The organised labour which consists of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has reacted to the decision of the Federal Government to sue the unions following the protest held on Wednesday.

Naija News had earlier reported that FG on Wednesday filed a contempt case against organised labour for allegedly defying an order restraining the unions from embarking on industrial action.

The organised labour in reaction to the action of the federal government stated that all workers in the private and public sectors across the country will appear at court proceedings in a contempt case.

A statement by the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, and President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, notified Nigerians that the unions had “just received a court summons purporting to charge us with contempt of Court”.

The statement read, “To further show our collective resolve, All Nigerian workers will resume at the Courts wherever they may be across the nation on the days of the Court sittings to hear the contempt proceedings against the leaders of trade unions.

“The Airports, the Seaports, the Hospitals, Schools; all public and private sector workers will all appear in Court across the nation in response to the Contempt Charges.”

See the full statement below:

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service, said it intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle loaded with 15 bulletproof jackets, 15 pieces of jack knives, and 20 pieces of pistol pouches at Ijebu-Ode checkpoint in Ogun State.

A statement by the command on Wednesday said the driver of the vehicle was arrested and the controlled wares seized.

In the statement, the acting Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu, said importation of any form of bulletproof items required an end-user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser.

The statement read, “Within July, our officers intercepted smuggled 15 bulletproof jackets, 15 pieces of jack knives, and 20 pieces of pistol pouches inside a Toyota Sienna bus in Ogun State at Ijebu-Ode Checkpoint.

“The driver of the vehicle was arrested with the seized controlled wares. It is pertinent to know that the importation of all forms of bulletproof materials such as vests, ballistic materials, and vehicles, as well as parts and accessories for all military armaments and hardware such as guns, arms, and ammunition of all kinds; lethal and non-lethal requires an end-user certificate.”

Ejibunu said a total of 50 seizures were made and 13 persons were arrested in connection with different seizures in July.

“Notable among the seizures made were, 5,642 bags of foreign rice 50kg each equivalent to nine trailer loads, 18,925 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 20 pieces of pistol pouches, 15 pieces of bulletproof jackets, 15 pieces of jack knives, 49 cartons of children school shoes, 181 parcels of Indian Hemp 87 kg each, 357 kegs of vegetable oil five litres each, one unit of Honda Motorcycle, two used (Tokunbo) vehicles, among others,” he said.

He also said that the duty-paid value of the seized goods stood at N463m.

According to the statement, the acting FOU boss handed over three suspects and cannabis sativa with a net weight of 7.73 kg to officials of the Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, for further investigation and prosecution.

Air Peace on Wednesday said a passenger on board one of its flights allegedly stole N1m from another passenger’s bag but was caught.

The airline’s spokesperson, Stanley Olisa, said in a statement in Lagos that the incident took place onboard Abuja-Port Harcourt flight P47192 on July 27.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that there have been reported cases of theft onboard aircraft involving different airlines operating in the country in recent times.

Olisa said the suspect stole the amount contained in a brown envelope but was caught by the owner of the money, with the intervention of the airline’s staff.

He explained that during the flight, the suspect took another passenger’s computer bag from the overhead cabin.

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“He, thereafter, took the brown envelope containing the money, put the computer bag in another luggage compartment and moved to an empty seat at the back of the aircraft,” he said.

Olisa added that the suspect was one of the first few to disembark despite the announcement of a proper disembarkation sequence by the crew.

He said the suspect was eventually caught and the money retrieved from him, with different currencies in different denominations found on him.

Olisa said the suspect was handed over to the security operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for onward transfer to the police for further investigations.

He said the police later confirmed to have released him on bail.

Yabagi Sani, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has openly expressed disappointment at President Bola Tinubu over the character of his ministerial lists forwarded for confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

Sani, who noted that he highly regards Tinubu as a figure that personifies democracy, accused the President of choosing politicians who had been rejected by the people during the 2023 elections as ministerial nominees.

Speaking on Wednesday when he was featured on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Sani did not mince words about how disappointed he was to see names of politicians who have “baggage” on the lists.

According to him, it sends the wrong message for Tinubu to “put faces that personify corruption as your lieutenants” because the ministers would be exercising his powers in whatever ministries he’s assigning to them.

Noting that some of the nominees do not hold the best interests of the people at heart, the IPAC chairman said: “You know why I’m so disappointed? President Tinubu personifies the politics of this country (and) democracy. He lived all his life as a democratic individual who fought with his life to ensure that we have the democracy that we are enjoying today.

“So, how can you come and then embark on policies that you know are anti-people and you now put people that you know were rejected? Some of the people that he put as ministers contested and were rejected by the people (in the 2023 election).

“So, how can you then bring them through the back door and say they must preside over the affairs of the people? That’s not the kind of country that we want to have. We must begin to give Nigerians confidence,” he said.

While Sani did not mention names, the immediate past governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mattawalle, and ex-Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Atiku, fit his description.

In May 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed that it was investigating Matawalle for allegedly diverting a N70 billion loan sourced from a bank for purported execution of projects across the local governments in Zamfara.

The former governor, who was listed among the second batch of ministerial nominees Tinubu sent to the Senate on Wednesday for confirmation, had accused the former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, of going after him because he denied him (Bawa) $2 million bribe.

Meanwhile, Bagudu, who served as Kebbi governor from May 2015 to May 2023, was listed in the Pandora Papers investigation led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists as being “involved with all the offshore front companies and bank accounts – from the British Virgin Islands to Ireland, Switzerland, England, Guernsey, and Jersey – used to steal and launder billions of dollars belonging to Nigeria under the Abacha regime as a director.”

The Pandora Papers investigation also revealed that the former Kebbi governor was “signatory on accounts or prime beneficiary” of the offshore accounts as shown in U.S. court documents and incorporation filings.

Tinubu, according to the IPAC chairman, should have picked persons with capacity and without links to corruption as ministers to avoid dampening the spirits of Nigerians who voted for him hoping that he would make a difference.

“When you talk of capacity and when you talk about track record, we have people that have capacity and track record.

“And for God’s sake, it is not about the minister. The minister does not work alone, he has experts around him but if you bring somebody that has baggage surrounding him, what do you think the other lieutenants would do? Don’t put faces that personify corruption as your lieutenants because what the ministers are doing is that they are exercising your powers of Mr. President in those ministries. They are the presidents actually. So don’t tell me that this people are you,” Sani added.

THE WHISTLER reported that President Tinubu sent additional 19 names to the Senate in his second batch of ministerial nominees for confirmation.

Among the nominees are former Osun State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola; former Kebbi governor Atiku Bagudu; former Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle; former Yobe governor, Ibrahim Geidam; former Plateau governor, Simon Lalong; a former senator from Bayelsa State, Heineken Lokpobiri and Shuiabu Abubakar Audu, son of a former Kogi State governor, Abubakar Audu.

Former senators on the new list are Sabi Abdullahi from Niger State, Alkali Ahmed Saidu from Gombe State, and Heineken Lokpobori from Bayelsa State.

A former chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Zephaniah Jisalo, also made the second list.

The second came after the Senate had concluded the screening of the 28 ministerial nominees on the president’s first list.

The Federal Government on Wednesday filed a contempt proceeding against the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, for allegedly embarking on an industrial action contrary to a June 5, 2023, exparte order by the National Industrial Court, NIC.

The “notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court” filed before NIC in Abuja, was addressed to NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Deputy Presidents, Audu Aruba, Prince Adeyanju Adewale and Kabiru Sani; General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja; TUC President, Engr Festus Usifo; Scribe/ Chief Executive, Nuhu Toro.

The contempt notice signed by Senior Registrar, Balogun Olajide, reads: “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, delivered by Honourable Justice Y. Anuwe on June 5, 2023, as per the attached enrolled order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to Prison.”

The FG also attached a copy of the exparte order made by Justice Anuwe on June 5, 2023, to the notice of contempt proceeding forwarded to the NLC and TUC officials.

The order reads in part: “Having therefore considered the totality of this application, I make the following orders: The defendants/Respondents are hereby~ restrained from embarking on the planned Industrial Action/or strike of any nature pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice dated June 5, 2023.

“It is ordered that the defendant/Respondents be immediately served with the originating processes in this suit, the Motion on Notice and the order of this court hereby made.

“The Motion on Notice is hereby fixed for hearing for June 19, 2023. The Hearing Notices to that effect shall be served on the defendants/Respondent along with the other processes.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, says it has little or no control over the price of either Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or the dollar.

A Principal Manager with the apex bank, Mr Osagie Clement, disclosed this when he appeared before the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the recent hike in the price of fuel.

Mr Clement stated that the demand for PMS has gone down by 30 per cent due to its low demand following the hike in the price.

He said on a monthly basis, 150 million dollars is being deployed to PMS importation from CBN intervention and urged the federal government to discourage importation and encourage local production, which he said would reduce the current challenges in the nation's economy.

He however expressed optimism that there are positive times ahead in the next four months for forex to benefit the Nation's economy.

"The PMS market, perhaps it is envisaged that it is expected that there is no more subsidy, no more bottlenecks so it becomes real market enterprise so more people will come into that business and you see competition will bring the price down.

The Executive Director of distribution systems of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, also speaking at the meeting, stated that the market forces of demand and supply determine what the prices of products would be.

According to him, the Petroleum Industry Act PIA, has however given regulators the authority to intervene to avoid cartel building, which is why the agency introduced competition to also deal with illegal profiteering.

"PIA has given the authority quit enormous power to intervene to avoid cartel building which is why we have introduced competition and to also deal with illegal profiteering and more importantly to work with Federal Consumers Protection Council in relation to consumer protection," he added.

Speaking earlier at the meeting, the Chairman of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the recent hike in the price of fuel Hon. Babajide Benson, noted that the Petroleum Industry Act PIA has however given regulators the authority to intervene to avoid cartel building but noted that the low demand for petrol due to its hike is worrisome.

To this end, the committee adjourned till further notice.

[Vanguard]

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja, has dismissed online report stating that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is assembling its forces for military action in Republic of Niger.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Tukur Gusau made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

Maj-Gen. Gusau stressed that the AFN is yet to receive any order from the appropriate authority to commence military action, against the Military Junta in Niger.

He said,”The attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria has been drawn to an online report stating that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is assembling its forces for military action in Republic of Niger.

“The AFN is yet to receive any order from the appropriate authority to commence military action, against the Military Junta in Niger. It’s no longer news that some members of the Republic of Niger Armed Forces seized power from a democratically elected government through un-constitutional means. In reaction to this illegal takeover of government the ECOWAS Heads of Government met and a series of options were reached on how to intervene in the crisis.

“Military option was the last option to be taken in case every other option fails to reverse the situation and return the Government of Republic of Niger to constitutional order.”

He added,”At the moment, ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff is currently holding an extraordinary meeting in Abuja to discuss the political situation in Republic of Niger and submit their plans to the committee of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS for consideration.

“In conclusion, the Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot proceed on any operation in any of the member states of ECOWAS without the mandate from the Authority of Heads of States and Government.”

[newsdiaryonline]

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered immediate investigation to ascertain the cause of the failure of elevator that killed a medical doctor, Dr. Vwaere Diaso in the state.

Diaso died on Tuesday at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, after an elevator she took developed a mechanical failure.

In a statement on his verified social media handles on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu expressed his commitment to ensuring that the investigation would be conducted with utmost transparency and fairness.

He said: “In light of this tragedy, I have taken immediate action to initiate a thorough investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure. It is my sincere commitment that this investigation will be conducted with utmost transparency and fairness, leaving no room for any biases or favoritism.

“Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident.

“May Dr. Vwaere Diaso’s soul rest in eternal peace.”

The governor also commiserated with the deceased family, friends and colleagues, particularly the Nigeria Medical Association, Medical Guild, doctors, and healthcare professionals in the state.

“I was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Dr. Vwaere Diaso, a dedicated medical professional whose life was taken due to a mechanical failure within the elevator at the Doctors’ quarters of the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island. It is distressing to think that such a promising young doctor had her life cut short in such a devastating manner.

“As a parent myself, I cannot help but feel the pain and sorrow that Dr. Diaso’s loved ones must be experiencing during this difficult time. My heart goes out to her parents, family members, friends, and colleagues who are grieving this profound loss.

“To the Nigeria Medical Association, the Medical Guild, and all doctors in Lagos State, I extend my deepest sympathies. Losing a fellow healthcare professional is a tremendous loss for the entire medical community,” Sanwo-Olu added.

According to reports, the elevator fell from the 10th floor of the building, while Diaso was on her way to the ground floor to pick up a delivery from a dispatch rider.

Earlier on Wednesday, house officers at the hospital protested and demanded justice for the deceased.

It was gathered that Diaso was going to complete her housemanship in two weeks before the tragic incident happened.

… To Unveil Workable Roadmap To CNG Alternative Next Week

President Bola Tinubu has assured the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) that the Port Harcourt refinery will begin production by December.

The president revealed this during a meeting with the labour unions at the presidential villa in Aso Rock Abuja, on Wednesday.

This meeting came a few hours after the senate pleaded with the labour unions to beat them but not kill them while demanding a seven days window to attend to their demands.

The organized Labour embarked on protests across States in the country on Wednesday over the removal of petrol subsidy without adequate palliative measures.

In a statement signed by the NLC president Joe Ajaero and the TUC president Festus Osifo, it disclosed that Tinubu agreed to review the wage for Nigerian workers immediately.

“It is pertinent to inform Nigerians that the extent of the success of the protest is underlined by the request of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria Bola Tinubu to meet with the leadership of the NLC and TUC in a closed-door session.

“The engagement was fruitful that immense mileage was gotten with regards to the issues that bogged down the work of the Presidential Committee on Subsidy removal and necessitated the protest viz.

“He committed to an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders.

“He pledged to ensure that Agreement is reached on the Wage Award for Nigerian workers immediately.

“Also, he (Tinubu) let out a certainty that the Port Harcourt refinery will commence production by December this year while promising to unveil a workable roadmap to the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) alternative next week,” the union said.

The Labour unions also urged vigilance on the part of all workers and masses to protect the nation and it’s decisions while they await the response of the Government through the National Assembly as was assured by their representatives during the protest.

They further urged all Nigerian workers to resume at the courts wherever they may be across the nation on the days of the court sittings to hear the contempt proceedings against the leaders of trade unions.