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The Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed its Third Quarter Capital Market Committee meeting.
According to a statement by the SEC on Saturday, the meeting earlier fixed for November 14, 2024, was postponed to allow the commission to attend to urgent regulatory commitments.
The CMC is an industry-wide body comprising the SEC, capital market operators, trade groups, and other stakeholders.
It serves as a pivotal platform for dialogue, facilitates the exchange of ideas, addresses key issues affecting market growth and organisation, and collaborates on shaping the market’s future.
The committee was established primarily as a means for stakeholders to exchange ideas and provide feedback to the SEC, aiding in the continuous improvement of market operations and regulatory frameworks.
The meeting draws CEOs from all registered capital market firms, including brokers/dealers, investment advisers, custodians, fund/portfolio managers, and more.
The statement read, “The Commission is constrained to postpone the forthcoming Capital Market Committee meeting to allow the Commission to attend to urgent regulatory commitments.
“We will communicate the new date in the coming days. We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences caused by the postponement.”
The CMC was primarily established to serve as a medium for the exchange of ideas among market stakeholders as well as an avenue for providing feedback to the SEC on how to continuously address challenges, improve market operations and enhance the regulatory framework.
It is an industry-wide committee comprising members of the SEC, representatives of capital market operators and trade groups and other stakeholders. The CMC meets every quarter.
[Punch]
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has declared that the 2027 election will be a decisive moment for the Nigerian populace, stating it will be a choice between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the citizens themselves.
He stated this on Saturday, during the commissioning of the newly built ultra-modern Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest zonal secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo State, which was named in honour of the late Soji Adagunodo, a former Southwest Chairman of the PDP.
Makinde criticised the APC’s governance, asserting that the party has failed to deliver on its promises.
“The APC has been at the helm of affairs in this country, and they have woefully failed us. The people of Nigeria must now decide whether to retain them in power or vote them out,” he stated.
Emphasising the urgency of the situation, he added, “Nigerians are suffering, and there must be an end to it. We need to unite and push for change.”
He stressed that the forthcoming election will not merely be a contest between the APC and the PDP, but rather a referendum on the APC’s governance, with the Nigerian populace at the center of this decision-making process.
In addressing the internal conflicts within the PDP, Makinde called on the party’s leadership to take decisive action, adding, “The enemies of the party are within, not the opposition parties,” urging members to work together to heal the rifts.
He insisted that the party must maintain its unity in the Southwest, saying, “We must not allow the ruling party to disrupt the peace we have worked hard to create.”
Regarding his potential presidential aspirations, Makinde remarked, “I am old enough to make my own decisions about contesting or not. The current realities in the country will guide my choices.”
His comments reflect a thoughtful consideration of the political landscape as the 2027 election approaches.
In a related development, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke advocated deeper introspection within the PDP to find lasting solutions to its internal conflicts.
“We must engage in honest discussions and reflections to heal our party and move forward together,” he noted, emphasising the need for unity and collaboration among party members.
“Our strength lies in our ability to come together as one. It is time to build bridges, not walls, within our party.”
He further called for a commitment to the party’s foundational values, remarking, “We must remember why we are here, to serve the people and uphold democracy.”
While addressing the gathering, PDP’s acting national chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagum, extended his congratulations to all PDP governors for their commendable representation in their respective states, stating, “Our governors are the backbone of our party, showcasing the values we stand for across the nation.”
In his address of welcome, PDP zonal chairman Bar. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, represented by Zonal Secretary Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, acknowledged the significant efforts of party leaders and elders in restoring peace within the party.
“It is imperative that we channel our collective strength towards unseating the ruling party to ensure a better democracy for our people,” he urged.
In his remarks, one of the sons of the deceased, Soji Adagunodo Jr., expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed upon his father.
Adagunodo Jr. encouraged the PDP leadership to leverage this new space as a “solution house” for the party and the country, saying, “Let this edifice inspire us to seek real solutions for the myriad issues confronting our people and the nation.”
The commissioning event was attended by notable figures including state’s deputy governor, Adebayo Lawal; 2023 Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Chief Ladi Adebutu, Ondo State PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi and several other party officials, such as Zonal Organizing Secretary Hon. Benson Aruwa and Zonal Women Leader Chief Mrs. Bosede Adedibu.
Former Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Samuel Ortom, along with PDP National Vice Chairman for the South, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, and former National Vice Chairman for the South, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, were also present, underscoring the PDP’s unity and strength in the Southwest region.
Notable senators and local representatives, including Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and Senator Gbenga Babalola, were also present to commemorate the occasion, highlighting the unity and strength of the PDP in the southwest region.
[Vanguard]
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says its operatives confiscated alleged pirated books valued at N23.1 million during raids on bookshops in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom.
Speaking during the operation, John Asein, NCC director general, said the exercise aims to eradicate pirated works nationwide and establish a robust copyright framework.
Asein, who was represented by Macfoy Akachukwu, deputy director of operations, said the commission targeted piracy in Uyo and surrounding areas via this enforcement effort.
NAN quoted the DG as identifying the raided bookshops as AB Achison, God’s Own, Academic Needs, Zion in Uyo and POP Bookshop in Abak, Akwa Ibom.
“The books seized during the raid to include: Basic Civic Education by Dr Merry Ukaegbu, Spectrum New Further Mathematics by T.R. Moses and Essential Christian Religious Study for Senior Secondary Schools by Orovwuje B.O and Okolie E.U.,” he said.
“Macmillan Brilliant English for Junior Secondary Schools by Wale Ossianwo, New General Basic Science for Junior Secondary Schools by S. Ajayi.
“Others books seized included: New Oxford Secondary English Course for Secondary Schools by Ayo Banjo and New Concept Mathematics for Senior Secondary Schools by H.N. Odogwu and others.
“The books seized were those in the stables of major publishers like Evans, UPL, Lantern, Longman, TONAD, Pearson among others.”
Asein said the commission will persist in combating piracy, empowering authors and the creative sector to boost Nigeria’s economic development.
“What we have done is part of the commission’s mandate to protect and promote the rights of authors and other genuine investors in the copyright book industry,” he said.
“It is our duty to ensure that authors get rewards for their creative work. I have under my watch, zero tolerance for piracy and infringement of Copyright Laws.”
The NCC DG said suspects would be prosecuted to deter others, adding that the commission needs public support with credible information to combat piracy nationwide.
[TheCable]
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe has chided politicians, who according to him, are using poor innocent children for their selfish political gains.
This is coming amid the outrage that greeted the arraignment of minors who were arrested in August this year for protesting against hunger.
DAILY POST reports that the protesters, described as minors, were arraigned and later granted N10 million bail each on Friday, while the matter was adjourned till January 2025.
In a post on his official Facebook page on Saturday, the APC chieftain blamed the development on politicians who instigated the violent protests.
He wrote, “It is evil and despicable to use other peoples Children to play politics. Meanwhile your Children are studying in the best Universities across the world.
“Ok, you think you can destroy other peoples Children and your own will excel abi? Oga put on your thinking cap and learn. The law of Karma is still there oooo”.
[DailyPost]
The Federal Government on Friday announced that construction on sections 3 and 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road would commence by mid-December.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this during an inspection tour of the Lagos Calabar coastal road while leading members of the National Assembly on an on-site assessment of ongoing infrastructure projects in the southwest region, on Friday.
He revealed that the delays on the highway’s southern corridor were initially caused by rerouting to avoid militant-controlled areas.
He said, “Before the middle of December, we will flag off sections 3 and 3B because the design has been approved by President Bola Tinubu and we are ready.”
Umahi noted that the original design for the section passed through a high-risk corridor with an active militant presence, which posed significant threats to construction workers prompting the need for a redesign.
He explained, “Initially, we passed through a section where the militants are, so it was also a problem for the people.
“We saw the dangers and the ministry subsequently opted for a safer alternative route, even though it involves challenging terrain with 30-meter-high rock formations that will require blasting. But it is better to blast the rocks than to have the heads of our workers blasted off by militants.”
The minister assured stakeholders that the project remained on course.
Responding to concerns about the impact of the project on aquatic life, particularly in the Niger Delta region, Umahi assured stakeholders of the ministry’s strict adherence to environmental guidelines to preserve the local ecosystem and minimise disruptions.
He noted, “The ministry is fully compliant with the recommendations from the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment conducted along the entire project corridor.”
The minister stated that while work was ongoing on segments in the Sokoto and Kebbi areas, other segments across multiple states were yet to commence due to funding constraints.
“This project is EPC+F. The commitment in terms of cash by the federal government is 30 per cent. The other 70 per cent has to be sourced through loans which require extensive planning and approval processes.”
On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, passed a vote of confidence on the Umahi, noting that lawmakers were satisfied with the progress so far.
He said, “On behalf of the Speaker of the House of Reps, Tajudeen Abbas, we are impressed with the work and we are fully behind you. I want to crave the indulgence of the public to be patient and cooperative.
“I can assure you that the project is well ahead of schedule and that the federal government is intensifying efforts to enhance the security of key infrastructure nationwide through advanced surveillance systems.
“These state-of-the-art monitoring solutions, currently in place on the Third Mainland Bridge with a dedicated 24-hour control room, would soon be deployed across other major highways, including the Lagos-Calabar, Sokoto-Badagry, Trans-Sahara, Abuja-Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe, Keffi-Makurdi, Lagos-Ibadan, and Abuja-Kano routes.”
According to him, this initiative, in partnership with security agencies, aims to reduce response times and curb criminal activities on these critical road networks.
In a similar vein, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Peter Nwebonyi, praised the minister’s initiative, describing it as a significant step forward for Nigeria.
He said, “This system demonstrates our commitment to progress and development, enhancing the safety of both motorists and pedestrians.”
Meanwhile, Alabi hailed the minister and assured him of parliamentary oversight.
He emphasised the role of the National Assembly in overseeing government spending, particularly regarding the 2024 budget.
Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), says the fainting by some minors at the Abuja federal high court was “scripted”.
On Friday, the police arraigned 76 suspects – who are mostly minors – for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest in August.
They are facing 10 counts bordering on mutiny, treason, and destruction of public property.
Before they could take a plea, at least four of them collapsed. The court later granted the defendants – who looked ill and malnourished – N10 million bail each.
In a statement, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the police, quoted Egbetokun as saying that the police have worked to balance justice with compassion and ensured that each suspect’s basic rights and privileges are respected.
“Today, an unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention,” he said.
“Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.
“While committed to upholding justice, the Nigeria Police Force remains sensitive to the rights of all individuals, including young persons. Under Nigerian law, individuals who have reached the age of criminal responsibility are answerable for their actions, regardless of their age.
“This principle aligns with global practices, where accountability is upheld for young individuals who commit serious offenses. As seen in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, age does not exempt individuals from facing legal consequences.
“However, each case is approached with empathy and in accordance with human rights standards.”
The IGP added that the police would maintain “professionalism” throughout the legal process.
[TheCable]
After he won the Big Brother Naija, BBNaija, season 2 in 2017, Michael Efe Ejeba, popularly known as Efe Money, delved into music.
Though many doubted his talent in music, Efe didn’t give up, as he continued chasing his dream in music.
Today, his resilience and hard work has paid off, having been making waves beyond the shores of this country as one of the rising Afrobeats stars. In this engaging encounter, he reflects on his musical journey and why he created “Une Bounce” , which is a fusion of Urhobo traditional sounds and Afrobeat in his new EP.
My musical journey
How I gradually made in-road into the Nigerian music space after people had earlier doubted my talent in music was to just stay consistent in doing what I know how to do best, which is to make music and ignore all the naysayers.
Inspiration to make smash hits
I developed more interest in my culture as I grew older and it led me to be inspired by the rich sound and melodies of my people, the Urhobo.
Growing up, my dad used to play some Urhobo traditional music on cassettes and CDs at home. Now that I’m grown up and attending weddings, burials and other social functions in my hometown, I felt a sense of nostalgia listening to those local sounds. It dawned on me to question why this unique and rich sound wasn’t on the global stage. So I decided to fuse it with contemporary sounds and share it with the world.
Why I introduced ‘Une Bounce’
The reason for creating this sound I call “Une Bounce” is to introduce the world to the rich traditional music of Urhobo people that has been under the radar for a long time. Another reason is to bridge the social gap between the young and the old Urhobo people through music.
How people are receiving this brand of music
The reception has been amazing since I dropped the first single “Money Talk” in October 2023. I got calls and videos of people vibing and dancing to the song from all over the world. It inspired me to drop an EP of five tracks to further explore the sound which I titled “Une Bounce.”
Urhobo singers are embracing the genre and I’m excited about it because a lot still needs to be done to take Urhobo music to the next level but I can not do it alone.
Releasing my debut album in 2024
Unfortunately, my team and I have decided to move the release of my debut album to 2025. This is due to circumstances beyond our control.
Collaborating with some A-list artistes lately
There are more to come, keep your fingers crossed. Shout out to Vector for featuring me on “No Apologies”. That was a smash hit in the rap industry. My music is gaining global acceptance.
Fusion of Urhobo, Hausa and English in my next projects
This is because music is an expression of myself and my life experience. Growing up in Jos influenced me a lot. Being Urhobo also shaped my personality.
My greatest challenges
I’ve always been into full time music since 2010 when I first stepped into a studio and I’ve not stopped or taken a break. As an independent artist, the greatest challenge is finance because music is capital intensive and more budget is needed for promotion and marketing in this day and age.
Music acts I would like to work with
Quite a lot, but I’ll prefer not to mention their names. Shout out to King Enakpodia for taking the hook in Money Talk, Otacha and Solo Kings for being part of the Une Bounce EP.
[Vanguard]
#Endbadgovernance protest: Anyone above seven years old can be charged, arraigned in court – Police
Admin
The Nigeria Police Force has stated that anyone more than 7 years old can be charged to court.
Adejobi stated this on Friday amid outrage regarding the arraignment of minor #EndBadGovernance protesters at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Adejobi highlighted that the legal framework permits minors as young as seven to be charged, as long as specific protocols are adhered to to guarantee due process.
He said, “Those exempt from criminal liability under the law are those below seven. Once you are above seven, you can be charged to court. The only consideration is the specific procedures required. None of them is younger than seven. The youngest is around 13,” he told Channels TV on Friday.
“The fact that someone is 13 does not mean they cannot be charged to court. Even under the Children and Young Persons Act, individuals can still be charged. We have charged them on behalf of the Federal Government.
“These are individuals who leveraged the #EndBadGovernance protests, hijacked it, became violent, and displayed flags from Russia and other countries, which is, of course, an offence. They are criminally liable, and we have not charged anyone underage.”
Recall Vanguard reported earlier that the federal government arraigned 76 individuals, primarily underage children, on Friday for their involvement in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest in August before a Federal High Court in Abuja, the capital city.
However, at the beginning of the proceedings, four of the alleged protesters were quickly taken out after they collapsed.
The court later granted bail of N10 million to each of the 72 defendants and removed the names of four ailing children from the charges, while the remaining defendants pleaded not guilty.
[Vanguard]
![[PRESS STATEMENT] IPMAN: Setting the Record Straight](/media/k2/items/cache/d178d4e3a993f37774e132d804f072ea_S.jpg)
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery wishes to clarify that it has not received any payments from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to purchase refined petroleum products.
Although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN Members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them. Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities.
The payment in mention has been made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not us. In the same vein, NNPCL has neither approved, nor authorised us to release our Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN.
We would like to emphasise that we can meet the nation's demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. At present, we can load 2,900 trucks per day and we have also been evacuating petroleum products by sea. We advise IPMAN to register with us and make direct payment as we have more than enough petroleum products to satisfy the needs of their members.
Furthermore, we believe it is instructive for all stakeholders to refrain from making unfounded statements in the media, as that could undermine the economic re-engineering efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Conducting business through public speculation is counterproductive and unpatriotic.
In the interest of our country, we encourage all stakeholders to collaborate and heed the advice of President Tinubu, while promoting a unified approach, rather than engaging in media conflicts and needless propaganda.
Anthony Chiejina
Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer
The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has said his administration is saddened by the trial of minors in a Federal Capital Territory High Court, on treason charges by the Nigeria Police.
Abba Yusuf said he was made to know that some of the minors on treason trial for participating in the August hunger protest were from Kano.
In a statement on Friday night, on his X handle, Governor Yusuf promised that his Commissioner of Justice would work to secure the minors and return them to the state.
“My attention has been drawn to the appearance of teenagers (some believed to be from Kano) in court today (Friday) in Abuja.
“The Commissioner of Justice has been instructed to act immediately on the issue. We shall do everything possible to get them back to Kano, in sha Allah,” Governor Yusuf said.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), have also directed the Nigeria Police to submit the prosecution file of the minors to his office.
The statement from Fagbemi on Friday night read, “It has just come to my notice that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the end bad governance violent protest in court for various offences, including treason.
“My office will need to look into some issues regarding the matter so that I can make an informed decision.
“I am aware that the court has remanded the defendants in detention centres and adjourned the case to January.
“It is not within my power to vary the order of the court remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January. I have, however, directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the case file to my office and hand it over to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) tomorrow, Saturday, 2nd November, 2024.
“I have also directed the DPPF to immediately set machinery in motion for the court’s consideration of moving the adjournment date forward (to an earlier date).”
More...
The Counsel to the Federal Government, Rimazonte Ezekiel, has stated that most of the 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in connection with the demonstrations that rocked the country in August are adults.
His remarks came after a hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the protesters—arrested between August 1 and August 10—were presented before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
Recall that four of those arraigned, including two minors, fainted and were taken to the hospital.
Following a bail hearing, 114 protesters were each granted bail set at N10 million with two sureties in a similar amount.
Justice Egwuatu approved the bail applications after reviewing submissions from both the defense and prosecution teams, subsequently adjourning the case until January.
Footage showing minors among the detained has sparked nationwide outrage. Human rights advocates, civil society groups, political figures, and social commentators have all expressed concern, criticizing the Tinubu administration for the handling of the protests.
However, Ezekiel defended the government’s actions in a press briefing after the court session.
He argued that the individuals being referred to as minors are actually adults, noting that some even have families.
“These boys that we brought to the court today are adults. Most of them are married men. None of them is a minor. Some of them are University graduates. The small kids you are seeing here today came with their parents to come and greet their loved ones,” he stated.
He went on to clarify that many of the defendants had been arrested in Kaduna and Zaria, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining democracy in Nigeria and expressing concerns over the alleged involvement of foreign symbols and calls for regime change.
“They are not even the real suspects standing trial in this case. These boys were arrested in Kaduna and Zaria. Do you know how much it cost us to be at this level of democracy in this country? These young boys are trying to destabilize Nigeria using the Russian flags and other countries while calling on the military to remove our president,” he added.
“Is it fair? To even remove the state governors. If they don’t want democracy again, are we forcing them? Everybody is enjoying their fundamental human rights. Nobody is abusing their rights. Everything is moving on well in the country, only for these boys, for no reason, [to have] started protests with Russia and other countries’ flags.”
Petrol Price Hike: Stop Making Tinubu Look Bad – Doyin Okupe Fires Dangote, NNPCL, Marketers
AFOLABI
Former presidential spokesman Dr. Doyin Okupe has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and oil marketers to avoid actions that could cast President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a negative light.
In a statement on Friday titled “Dangote Refinery, NNPCL, Oil Marketers, and the Voodoo of PMS Pricing,” Okupe urged oil industry stakeholders to consider the economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
He suggested that the current approach to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) pricing could create an impression that the government, which no longer directly controls petroleum prices, is to blame for price hikes, potentially tarnishing the president’s image.
Okupe expressed concerns over the lack of transparency in determining fuel prices, describing it as “a national embarrassment.”
He noted that the Free On Board (FOB) price of PMS at Rotterdam was $0.541 per liter, equivalent to about N927.82 at an exchange rate of N1,715 to $1.
He further explained that with a landing cost of N978 per liter in Lagos, locally refined PMS should benefit from reduced freight costs, which save approximately N85 per liter.
Consequently, Okupe argued, “No local refinery should sell above the FOB price at Rotterdam, minus freight savings of N85, which totals N842.83 per liter.”
The former Director-General of the Peter Obi 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, Okupe challenged NNPCL, the Dangote Refinery, and oil marketers to dispute his calculations.
Recall that NNPCL recently increased the price of petrol just three weeks after a previous hike.
The latest adjustment raised the pump price to N1,060 per liter in Abuja, up from N1,030, while in Lagos, the price increased from N998 to N1,025 per liter at NNPCL outlets.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says its application portal for the recruitment of tax officers will officially open on November 2.
The FIRS, on its official account on Friday, announced that it is inviting interested candidates to apply for officer II and officer I positions in eight states, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Ekiti, Lagos, and Oyo.
According to the service, eligible candidates must be 27 years old or below by December 31, 2024, and must have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme by no later than December 31, 2021.
“Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree (or HND) in First Class/Second Class Upper Division in any of the following disciplines: Accounting, Actuarial Science, Business Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Digital/Electronic Marketing, Economics, Engineering, Financial Management, Graphic Arts, Graphic Design, Law, Management/Business Administration, Market Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Taxation, Visual Arts,” the FIRS said.
“Note: Relevant master’s degrees and professional affiliations (e.g., ICAN, ACCA, ANAN, COREN, NSE, etc) will be an added advantage.
“Interested candidates should submit their applications via the official FIRS recruitment portal: www.firs.gov.ng/careers.
“Candidates must apply to only one of the specified locations. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Be cautious of fraudulent recruitment activities; only use the official FIRS website for applications. Regardless of the positions advertised, successful candidates must be prepared to work in any of FIRS’s business locations.”
The FIRS said only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments, which may include aptitude tests, interviews, and medical examinations.
The service said the application deadline is November 14, 2024.
The tax agency reiterated its commitment to promoting equal opportunities for all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed disappointment that, one year after their president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, was brutalized in Owerri, Imo State, no one has been held accountable for the vicious attack.
Despite the ordeal, Ajaero remains committed to serving Nigerian workers. According to Benson Upah, NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Ajaero was abducted, brutalized, and left for dead by state agents in Owerri, Imo State, simply for leading a peaceful protest against non-payment of salaries and pensions.
The statement highlights the severity of the attack, noting that Ajaero required more than six months of treatment in and outside the country to regain his sight and bodily functions.
Furthermore, the harassment has continued, with Ajaero being invited by the police to defend himself against allegations of terrorism financing, subversion, and treasonable felony.
The NLC finds it disturbing that no one has been brought to justice for Ajaero’s ordeal, despite the National Security Adviser’s promise to do so. The organization believes Ajaero deserves justice and remains committed to serving Nigerian workers.