NEWS
Labour Proceeds With Hardship Protest
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is sticking to its guns and would be leading the organised labour, civil society organisations and interested members of the public in a nationwide protest against prevailing economic hardship in Nigeria.
The NLC had scheduled the protests for February 27 and 28, 2024 but the Nigerian government had made frantic efforts to foil it, which appear to have failed.
The last ditch effort was a meeting with the organised labour including the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) which was deadlocked late on Monday night.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, hosted the closed-door meeting which also had in attendance the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Ministers of Labour, Agriculture, Finance, Budget & Planning and the Head of Service of the Federation.
The NLC delegation was led by its National President, Joe Ajaero; while Festus Osifo led the delegation by the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
After the meeting, President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, assured that the protest would proceed and expressed confidence that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) would maintain law and order.
He said, “The rally goes on and it is part of their constitutional responsibility to ensure that the rally is peaceful.”
The Minister of Information, Muhammad Idris, who spoke after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, said the Federal Government had fulfilled almost all the demands put forward by the labour union.
On its part, the NLC said the FG must put on its thinking cap and implement its agreement with the organised labour as well as address the mounting economic crisis of survival in Nigeria.
For the organised labour, the protests became necessary because of rising inflation, food insecurity, forex crisis, and high cost of living said to be occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council has commended Dangote Refinery for its consistency in the price reduction of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.
The NUJ was reacting to the latest reduction in the ex-gantry loading cost of PMS from ₦880 per litre to ₦865.
Biztellers reports that the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, Adeleye Ajayi, noted that the Dangote Refinery had projected itself as a huge partner in progress to all Nigerians.
The gesture, the Council Chairman said had endeared the business mogul to Nigeria as a saviour of the masses in the face of the present hardship.
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Recall that the Dangote Refinery had announced a reduction of its ex-depot price per liter by N15 ostensibly following reduction in the price of crude oil in the international market.
“I want to emphatically say that the Dangote Refinery is indeed a blessing to all Nigerians. The roll out of petroleum products from Dangote Refinery has indeed changed the game and the fuel market is now liberalized,” he stated.
Urging other industrialists to take a cue from Dangote’s good heart towards Nigerians in the face of present economic hardship, the NUJ boss added, “In the last few months, we are all aware that Dangote Refinery has crashed the price of PMS at different interval and we are very optimistic that such gesture will be extended to other sectors by other industrialists.
“We need more Dangotes in this country so that Nigeria can be great again. Imagine if we have three or four Dangote in other sectors of Nigeria’s economy, Nigeria’s economic progress would have been fastracked.”
In a related development, Ajayi lauded the move by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which gave an express approval for the full implementation of the suspended Naira-for-Crude agreement with local refiners on Wednesday.
He opined that the move would boost the confidence of the citizenry, as the output was expected to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
A tragic crash involving a small plane near Copake, New York, has claimed the lives of all six people aboard.
The aircraft, a Mitsubishi MU2B40, went down in a field approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Columbia County Airport on Saturday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, with spokesperson Todd Inman stating that the incident is classified as a “fatal crash.”
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While Inman did not specify the number of deaths, the New York Times, citing a family member, reported that all six occupants perished.
The victims were identified as pilot Michael Groff, a neurosurgeon, his wife Joy Saini, a surgeon, their two children, and the children’s partners.
According to the Times, the family was traveling to a 25th birthday party and a Passover celebration.
Inman described the plane’s descent, saying it was “intact as it came down” before the impact caused it to “compress, buckle, and embed into the terrain.”
Before the crash, Groff, an experienced pilot, had reported a missed approach to the airport and requested guidance for another landing attempt, Inman explained.
He added that visibility had worsened before the crash occurred.
The plane’s cockpit had been recently updated, and the aircraft was in good condition prior to the crash.
This incident follows a string of other aviation tragedies.
Just last week, a helicopter crash in the Hudson River resulted in six fatalities.
In January, 67 people were killed in a collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington state.
A light aircraft crash in Florida on Friday also claimed three lives when the plane developed mechanical issues shortly after takeoff.
The NTSB continues its investigation into the cause of the crash near Copake.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has raised the alarm over unapproved visits to the state, warning that his administration cannot guarantee the safety of any individual or group who enters the state without prior notice.
The warning was contained in a statement released on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, under the heading: “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State.”
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In the statement, Governor Alia stressed that he was not expecting any “August visitor” and disclosed that his schedule was currently occupied with “high-profile meetings with key state actors to discuss critical issues affecting our state.”
The governor advised that any person or group planning to visit Benue, especially those whose presence could spark political gatherings, should obtain official clearance before making such trips.
“For anyone considering a visit to Benue State without the Governor’s knowledge, it is imperative to reconsider such plans, as the safety and security of individuals in this regard cannot be guaranteed,” the statement warned.
Governor Alia also addressed those intending to visit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state, stating that prior approval must be sought and obtained from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).
The statement further urged both security operatives and members of the public to remain vigilant and uphold peace across the state.
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