News
SEE FULL LIST: ASUU, TCN, banks, others join NLC nationwide strike
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:
- The Academic Staff Union of Universities.
- Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria.
- The National Union of Electricity Employees.
- National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.
- Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria
News
Explosion rocks Rivers APC secretariat as LG poll holds
Buildings and other property were shattered in the early hours of Saturday as explosives suspected to be dynamite shattered the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The explosion brought down the gate of the secretariat while doors, windows and other property were destroyed.
This is the second time the Chief Tony Okocha-led APC would be experiencing such an attack at its secretariat this year.
This came as the local government elections is set to hold in the state today as the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission said on Friday that all sensitive materials have been distributed to the various local government areas.
A viral video of the incident scene seen by our correspondent showed some workers at the facilities going round to ascertain the extent of damage.
When contacted, the spokespetson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she had yet to get a report on it but promised to revert.
The party has yet to make a statement on the incident.
News
‘She was everything a man wished for’ — Umo Eno speaks on wife’s death
Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom, has eulogised Patience Oluwakemi, his wife who died last Thursday after an illness.
The Akwa Ibom first lady died in a hospital in the presence of her family.
In a broadcast on Friday, Eno said his wife’s passing left a vacuum in his life.
“Kemi was everything a man could ever wish for in a virtuous woman,” the governor said.
“My prayer partner, counsellor, cheer-leader, best critic, home maker and permanently smiling. I will miss her for a life time.”
The governor thanked Nigerians for the outpouring of love, support, prayers, and words of encouragement through phone calls, condolence messages, and visits.
Eno thanked Oluremi Tinubu for the “motherly role she played since my wife fell ill till her demise”.
The governor assured that all projects that his late wife initiated would be completed, adding that he would continue to govern the state well.
“The Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), as well as all other initiatives she had started, will be sustained and expanded,” Eno said.
“The machinery of state will continue to function seamlessly as government will continue to be alive to her responsibilities.
“Our focus will not be shifted from rendering services to our people with renewed strength as this is what Kemi has always prayed for.”
Eno said announcements on the burial arrangements will be made public at the appropriate time.
News
Whistleblower PIDOM released from Kuje prison
Bristol Tamunobifiri, popularly known by his X name PIDOM, has been released from the Kuje correctional centre in Abuja.
Tamunobifiri regained his freedom on Friday after he perfected his bail conditions.
Omoyele Sowore, an activist, shared images of the whistleblower outside the Kuje prison on his X handle on Friday.
Last Friday, Emeka Nwite, a judge at the federal high court in Abuja, granted PIDOM N5 million bail with one surety in like sum.
Nwite said the surety must be a resident of Abuja and depose to an affidavit of means.
He said the surety must also provide evidence of three years of tax clearance with two passport-sized photographs.
The judge also ruled that the defendant must deposit his passport with the court.
PIDOM was arraigned on September 3, on a nine-count charge brought against him by Olukayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police.
He was accused of “mobilising and soliciting support to unduly compel the government to act or abstain from certain acts through the #EndBadGovernance protest”.
The police said the whistleblower allegedly laundered N970,000 deemed to be “proceeds of an unlawful act”.
In August, the police said the whistleblower was arrested at his hotel room in Rivers.
The police added that PIDOM was arrested for “committing serious offences that undermine the integrity of government operations”.
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