.

He argued that the tribunal erred in law when it held that the burden of proof regarding the citizenship of Sanwo-olu’s running mate, Obafemi Hamzat rests on the appellant.

He urged the court to interprete Section 182 (1) (a) of the Constitution regarding the disqualification of Sanwo-Olu and his deputy.

“We invite this court to give full interpretation of the law to this matter.

“It does not matter whose ox is gored,” Olagbade said.

However, the counsel to the Lagos State Governor, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the appeal.

He said the dual citizenship argued by the appellant was never brought before the tribunal.

“They are now presenting a case of dual citizenship, they believe that this is a trial court.

“The tribunal found out that the purported oath of allegiance to a foreign country was not before it so it ruled it out.

“We urge your Lordship to dismiss this appeal,” Olanipekun said.

In the petition filed by the PDP, asked for the disqualification of APC and Labour Party candidates, basing its requests on the provision of Section 177(c) and 182(1)(j) of the constitution.

Olanipekun however urged the court to also dismiss the appeal.

At least twenty affiliate unions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) joined the nationwide strike called by the Organised Labour.

The unions directed their workers to comply with the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) directive to embark on the indefinite strike, which began Monday midnight.

Recall that the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the labour unions on Monday, November 13, 2023, in Abuja resolved to embark on the strike to protest the attack on the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State.

The development resulted from the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address issues affecting workers, such as the minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and poor governance.

Also, unions had made some demands, which the government had allegedly failed to address following the recent crisis in Imo that resulted in the assault of Ajaero and other members of the labour unions.

Below are some of the unions that have complied with the directives include.

1. The Academic Staff Union of Universities.

2. The Senior Staff Associations of Nigerian Universities.

3. The College of Education Academic Staff Union.

4. The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.

5. The National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees.

6. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics.

7. The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.

8. National Association of Academic Technologists.

9. National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees.

10. Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees.

11. Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.

12. Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers.

13. National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria.

14. National Associations of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.

15. National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.

16. Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria.

17. The National Union of Electricity Employees.

18. Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.

19. Nigeria Union of Railway Workers.

20. Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria