...Says Assault Misdirected And Uncalled For
The Senate has described as misplaced, a comment credited to a chieftain of the Labour Party, Professor Pat Utomi, over the decision of the Senate to stop the planned increase of electricity tariffs which would further increase the suffering of the masses.
A statement issued by the Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, on Sunday in Abuja said, "the Senate is alarmed at the insidious misinterpretation enunciated by some political surrealists, who always leave the causes of their troubles to look for unnecessary scapegoats.
"The personal tirades and character assaults hauled at the Senate President by Professor Pat Utomi, are misdirected and uncalled for. Insinuating that the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Godswill Akpabio, was mocking the Nigerian masses with the phrase 'LET THE POOR BREATHE, is dressing falsehood and mischief in an undesirable garment.
" The Senate is an assembly of Distinguished men and women, who are sent by the Nigerian public to the Hallowed Chamber to represent their interests. The public-interest motion to halt an increase in the electricity tariff for Nigerians is one of such instances that tests the Senatorial responsiveness of Distinguished members of the 10th Senate.
" With the fire of the fuel subsidy removal still smouldering, the Senate opined that any increase in electricity tariff would be suffocating and that whoever is desirous in doing so should allow the poor; all Nigerians to breathe.
"The Senate President compassionately, hit the gavel with a stoic warning that any such attempts would be obnoxious, ludicrous and could only seize oxygen from the reach of the masses.
"Despite this open display of patriotism and sensitivity, some political irrenditists and turncoats feel they could turn the omnipotent actuality on its head to gain their lost momentum.
"The Senate didn't and would not mock the masses, without who, there would be no Nigerian Senate.Who, digging into an extreme partisanship to impugn on the image of the Senate and particularly the personality of the Senate President, is quite unfortunate and an exhibition of political superficialism, irreverent and opprobrious outburst.
"We believe that whoever is in the court to pursue a self-awarded electoral victory should not labour to assume that running expletives on the Senate and its leadership is the needed elixir to infuse legal blood into the dry veins of their case.
"The 10th Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has passed many life support resolutions in its short span, including the misinterpreted Senate's No to Increase in Electricity Tariff.
" We thus advise political rolling stones and pretenders not to play politics with the lives of Nigerians and allow the National Assembly to join hands with other arms of government to pull out Nigeria from economic morass and make life more abundant for us all", the statement concluded.
In a swift response to military coup in Niger Republic, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has enforced a no-flight zone over the country.
The decision was announced today by the ECOWAS, at an urgent meeting following the increasing tension stirred by the military actors who are attempting to take over in Niger.
This significant move which includes air and land border closure, is seen as a crucial reaction to the recent ascendancy of the junta, which has stirred significant unrest in the country and poses a threat to political stability within the region.
The ECOWAS leadership believes that the imposition of a no-flight zone will help curb the junta’s influence and hinder any potential allies from providing aerial support, even as leaders of the coup fear that the regional body could stage an imminent military intervention in the capital of the Sahel country.
In addition to the no-flight zone, the regional body has agreed on immediate financial sanctions over the coup, and has given the junta a week to cede power, while noting that a use of force has not been ruled out.
ECOWAS also insisted that President Mohamed Bazoum remains recognized as president of Niger, and called upon member states and the international community to uphold and respect these decision, in an effort to help restore peace and stability in the republic.
Speaking at the emergency meeting which he presided over today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS denounced the coup by military leaders in Niger Republic, saying Africa has come of age.
Briefing leaders of the regional bloc, Tinubu registered the displeasure of ECOWAS at the coup d’état in the Niger Republic.
“Africa has come of age, we reject coup and interruption to constitutional order,” the Nigerian leader said amid applause.
“As African leaders, it is our sheer responsibility to foster stability and progress, placing the wellbeing of our people at the forefront of our endeavours.
“Working together towards their prosperity and happiness must always constantly be our goal and consistently, we will stand with our people in freedom and our commitment to the rule of law and not the barrel of gun.”
Late Wednesday, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the chief of Niger’s powerful presidential guard took power after a military coup. The action has since been condemned by the United Nations, African Union, the European Union, the United States among other world and regional leaders.
Tchiani, 59, has shunned the limelight despite a stellar military career which saw him lead the elite 700-member unit from 2011 up until now.
On Friday, Tchiani declared himself leader after staging a takeover that began on Wednesday when his presidential guards seized President Mohamed Bazoum and sequestered him in the presidential palace.
[Channels TV]
Thousands of supporters of a military junta that took power in Niger earlier this week have marched in the capital, Niamey, with many waving Russian flags and chanting the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The demonstrators on July 30 set fire to the door of the French Embassy, while the army tried to restore order.
The French Foreign Ministry urged the junta to "ensure the security of our diplomatic missions and consulates," while the office of French President Emmanuel Macron said France "will not tolerate any attack against France or its interests."
Former colonial power France and the European Union suspended financial aid and security cooperation with Niger on July 29.
Junta leaders said they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 28 because of what they claimed was the threat of "imminent military intervention" by the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
ECOWAS planned an emergency summit in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 30 to discuss the situation in Niger.
Russia's Kremlin-connected Wagner mercenary group has a presence in neighboring Mali.
Before the coup, Niger was considered the most reliable remaining partner for Western efforts to combat jihadists in the Sahel region. France has 1,500 troops in Niger to conduct joint operations with Niger's military, while the United States and the European Union have provided security training and assistance.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Binken, traveling in Australia, said continued U.S. aid was conditioned on "the continuation of the democratic governance and constitutional order" in Niger.
The African Union has issued an ultimatum to the junta to restore Niger's democratically elected government within 15 days. Failure to do so, the bloc said, would force it to take "necessary action, including punitive measures against the perpetrators."
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and relies on some $2 billion in annual international assistance.
With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar on Saturday attended a crucial meeting of leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The meeting which lasted over two hours was held at the residence of a chieftain of the PDP and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, in Maitama, Abuja.
Naija News reports the meeting had in attendance former Delta State Governor and 2023 PDP presidential running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, suspended party chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and other party leaders.
Some of the former governors who attended the meeting were Babangida Aliyu (Niger State), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), and Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano).
Also at the meeting with Atiku were seven serving governors of the party.
They were Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State (Atiku’s state), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and Lawal Dauda (Zamfara).
Details Of Discussion Between Atiku, PDP Leaders Emerge
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar held a closed-door meeting on Saturday with some of his allies in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in order to prevent former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike from hijacking the leadership of the party, a source has claimed.
Naija News earlier reported that Atiku on Saturday attended a crucial meeting of leaders and stakeholders of the PDP in Abuja which according to him was productive and had a lot of collaborative energy.
Though Atiku did not disclose further details about what transpired during the meeting, a source told Daily Trust on Sunday that the meeting was called to discuss how to make one of the ex-governors succeed Iyorchia Ayu as the PDP National Chairman.
According to the source, loyalists of Atiku within the party were the ones who attended the meeting and that is why the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) members were not invited.
It was further revealed that the aim of the meeting is to prevent Wike from hijacking the PDP structure and making one of his men the national chairman.
[NaijaNews]
Niger’s military leaders warned against any armed intervention in the country as West African heads of state gather in Nigeria’s capital for an emergency summit to decide on further actions to pressure the army to restore constitutional order.
Heads of state of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the eight-member West African Economic and Monetary Union, also known by its French acronym UEMOA, could suspend Niger from their institutions, cut off the country from the regional central bank and financial market, and close borders.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani – also known as Omar Tchiani – the chief of Niger’s presidential guard, has declared himself leader as the country’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was being held by the military since the coup took place last week.
Ahead of the Sunday ECOWAS summit, the military leaders in Niger warned in a statement read on Niger national television on Saturday night against any military intervention.
“The objective of the [ECOWAS] meeting is to approve a plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey in collaboration with other African countries that are non-members of ECOWAS, and certain Western countries,” military spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said.
“We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer, of our firm determination to defend our homeland,” he said.
ECOWAS has the power to impose sanctions on Niger, which is one of its 15 members. Last year, its leaders agreed to create a regional security force to intervene against rebel groups and prevent military coups.
“There is so much talk here [at the summit] of sending a military force to intervene there [in Niger] that has got the military leaders in Niger worried at the moment,” Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris reported from Abuja, adding the threat of sanctions over the coup was also a cause for concern for the new rulers in Niamey.
“There has been a standby force for years, but it has never been activated in recent times. The [last] time it was activated was in 2017 in The Gambia … when former President Yahya Jammeh tried to stay in power after he lost the election to the current president,” Idris added.
Details on how that force would work and its funding are still unclear, with ECOWAS defence ministers expected to make decisions later this year.
Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria and ECOWAS chairman, said on Friday the West African bloc and the international community “would do everything to defend democracy and ensure democratic governance continues to take firm root in the region”.
Ahead of Sunday’s gathering, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Tinubu to convey his “deep concern” over the situation in Niger, and “underscored his support for President Tinubu’s continued efforts to restore constitutional order” there.
‘Stay out’
Meanwhile, in Niamey, thousands of protesters also gathered outside the French embassy, with some trying to enter the building, according to the AFP news agency.
Some demonstrators ripped off and stamped on a plaque bearing the words “Embassy of France in Niger”, replacing it with Nigerien and Russian flags, while others shouted “Long live Russia”, “Long live Putin” and “Down with France”, AFP reported.
Protesters also tried to climb the walls of the embassy, while others stomped on burning French flags.
“Anyone who attacks French nationals, the military, diplomats, or French interests will spur an immediate and uncompromising response from France,” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said in a statement.
“Emmanuel Macron was able to speak again to Presidents Bazoum and (previous Niger leader Mahamadou) Issoufou in the last few hours, both of whom clearly condemned the coup and called for calm among the population,” the statement said.
Former colonial ruler France and the European Union have suspended security cooperation and financial aid to Niger following the coup.
Some taking part in Sunday’s rally also warned regional bodies who have denounced the coup to stay away.
“I would like also to say to the European Union, African Union and ECOWAS, please please stay out of our business,” said Oumar Barou Moussa who was at the demonstration, according to the Reuters news agency.
“It’s time for us to take our lives, to work for ourselves. It’s time for us to talk about our freedom and liberty. We need to stay together, we need to work together, we need to have our true independence,” Barou said.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has described as “outrageous falsehood” claims that Aisha Dahir-Umar, its director general (DG), was paid “millions of dollars” for estacode during COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
Reports circulating online further alleged that there were documents showing how the monies were paid into her account.
But in a statement issued on Sunday, the commission said it was impossible for any government official to claim foreign travel allowances in 2020 when there was a global restriction on international travels and most airports were closed, forcing people to work from home and hold virtual meetings.
The commission said all rates for estacode payments are standardised and foreign trips require strict documentation, “including air tickets, stamped passport pages and evidence of number of days spent”.
“Even if the DG were to spend two years abroad non-stop, her estacode allowances would not be up to a million dollars,” it said.
PenCom linked the reports to the current jostling for appointments in the country.
FULL TEXT OF THE PRESS RELEASE
Management would like to alert the public to the renewed campaign of outrageous falsehood against the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and its Director General, Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar, over some imagined financial impropriety. Although the promoters of this fiction went to the extent of manufacturing documents and listing non-existent bank accounts to make the fabrication look real, a fiction remains a fiction and can never become the truth no matter how many times it is repeated and recycled.
It was alleged that the Director General was paid millions of dollars as estacodes for foreign trips she did not embark upon in 2020. This poor attempt at calumny is exposed by the fact that there was a global lockdown in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic during which international travels were restricted. Offices were shut down and most people had to hold virtual meetings. It is, thus, most outlandish to suggest that any government agency would claim to be paying allowances to its officials for international travels when most airports were shut down globally.
More so, official foreign trips require strict documentation, including air tickets, stamped passport pages and evidence of number of days spent. Rates for estacodes are standardised. If the DG were to spend two years abroad without returning to the country for one day, it would still be impossible for her to claim a million dollars as estacode. The desperate fabricators need to respect the intelligence of Nigerians.
We are aware of current political intrigues in the country caused by the jostling for appointments, but we believe there are more decent ways of going about it than peddling tales by moonlight and using notorious online outlets to push the lies to unsuspecting readers. The public is implored to ignore these fake documents and the discredited allegations being recycled at the slightest opportunity. The Commission has nothing to hide and will continue to run a transparent and accountable system.
[TheCable]
Pope Francis on Sunday called on Russia to return to the agreement that had allowed the safe passage of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea to world markets.
The Ukraine grain deal was agreed last year and allowed around 33 million tonnes of grain to leave Ukrainian ports, helping to stabilise global food prices and avert shortages.
“I am calling on my brothers, the authorities in the Russian Federation, to re-establish the Black Sea initiative so that the wheat could be safely transported”, Francis said during his weekly Angelus prayer.
“We are constantly praying for martyred Ukraine, where the war is destroying everything, including the wheat, which is a major offence to God because wheat is his gift to feed humanity and the cries of millions of our brothers and sisters suffering from hunger are lifting to the sky,” he said.
Russia two weeks ago refused to extend a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, under which Ukrainian grain exports passed through the Black Sea to reach global markets, including Africa, easing pressure on food prices.
Moscow withdrew from the agreement after protesting for months that the parts of the deal that allowed for the export of Russian fertiliser were not honoured.
Following Russia’s pullout, wheat prices have risen.
AFP
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected the Federal Government’s 25% increase to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
The decision was made during the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, and a communique was issued on Saturday, July 29, with signatures from the association’s president, Orji Emeka Innocent, secretary-general, Chikezie Kelechi, and publicity and social secretary, Umar Musa.
Doctors insist on earlier demands.
The doctors insist on their original demand, which is the full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CMSS) to its value at the time of its approval in 2009.
The communique expressed strong disapproval of the 25% increment in the basic salary of doctors and the accoutrement allowance calling it “paltry”.
The statement reads, “NEC vehemently rejects the paltry 25 per cent increment in the basic salary of doctors, as well as the accoutrement allowance,” It went further to insist they stand on their earlier demands “for full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to its right value as at the time of the approval of the structure in 2009,”
Strike continues
Orji emphasized that the strike would continue until the government demonstrates significant progress in addressing the association’s demands, as outlined in the earlier ultimatum.
The doctors’ demands encompass the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), concrete measures for the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and settlement of all salary arrears owed to its members since 2015.
What you should know
Earlier in the week, resident Doctors across the country embarked on an indefinite strike after the expiration of their two weeks warning strike on July 19.
The demands of the doctors include payment of arrears dating back to 2014,2015, and 2016; an upward review of the consolidated salary structure for medical doctors to reflect changes in exchange rate and inflation since 2014 amongst others.
To placate the doctors, the Federal government, through the office of the National Salary and Wages Commission, offered an N25,000 accoutrement allowance for medical and dental practitioners in the country.
The federal government also increased the salary of medical doctors by 25% for those in CONMESS grades 1 to 6 and 35% for those in CONMESS grade 7.
In a letter from the FG, it states the cost of the increase will be from the overhead budget and will be effective from June 1, 2023.
[Nairametrics]
Leaders making up the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government are presently converging on Abuja, the nation’s capital, for an emergency meeting expected to deliberate on the next line of action regarding the coup in the Republic of Niger.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, is expected to preside over the meeting, which kicks off in a few minutes at the Presidential Villa.
Among African leaders who have arrived at the venue are the transitional President of Tchad, Gen Mahamat Kaka, President. Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco of Guinea-Bissau and Togo. Others are Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé Eyadéma and President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire.
Others are President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, President Nana Akofo-Ado of Ghana and President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, among others.
Recall that President Tinubu had reacted sharply to the political unrest in Republic of Niger, when he warned that ECOWAS would not accept coups in the continent.
Soon after, news broke out that the military had successfully seized power in Niger.
[DailyPost]
•Vows to cripple fuel supply, power grid, shut markets, schools, hospitals
•Federal Government begs, fixes another meeting with labour for Monday
•CSOs say labour can’t be trusted, SAN warns against disobeying court order
The Federal Government will on Monday meet with the representatives of the organised labour in an effort to prevent the nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
However, the NLC has advised citizens to stock their homes with food items, medicines and other essential things ahead of the commencement of its seven-day strike to protest the removal of fuel subsidies and the escalating cost of living in the country.
The warning, it noted, had become necessary because the strike would cripple the country as movement would be severely curtailed as commercial transport operators would withdraw their services, while markets, schools and healthcare facilities would be forced to shut down.
The Assistant General Secretary, NLC, Chris Onyeka, said in an interview with one of our correspondents that the citizens should also minimise their movements so as to avoid being stranded.
Sunday PUNCH reports that the NLC had given the government a seven-day ultimatum with threats of a nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The labour movement in a statement signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero, accused the Tinubu-led Federal Government of failing to meet up with the demands it presented to it following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, which caused an astronomical rise in the pump price of the commodity.
Following the announcement of the strike by the NLC, the government team immediately called for an emergency meeting with the organised labour comprising the NLC and Trade Union Congress with a follow-up meeting on Friday at the State House.
However, officials of the organised labour angrily stormed out of the meeting following the alleged failure of the government team to show up.
Onyeka noted that the labour team would meet with the government on Monday, adding that the outcome of the meeting would determine the next step.
He said, “Nigerians should be prepared. That’s what we are saying. Being prepared means you have to stock food in your house and be economical with your movement at this particular point in time so as to avoid being stranded. It is going to be a nationwide mass protest and we are sure that it will affect every corner of the country. We are seriously mobilising across the nation. We are currently at work at the secretariat alongside the CSOs.
“We may not shut down the power supply system, but as the protest goes on, we may shut down other places depending on the response of the government. The (Friday) meeting didn’t hold at all. The government side was not prepared. The representatives were not available. They didn’t show any seriousness towards what they were doing. One of the things we do is hold dialogues. We don’t run away from the table anytime they call us. We are having another meeting with them on Monday.”
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers, and the National Union of Electricity Employees, on Saturday, confirmed that they were mobilising their members to ground the supply of fuel and the national electricity grid from Wednesday in response to the planned mass protest called by the NLC.
The General Secretary, NUPENG, Afolabi Olawale, told our correspondent, “The congress has taken a unanimous decision and it is mandatory that every affiliate should obey the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress.”
When probed further to confirm if NUPENG was mobilising its members to halt the lifting of petroleum products, Olawale replied, “That’s it. I’ve given you an answer.”
On their part, electricity workers stated that they would shut the national power grid as it was binding on all employees in the sector to join the mass protest.
The acting General Secretary, NUEE, Dominic Igwebuike, stated, “The NUEE is an affiliate of the NLC and I’ve told you that we will join the strike action.
“The issue is that if there’s a deadlock between labour and the government; that means that the mass protest is still going on, and definitely electricity workers, as an affiliate of the NLC, will partake in the mass protest.
“So, all workers in the power sector will join the mass protest on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. It is binding on every staff member to join the strike action. So, if it results in a blackout, the only option is for the government to listen to us if it wants power to return.
“The government should listen to the Nigerian masses who are going through serious suffering right now. That is the only thing we are asking for. So, for now, the protest is going to hold, unless there is a further directive from the NLC.”
The National Deputy President, TUC, Tommy Etim, blasted the government over the lack of seriousness shown so far with regard to the negotiations.
“When we got to the Villa on Friday, we waited for almost two hours at the gate for clearance with no intervention. It was after two hours that we were allowed in. By the time we got to the point of the meeting, we realised that the team representing the government failed to show up. So, it is wrong to actually say labour stormed out of the meeting. How can labour storm out of a meeting that did not hold? We felt very disappointed because we did not expect this from the government,” he said.
The National Executive Council of the NLC had on Friday endorsed the August 2 nationwide strike and mass protests proposed by the body over the recent hike in the pump price of petrol.
However, the Federal Government had told the NLC that it was legally restrained from embarking on the planned nationwide strike due to the ruling of the National Industrial Court, which restrained organised labour from embarking on the strike.
The steering committee members met the government delegation on Wednesday, where the two parties agreed to reconvene on Friday to get a brief from the government’s subcommittees on mass transit, compressed natural gas and cash transfer.
The steering committee was set up by the Federal Government to draw up intervention plans to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
Tinubu’s palliatives
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will soon roll out social investment programmes to alleviate the sufferings of the masses, especially the poorest of the poor in the country in view of the removal of subsidy on fuel.
He said at a programme to mark his 60th birthday in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, “The Federal Government will put palliatives in place to help the poorest of the poor. There is also another category of palliatives that will be rolled out for civil servants apart from the promised salary increment that will be done across states and at the federal level.
[Punch]
More...
Zenith Bank Plc has re-appointed Adaora Umeoji as its Deputy Managing Director by board.
The announcement was contained in a notice filed with the Nigerian Exchange on Friday, July 28.
The notice read: “Zenith Bank Plc “The Bank” hereby informs its shareholders, NGX, and the investing public that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given its ‘No Objection’ to the re-engagement of Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji as Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of the bank. The re-engagement is effective August 2, 2023.
Ms. Umeoji boasts over 20 years of experience in banking and executive management.
She attended the University of Jos, Plateau State between 1992 and 1996 and obtained a B.Sc Degree in Sociology.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) obtained from the University of Calabar in 2003.
Ms. Umeoji joined Zenith Bank in 1998 and was later appointed as the head of the marketing group, Maitama branch, and the deputy zonal head of the Abuja Zone. She was appointed to the Board on October 9, 2012.
She holds multiple degrees, including a doctorate in Business Administration, and has completed prestigious programs at Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, and MIT Management Sloan School.
Her re-appointment comes months after her retirement as Deputy Managing Director following the new tenure limits for banks’ executives released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
[NationalDaily]
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has delivered judgment in the long-drawn litigation over the management and control of some of the assets of Ojukwu Transport Ltd, OTL, in favour of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, widow of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and her two children.
The late Ikemba Nnewi was a director of OTL, a family company, before he died in 2011.
The suit, LD/1539/2012, filed by Bianca on behalf of the claimants, her two sons, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu, who were infants at the time, against OTL and seven others (brothers of the late Dim Ojukwu, their sons and property agent) before the court, was over alleged move by the defendants to take possession of claimants residence at No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, as well as some of the company’s property in Lagos, which were under the management and control of their late Biafran warlord.
The defendants in the suit filed in 2012 are OTL, Prof Joseph Ojukwu, Engr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu, Dr. Patrick Ike Ojukwu, Arch. Edward Ojukwu, Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Messrs. Massey Udegbe (doing business under Massey Udegbe & Company).
The claimants stated that at about August 4, 2011, while their father was sick and hospitalized in London, the 4th-7th defendants attempted to forcibly take possession of their home at No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Oueens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos, claiming that after the death of their father and soon after his burial, the 2nd-7th defendants went on to appoint a property agent, the 8th defendant, to take over, not only their father’s residence at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive but also other property under the possession, management and control of their father, namely No. 13 Hawksworth Rd (now known as 13 Ojora Rd) Ikoyi; No. 32A Commercial Ave, Yaba, Lagos; No. 30 Gerard Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos and No.4 Macpherson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Delivering judgment on June 24, this year, the court presided over by Justice A. M. Lawal, after considering all the evidence adduced by the parties in the course of the proceedings spanning about 10 years, ruled that the claimants being biological children of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu by that virtue are entitled to the estate of their father, as well as his entitlements as a deceased director and shareholder of the Ist defendant.
Justice Lawal stated that “equity is fairness and fairness is equity,” adding that as a court of equity, the court would not allow the dispossession of the claimants who are children of a foundation director of the company while other directors are in hold and control of other property of the Ist defendant and deriving benefits from the same.
“Therefore, the claimants are entitled to possess and control what their late father possessed and controlled in the company, OTL, when he was alive,” he ruled.
The judge stated that the fact that the 1st defendant allowed the family of the company to live on, and derive income from the assets of the company all these years was a decision of the company by conduct.
He noted that the 2nd defendant who had refused to surrender the property under his control for joint management cannot now lead the battle of having the deceased director’s children hounded out of possession of the property that was managed by their late father.
The counterclaim instituted by the defendants was struck out for lack of competence as the court declared “That the claimants are entitled to the possession and occupation of the property known as No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Oueens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos, until the harmonization of the management of the assets of the Ist defendant;
“That the threat of forceful ejection of the claimants from No.29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, by the defendants is illegal;
“That the claimants are also entitled to the possession of the properties known as No 13 Hawkesworth Rd, Ikoyi (now known as No 13 Ojora Rd, Ikoyi); No. 32A Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos; No. 30 Gerard Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos and No. 4 Macpherson Ave, Ikoyi, Lagos, which were some of the properties that were under the possession of the late father of the claimants from the time the properties were released from government acquisition.
“That the 2nd-8th defendants are restrained either by themselves or through their agent or privies from interfering with the claimants’ possession and control of the 5 listed properties, being the subject matter of the suit.”
Present as the judgment was delivered were the Ist, 5th and 8th defendants, with the 5th defendant, a director of the Ist defendant representing the Ist defendant.
[OpinionNigeria]
Despite growing calls for palliatives to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal, many states have yet to introduce concrete measures to arrest the widespread hardship across the country, Sunday Vanguard findings show.
A few states have rolled out packages while others either indicated interest to do so or haven’t done so yet.
In states where governors pledged various palliatives for workers, the measures appear too meagre to address the crippling effects arising from the subsidy removal policy.
President Bola Tinubu had urged the National Economic Council, NEC, which includes state governors, to mobilise palliatives to assuage the sufferings of the people.
This is outside of the Committee raised by the Federal Government to work out palliatives which have eight weeks to submit its report.
There is also the conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme under which the poorest of the poor should get N8, 000 per month but which has now been put on hold after critics said the cash amounted to nothing going by the astronomical cost of living in the country.
The N8, 000 CCT is built into the N500 billion package passed by the National Assembly recently.
Well-being
As part of the measures to ameliorate the cost of living, the President also recommended a review of the national minimum wage payable to workers nationwide.
Despite the law providing for a national minimum wage of N30,000, the least-paid state worker in Nigeria still receives N18, 000 as minimum wage even as many states struggle to pay the same amount.
Currently, many governors owe salary and pension arrears, a situation that combined to worsen the socio-economic well-being of Nigerians.
Given that subsidy removal led to an increase in prices of goods and services in a country that already suffers 22.77 per cent inflation, many, including government workers, now struggle to survive.
This informed the growing calls locally and internationally for measures to mitigate the sufferings and avoid implosion.
But nearly two months after the no subsidy era commenced and the President’s directive to governors, findings by Sunday Vanguard across the states showed that many have literally done nothing in that regard.
Pay rise
President of Trade Union Congress, TUC, Festus Osifo, shared a gloomy opinion about the palliatives promised by governors just as the Labour movement is threatening to commence strike action on Wednesday if the government failed to revert to the pre-May 29 petrol price of N148.
The price of the product is now between N550 and N617 per litre following deregulation.
Osifo said: “If you listened to the Nigerians Governors Forum, they invited us for meetings and we made our case known to them. There’s nothing specific about palliatives. They said each state should go back and look at what they can do. That’s not how to lead. There’s nothing concrete, there’s nothing we can hold them accountable for.”
Sunday Vanguard observed that promises of a pay rise and other pledges are yet to materialize, making the hardship experienced by workers bite harder.
Also, apart from not having confidence in state governors, many expressed fears that the palliatives could be turned into another avenue to siphon public funds.
BAYELSA: Riverine travellers groan
Governor Douye Diri recently revived the moribund Bayelsa State Transport Company, BSTC, with 100 taxis and six luxury buses under a new transport scheme.
The initiative was said to be for workers, students and the general populace in Bayelsa to reduce their sufferings.
But the vehicles are yet to be seen on the roads as commuters grapple with high transport fares in the state.
Riverine travelers are the worst hit given the high fuel consumption of speedboats and other watercraft in the predominantly riverine state.
Before the launch of the new transport scheme for Bayelsans, state civil servants, especially those whose offices are located within the state secretariat complex and annexes, had shuttle coaster buses rendering free services in Yenagoa and environs.
Meanwhile, the buses for workers are few, making many struggle for limited space.
The governor, while handing over the keys of the vehicles to the General Manager of BSTC, Chief Timi Fanama, had assured that the new arrangement would be different from the previous government’s transport initiatives.
In the past, vehicles meant for public transport were repainted and eventually converted to private use by some of the operators of the scheme.
Diri had said: “This is another historic day as we launch this fleet of transport vehicles to alleviate the suffering of our people.
“Now, we have taxis that will run within the city of Yenagoa and its environs to the Niger Delta University at Amassoma, to the airport and the Federal University, Otuoke and other towns.
“I appreciate all Bayelsans for their patience. You know that your government has your welfare at heart.”
RIVERS: Free buses
Governor Simijialayi Fubara, on July 12, 2023, rolled out passenger buses for free intrastate transportation in Rivers State as part of his administration’s interventions to cushion the high cost of living posed by fuel subsidy removal.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, unveiled 17 luxury buses in Port Harcourt to convey commuters on designated major routes in the state capital and beyond in fulfillment of a promise made to Organised Labour weeks earlier.
Fubara noted that his administration was “aware of the challenges faced by the populace as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy”. He added: “Consequently, this scheme flagged off today is a deliberate intervention of Rivers government to mitigate the effects of the economic challenges. ‘’
But the President, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, said the free buses may not address current hardship in the state.
Nsuke said: “It will be practically impossible for free or subsidised bus rides, grain distribution and similar initiatives to mitigate or substantially alleviate the effects of over 300 percent increase in the cost of energy.
“People need a functional system that offers opportunities and encourages production and not to be made to live on humanitarian gestures.
“Given Nigeria’s resource endowments, citizens’ living standards can be significantly improved with investments in infrastructure and investors friendly incentives.
“We also have to face the realities. Workers must get a commensurate pay increase to cope with the pains of subsidy removal.
“Nigerians will not pay the same price for energy as citizens of Saudi Arabia and be placed on a minimum wage of N40, 000 per month”.
KATSINA:Cost of transportation
Sunday Vanguard learned that Katsina State is yet to unveil palliatives for civil servants.
When contacted, Director General Media to the Governor, Malam Maiwada Danmallam, said the state government will soon unveil how it plans to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on civil servants.
However, it will be recalled that earlier when the petrol subsidy removal was announced, Gov. Radda had summoned an emergency meeting with the leadership of the Katsina State Transport Authority and directed that the cost of transportation for all intrastate services should not be increased.
Similarly, the newly appointed General Manager, Katsina State Rural Electricity Board, REB, Abubakar Abdullahi Matazu, disclosed that plans were underway to establish energy conversion centers in the three senatorial districts of the state.
Matazu said the Radda government would assist people to reduce the cost of fueling vehicles and power generators by converting petrol or diesel to compressed natural gas.
IMO: Free lunch, transportation, others
Imo State government has raised the minimum wage of its workers to N40, 000, in addition to free lunch daily, free medical treatment and free transportation.
Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku, disclosed this following Sunday Vanguard’s inquiry.
Oguwike said, “Imo students are going to receive bursaries, while the scholarship board is to be activated for the benefit of citizens, who are academically exceptional and cannot fund their education.
“Marketing and Commodity Board is to be reconstituted and plans have reached the advanced stage to set up outlets in the 27 local council areas of the state.
“The idea is for government to buy bulk commodities and sell to the masses at reasonable prices to end the cutthroat prices that traders sell to them.
“Commodities like rice, garri, yam, salt and fertilizer, among others, will be sold to the masses at a controlled cost.
“Farmers in the state are going to have the opportunity to access soft loans from the N5 billion government has set aside for them.
“As I speak, modalities for the enhanced transportation system that will serve the whole people and residents of Imo State are being worked out. More vehicles that would cover all the routes in the state would be bought while additional buses have been earmarked for civil servants.
“Government is also primed to pay gratuities to retirees, commence mass housing programmes, recruit more teachers for primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, as well as extend bursary and scholarship awards for Imo State students among others.”
PLATEAU: Burdened by debt
Plateau State is having difficulties with the payment of salaries of its workforce who had been on strike before the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang came on board.
However, there has not been any discussion about palliatives, Sunday Vanguard gathered.
The state is burdened by financial difficulties inherited from previous administrations.
However, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Samuel Jatau, assured that government would not abandon the workforce in the face of economic hardship.
Also, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor, Gyang Bere, said vehicles had been deployed to convey students, especially from the University of Jos, to their campuses.
His words: “The governor is concerned about the plight of the people and the government is putting in efforts to ameliorate them.
“To cushion the effects of the subsidy removal, we have offered support, which is why vehicles were deployed to convey students, especially from the University of Jos, to their campuses. “We intend to intensify and expand the efforts to ensure other sectors are carried along.
“We are also making efforts to see that farmers get inputs that would assist them in getting a better harvest.”
Meanwhile, some residents of the state have different opinions.
George Pate said: “Plateau State has found itself in a very precarious situation. I heard the debt profile of the state is high. What shall we do to quickly come out of this situation? Workers and pensioners are being owed salaries and pensions since the last administration.
“These issues need to be urgently addressed before the government comes to the issue of palliatives.”
Martha Ashom added, “Plateau State is a special case. The government is trying to settle the backlog of salaries first.
“There is no discussion yet about any form of assistance to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
“We are hoping that the Federal Government will intervene urgently so that the poor can breathe.
“It seems the state is also waiting to receive handouts from the Federal Government before they can give to people.”
DELTA: Gov mindful of suffering
Like his counterparts in other states, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State is faced with the challenge of ameliorating the economic hardship his people are going through.
The state government is working out plans to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on Deltans.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Festus Ahon, the Oborevwori administration is not unmindful of the untold hardship Deltans are currently facing.
He said the governor would soon come up with palliatives to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
Ahon’s words: “Government is concerned about the welfare of Deltans. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has directed political appointees to stay connected with our people to assist them.
“Deltans can be rest assured that they would not be abandoned in this trying time.”
Oborevwori, at a meeting with local government chairmen on June 14, had directed the council bosses to check the activities of revenue collectors to reduce the burden of petrol subsidy removal on the people.
He said the people were facing serious hardship following the removal of petrol subsidy.
“With the hardship, we are facing now with this subsidy removal, I want to appeal to you to talk to your people, your agents and tax collectors not to impose unnecessary taxes on our people,” the governor said.
Last week, the governor approved the payment of N5 billion in promotion arrears to workers in the state.
BENUE: Plea for patience
As the federal and some state governments make efforts to have in place palliatives for the citizenry to cushion the harsh effect of the petrol subsidy removal, the same cannot be said of Benue State.
Though the people have been anxiously waiting for a pronouncement by the state government on the matter, it has not come out in clear terms to make a declaration on what it intends to put in place.
Only recently, Governor Hyacinth Alia, while addressing the All Progressives Congress, APC, Caucus in Makurdi, urged the people to be patient while government was working on putting palliatives together.
He had said: “On palliatives, I urge everyone to be patient as something is being done about it by government.”
Also, early last week, while addressing the 2023 National Convention/Mega Reunion of St. James Minor Seminary Old Boys’ Association, SAJSOBA, the governor reiterated the appeal, urging Benue people to be patient with the system.
Alia said committees had been formed at the federal level “and they are discussing at various levels but at the end of it all, the Federal Government will come up with a policy statement on how the cushioning will be.”
ENUGU: Modalities
Enugu State government said plans to roll out palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal in the state were on ground.
Speaking to Sunday Vanguard, Special Assistant to Enugu State Governor on Research and Publication, Joshua Ejeh, disclosed that the modalities for sharing palliatives had been drawn up and will soon be released.
Ejeh said government was considering bringing out vehicles to convey civil servants to their various offices, cash palliatives, tax reduction, providing fertilizer to farmers and food items among others.
He said:”In line with the current realities in the country, the plan is ongoing in Enugu State and would soon be unveiled.
“We met with the governor on the issue and he assured us that it will soon be released. We are working on the modalities to share because everybody will get palliative based on how it affects them. We are going to provide buses that will convey civil servants to office and other palliatives including money.
“For example, traders will get palliatives either by reducing their tax and others.
“We are trying to make sure that the palliatives get across to everybody in the state. So, we are almost done with the modalities to ensure it goes around the people in the state.”
LAGOS: Work in progress
Governor Babajide-Sanwo-Olu has set aside N5 billion for various social-economic interventions in Lagos.
Though there has not been a definite announcement of any palliative measure by the state government, as part of measures to enhance the economic power of civil servants, Sanwo-Olu had earlier approved the upward review of salary across the board for over 100, 000 public workers.
He approved 20 percent increase in the salaries of civil servants in the state.
The increment affects those in the mainstream public service, local government areas and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, as well as the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB.
When contacted, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said the governor has a package to be unveiled soon.
He said: “It is work in progress. The governor is working on so many options. Do not forget that the governor has increased the salary of workers across board this year.
“And he is already working on various socio-economic interventions aimed at cushioning the impacts.
“I do not want to let the cat out of the bag yet. There are plans in the areas of transportation, economic empowerment, food banks and other social benefits. All I can assure you is that there is work in progress to release more palliative packages for workers and residents of the state.”
KEBBI: Expectations
Kebbi State governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, said the governor is targeting all categories of civil servants for palliatives.
He said vulnerable persons in the state who he believes are adversely affected by the subsidy removal are also included.
Idris said the state was already identifying those deserving of palliatives so that the sharing process would be credible.
The intervention in Kebbi may likely be drawn from the N500 billion the Federal Government planned for 12 million poor families across the country.
However, fears that non-civil servants may not benefit from the gesture and likely hijack of the process by politicians exist.
A resident of Birnin Kebbi, Usman Mustapha, said: “I fear that non-civil servants in the state may not enjoy palliatives because, at the end of the day, politicians may hijack it for their kith and kins. The governor may have good intentions but politicians could spoil things for the state government.”
Also, Hajia Bilkisu Sambo, a non-civil servant, said:” People are truly passing through hell since subsidy was removed.
“I hope Governor Idris would ignore politicians while rolling out the palliatives for the poor in the state because they may bring politics into it. Government should avoid politicization of the disbursement.
ONDO: Public outcry
In Ondo State, government has set up a nine-member committee on palliatives for the people following public outcry.
The committee is led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Olugbenga Ale.
The acting governor, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, said the decision was taken at the state EXCO meeting in Akure.
Ayedatiwa said the council deliberated on the pains being experienced by residents occasioned by the removal of the petrol subsidy.
The committee’s terms of reference include working out remedies for the excruciating effects of fuel subsidy removal “within available resources” of the state.
Members of the committee are the Head of Service, Kayode Ogundele; Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Emmanuel Igbasan; and Special Adviser on Education, Wunmi Ilawole.
Others are the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaye; Special Adviser on Transport, Tobi Ogunleye; and Chairman of ODIRS, Tolu Adegbie.
The Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Bayo Philips, will serve as Secretary.
OGUN: Comprehensive package
Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved N10, 000 for civil servants and pensioners every month, for three months.
Payment takes effect from July 2023.
The government also approved hazard allowance for health and medical personnel, food palliative for the most vulnerable citizens, and cash palliative of N10,000 for each public servant including pensioners.
There is also a ‘peculiar allowance’ for public servants in the state, immediate release of promotion letters and payment of March and April 2023 leave bonuses for public servants in the state.
Other palliatives include immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners, ensuring that 20 per cent of the staff of Ministries, Agencies and Departments, MDAs, are off-duty daily, resuscitation of the Gateway Trading Company and establishment of distribution outlets across the state.
Fertilizers and other farm inputs are to be supplied to farmers at subsidized and controlled prices.
Other measures include the commencement of conversion of state mass transit buses to CNG including staff buses and current public transportation buses in circulation to reduce the cost of transportation.
OYO: Salary review
Governor Seyi Makinde has set up a salary review committee and directed it to come up with a new salary proposal within eight weeks in Oyo State.
Similarly, the state government rolled out mass transit buses and has equally reduced transport fares by 50 per cent on the buses for senior citizens, 60 years upward, and students.
EKITI: Plans
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Ekiti State government is expected to roll out its palliative measures.
Speaking with Sunday Vanguard, Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Ekiti State Chapter, Mr. Kolapo Olatunde, said a meeting with union leaders to fashion out ways of cushioning the effects of subsidy removal had been scheduled.
“I will have information for you immediately after the meeting because some of us felt it was long overdue”, Olatunde said.
“I know that Governor Biodun Oyebanji, being a man of the people, will provide sustainable and concrete palliatives available to the people.
“We are yet to know the nature and dimensions of the palliatives government is planning. It will be premature to start talking about the effects.”
Bashir Bello, Charly Agwam, Femi Bolaji, Ndahi Marmara
KANO: No segmentation
Kano State government has said plans are underway to roll out palliatives for all segments of society and not only civil servants.
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Halilu Baba Dantiye, said government would revive and expand the social investment programme initiated by the administration of former Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
Dantiye said the palliatives would come in various forms such as fertilizer for farmers, free education for school children, reviving of the girl child initiative, transportation, school feeding and reopening of the closed entrepreneurship centre for training of youths and women.
According to him, “This government is not new. It is an offshoot of former Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s administration. It has initiated so many social investment programmes.
“We are going to revive and expand these programmes. There were 26 entrepreneurship centres built by the Kwankwaso administration that shut down. We will reopen them to train our youths and women in different entrepreneurship skills and at the end, we will give them starter packs to start up their businesses and become self-reliant.
“We would also revive the 62 high-powered buses bought by the Kwankwaso administration for the Girl Child initiative. All are not working. When revived, it would ease challenges associated with transportation of the students.
“For the farmers, we will give out fertilisers to them. So, there would be no segmentation in the palliatives. Because if you segment, what happens to those segmented?”
BAUCHI: 30 buses
Recently, Bauchi State government bought 30 new Toyota Hiace buses to add to the fleet of the state-owned transport company, Bauchi State Transport Corporation, popularly called Yankari Express, to lessen the burden of high cost of transportation on commuters.
While commissioning the buses, the governor commended the federal government for ending fuel subsidy, calling it a scam.
He assured that soon there will be buses to convey civil servants from their houses to the offices.
Governor Mohammed promised to procure grains and essential commodities for distribution to citizens as part of measures to cushion the hardship occasioned by the recent fuel subsidy removal.
He added that there are plans to procure tricycles and commercial motorcycles to create job opportunities and address transportation challenges.
BORNO: Distribution of food items
In Borno State, many households received food palliatives last week.
The distribution of the food items was supervised by Governor Babagana Zulum, in Baga town, Kukawa Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Zulum said: “Distribution of palliatives is one of the priorities of President Bola Tinubu. He (Tinubu) has declared an emergency on food security and in line with this objective, Borno State government is distributing food items in batches to communities. We have provided food and non-food items to over 20,000 men and women.”
Governor Zulum frequently distributes food palliatives to beneficiaries unable to farm in substantial quantities due to Boko Haram insurgency.
YOBE: Gov heads C’tee
Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, has set up a 17-member Palliative Committee to address the economic impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on residents of the state.
The committee is headed by the governor while his deputy, Idi Barde Gubana, is Deputy Chairman.
The body would be responsible for devising and implementing strategies to ensure that the most vulnerable segments of society receive the necessary support.
TARABA: Dialogue
Residents of Taraba State have yet to know what government plans as palliative measures for them.
The state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, while speaking last week, said his government would roll out palliatives to ease the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy on residents. He, however, did not mention how he plans to do this.
His words: “I have a very realistic and effective palliative plan for the people of Taraba, which I am going to roll out next week when we get back to the state.
“It will help cushion the effect of the rise in prices of food and non-food items that have gone up.”
“We will also call marketers to a round table to dialogue on the dangerous effect of increasing the price of their commodities at this time.
“We will make them understand why it is dangerous to inflate prices of commodities and why we don’t need to inflict hardship on our people in this challenging time.”
A resident of the state, who didn’t want his name in print, said previous administrations had targeted civil servants as beneficiaries of such palliatives while those in the informal sector were left out.
Another resident, who identified himself as Magnus Bulus, urged the state government to avoid entrusting the palliatives to politicians.
[Vanguard]
The Federal Government will on Monday meet with the representatives of the organised labour in an effort to prevent the nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
However, the NLC has advised citizens to stock their homes with food items, medicines and other essential things ahead of the commencement of its seven-day strike to protest the removal of fuel subsidies and the escalating cost of living in the country.
The warning, it noted, had become necessary because the strike would cripple the country as movement would be severely curtailed as commercial transport operators would withdraw their services, while markets, schools and healthcare facilities would be forced to shut down.
Assistant General Secretary, NLC, Chris Onyeka, said in an interview with one of our correspondents that the citizens should also minimise their movements so as to avoid being stranded.
NLC has given the government a seven-day ultimatum with threats of a nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The labour movement in a statement signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero, accused the Tinubu-led Federal Government of failing to meet up with the demands it presented to it following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, which caused an astronomical rise in the pump price of the commodity.
Following the announcement of the strike by the NLC, the government team immediately called for an emergency meeting with the organised labour comprising the NLC and Trade Union Congress with a follow-up meeting on Friday at the State House.
However, officials of the organised labour angrily stormed out of the meeting following the alleged failure of the government team to show up.
Onyeka noted that the labour team would meet with the government on Monday, adding that the outcome of the meeting would determine the next step.
He said, “Nigerians should be prepared. That’s what we are saying. Being prepared means you have to stock food in your house and be economical with your movement at this particular point in time so as to avoid being stranded. It is going to be a nationwide mass protest and we are sure that it will affect every corner of the country. We are seriously mobilising across the nation. We are currently at work at the secretariat alongside the CSOs.
“We may not shut down the power supply system, but as the protest goes on, we may shut down other places depending on the response of the government. The (Friday) meeting didn’t hold at all. The government side was not prepared. The representatives were not available. They didn’t show any seriousness towards what they were doing. One of the things we do is hold dialogues. We don’t run away from the table anytime they call us. We are having another meeting with them on Monday.”
Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers, and the National Union of Electricity Employees, on Saturday, confirmed that they were mobilising their members to ground the supply of fuel and the national electricity grid from Wednesday in response to the planned mass protest called by the NLC.
General Secretary, NUPENG, Afolabi Olawale, told our correspondent, “The congress has taken a unanimous decision and it is mandatory that every affiliate should obey the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress.”
When probed further to confirm if NUPENG was mobilising its members to halt the lifting of petroleum products, Olawale replied, “That’s it. I’ve given you an answer.”
On their part, electricity workers stated that they would shut the national power grid as it was binding on all employees in the sector to join the mass protest.
The acting General Secretary, NUEE, Dominic Igwebuike, stated, “The NUEE is an affiliate of the NLC and I’ve told you that we will join the strike action.
“The issue is that if there’s a deadlock between labour and the government; that means that the mass protest is still going on, and definitely electricity workers, as an affiliate of the NLC, will partake in the mass protest.
“So, all workers in the power sector will join the mass protest on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. It is binding on every staff member to join the strike action. So, if it results in a blackout, the only option is for the government to listen to us if it wants power to return.
“The government should listen to the Nigerian masses who are going through serious suffering right now. That is the only thing we are asking for. So, for now, the protest is going to hold, unless there is a further directive from the NLC.”
National Deputy President, TUC, Tommy Etim, blasted the government over the lack of seriousness shown so far with regard to the negotiations.
“When we got to the Villa on Friday, we waited for almost two hours at the gate for clearance with no intervention. It was after two hours that we were allowed in. By the time we got to the point of the meeting, we realised that the team representing the government failed to show up. So, it is wrong to actually say labour stormed out of the meeting. How can labour storm out of a meeting that did not hold? We felt very disappointed because we did not expect this from the government,” he said.
National Executive Council of the NLC had on Friday endorsed the August 2 nationwide strike and mass protests proposed by the body over the recent hike in the pump price of petrol.
However, the Federal Government had told the NLC that it was legally restrained from embarking on the planned nationwide strike due to the ruling of the National Industrial Court, which restrained organised labour from embarking on the strike.
The steering committee members met the government delegation on Wednesday, where the two parties agreed to reconvene on Friday to get a brief from the government’s subcommittees on mass transit, compressed natural gas and cash transfer.
The steering committee was set up by the Federal Government to draw up intervention plans to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.