Metro
Labour faults FG’s meeting, insists on indefinite strike
The National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, said nothing would stop the strike, noting that Nigerian workers were disenchanted with the Federal Government.
He stated that the unions had given the government sufficient time to address their demands, stressing that the workers would not allow themselves to be deceived any longer.
Etim told The PUNCH on Wednesday that any fresh meeting was pointless and asked Nigerians to brace for the long-drawn walkout.
‘’The government had been given more than enough time to meet our demands but they did nothing. The strike has been fixed, nothing will stop it, and if they (FG) like, they can go to court as usual. The only thing that can stop the strike is if they meet all our demands,’’ he stated.
Asked what Nigerians should expect during the industrial action, the labor leader added, ‘’It will not just be a total shutdown of the nation, it is going to be the mother of all strikes. Do you know that they are even planning to sack 17,000 workers in this period when Nigerians are suffering great hardships?’’
Also, a top official of the NLC while speaking on the proposed strike, said, “The issues are straightforward, NLC’s joint communiqué was very clear. NLC has declared an indefinite nationwide strike which is to begin on October 3, 2023, and nothing will make us not start unless the government does everything we have said they should do.’’
Asked if the unions would shelve their plan if invited to a meeting by FG, the union leader noted, ‘’No meeting or promise that would make us stop; the only thing that would make us stop is the fulfillment of all those demands, nothing else.”
Fuel scarcity, blackout
Meanwhile, Nigerians may have to brace for fuel scarcity and nationwide blackout from Tuesday as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers and the National Union of Electricity Employees have vowed to join the indefinite strike declared by the NLC and TUC.
Also, the health workers said that they would not be available to attend to patients at the hospitals while the judiciary staff disclosed that the courts would be shut down nationwide.
Senior officials of NUPENG and NUEE told our correspondent on Wednesday that the unions would ground petrol and electricity supply once the strike begins.
NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, said the union would implement every instruction issued by the NLC, adding that it was non-negotiable for NUPENG to join the strike.
On Tuesday, the NLC and TUC announced an indefinite strike with effect from October 3, to protest the alleged failure of the Federal Government to provide post-subsidy palliatives for workers and implement policies that could alleviate the sufferings of the masses after the removal of the fuel subsidy.
After the 21-day ultimatum given by the NLC lapsed last week, the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, lamented that none of the demands put before the government had been addressed.
Responding to a question on whether NUPENG would join the proposed strike, Akporeha said, “We are an affiliate of NLC and we will follow their directives to the letter.”
The NLC has over 40 affiliate unions, while the TUC has about 30 and the affiliates often participate in industrial actions called by the parent associations.
Also confirming the resolve of NUEE to comply with the strike directive, the acting General Secretary of the union, Dominic Igwebuike, said the association would ground power supply if the government failed to avert the proposed walkout.
“NUEE is an affiliate of NLC and we are complying with the directive of the congress by joining the strike from Tuesday. Workers in various electricity companies are our members.
“So, we are ready to join the strike, and our circular communicated that to our members. So, electricity workers are right now getting set to join the strike and this will lead to a massive shutdown of the power sector,” he stated.
Igwebuike had earlier said though the power sector employees were regarded as essential workers, they would still join the proposed strike.
He noted, “People in the power sector are also Nigerians. There is no different market for people working in the essential services sectors. We all go to the same markets, pay school fees, buy fuel, and face the same challenges. So we are Nigerians too.”
He explained that the September 5 and 6 walkout did not ground all the power stations because it was a warning strike, but stressed that the major strike beginning from October 3 would culminate in a complete shutdown of the country’s electricity grid.
Igwebuike urged the Federal Government to listen to the demands of the labor unions in order to avert the impending hardship that the proposed industrial action would bring upon Nigerians.
Speaking in the same tone, the healthcare workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives said they would join the planned nationwide strike.
Health workers
The acting National Vice Chairman of JOHESU, Dr Obinna Ogbonna, disclosed this to our correspondent on Wednesday.
Ogbonna said the health workers in the affiliates of the TUC and NLC would not report for work during the strike period.
it was reported that JOHESU is the umbrella body of health workers’ unions and associations, including the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institution, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals and Associated Institutions, and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations.
Ogbonna stated, “We will join the strike fully and strongly because there was a circular released in July 2023, by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
‘’It has to do with the upward review of Consolidated Health Salary Structure and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and it stated that it will be implemented from June 2023, and the reason why it was so was because of the biting economic situation, but up till this moment, it has not been implemented.
“The palliatives that are meant to be done for us in the health sector have not been done. So, why are we not going to join the strike?”
Ogbonna noted that health services would be paralyzed in government-owned facilities.
“We will only render skeletal services, especially to those in the Intensive Care Units,” he said.
Corroborating him, the National President of the NUAHP, Kamal Ibrahim, said the members of his union will also participate in the nationwide strike.
“We will be joining the strike and it is for the good of the people,” he added.
As members of the NLC, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria said its members will join the strike action.
The treasurer of the union, Musa Alonge, argued that the issues the NLC was canvassing affected its members.
He said, “We are an affiliate of the NLC and we cannot deny that. What they are agitating for affects us. We are going where the NLC goes on this matter.”
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, in a statement signed on Wednesday evening addressed reports that the President, Bola Tinubu, would roll out wage awards and palliatives for workers on Independence Day. He said, “For the benefit of the doubt, it is important to stress that the Director of Information at the Ministry of Labour does not speak for the President nor is he involved in writing his speech to warrant him making any categorical statement on its content.
“If and when the minister schedules a meeting with Labour, the public will be adequately notified through verified channels.”
In a related development, the leadership of the Labour Party has thrown its weight behind the planned industrial action, saying the Presidency has been insensitive to the plight of Nigerian workers.
Among other things, the NLC and the TUC were asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers, and a review of the minimum wage.
Reacting to the proposed strike in a statement titled, ‘Workers strike: Labour Party identifies with Nigerian workers’ on Wednesday, National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, said the workers have shown enough patience and understanding.
Ifoh also added that the leadership of the party was in support of any legitimate means to press for better welfare for Nigerian workers.
The party, therefore, said it fully supported the resolution of the NLC and TUC to embark on an industrial action.
He said, “We have followed with keen interest, in the last four months, various meetings between Organised Labour and various government bodies including the president of the Senate, the Presidency, and the ministers of labor as well as all the efforts made by the Labour leadership to get the government to understand the magnitude of sufferings its policies have thrown Nigerian workers into since the enthronement of this administration.
“We are not in any way surprised at the government’s apparent indifference, insensitivity, intransigence, and recalcitrant posture towards the genuine demands of the Labour bodies because their usurpation of power was not sanctioned by both the workers and generality of Nigerians.
“Nigerians went to the polls with clear conviction of the government they wanted but this was denied them through institutional conspiracy. Today, Nigerian workers are being punished for taking a stand during the February 25 presidential election.
‘’Labour Party is also aware of the sordid conditions which workers, the majority of them being our members, are subjected to, where many go to the office on a Monday and are forced by the prevailing economic challenges to sleep in their offices all through to Friday before returning home.
“We are also using this medium to inform all our members and supporters to stock their homes with their necessary needs ahead of a long-drawn mass action until victory is ascertained. No retreat, no surrender.”
Speaking on the planned strike in an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday, the National President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, asked the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to account for the amount it claimed to have saved from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol. Osifo said this during an interview on Arise Television.
In July 2023, the government noted that it saved more than N1 trillion following the removal of fuel subsidy.
Tinubu said the revenue saved would be used for the benefit of Nigerians.
“In a little over two months, we have saved over a trillion naira that would have been squandered on the unproductive fuel subsidy which only benefitted smugglers and fraudsters. That money will now be used more directly and more beneficially for you and your families,” Tinubu said.
Osifo explained that since the government announced that N1trn had been saved, there was no reason for the government to continue to obtain loans.
“The President and commander in chief on its own came and said the country has saved N1 trillion. The Federal Government went everywhere to announce that if the subsidy is removed, it’s going to save substantial money.
punch.
The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has cleared the air on the ongoing debate surrounding the Olomoro–Igbide Road, following reports suggesting that the project was a Federal Government intervention under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
Aniagwu, in a statement on Friday, said contrary to claims circulating on social media, the project was neither conceived nor funded by the Federal Government but was duly approved and executed by the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He explained that the State Executive Council approved the construction of the Olomoro–Igbide Road in August 2024 as part of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda on rural infrastructure, and the site was handed over to Lebtech Construction on November 24, 2024.
According to him, the project has since been fully funded by the state government, completed to specification, and now awaits formal inauguration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Olomoro–Igbide Road is a Delta State Government project. It was approved by the State Executive Council on August, 2024, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
“The state government provided full funding, and the project has been delivered to the people of Olomoro and Igbide communities in line with specifications,” Aniagwu stated.
The Commissioner recalled several supervisory visits he personally undertook to the project site, including joint inspections with Governor Oborevwori and the State Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, an illustrious son of Igbide Kingdom.
“I personally supervised the project at different stages of construction to ensure standards were upheld. On different occasion, His Excellency, Governor Oborevwori, and the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme led members of the state’s project monitoring committee on inspection to ascertain progressive milestones on the Olomoro-Igbide road project”.
“We saw firsthand the quality of work delivered, and I can confidently say this is a state-driven project ready for inauguration,” he added.
Aniagwu was reacting to a report by Tracka, a civic group known for monitoring projects nationwide, which had in a recent Facebook post claimed to be tracking the Olomoro project as a federally funded intervention under the NDE.
The group also alleged that while the Olomoro–Igbide stretch had been asphalted, drainage works were yet to be completed at the Olomoro end.
While commending Tracka for its efforts in promoting accountability, the Commissioner urged the organization to verify facts more diligently before publication to avoid misinforming the public.
“We appreciate Tracka’s role in tracking projects across Nigeria, but in this case, their claim was misleading. The Olomoro–Igbide Road has nothing to do with the Federal Government or the NDE.
“It is purely a Delta State Government initiative under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Going forward, I urge them to exercise greater caution and courtesy in their reporting so that citizens are not misled,” he cautioned.
Aniagwu reassured residents of Olomoro and Igbide that the road, which has been fully delivered, will soon be inaugurated even as road users are already enjoying smoother motoring on the road.
The Olomoro-Igbide road and many of such across the state are part of the state government’s ongoing commitment to rural development and inclusive infrastructure growth.
The Trans-African Youth Development Initiative (TAYI), has conferred the Nelson Mandela “Africa Patriot Award of Excellence” on Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze for his visionary leadership and contributions to nation building.
The award, which recognizes Izeze as an African Patriotic Leader, was presented in Asaba on Monday.
The group described the commissioner as a “golden fish with no hidden habitat,” whose visionary leadership and commitment to humanity have distinguished him among African public office holders.
In his address, TAYI’s country representative in Nigeria, Amb. Bakare Luqman, said the organization, which represents the voices of 1.2 billion young people in the Commonwealth, closely monitors the contributions of public office holders and honors those who positively impact their communities.
He praised Izeze’s role in ensuring adequate security, promoting community development, upholding the rule of law, advancing education, empowering youths, and fostering religious tolerance.
“Sir, you have demonstrated indelible commitment to the transformation of good governance in Nigeria through your office and selfless service to humanity,” Luqman said, noting that Izeze’s work aligns with the development agenda of President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He added that Izeze’s dedication to youth emancipation and nation-building has earned him respect across Africa. “Indeed, the recipient has won the heart of African youths by his conduct and credentials as a distinguished leader, dogged fighter, bastion of hope and a statesman par excellence,” Luqman stated.
The ceremony also served as a platform for TAYI to highlight its forthcoming continental conference themed “A Holistic Approach to Quality Assurance in African Higher Educational Institutions, Pragmatic Interventions by Supply and Demand Actors.”
The summit, scheduled for September 11–13 in Kigali, Rwanda, will bring together stakeholders from across Africa to chart pathways for educational development.
TAYI further called on governments, entrepreneurs, and public office holders to support its initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, skills development, and peacebuilding.
Concluding the ceremony, Luqman expressed hope that the recognition bestowed on Izeze would inspire other leaders to emulate his people-centered approach to governance and national development.
Responding, Comrade Izeze expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to God, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the supportive people of Delta State.
He described the honor as both humbling and inspiring, noting that it would serve as a call to even greater service. “This award is not just about me; it is about the vision we share as a people, that governance must be about the people, their well-being, and their future,” Izeze said.
The commissioner praised TAYI for its steadfast commitment to youth development across the continent, commending its programs that tackle social ills, promote education, and empower young people with leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
“This recognition is a reminder that the work we do in public office is constantly being observed, measured, and evaluated. It challenges me to redouble my efforts in ensuring that our roads and infrastructure projects translate to real opportunities for our people, particularly the youths who are the heartbeat of our nation,” he added.
Izeze further assured that he would continue to work in alignment with the MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori, which emphasizes meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms, and enhanced peace and security.
He called on Nigerian youths to remain committed to the values of patriotism, integrity, and hard work, urging them to see themselves as partners in nation-building.
“The future of Africa lies in the hands of its young people. If we channel our energy positively, there is no limit to what we can achieve as a continent,” he said.
The commissioner concluded by dedicating the award to God, Governor Oborevwori and all Deltans whose resilience, faith, and support make the work of governance not only possible but impactful,” assuring them that the recognition would only strengthen his resolve to deliver on his mandate.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, has paid glowing tribute to the late former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Moses Oisakede, on the 26th anniversary of his passing.
Oisakede, who died on September 1, 1999, was remembered by Izeze as “a rare breed of student leader whose life of service was marked by courage, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to the welfare of his fellow students.”
Recalling Oisakede’s 1997 handover speech as Students’ Union President of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Izeze noted that the late activist stood out as the only union leader who boldly invited a probe of his own administration, leaving behind a financial surplus and disciplining corrupt executives.
“His moral courage and transparency remain exemplary to this day,” he said.
The Commissioner described Oisakede as a visionary who championed affordable education, resisted exploitative practices, improved students’ accommodation and welfare, advanced transportation options, and ensured uninterrupted academic calendars through constructive, non-violent resistance.
He also recalled Oisakede’s role in hosting the 14th NANS Convention and honouring fallen comrades with monuments.
Izeze, who was an acolyte of Oisakede during their NANS years, disclosed that he and other friends remained close to the late leader’s family in Otuo, Edo State, ensuring that his mother has never lacked care since his passing.
“Twenty-six years after his death, Moses Oisakede remains not just a leader of his time but a timeless symbol of selfless service, visionary unionism, and ethical leadership.
“His memory will forever inspire generations of Nigerian students and leaders to come,” Izeze declared.
•He starves me, our children, beat leave me, left me almost naked in public —Wife
A minibus driver complained before a local court in Lusaka, Zambia, that his wife sleeps in leggings to prevent him from making love to her.
Richard Makura, 48, of Kanyama compound was testifying in a case in which his wife, Patricia Mulenga, 40, a business woman sued him for divorce on allegation that he was violent.
According to the Zambian Observer, the two got married in 1996 and have three children.
Patricia told the senior court magistrate, Lewis Mum, sitting with two other magistrates, Abbyshine Michelo and Esther Mulomba at Kanyama Local Court that Richard has been beating her over petty issues since her father in 2004.
She explained that in 2006, he threatened to burn her clothes and was forced to seek refuge at her parents’ home.
She told the court that he once beat her until she fainted.
Patricia stated that in 2015, Richard started working for APG Milling in Mansa but still failed to provide for the family because he only sent home K50 or K100 per month.
She further said that Richard joined her in June 2016 when his contract was terminated but she never saw the benefits he was given.
“When I asked for our children’s school fees, he beat me in public and removed the chitenge material I was wearing.
“I was left in the short skirt I was wearing and in the confusion, he beat a man who wanted to rescue from his hand,” Patricia stated.
In defense, Richard denied being violet but admitted that problem started in 2006 when he had a girlfriend.
He explained that when he came from Mansa, his wife started sleeping in leggings to prevent him from making love to her.
The magistrate, Mumba stated that there was violence in their marriage and since Patricia wanted divorce, the court had no power to continue to live with Richard.
He granted the couple divorce, ordering Richard to compensate Patricia with K6,000 with initial payment of K1,000 followed by monthly installment of K400.
Property acquired together was ordered to be shared equally.
Nigerian Tribune
A man named Hassan has brought his wife, Zainab, before the Grade A Customary Court located in the bustling area of Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, in a dramatic bid to end their nine-year marriage.
He attributes his decision to Zainab’s alleged infidelity, which has shattered the trust between them. raising doubts about the child’s lineage.
Zainab, while consenting to the divorce, firmly asserts that Hassan is indeed the biological father of their child, standing her ground amid the turmoil. Click link to continue reading.
In court, Hassan recounted their journey, explaining, “Zainab and I began our relationship in 2017,” shedding light on their earlier, happier days before the cracks in their marriage appeared.
“We later cohabited, and I never asked her hand in marriage.
“We ran our relationship this way for a few years, and I got fed up with it.
“I told her I was no longer interested in our relationship, and she accused me of using and dumping her.
“She insisted I must rent an apartment for her, set her up in a business, and rent a shop to carry out the business.
“I obliged her request and gave her N400, 000 to settle all that she demanded for.
“We parted ways as agreed, but she back not too long after this to inform me that she was pregnant with my child.
“Although I was sceptical about her claim, I took her back.
“I have been responsible for our child’s upkeep till date, making feeding, clothing, her education and health care a priority.
“My lord, Zainab has extorted so much from me by the reason of her claim that the child is mine.
“I do not want to invest all my love and resources in her, only to find out later that she is not my child.
A housewife, Hassana Adamu, has urged a Upper Area Court, Gwagwalada, Abuja , Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to dissolve her 10-year-old marriage to her husband, Danjuma Ali, on the grounds of lack of love and interest.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Hassan told the court that her marriage with Danjuma is blessed with three kids.
“I have lost interest in our marriage and no longer love my husband.
“My husband has abandoned me. He does not enter my room again, and he is no longer interested in me.
“I want the court to dissolve our marriage because of lack of love and interest.”
Danjuma in his response , however, said that he still loved his wife.
The judge, Malam Abdulkarim, advised the couple to explore some means of settlement.
Abdulkarim asked the complainant if she was willing to accept back her husband if he did all she wanted, but she answered in the negative.
He then adjourned the case.
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