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Ajaero leaves police Headquarters, says labour movement is worth dying for

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Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has returned to the Labour House in Abuja.

On Thursday morning, Ajaero honoured the invitation of the police to appear at the force intelligence response team’s (IRT) office.

On August 19, the police invited Ajaero for questioning over “a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime”.

The letter signed by Adamu Mu’azu, assistant commissioner of police, indicated that Ajaero was expected at the IRT complex on August 20.

Mu’azu said an arrest warrant would be issued on Ajaero if he did not honour the invitation.

Ajaero declined the invitation, demanding details of the allegations levelled against him.

On August 7, police had raided the NLC building in the Central Business District of Abuja.

The NLC said operatives who raided the building “claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGovernance protests”.

Subsequently, Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), said one of the masterminds of the Sudan conflict was traced to the NLC headquarters.

The IGP added that police detectives traced the foreigner to a shop within the Labour House, and that operatives did not raid the entire secretariat.

Nigerians took to the streets from August 1-10 to protest against economic hardship and soaring inflation with #EndBadGovernance as the theme.

‘I DIDN’T KNOW I WAS THIS LOVED’

On August 29, some members of affiliate unions and labour leaders across states, converged on the Labour House ahead of Ajaero’s visit to the IRT.

Afterwards, Ajaero and Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, alongside other activists, left the building for the IRT.

Ajaero and his entourage returned to the Labour House soon after.

The NLC president appreciated all affiliate unions for their solidarity and promised to “continue the struggle”.

“I want to thank everyone. I want to thank all comrades in the states who have been praying. Those that have been fasting since morning can now break their fast,” he said jocularly.

“The labour movement is worth dying for because of the patriotism and commitment. Labour movement is one of the biggest pan-Nigerian organisations.

“Our patriotism, from the days of colonial government to even the period of the military, is unshakeable.

“We have gone there and we are back. You can’t do this job we are doing without this type of matter. It’s expected. This is the hazard of the job.

“We are out to continue the struggle. We have gotten minimum wage but we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.

“Every other thing that will make the welfare of Nigerian workers to be worthwhile, we’d be involved in it. We’d not listen to any distraction.

“I didn’t know that I was this loved.”

Maxwell Okpara, deputy lead counsel of the NLC president, said “there is no cause for alarm. What we heard was quite different from what was in the invitation letter”.

“Now that they have learnt their lessons and corrected themselves, we have taken it in that manner. The police said they just wanted to ask the NLC president one or two questions in respect to the tenant that is here,” Okpara added.

“That does not mean that we are going to relent because we don’t know what will come up next. We will get ourselves prepared.

“We are also using this medium to ask for the release or prosecution of all those arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protest. They have been detained for longer than stipulated by law.”

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Anambra government suspends health worker for refusing to attend to pregnant women

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The Anambra Government has suspended a health worker, Mrs Njideka Ezeihejiofor, for refusing to attend to a pregnant woman who delivered a stillborn baby outside the health facility on Tuesday.

The suspension of Ezeihejiofor was approved on Friday by the disciplinary panel chaired by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, after investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Appearing before the panel, Ezeihejiofor, who is the Officer-in-Charge at Ukpo primary healthcare centre, said she turned back the pregnant patient when she came in to the facility at 11a.m, due to fatigue.

“When the patient came in, she said she was about six-months pregnant and that she could no longer feel her baby kicking. I told her to go to a higher health facility to get the best care.

“Few minutes later, some persons ran to the health centre and said the pregnant woman just had a baby two poles away and I should come and attend to her. I refused because I was afraid,” she said.

Meanwhile, Obidike said the panel found that Ezeihejiofor, refused to examine the pregnant woman or provide a referral letter when she visited the centre.

“When she was called to assist and separate the placenta after the woman delivered the stillborn just two poles away from the facility, Ezeihejiofor reportedly declined,” he said.

The Commissioner condemned her actions, noting that a retained placenta could have caused the woman to bleed to death.

“A retained placenta can cause life-threatening bleeding and even death. That patient could have bled to death if not for the prompt intervention of another health worker within the area.

“The panel however, resolved that Ezeihejiofor be immediately demoted and suspended without pay while the other staff in the centre be queried,” he said.

Similarly, Mrs Blessing Offor, the Officer-in-Charge of Uke Primary Healthcare Centre in Idemili North, was found to have been consistently absent from duty.

The panel suspended her salary indefinitely and she was directed to refund eight months of wages previously paid during her absence.

Obidike emphasised the state’s commitment to high-quality healthcare delivery, warning that such unprofessional behavior undermined Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s investment and health policies.

The commissioner urged health workers unwilling to fulfill their duties to resign quietly or face disciplinary measures.

He also urged residents to report incidents of negligence via designated contact numbers displayed at healthcare facilities.

Mrs Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Chris Azor, Coordinator, Anambra Civil Society Network and others were members of the panel.

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‘Disrespect to Nigerians’ — Tunji-Ojo tackles Canadian high commission for denying CDS visa

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Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, says the denial of visa to Christopher Musa, the chief of defence staff (CDS), by the Canadian high commission was disrespectful to all Nigerians.

Tunji-Ojo spoke on Friday when he appeared on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television.

He was reacting to comments by the CDS, who narrated how he and other top military officers were supposed to be in Canada for an official assignment on Wednesday, but were denied visas.

Musa had said the visa denial episode was another reminder that Nigeria needs to “stand on its own, stand strong as a nation and should no longer be taken for granted”.

During the interview, the minister said he finds it difficult to justify Canada’s actions, noting that diplomatic channels could have been used to address any concerns.

Tunji-Ojo also wondered what average Nigerians are being subjected to by the high commission if a high ranking government official like the CDS was handed a raw deal.

“Without knowing the full facts, I think even for us in terms of visa policy, it means that the issue of reciprocity as I always say, has to be given due consideration,” he said.

“Without knowing the full facts, I think even for us in terms of visa policy, it means that the issue of reciprocity as I always say, has to be given due consideration,” he said.

“As much as we are not ready to dabble into the sovereignty of other nations, the issue of visas, issue of migration management is a sovereign issue and right of every nation.

“As much as we don’t want to dabble into that, it is not a disrespect to the chief of defence staff, to me, without knowing the facts, it is disrespectful to the country, and it is disrespectful to us as a people.

“If that can happen to the chief of defence staff, then I am worried for an average Nigerian.”

The minister, however, expressed optimism that Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, will diplomatically resolve the issue and ensure mutual respect between both nations.

On Thursday, Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), expressed displeasure over the incident.

Ribadu also asked the North American country to “go to hell”.

The NSA commended the CDS for speaking about the incident, while also praising him for providing “purposeful leadership” in the war against insecurity.

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LAWMA warns against illegal recycling, scavenging in Lagos

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The Lagos Waste Management Authority has warned property owners, agents and private occupiers in the state to desist from illegal recycling and scavenging in unlicensed facilities.

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, gave the warning in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Gbadegesin also urged them to halt indiscriminate sorting, dumping, storing and trading of recyclable waste in their facilities and in public spaces around them.

He noted that such activities not only degrade the city’s aesthetic appeal, but would also disrupt the rights of property owners, contributing to serious environmental hazards.

According to him, part III, Section 85 & 86 of the law makes the deposition of recyclable waste in undesignated locations strictly prohibited.

He added that LAWMA would take the necessary steps to enforce compliance, including prosecuting violators and shutting down offending facilities.

“We cannot fold our hands and watch few people derail the ongoing efforts to make the environment cleaner and livable for all residents.

“I want to add that property owners who permit unauthorised recycling or scavenging activities on their premises risk revocation of property right and other legal consequences,” Gbadegesin said.

He urged residents and stakeholders to utilise only licensed recycling facilities and registered waste collectors to ensure proper waste management in Lagos.

He enjoined Lagos residents to report illegal activities through LAWMA’s official channels.

“We remain committed to achieving a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos, but we need the cooperation of all residents.

“We urge everyone to comply with waste management laws of the state and contribute to a healthier environment,” he said.

He advised property owners, businesses and the public to take the final warning seriously and avoid actions that could lead to serious legal repercussions.

In a related development, Gbadegesin said that a joint enforcement team have dislodged squatters and illegal recyclers at Ijora- Olopa under bridge.

He said the team comprised officials of LAWMA’s Monitoring and Compliance Department and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps.

Gbadegesin said the enforcement exercise would continue in other areas of the state in line with the zero tolerance for waste policy.

He said there would be no hiding place for any individual or group of persons bent on causing environmental degradation and undermining efforts of the authority.

He appealed to Lagos residents to use the following contacts 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020, and 617, to report illegal recycling activities or visit www.lawma.gov.ng.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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