The House of Representatives ad hoc committee set up to investigate crude oil theft and loss of revenue from gas has vowed to unveil the identities of those behind oil theft in the country.
Rep. Kabiru Rurum, chairman of the committee, said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ahead of its investigative hearing slated for Sept. 7.
He said the oil sector remained the major source of revenue for the country, adding that it was determined that the investigation would not be like the previous ones.
According to him, oil and gas are the major areas where the country gets its resources but the problem of oil theft has continued to go from bad to worse on a daily basis.
“The purpose of the committee is to reveal who and who are the architects of what is going on in the area of crude oil theft.”
He said apportioning blame to security agencies would not suffice, adding that stakeholders in the oil sectors should be held responsible including Chevron, Shell, and communities, among others.
“We need to identify the culprits, this is the purpose of the investigation. Everybody including critical stakeholders should come and tell us their side of the story,” Rurum said.
He said the modalities and ways to stop or minimise theft in the oil sector should be suggested by all stakeholders which was the main purpose of the committee.
He said the committee had invited the Nigerian Navy as the custodian of the nation’s water, Airforce, Civil Defence, and Police Intelligence Agency, among others.
According to him, the challenges confronting the oil sector and the probable solution would be discussed.
He said the Norwegian Embassy which had earlier promised Nigeria to assist in three areas to curtail oil theft had been invited to proffer a solution.
He said its recommendation would be firm because the government knew that there were serious challenges in the sector, adding that it would work in synergy with the National Security Adviser.
Rep. Philip Agbese (APC-Benue) had earlier moved a motion on the need to investigate crude oil theft and loss of revenue accrued from the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.
The House, however, constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the issues. (NAN)
The Presidential Election Petitions Court has held that the All Progressives Congress (APC) lacks the locus standi to challenge Peter Obi’s membership of the Labour Pary (LP).
APC and Bola Tinubu had in their petitions argued that Obi’s name was not contained in the list of LP members forwarded to INEC on April 25, 2022 and breached Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
But in the lead judgment on the objections by the APC against the petitions of Obi and the LP, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed held that the matter was solely an internal affair of the political party.
“It is only the second respondent (LP) that has the sole prerogative of determining those who are its members,” he said.
Justice Mohammed also dismissed APC’s objection on the non-joinder of PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in Obi and LP’s petition challenging the results of the election for him (Atiku) not being a necessary party in the petition.
The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal has ruled that President Bola Tinubu cannot be disqualified on the basis of his forfeiture of drug money in the United States.
The verdict was declared by Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel of the Presidential Petition Election Tribunal on the petition on Wednesday.
According to the PEPT, Tinubu was previously cleared by the Nigeria Police Force of any criminal issues in the US, which came through an inquiry the police had made to US law enforcement.
The court disclosed that Tinubu has been able to enter and exit the US, and that suggests he has no criminal case.
In his ruling, Tsammani said the judgement of the US District in Northern Illinois which ordered the forfeiture of Tinubu’s $460,000 in a drugs-related case was in civil proceedings in which Tinubu was not a party.
On the issue of non-qualification due to an alleged criminal indictment, the petitioners had contended that Tinubu had forfeited $460,000 in the US as an indictment in drug trafficking.
According to the tribunal, the evidence (Exhibit P5) tendered by the petitioners shows that it was a civil forfeiture proceedings.
Justice Tsammani held that the petitioners failed to provide credible evidence to show that Tinubu was arraigned, took a plea or was sentenced or fined in any criminal suit in the US.
“The order of forfeiture in Exhibit P5 on which the petitioners have relied does not qualify as a sentence of fine for an offence involving dishonesty or fraud within the confabulation of Section 137(d) of the 1999 constitution,” Tsammani said.
According to the tribunal, civil forfeiture is not a conviction or a criminal charge.
The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) led by Justice Haruna Tsammani on Wednesday dismissed the claims of the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that they won 25% of needed votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
During the 2023 presidential election on February 25, LP and Obi won 25%, by securing about 59 per cent of the votes cast.
Neither President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (19 per cent) nor Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (15 per cent) scored up to 25 per cent of the votes in the Nigerian capital.
Ruling on the petition, the five-man tribunal dismissed the charge saying Abuja is like the other 36 states of the federation.
According to the tribunal, FCT residents have no special privileges as the petitioners claimed.
The Presidential Election Petition Court has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was at liberty to transmit election results however it wanted, and not only electronically.
On the mode of transmission of election results, the tribunal said INEC is at liberty to define the mode it intends to use.
Recall that Peter Obi and the Labour Party in their petitions challenging the victory of Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election argued that the electoral body, INEC failed to transmit election results from the polling units to the collation centres electronically.
However, the court on Wednesday said there was nowhere in law where INEC was only required to transmit results from polling units to rev by electronic means.
The court said the electoral agency is at liberty to decide how it would transmit election results, adding that the law empowers INEC to decide the means of collation of the results of elections in Nigeria.
It further held that there is no requirement for INEC to electronically transmit the results of the election.
“By the provision of Section 52 and Section 65 of the Electoral Act, INEC is at liberty to prescribe the manner in which result can be transmitted. INEC cannot be compelled to electronically transmit result,” the court held.
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu To Indian Investors: Do Not Procrastinate As Nigeria Offers The Best Return On Investment; Lauds $14 Billion In New Investment Pledges At Nigeria-India Economic Roundtable
AdminPresident Bola Tinubu on Wednesday commended Indian investors for significant investment pledges amounting to nearly $14 billion U.S. dollars committed during the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Conference in New Delhi, India, saying, "we are ready to give you the best returns for investment possible, there's nowhere else like our country. Nigeria offers the best returns for investment today, so invest now."
Among these many new investments, Indorama Petrochemical Limited has pledged a new investment of $8 billion U.S. dollars in the expansion of its fertilizer production and petrochemical facility in Eleme, Rivers State.
Jindal Steel and Power Limited, one of India's largest private steel producers, has committed to investing $3 billion in Nigeria, following discussions with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in New Delhi, India.
Founding President of SkipperSeil Limited, Mr. Jitender Sachdeva announced that, following President Bola Tinubu's personal intervention, he is investing $1.6 billion U.S. dollars in the establishment of twenty 100MW power generation plants across the states of Northern Nigeria, amounting to 2,000MW of new power within the next four years.
Additionally, the President has approved finalization on a new $1 billion U.S. dollar agreement to bring the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to 40% self-sufficiency in local manufacturing and production of defense equipment in-country by 2027 through a comprehensive new partnership with the Managing Arm of the Miltary-Industrial Complex of the Indian Government.
Another Indian firm, Bharti Enterprises, which is a major first-generation corporation in India with interests in telecom, space communications, digital solutions, insurance, processed foods, real estate, and hospitality, has expressed its commitment to invest an additional $700 million in Nigeria, with work set to begin immediately.
Emphasizing that under his pragmatic leadership, agreements must now manifest in industries and jobs on the ground in Nigeria, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to all Indian companies and individuals who have responded positively to his administration's efforts to improve Nigeria's macroeconomic and investment climate.
"Do not procrastinate. Don’t be frightened about investments in Nigeria. Bring it on. Ask your questions and make your requests. The trade and investment opportunities are enormous. I have a team, and I am the captain of that team, and I assure you that we solve problems," the President affirmed.
Prospective investors were informed by the President, that in Nigeria, there is no free lunch or shortcuts, but that he has "good economic policy for the investors as well as able men and women in leadership and on the ground, who can drive the goal of broad prosperity through investment and infrastructure."
"I will captain and lead the course of investment, development, and prosperity for the largest democracy in Africa and for investors from the rest of the world," the President added, reiterating that Nigeria is open for business with intelligent, innovative, capable, and highly committed individuals in government, who are ready to drive the largest economy in Africa to destiny.
The President also told the Summit that "he is proud" that the Nigerian stock market had broken records in its consistent bullishness since he assumed office.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who addressed the roundtable themed, "Building Partnerships with Renewed Hope for a Diversified and Prosperous Economy," thanked Mr. Naveen Jindau, Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Limited, for the new $3 billion investment in iron ore processing and steel development in Nigeria.
Commending the Tata group and so many others who have immediately responded to Mr. President's bold and decisive moves to correct the major systemic faults in the macro-economic and investment climate in Nigeria, the Finance Minister noted, "I also wish to thank Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, for his continued commitment to invest in the first phase at least $700 million dollars more in Nigeria," Mr. Edun said.
Minister Edun further used the opportunity to explain the underlying principles of President Tinubu's eight-point strategy, emphasizing that his agenda aims to promote growth and job creation, poverty reduction, food security, improved access to capital, inclusivity, business and citizen security, and fair play on a foundation of rule of law and anti-corruption.
On behalf of investors, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal told the President, "You have unified the FX market. You have freed up crucial capital to upgrade your public infrastructure. Now, you have just dropped your prepared remarks and have spoken from your heart. Our investors have heard from a leader who is doing everything possible to attract capital to Nigeria for the benefit of Nigerians and our companies. Mr. President, we will bring these investments to Nigeria, and with your inspiring leadership style, we can only do more and more."
Also, at the event, Nigeria's Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and his counterpart from India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Co-operation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions, to be implemented at total population scale for digital transformation.
The Minister also signed an MoU with Central Square Foundation for Co-operation in the field of Sharing Successful Ecosystems, which involve interventions relating to education technology, to be implemented at population scale for digital economic transformation.
Under the watch of Nigeria's Industry, Trade and Investment Minister, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, a third MoU on Infrastructure Development was signed between the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria Limited (InfraCorp) and Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India, which helps investors looking for investment opportunities and options in India.
Closing the interactive session, Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, the Director-General of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), noted that the Presidential Roundtable serves as a robust foundation for Indian businesses looking to engage with Nigeria and would encompass cooperation across key areas, such as capacity building, skills development, agriculture, and the enhancement of digital and physical infrastructure, among others.
"Under the determined leadership of President Tinubu, the CII is prepared to dispatch a high-level delegation to Nigeria, and we are keen on establishing a second presence in Africa, with Nigeria as our target destination," he concluded.
The Presidential roundtable, attended by President Tinubu, also had in attendance Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs;
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; and Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment; along with industry leaders from both India and Nigeria.
Following the Roundtable, the President met individually with each of the top pledging investors to finalize on the next steps to ensure that no environmental encumbrance stands in the way of their success in Nigeria.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
…says he failed to list specific polling units
The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed the allegation by the Labour Party, LP, and its candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, that the 2023 presidential election was rigged in favour of President Bola Tinubu.
The court, in its preliminary ruling that was delivered by Justice Abba Mohammed, held that Obi and the the LP, did not by way of credible evidence, establish their allegation that the election that held on February 25, was characterized by manifest corrupt practices.
It held that though the Petitioners alleged that the election was marred by irregularities, they, however, failed to give specific details of where the alleged infractions took place.
The court noted that whereas Obi and the LP, insisted that the election was rigged in 18, 088 polling units across the federation, they were unable to state the locations of the said polling units.
It further held that Obi’s allegation that fictitious results were recorded to President Tinubu and the APC, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was not proved.
More so, it held that the Petitioners were unable to state the figures they claimed were reduced from election results they garnered in different states of the federation, especially in Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Yobe, Borno, Tabara, Osun and Lagos state.
It held that the Petitioners equally failed to state the polling units where over-voting occured or the exact figures of unlawful votes that were credited to Tinubu by the INEC .
It stressed that though Obi and LP said they would rely on spreadsheets as well as forensic report and expert analysis of their expert witnesses, they failed to attach the documents to the petition or serve same on the Respondents as required by the law.
The court held that though the petition contained serious allegations that bordered on violence, non-voting, suppression of votes, fictitious entry of election results and corrupt practices, the Petitioners, however, failed to give particulars of specific polling units where the incidences took place.
It held that several portions of the petition that contained the allegations, were “vague, imprecise, nebulous and bereft of particular materials.”
Therefore, the court, struck out paragraphs 9, 60, 61, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 76, 77, 78, 83 and 89 of the petition.
Nevertheless, the court dismissed the contention of the Respondents that Obi was not validly nominated by the LP to contest the presidential election.
It noted that the Respondents had argued that Obi left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on May 24, 2022 and joined the LP on May 27, 2022.
The Respondents argued that as at May 30, 2022, Obi, was not a valid member of the LP and could not have duly participated in its presidential primary election.
They insisted that his name could not have been contained in the membership register of the LP, which ought to be submitted to INEC, 30 days before the primary election held.
However, the court, in its ruling, held that the issue of membership is an internal affair of a political party, which is not justiceable.
It held that only the LP has the prerogative of determining who is its member, adding that the Respondents were bereft of the legal to query Obi’s membership of the LP.
Likewise, the court, held that contrary to contention by Tinubu and the APC, the Petitioners, were not under any obligation to join Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who came second in the election or his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the case.
It held that both Atiku and PDP are not statutory Respondents or necessary parties to the petition.
Having decided the preliminary issues, Chairman of the five-member panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani, is currently reading the judgement of the court on the substantive matter.
President Bola Tinubu, and his main challengers in the 2023 presidential election, former Vice President and presidential flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and their counterpart in the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi are absent at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal where judgment in their petitions are to be delivered.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and other prominent members of the ruling party are present.
Apart from Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, no notable politician from the PDP is in court.
However, the Labour Party was represented by Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the party.
At the time of this report, the Tribunal members led by Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani have arrived to deliver judgment on the three petitions
Justice Tsammani has ordered that judgment in the petition of Peter Obi and the Labour Party be first delivered.
President Tinubu has traveled to New Delhi, India to attend the G20 summit.
In the next two weeks, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intends to inject $10 billion into the foreign exchange market to clear the forex backlog as scarcity persists.
This is according to the Acting Governor of the CBN, Folashodun Shonubi, who said the financial regulator will work with Nigerian deposit money banks (DMBs) to disburse the forex.
He made this known on Tuesday in Lagos, where he said the banks will be vital in clearing the backlogs, considering the DMBs control 75 per cent of forex transactions.
The backlogs pertain to different structures within the foreign exchange market, as requests for forex cut across businesses and education and personal needs.
Breaking down the applications that will be sorted after being stalled for years due to a drop in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPIs) inflows and international reserves, the apex bank chief mentioned manufacturers and importers of raw material inputs.
Other applicants listed are requests for dollars to pay international school fees, and medical bills abroad, as well as Business Travel Allowances (BTAs) and Personal Travel Allowances (PTAs).
Explaining the situation around the forex backlog, Shonubi said: “As matter of fact, there is a large amount of the obligations that the banks in Nigeria have already taken on. So, what happened was that at maturity, they actually make the foreign exchange available for those who needed to use them like importers and what have you.
“There are some customers who still have their obligations and part of the restructuring with the banks in Nigeria, is also to clear that backlog. That is something we have been discussing for a while. I expect that we will do that, within the next one or two weeks.
“What that means, therefore, is that this obligation that people keep on talking about will not be left. Today, we still intervene in the market, so it is not as if it has affected our ability to make monies available to banks in the Investors and Exporters foreign exchange market.
“When we look at the volumes, the Central Bank of Nigeria today contributes less than 25 per cent into the forex market. And the aim if you remember about a year and a half ago, was that the Central Bank did not want to be a regular player, but more of intervening to stabilise the rates and that is where we are going.
“There are so much more foreign exchange that people don’t talk about, that is being made available through the banking system and banks are selling to their customers. It doesn’t come to the Central Bank, it doesn’t appear as part of the demand that comes to us. And it is significant. It is almost three times what we as a Central Bank make available.”
[RipplesNigeria]
The international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja, Lagos was gutted by fire on Wednesday morning, September 6.
It was gathered that the fire outbreak occurred in some part of the baggage hall at the number one gateway airport..
Details later
[NationalDaily]
More...
Reno Omokri, a socio-political activist, has identified those who may emerge victorious at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
Omokri said either President Bola Tinubu or the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would smile at the tribunal.
He noted that the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate Peter Obi and his followers should accept the election outcome.
Tweeting, Omokri wrote: “Either Waziri Atiku or President Bola Tinubu will smile today.
“As for Peter Obi and his Obidients, my counsel to all Nigerians and all those who have endured their cyberbullying, insults and threats, is to buy straws, cups and buckets, for you shall drink their tears in large quantities today!”
On Wednesday, the tribunal will decide the petitions against Tinubu.
Obi and Atiku are challenging Tinubu’s victory during the last presidential election.
The tribunal is currently deciding the petitions.
[DailyPost]
Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), says there is need for a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) annual finance facility for developing countries.
Speaking at the ongoing Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in Nairobi, Kenya, Guterres said at least $500 billion annually will help vulnerable countries make investments that will benefit their people.
He said African countries embody great potential that remains untapped due to injustice like the climate crisis.
He said Africa is set to become a “renewable energy superpower” if provided with essential support, adding that it is time to forge an alliance and create a new global financial system.
“Africa can be a renewable energy superpower. Now is the time to bring together African countries with developed countries financial institutions and technology companies to create a true African Renewable Energy Alliance,” he said.
“And all of that requires addressing another injustice: an outdated, unfair and dysfunctional global financial system.
“On average, African countries pay four times more for borrowing than the United States — and eight times more than the wealthiest European countries.
“I have called for an SDG stimulus of at least $500 billion a year to help developing countries invest in their people and the systems they need.”
He added that accelerating a just and equitable green transition requires a dramatic course correction which includes “ensuring an effective debt-relief mechanism that supports payment suspensions, longer lending terms, and lower rates”.
“It means re-capitalizing and changing the business model of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) so they can massively leverage private finance at affordable rates to help developing countries build truly sustainable economies,” Guterres said.
AFRICAN NATIONS SHOULD COME TO COP28 LEADING IN ACTION
On his part, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of UN climate change, said there is a need to stabilise the climate change agenda and build resilient societies in Africa and globally.
He said the world needs to develop, but not in a carbon intensive way, and that is why there needs to be a global responsibility on how that is achieved.
“And that’s exactly what we’re here to do. So that African nations can come to COP28 leading in action and ambition,” Stiell said.
“The discussions taking place here will inform the global stock-take about the challenges, barriers, solutions and opportunities for climate action and support within the context of Africa.”
He added that Africa Climate Week will usher in action that must enable governments to amplify their commitments, strengthen regional collaboration and empower local transformation.
He said this will enable African nations “come to COP28 — less than 100 days away — leading on action and ambition”.
He assured that the UN framework convention on climate change will work with Africa to identify the solutions to attain those opportunities.
[TheCable]
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has explained why he set up the 2014 National Conference, saying that it was to make Nigeria work.
Jonathan, who was the nation’s leader from 2010 to 2015, on March 17, 2014, inaugurated the national conference chaired by the late Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, a former chief justice of Nigeria.
Speaking on the topic, “How to Make Nigeria Work,” in Abuja yesterday at the 60th birthday of Prof. Udenta O Udenta in Abuja, Jonathan said: “When I set up the 2014 National Dialogue, the key thing was how to make Nigeria work, though we did not emphasise that so that people will really discuss the country.”
Udenta was the founding national secretary of the Alliance for Democracy, AD and now fellow, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought.
Jonathan said when the North and South were amalgamated in 1914 by Lord Lugard, there was the failure to integrate Nigerians into a proper nation.
He described Udenta as a true democrat, a nation builder, a man with passion, who has demonstrated his capacity towards achieving national unity and the development of Nigeria.
He said, “I must commend Udenta for presenting 21 books. Even writing one book is a problem. People have been asking me when are you going to write your biography, I said wait but here today someone has written 21 books. These books are different and divergent that can solve national problems.
“These books can also make our children understand us better and prepare us for leadership in all sectors whether in public sector, private, political positions in the country.”
According to him when he set up a national dialogue committee in 2014, the topic was ‘How to make Nigeria work.’
He said right from when the Northern and the Southern protectorates was amalgamated in 1914 by Lord Lugard till date, and all through party elections and independent struggle Nigeria has not gotten it right. “But I’m not blaming our forefathers but we fail to integrate into a proper nation.
“Individual interest, if you read some of the comments by our former leaders, of course Sir Awolowo, made it clear that there is not a nation called Nigeria. Yes, it is a geophysical state entity and the country was so polarized, especially during political formation and regional politics.
“There was no sense of commitment as a country to integrate Nigeria into an entity where we can say yes, we have a nation with a common interest,” he said.
At the event, former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, admitted that the protest which trailed the 2012 fuel subsidy removal during the administration of Jonathan was largely for political interests.
“What we need is alternative politics and my own notion of alternative politics is that you can’t have 35 per cent of the vote and take 100 per cent. It won’t work! We must look at proportional representation so that the party that is said to have won 21 per cent of the votes will have 21 per cent of the government. Adversary politics bring division and enmity.
“All political parties in the country agreed and they even put in their manifesto that subsidy must be removed. We all said subsidy must be removed. But we in ACN at the time, in 2012, we know the truth Sir, but it is all politics.
“That is why we must ensure that everybody is a crucial stakeholder by stopping all these. Let the manifesto of PDP, APC and Labour Party, be put on the table and select all those who will pilot the programme from all parties,” Fayemi added.
The strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress to protest the failure of the Federal Government to provide palliatives following the fuel subsidy removal Tuesday grounded economic and commercial activities in several states but workers in Lagos, Sokoto, and Katsina states snubbed the labour action.
Banks and other financial institutions and the civil service in the three states as well as Delta, Bayelsa, and Ogun did not comply with the NLC directive to shut down services as they attended to their customers.
But the two-day strike, which commenced on Tuesday paralysed activities in the Federal Capital Territory and some states with banks, ministries, agencies, and departments shut to the public.
Also, workers in various power firms, under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees, Tuesday, joined the industrial action as their action disrupted the supply of electricity across the country. Power distribution companies however begged their customers for the disruption.
The NLC leadership had said the two-day warning strike was in preparation for a total shutdown which would start in 21 days.
The decision was taken at the end of its National Executive Council meeting which was held last Friday.
A communiqué released by the labour centre and jointly signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero, and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said it decided to take the decision following the failure of the Bola Tinubu government to enter into dialogue and engage stakeholders within the organised labour on efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol on the masses.
A move to stop the strike by the Federal Government on Monday failed as the NLC leaders did not turn up at a meeting with the Minister of Information, Mallam Mohammed Idiris, and his labour ministry counterpart, Simeon Lalong.
Though the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees said its members would join the strike due to the punishing economic situation in the country, visits to several branches of banks on Lagos Island confirmed that they did not join the industrial action.
Bank workers
Branches of First Bank Plc including its head office, a branch of Union Bank, Wema Bank, and Polaris Bank attended to their customers.
The First Bank head office and its Abibu Oki branch along Marina were open to the public.
However, a security guard at a First Bank branch on Customs Street, Lagos Island, opposite the Lagos office of the Central Bank of Nigeria, initially prevented customers from entering the banking hall saying, “We are not operating because of the strike.”
As the customers insisted on carrying out their transactions, he went inside the hall and later returned to let the customers in.
At the Polaris bank branch along Broad Street, a bank worker said that they were still waiting for directives on the strike but until then, they would be working.
The bank worker who didn’t want his name in print said, “We are not on strike. We are working until they tell us that we should go home.”
Similarly, operations at the Broad Street branch of Wema Bank were uninterrupted, the same as the Union Bank branch at Tinubu Square.
Like their colleagues in the banks, the aviation workers at the Lagos airport shunned the strike as activities at the nation’s flagship airport continued as normal.
The aviation union said the representatives of the United Nations agency and the International Civil Aviation Authority were due to arrive in Nigeria to audit the nation’s aviation sector and it would be insensitive to down tolls at this time.
The General Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, Abdulrazak Saidu said, “We will not participate 100 percent because of the ongoing International Civil Aviation Organization audit. We cannot afford to allow ICAO to punish Nigeria because of this (strike) and we made this known to them at the last NLC meeting.’’
However, the NLC directive was fully implemented at the Lagos Ports as the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria shut down port operations.
The PUNCH reports that the MWUN in a letter on Monday titled, ‘Compliance to the Nigerian Labour Congress directive on a nationwide two-day warning strike’, signed by the Head of Media, MWUN, John Ikemefuna, said it was backing the two-day strike.
However, our correspondent on Tuesday gathered that the Apapa and Tincan Island Ports gates were all locked.
Also, the Mile 2 expressway was locked down as commercial vehicles refused to transport commuters, leading to disruptions in some offices in the Apapa area.
Giving an update on the strike, the National Deputy President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Nnadi Ugochukwu, said that some containers that were cleared early Tuesday morning could not leave the ports because the main gate of Tincan Island Port had been locked.
Also speaking, a former Apapa Chapter Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Frank Obiejesi said, “There are no activities at Apapa ports, it is shut down.”
But, normal day-to-day activities at the Lagos State secretariat, Alausa were in progress when our correspondent visited the place on Tuesday.
An official at the secretariat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The PUNCH that civil servants in the state had no reason to join the strike.
Lagos civil servants
He said, “Most of the things that the NLC is demanding had been done by the state government even before the labour union began its agitation.
“For example, the NLC is demanding an increase in salary for workers. Lagos State already did this long before the demand.
“The demand for palliatives has also been fulfilled by the state government. Bus fares have been slashed by 50 percent, buses are provided to convey workers to and from work, and just on Sunday, the governor flagged off the distribution of food palliatives.
“So, why should civil servants in the state join the strike? There is no reason to join the strike.”
Another civil servant, who also spoke under the condition of anonymity, simply said, “We don’t have any reason to join the strike.”
When contacted, the Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the NLC, Mrs Agnes Sessi, said members of the union in the civil service were part of the strike.
“Our members in the civil service joined the strike. Those you saw maybe management staff and others who may be members of the TUC.
“The TUC is not part of this struggle.”
In Sokoto, the majority of civil servants shunned the strike and turned up for work.
Our correspondent who monitored the level of compliance observed that almost all the banks within the metropolis opened for business.
A trip to the Federal secretariat in the state confirmed workers in their offices.
Also, the state workers were resumed for work at both the Usmanu Farouk and Gingiya secretariats.
But later at 2 pm on Tuesday, union leaders stormed banks and government offices to enforce compliance.
A union leader, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone, stated, “We have to storm those banks to ensure they comply with the warning strike as directed by the labour union.
The state NLC chairman, Abdullahi Jungle, could not be reached for comment as he did not respond to calls and messages.
In Katsina, the workers equally did not observe the strike as they reported for work.
The state secretariat, general hospital, and Federal Teaching Hospitals were all busy attending to people when our correspondent visited the facilities.
The strike was said to have failed because the senior civil servants were affiliated to the Trade Union Congress which was opposed to the strike action called by its counterpart.
A mild drama was recorded at the main gate of the state secretariat when the police officers and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps prevented workers from entering the complex.
On receiving the report of the development, the TUC state chairman, Muntari Ruma, stormed the gate with his members and directed the security personnel to grant all senior officers on Grade Level 07 and above access to their offices.
The state Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Musa, who also visited the scene, explained that the operatives were drafted there to protect the government property.
He directed that all the senior officials who were earlier barred should be allowed into the complex.
The state NLC Chairman, Hussaini Hamisu could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report as he did not respond to calls and messages.
Some commercial banks opened their gates to customers in Ilorin, Kwara state capital early on Tuesday but later shut their gates and drove back the customers in compliance with the NLC directive.
It was a mixed grill in Kwara State as the strike recorded partial compliance.
Some of the banks visited by our correspondent early on Tuesday did not join the strike, claiming that they had yet to receive directives from their respective head offices to that effect.
However, some of the branches of UBA, Union Bank, and First Bank later complied with the strike directive.
A security guard at the Taiwo branch of UBA told our correspondent at about 1 pm that the workers had just received the directive to join the strike.
However, checks at the Kwara State Civil Service Secretariat located along the High Court Area of the state revealed workers at their duty stations.
The state Chairman of the National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees, David Ehindero described the strike as a success.
In Abuja, the nation’s capital, several MDAs were shut down in observance of the warning strike.
Our correspondent who visited the Federal Secretariat and the popular Radio House which houses some agencies under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation observed that the offices were deserted as the workers stayed away.
Banks in the areas were also under lock and key.
Lawyers and litigants who were at the Federal High Court were shocked when they were asked to vacate the courts at 2 pm by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria official.
The union shut the entrance gates of the court and hung a banner with the inscription,
The situation was the same in Jos, Plateau State where the industrial action recorded full compliance.
The PUNCH correspondent who visited the Federal Secretariat learnt that NLC officials locked the gates around 5 am and prevented workers from accessing their offices.
A security officer said, ‘’No work today. Workers are obeying the two-day warning strike declared by the NLC. In fact, their officials came very early around 5 a.m., and locked the gates. As you can see, no worker can go inside and there is nothing we can do because the strike is just one and we support it one hundred percent “
Many banks in Jos and other parts of the state did not open their doors to customers in compliance with the warning strike.
Warri port blocked
Officials of the NLC enforced the strike in Delta State and prevented workers from going to their offices.
The NPA workers in Warri were blocked from accessing their offices by the union officials sporting white polo shirts and face caps.
The NPA workers in Warri were blocked from accessing their offices by the union officials sporting white polo shirts and face caps.
The strike partly paralysed commercial activities in the Enugu metropolis as only a few businesses were open to the public.
Public offices locked up included the courts, banks, and other financial institutions.
But senior officials were seen going about their duties at the Federal and Enugu State Secretariats.
However, there was ongoing vehicular movement and traders were seen going about their daily activities.
Workers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, stayed away from office even as public schools were shut but a few banks opened for business.
The same scenario was observed in Minna, Niger State where the public workers down tools in protest over the alleged failure of the government to distribute palliatives.
Notwithstanding the strike, GTB, Access Bank, and other banks recorded huge customers who trooped into their banking halls to carry out transactions.
“We are not part of the warning strike. That is why you can see us working,’’ a bank worker explained.
The state NLC Chairman, Idrees Lafene declared, “There is compliance by the banks. We are just coming from some of the banks. But if you say some banks did not comply, we are going to compel them to comply.”
In Osogbo, Osun State, members of the National Union of Electricity Employees also joined the warning strike.
Some workers of Osogbo Region Transmission Company of Nigeria were locked out of the premises while some banks were firmly shut.
Vice President West, NUEE Sodiq Adewale, said, ‘’Presently, in compliance with the NLC directive, we are mandated to embark on a warning strike which started today and will continue tomorrow. As you can see, the whole place is under lock. Nobody is coming in and as time goes on, we are going to be reviewing our activities at the level of our actions.
“So far from our end, we have total compliance. Nobody is saying there is going to be a disruption of power, but our men are out. We are not tampering with anything.’’
In Ondo State, the NLC and the Head of Service engaged in a verbal exchange over a directive by the Head of Service, Mr Kayode Ogundele, directing workers to ignore the strike.
Ogundele had during a routine inspection of the MDAs in Akure noted that the state NLC was yet to inform the state government of its intention to go on strike.
But the chairman of the state NLC, Victor Amoko, in a statement, expressed displeasure over the alleged directive of the HoS.
“The Labour unions under NLC shall take on the HoS and call on the Acting Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the SA on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye to call Mr Ogundele to order before he truncates the existing labour harmony in the state,’’ it read.
Academic activities were grounded at the Bayero University Kano as the Academic Staff Union of Universities branch of the university joined the industrial action.
Checks showed that the lecture halls were deserted by both lecturers and students as a result of the strike.
It was the same story at the two state-owned universities, Maitama Sule University and Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil.
In Benin City, commercial banks, fuel stations, and government parastatals including hospitals complied with the warning strike which paralysed activities in the city.
On Akpapava Road, Wema Bank, Access Bank, and First Bank on Ring Road were closed to customers but the Automated Teller Machines were dispensing money to customers.
The NNPC Limited and Raptors fuel stations on Sapele Road were locked as customers.
Other companies like Guinness, the 7Up bottling plant, and the Central Park in Benin City were shut down by the protesting NLC members led by the state Chairman, Odion Olaye.
Commercial activities in Port Harcourt and its environs were grounded. Courts along the stretch of Azikiwe and Bank Roads were not open, while Access Bank, UBA, First Bank, and Polaris Bank along Ikwerre Road were also closed to customers.
The same situation was recorded in Kaduna as the strike crippled socio-economic activities across the metropolis.
The strike recorded full compliance as government offices, banks, and other financial institutions, especially along the ever-busy Ahmadu Bello Way, Yakubu Gowon Way as well Kachia Road, were shut.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the National Assistant Secretary General of Nigeria Labour Congress, Christopher Onyeka, said, the report that he got indicated that the strike was successful.
He stated, ‘’In a situation like this, we expect one or two defaulters either because of communication issues but towards the end of the day, all those issues were resolved, and the strike proceeded as expected.’’
‘’In fact, our expectations were exceeded in all ramifications, and NLC knows that the right message has been sent to the government and we have achieved all of the objectives on the first day of the warning strike.’’