NEWS
Labour Leaders Yield To President Tinubu’s Discussion
After a nationwide protest on Wednesday, the organized Labor has agreed to suspend further action against the removal of fuel subsidies.
This decision followed a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and representatives of the workers.
In attendance were the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, and Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo.
Recall that workers held protests across the country against the fuel subsidy removal by the current administration.
The protests followed weeks of stalled negotiations between the workers and the government. The NLC, TUC, and affiliate unions had been demanding a reversal of the government’s decision.
The protests were prompted after a National Industrial Court injunction prevented them from commencing a nationwide strike scheduled for June 7, 2023.
Following the protests, labor leaders met with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential villa, where they expressed satisfaction with the President’s promises and are now ready to suspend further actions.
During the meeting, President Tinubu assured the workers that the Port-Harcourt refinery would start production by December.
He made five major commitments and pledged to reach an agreement on wage awards for Nigerian workers immediately.
He also promised a workable roadmap to the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) alternative and committed to restructuring the framework for engagement based on labor input.
“PBAT (President Bola Ahmed Tinubu) promised to unveil a workable roadmap to the CNG alternative next week.
“PBAT committed to an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders.
“We have decided for a return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation,” the message posted on NLC platform indicated.
The labor leaders are expected to formally announce the suspension of protests on Thursday.
The workers criticized the government for being insensitive to citizens’ plight, leading to large-scale protests across the country.
In Abuja, over 5000 protesters stormed the National Assembly, even breaking into the assembly complex.
In various states, labor leaders demanded policy reversals, increased transparency, and more consideration for citizens’ well-being.
The Kano State NLC expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s efforts to alleviate the impacts of fuel subsidy removal, deeming them misleading.
The Kano chapter criticized President Tinubu for introducing unpopular policies to the public within only two months of his administration.
Kabiru Inuwa, Chairperson of the NLC in Kano, emphasized that the union remains apolitical and is committed to not exploiting the lives of Nigerians for political gain.
He said “Tinubu should let the masses breathe. Palliative he promised should be quickly shared,”
Kogi State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Gabriel Amari noted that the protest was as a result of the hardship being faced by Nigerians, adding that, if urgent measures were not put in place, it might lead to national chaos.
Amari stated “Nigerians are passing through the worst moment in their lives. This is not the renewed hope President Tinubu promised us when we voted for him.
“All the anti-people policies must be reversed immediately before things get out of hand.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.
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