Some unions have shut their workplaces to comply with the directive of the two labour unions to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.

On Friday, the organised labour announced that they will be commencing a nationwide indefinite strike due to the refusal of the Federal Government to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.

According to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, the strike will begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

In a joint statement delivered by Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed their serious concerns and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to finalise and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law.

They also demanded that the government reverse the increase in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.

Recall that both unions had given an ultimatum of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage.

However, talks between organised labour and the Federal Government broke down on Tuesday after both parties presented their offers.

The government increased its initial offer of N57,000 by adding N3,000 to make it N60,000. ,

This proposal was rejected by labour during the meeting.

During negotiations at this meeting, labour also lowered their demand from last week’s proposal of N497,000 by removing N3,00 which reduced their new proposal to N494,000.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities in a statement addressed to the branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators of ASUU on Monday, the association’s President, Emmanuel Osodeke, directed lecturers in universities across the country to join the strike as an affiliate of the congress.

The statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, as a result of the failure of Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.

On Sunday, Aviation unions directed its members to withdraw services across airports in Nigeria.

The unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.

The union stated, “In compliance with the directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria—we hereby inform the general public, aviation service providers, airline operators, aviation businesses, and all aviation workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.”

Below are the unions that have joined the strike:

1. The Academic Staff Union of Universities.
2. Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria.
3. The National Union of Electricity Employees.
4. National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.
5. Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria

Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), says Nigerians should not give out their hard-earned money or properties regardless of intimidation by police officers.

Egbetokun spoke in Abuja on Friday at the force headquarters during a meeting with key officers responsible for the internal control mechanisms of the police.

The IGP said his leadership of the police would bridge the trust deficit between the force and members of the public.

Egbetokun called for a prompt dispensation of justice against erring police officers and the implementation of measures to curb unprofessionalism.

“Over the years, we have observed that the conduct of some personnel significantly deviated from the expectations of the force leadership,” the IGP said.

“Officers who are supposed to uphold the value of integrity and upon whom society places high moral expectations are frequently seen breaching the trust placed in them by the public.

“At this junction, I want to emphasise that while we continue to implement internal measures to curb acts of extortion and other vices, the citizens must join hands with us.

“I urge the public never to succumb to intimidation or part with their hard-earned money or properties unjustly.”

Egbetokun urged Nigerians to report infractions committed by police officers to the appropriate authorities.

He also directed the senior officers to make necessary recommendations for personnel who demonstrate acts of courage, integrity, and humanity.

Nigerian passengers on an Air France flight from Paris to Abuja are currently stranded in Chad following a flight disruption.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, disclosed this in a post on his X page on Saturday.

In a video shared by Keyamo, the Air France airline passengers called on the minister to “do justice to this as you have always done”.

Speaking on the matter, the minister said the aircraft, which had earlier stopped in Chad to drop off some passengers, left the Nigerian travellers stranded.

He called on the appropriate regulators to probe the airline concerning the incident.

“It has come to my attention that some Nigerians on an Air France flight from Paris to Abuja are presently stranded in Chad, from where the flight earlier dropped some passengers,” the statement reads.

“I have immediately directed the Consumer Protection Department of NCAA to swing into action and engage Air France. We shall inform everyone of the outcome soon.”

Keyamo urged Air France to immediately issue a statement on the fate of the Nigerians.

On May 22, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said over 300 passengers were affected by the discord involving the Turkish Airlines and aviation unions, as the carrier cancelled flights in and out of Nigeria from May 21 until May 23.

Following the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) action, passengers of Turkish Airlines were stranded at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, as the airline failed to airlift them to Istanbul.