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NLC, TUC Leaders Snub FG Meeting Amid Strike Threat

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The meeting summoned by the Federal Government on Friday to avert the impending nationwide strike from October 3 was snubbed by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and their counterparts from the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

 

Citing the government’s late invitation and pre-scheduled commitments outside Abuja, the federal capital, both labor centers justified their absence.

 

The government had summoned an emergency meeting on Friday with the leaders of NLC and TUC, attempting to sway Organized Labour and its allies to postpone the industrial action.

 

It was gathered that the meeting, initially set for 12 noon at Aso Villa’s Conference Room, Office of the Chief of Staff to Mr. President, was rescheduled to the evening.

 

This adjustment aimed to accommodate the leaders of NLC and TUC, who were outside Abuja.

 

According to sources, the government’s invitation reached NLC and TUC through the Ministry of Labour and Employment yesterday morning.

 

The invitation letter from the Federal Government, dated September 29 and disclosed by Saturday Vanguard, was signed by Emmanuel Igbinosun, the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.

 

Titled “Impending labour union strike invitation to a meeting,” the letter states in part “I bring you greetings from the Honourable Ministers of Labour and Employment. I am directed to invite the leadership of the Trade Union Congress Nigeria (TUC) for a meeting with the Chief of Staff to Mr. President on the above subject, scheduled as follows: Date: Friday, September 294, 2023.

 

“Time: 12 noon. Venue: Aso Villa, Conference Room of the Office of the Chief of Staff to Mr. President. Please be assured of the kind regards of the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment.”

 

Responding to the Minister’s letter, both labor centers submitted a letter dated September 29, requesting a rescheduled meeting for next week.

 

The letter, signed by Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC’s General Secretary, and Nuhu Toro, TUC’s Secretary General, is titled “Re-impending labour union strike: Invitation to meeting.”

 

The letter reads “We extend our warm regards to you and the entire team at your Ministry.

 

“We wish to express our sincere regrets for our inability to attend the proposed meeting between us and the Federal Government, scheduled for today the 29th Day of September due to already scheduled engagements our officials have outside Abuja.

 

“Regrettably, the short notice provided for this meeting has posed significant logistical challenges for the majority of our leadership, rendering their participation unfeasible at this time.

 

“In light of this, and in the interest of ensuring that any discussions held are representative of the NLC’s and TUC’s collective stance, we find it imperative to request the rescheduling of the meeting.

 

“We trust that this request for a rescheduled meeting will be taken into consideration, and we look forward to your understanding in this matter.” it added

 

Recall that the NLC, and TUC, had on September 26, declared indefinite strike starting from October 3.

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JUST IN: FG Announces Launch Date For Student Loan Applications

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The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has announced that the portal for student loan applications will officially open on May 24, 2024.

This development is part of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund’s efforts to enhance access to higher education, as stated by the Fund’s media lead, Nasir Ayantogo, on Thursday night.

According to Ayantogo, the launch of the application portal is a significant step in President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing accessible and inclusive education for Nigerian students.

This initiative follows the signing of the Access to Higher Education Act, 2023, by President Tinubu on June 12, 2023 which aims to provide interest-free loans to financially disadvantaged students pursuing higher education in Nigeria.

Dele Alake, a member of the former Presidential Strategy Team, noted that this move fulfills one of President Tinubu’s key campaign promises to liberalize funding for education.

The Act, popularly known as the Students Loan Law, also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to handle all loan requests, grants, disbursements, and recoveries.

Initially, the government announced that the scheme would launch in September, but it faced several delays, resulting in an indefinite postponement in early March.

The Presidency attributed the delay to President Tinubu’s directive to expand the scheme to include loans for vocational skills.

Following a briefing from the NELFUND team led by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, on January 22, President Tinubu instructed the Fund to extend interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skill-development programs.

President Tinubu stressed the importance of including those who may not seek university education, noting that skill acquisition is equally as important as earning academic degrees.

He had said, “This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.

“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.

“In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFUND to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,”

Through the portal, students can now access loans to pursue their academic aspirations without financial constraints.

According to the statement, the portal features a user-friendly interface, allowing students to conveniently submit their loan applications.

The statement added, “We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation. Students can access the portal on www.nelf.gov.ng to begin application.”

 

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JUST IN: Tinubu Welcomes Senegal’s Youngest President At Villa

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President Bola Tinubu received Senegal’s newly elected President, Bassirou Faye, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

Faye, who arrived at 3:09 p.m., is making his first official visit to Nigeria since taking office last month.

At 44, he is the youngest president in Senegalese history, having secured a decisive victory in April’s delayed presidential election with over 54% of the vote.

 

 

 

More to follow…….. 

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11 Confirmed Dead In Kano Mosque Attack

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In the devastating arson that occurred on Wednesday during an early morning prayer in Gaza village near Gezawa in Kano State, eleven people have been confirmed dead.

The perpetrator, 38-year-old Shafiu Abubakar, set fire to a mosque amidst an inheritance dispute, trapping around 40 worshippers inside.

Rabiu Gadan, a resident of the village, disclosed that 11 individuals have tragically succumbed to the burns they suffered.

Of these victims, eight have already been laid to rest, while preparations are underway for the burial of the remaining three, scheduled for Thursday.

Rabiu revealed that the attack was not the first instance of violence involving Shafiu. Previously, he had assaulted two of his older brothers and then voluntarily surrendered himself to the police, claiming responsibility for their deaths.

Another resident, Malam Garba, said, “He has always been troubled, but when he challenged his family to give him his portion of the inheritance, they did.

“He was even taken to a mental institution once when he attacked his relatives but he was given a clean bill of health. So, he was clearly in his right mind when he set the fire, two of his uncles died and we buried them yesterday already.”

According to BIZTELLERS reports, the assailant is currently in police custody, where he has confessed to his actions.

He cited frustration with the way some of the victims handled the inheritance sharing as his motive. Despite warning his family members to stop maltreating him, he claimed his pleas were ignored.

He however expressed no regret for his actions.

Residents confirmed the existence of an inheritance dispute within the family, but the precise nature of the disagreement remained unclear.

At the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano, where the injured were rushed for treatment, distraught relatives anxiously awaited news about the condition of their loved ones.

Maijida, one of the distressed relatives, shared her heartache, expressing fear over the condition of her father and brothers.

“My father and two brothers are severely injured and I was told some people have died already, what will I do if I lose them, I will be left all alone.” she lamented.

One of the residents that attempted to rescue the victims, Musa Muhammad Gadan said, “I was late going to the prayers, but as I was rushing to the mosque, I heard a blasting noise and then I heard people screaming so I rushed over, the flames had engulfed the building, I and some others tried to rescue them and that is how I sustained burns on my arms.

During a visit to the victims at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Deputy Inspector General of Police AIG Umar Mamman Sanda, in charge of Zone 1 in Kano, confirmed the devastating loss of eight lives on Wednesday.

He was accompanied by a delegation of security personnel, including the Commissioner of Police in the state and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He said, “The suspect was said to be not satisfied with the distribution and was reacting to that. He is presently with us and is giving useful information. It is really unfortunate.”

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