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FG responds to labour strike threat, says agreements being implemented

Published

1 year ago

February 10, 2024

FG responds to labour strike threat, says agreements being implemented

The Federal Government on Friday responded to the threat issued by the organised labour to declare a nationwide strike in the next two weeks.

It said it had so far demonstrated good faith in implementing the agreement it had with the workers over cushioning the hardship from fuel subsidy removal.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was tirelessly working to ensure that everything was done to address the needs and concerns of the nation.

She said, “We have shown good faith, government is committed to expedite full implementation of the MOU.

“This government acknowledges the challenges faced by Nigerians and has demonstrated sincerity in its ongoing negotiations with the trade unions”.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government over the non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the federal government on October 2, 2023.

In a statement jointly signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and his counterpart in the TUC, Festus Osifoh, the two labour centres threatened that if government failed to honour its part of the understanding within 14 days, the workers would down tool from 23rd of February, 2024.

They said government’s failure to uphold its end of the bargain was deeply regrettable and unacceptable to the Working people and the citizenry.

Reacting to allegations by the labour movement, the minister said government had progressively implemented the Memorandum of Understanding reached with the unions and had kept its doors open for further engagement to ensure that everything was done to address the needs and concerns of the nation.

Onyejeocha said all the agreements with labour were not implementable at once, urging labour leaders to give the government more time.

“These agreements, all of them are not going to be done the same day. Some can’t be done in two, three or four months. Like the CNG, it is a process that’s ongoing, and I’ve just told Nigerians what the CNG group has been doing in the last four months.

“We’ve commenced deliveries on those agreements. We’ve been reaching out to the organised labour because the President is committed to these agreements. He has good faith, that’s why we don’t want anybody to shut down the economy at any time because it will affect everybody.

“It’s like you want to pull down the whole roof of a house, meanwhile, you’re still inside the roof. We’re not shying away from implementing the agreements we’ve entered with the organised labour,” Onyejeocha said.

She listed the progress being made: “For example, the N35,000 wage award agreed upon between the government and organised labour is currently being implemented.

“However, we have received complaints regarding non-implementation in some public sector organisations as well as the private sector. The ministry is actively addressing these issues to ensure compliance across all sectors.

“Two days ago, I mediated between the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCEFWW), Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA), the Federation of Construction Industries (FOCI) (Employers).

“Consequently, the parties have signed an agreement to resolve the issue.”

The minister also said, “Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has intervened in the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) matter with the Lagos State Government.

“As a result, up to 80 per cent of the agreement with the RTEAN management has been fulfilled, and ongoing efforts are in place to complete the remaining process.”

She said government had inaugurated a 37-member tripartite committee on national minimum wage which was mandated to recommend a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers, all in a bid to mitigate the hardship the Nigerian citizens are facing.

According to her, the organised labour has 12 members representing the working people in the committee.

In addition, Onyejeocha said government was actively implementing its plan to go green with the implementation of the Presidential CNG Initiative designed to alleviate the challenges arising from subsidy removal and transition Nigeria permanently to cheaper, safer and more reliable gas produced domestically for transport.

“In line with government’s ongoing commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians, provisions have also been made for an initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits as part of the commencement of the auto gas conversion programme.

“Development of the state-of-the-art CNG conversion centres nationwide is also ongoing with the aim to deliver one million converted bi-fuel CNG/PMS vehicles to enable transporters and mass transit operators convert their vehicles that run on PMS to gas (which is forty to fifty per cent cheaper than PMS).

“Additionally, the government through the Ministry of Finance is procuring up to 11,500 CNG vehicles including buses and tricycles that will be rolled out in fulfilment of the President’s promise by financing them at concessionary rate, even as production and assembly is ongoing locally and will be delivered in the next few months.

“We shall also liaise with the NNPCL to ensure that the visitation to the refineries for on-the-spot assessment of our refineries is done without further delay,” she said.

The minister pleaded for understanding by the leadership of the labour movement, adding that negotiations are often a gradual process, with resolutions unfolding in stages.

She said the government was assuring Nigerians of its continued commitment to addressing labour concerns and fulfilling all agreements as we move forward together.

“The government would also like to assure the organised labour of its commitment to maintaining open and constructive communication with them to foster positive labour relations and guarantee a supportive working environment for all workers,

“The government will continue to leverage on the principles of social dialogue, valuing the input of our social partners, with the goal of creating a better Nigeria for all.

“We strongly urge the organised labour to continue demonstrating prudence in their decisions and actions as the government works exceedingly hard to address the challenges currently faced by the nation,” she said.

Related Topics:Featured high cost of living Labour Nkrikuka Onyejeocha strike

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MURIC condemns demolition of two mosques in Ekiti

Published

8 hours ago

April 7, 2025

Trends Admin

MURIC condemns demolition of two mosques in Ekiti

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the demolition of two mosques in Aramoko, Ekiti State.

The Islamic human rights organization described the action as an onslaught on Islam in Ekiti State.

While no explanation was given for demolishing the first one, the second was pulled down to give way for a market which is a constituency project of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.

The group queried the Senate Leader for embarking on war against Muslims in Ekiti State as his constituency project. MURIC charged the politician to reach out to the Muslim community at Aramoko with a view to rebuilding the mosque or remain in the bad books of Nigerian Muslims forever.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday, 7th April, 2025 by the Executive Director of the faith-based civil liberties organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads, “The authorities of Aramoko, Ekiti State, have pulled down two mosques in the town in recent time. The principal actors include the Alara of Aramoko, Oba Adegoke Olu-Adeyemi, the Chairman of Ekiti West Local Government, Hon. Moses Omojola, his Vice, Hon. Isaac Fatoyinbo, a former deputy speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gbenga Odebunmi and Hon. Muyiwa Olabode, the Secretary of the council.

“A short notice was given to the Muslims to vacate their mosque situated at Sabo in Aramoko town for a constituency project of the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele. Every trick in the books was employed to ensure that the mosque was demolished on 26th March, 2025.

“MURIC strongly decries the destruction of Sabo Central Mosque, Aramoko, Ekiti State. This action smirks of religious intolerance. It is a confirmation of renewed hostility against Yoruba Muslims and reinvigorated onslaught on the religion of Islam in the region. It is a hate action aimed at eliminating Islam not only in the city of Aramoko and Ekiti State but in the entire Yoruba geographical space.

“In particular, we are surprised that a politician of immense exposure at the federal level in the person of no less a personality as Opeyemi Bamidele who has risen to the status of Senate Leader in Nigeria could give the green light to the perpetration of such a dastardly act against a section of his constituents simply because they are Muslims.

“Muslims of Aramoko have been heart-broken since the incident. They are hugely disappointed in the person of the Senate Leader whom they had voted into senate to represent them but who had turned round to deprive them of their place of worship.

“Man is body, soul and spirit. The material provisions of this world can only meet the needs of the body. Our souls and spirits will only be at rest when we commune effectively with Allah. To demolish our mosques for any reason whatsoever without immediate replacement is to deprive our souls and spirits of that much needed spiritual shelter. It is a declaration of war against Allah, our Creator.

“MURIC affirms that the demolition of Sabo Central Mosque for Opeyemi Bamidele’s constituency project breaches Allah-given fundamental human rights of the Muslims of Aramoko. It is also a violation of Section 38(i)&(ii) which guarantees freedom of worship.

“Our question to the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele is this: How can Allah give us one thing and you, a homo sapien, take the same thing from us? Not even in the name of a constituency project should this happen because that mosque has been on that spot at Sabo for donkey years and the Senate Leader knows it.

“It is unacceptable. It is an anti-Muslim act. We are shocked that at your level and with your exposure, you will still embark on war against Muslims in your comfort zone. By their actions, you shall know them.

“But it is not too late. MURIC urges the Senate Leader to reach out to the Muslim community at Aramoko with a view to rebuilding the mosque or remain in the bad books of Nigerian Muslims forever.

“Nigerian Muslims have special regard for their mosques. It is part of their anatomy and their soul. An attack on one mosque is attack on all mosques in the country because they know that anyone who demolishes one mosque will be ready to destroy all other mosques if he has the chance to do so.

“That is why Muslims will be waiting for Opeyemi Bamidele if he ever seeks a federal position unless he rebuilds our Central Mosque at Sabo, Aramoko, Ekiti State. A Senate Leader who cannot protect Muslims and their cherished properties in his constituency cannot be expected to protect the interest of Muslims in Nigeria if he becomes a minister or gets to Aso Rock.

“Meanwhile we appeal to Muslims in the state to remain calm and unperturbed. Islam is a religion of peace and we expect every Muslim to be a good ambassador of his or her religion.”

MURIC condemns demolition of two mosques in Ekiti

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Police fire tear gas at protesters in Abuja, Port Harcourt

Published

10 hours ago

April 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Police fire tear gas at protesters in Abuja, Port Harcourt

Police on Monday fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the Maitama district area of Abuja and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The demonstration, which also held Lagos, is part of a larger nationwide action led by the Take It Back Movement (TIB).

In Abuja, the protesters had assembled to air their frustrations on the state of the economy and the emergency rule in Rivers State.

They were however thrown into panic as the police operatives came and deployed several cannisters of tear gas.

The smoke filled the air, forcing many to scamper in different directions for safety.

In Port Harcourt, the protesters had converged at the Isaac Boro Park when the officers stormed the area, deploying tear gas to send the demonstrators in different directions.

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2023, led the protest.

“We have informed the political authorities that we will not accept any laws that infringe on our fundamental human rights. We will continue to speak out,” Sowore said.

“The police are aware that we are marching today. They claim to have their own event as well, but we’ve made it clear that theirs cannot interfere with ours.

“We have also informed them that we are heading to the National Assembly. If they wish, they can mobilise and march alongside us.

“In fact, we’ve told Nigerian police officers that the time has come for the people and the police to unite. Together, we can fight to improve both their living and working conditions.

“Nigerian police are among the most mistreated globally, yet they continue to harm those advocating for their welfare. We will not tolerate this any longer.

“While we protest here, Tinubu is busy enjoying himself in France. We will not sit idly while the president continues to suppress our rights.

“We’ve also made it clear that the current inspector general of police, who is leading the programme at Eagle Square today, holds the position unlawfully.

“He has overstayed his tenure after 16 years in power. This is one of the main reasons we are marching today. No one can suppress a powerful idea.

“As we march here today, similar protests are happening in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“These are just the early signs. Very soon, all Nigerians will rise up, and no force will be able to hold them back.”

National Coordinator of TIB, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the core demands of the protesters include the repeal of the cybercrime act and the end of emergency rule in Rivers state, which the group described as a “form of military dictatorship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration”.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had urged the organisers to shelve the protest and encouraged them to dialogue with relevant government institutions.

The demonstration also coincides with the National Police Day celebration on April 7.

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Lakurawa terrorists kill 13 vigilantes in Kebbi

Published

14 hours ago

April 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, Nafi’u Abubakar

Lakurawa terrorists kill 13 vigilantes in Kebbi

The Lakurawa terrorist group on Sunday killed 13 members of a vigilante group as they attacked Morai community in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The 13 vigilantes were reportedly killed when they tried to resist the Lakurawa as they attacked and rustled cattle from the community.

A local, Malam Ibrahim Augie, told our correspondent that vigilante members in their numbers had come out to repel the terrorists’ attack when they were informed of their incursion into the village, but the terrorists had already encircled them and killed 13 of them.