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FG responds to labour strike threat, says agreements being implemented
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.
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Nigerian Navy Seizes 15,000 Litres of Stolen Fuel in Rivers
Nigerian Navy Seizes 15,000 Litres of Stolen Fuel in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on oil theft in Nigeria with the interception of about 15,000 litres of suspected illegally refined fuel in Rivers State under Operation Delta Sentinel.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, who said the operation was carried out by personnel of NNS Pathfinder following credible intelligence.
According to him, the Navy deployed an anti-crude oil theft patrol team to the Abua-Odual and Ogbologo axis—areas widely regarded as hotspots for illegal oil bunkering and artisanal refining in the Niger Delta.
During the operation, naval operatives intercepted two wooden boats laden with approximately 15,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
Folorunsho said the suspects fled upon sighting the patrol team.
“On sighting the naval patrol, the suspected perpetrators abandoned the boats and fled into the surrounding creeks to evade arrest,” he stated.
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The Navy confirmed that the intercepted boats and products were secured and handled in accordance with established operational procedures, while investigations are ongoing to track down those responsible.
The Nigerian Navy anti-oil theft operation highlights ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in crude oil theft—an illicit activity that continues to cause huge revenue losses and environmental damage in the Niger Delta.
The operation aligns with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, who has ordered intensified intelligence-driven missions to combat maritime crimes and secure Nigeria’s waterways.
Authorities say Operation Delta Sentinel remains a critical component of broader national efforts to protect oil infrastructure, curb pipeline vandalism, and boost legitimate crude oil production.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the offensive against oil thieves, stressing that surveillance and patrol activities would continue across vulnerable riverine communities.
Nigerian Navy Seizes 15,000 Litres of Stolen Fuel in Rivers
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Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta
Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and political activist, against the Department of State Services (DSS), its Director‑General, and Meta Platforms Incorporated (formerly Facebook). The court held that the suit, which challenged the removal of a social media post and deactivation of Sowore’s Facebook account, lacked merit, and awarded a total of ₦1.5 million in costs against him.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who delivered the judgment, explained that the suit failed on all key legal issues, including claims relating to fair hearing, freedom of expression, and freedom of association under the Nigerian Constitution. Sowore had alleged that Meta, acting on instructions from the DSS and its Director-General, removed his post on August 26, 2025, in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”, and subsequently deactivated his account.
Sowore’s legal team argued that the removal of the post and account action violated his constitutional rights to fair hearing, free expression, and association. He joined the DSS, its DG, Meta Platforms Inc., Meta Platforms Ltd., and Facebook Nigeria Operations Ltd. as respondents in the suit. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1887/2025, sought declaratory reliefs against the respondents for allegedly infringing these rights.
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In his ruling, Justice Umar stated that the right to fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the Constitution applies only to proceedings before courts or tribunals, not to complaints made by non-judicial bodies or private platforms. The judge emphasized that Sowore’s claim on fair hearing was therefore not justiciable under the fundamental rights enforcement procedure.
The court also found that Sowore’s freedom of expression and association were not violated, noting that constitutional rights are not absolute and may be restricted to protect the rights and reputation of others. The judge clarified that the DSS’s complaint to Meta and the platform’s action to remove the post were lawful steps under existing policies, and did not constitute a violation of Sowore’s rights.
Regarding the reliefs sought, Justice Umar held that Sowore failed to prove that his constitutional rights had been or were likely to be violated, and that the reliefs were therefore unwarranted. The suit was dismissed in its entirety.
Following applications for costs by counsel to the DSS and its DG, as well as Meta, the court awarded ₦500,000 each to the DSS, its DG, and Meta Platforms, totaling ₦1.5 million to be paid by Sowore.
The case highlights ongoing debates in Nigeria over online freedom of expression, state interventions, and the role of global tech platforms in moderating content following complaints by government agencies. Sowore, known for his activism and political engagement, has previously been involved in legal disputes and protests concerning government accountability and free speech.
Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta
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Kano APC Chieftain Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator Accident
Kano APC Chieftain Abdulsalami Ginsau Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator Accident
Tragic details have emerged surrounding the death of Abdulsalami Ginsau, the Assistant Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, who died after being trapped in a faulty elevator at Chida Hotels in Utako District, Abuja. The incident occurred on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the APC national convention.
Ginsau, a respected lawyer and party stalwart, had travelled to Abuja to coordinate accommodation for APC delegates from Kano State. After settling the delegates, he checked into Chida Hotels, unaware of the malfunctioning elevator in the facility. Sources reveal that although 150 rooms had been booked, over 1,000 delegates arrived, overwhelming the hotel’s capacity. The hotel reportedly raised concerns over elevator safety, but these warnings were reportedly ignored.
In the early hours of Friday, Ginsau reportedly entered the malfunctioning elevator on the third floor. The lift shaft was empty, and he tragically fell, going unnoticed until the following day, when staff detected a strong odor, prompting a search that led to the discovery of his remains.
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The Utako Police Division confirmed the incident, stating that the hotel management reported the accident on Saturday, March 28, 2026. An autopsy and police investigation are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Kano State APC has called for a thorough investigation, alleging potential negligence by the hotel. Party leaders noted that Ginsau was in good health before the trip. A committee has been set up to work with security agencies to uncover the facts. The Kano State Government has also reached out to the family to ensure accountability and transparency.
Speaking for the family, Hamza Haladu described the death as “a complete shock,” highlighting Ginsau’s good health before the trip. The APC stalwart, known for his expertise in corporate, commercial, and property law, is survived by two wives and two children. His funeral is scheduled to take place in Kano on Thursday, April 3, 2026, in accordance with Islamic rites.
Ginsau held several leadership roles in the legal profession, including CEO of Ginsau & Sons and litigation work with Ginsau & Co. Advocates, specialising in labour, corporate, estate, and family law. Within the APC, he was a key strategist, playing a central role in party organisation in Kano State.
Kano APC Chieftain Abdulsalami Ginsau Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator Accident
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