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I need more time to address grievances, I’m still new – Tinubu to organised labour

Published

3 years ago

July 27, 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

I need more time to address grievances, I’m still new – Tinubu to organised labour

President Bola Tinubu Wednesday appealed to the members of the organised labour to give him more time address their grievances and demands.

This was disclosed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Tajudeen Abbas while fielding questions from State House correspondents after he led principal officers of the House of Representatives to brief the President on the outcome of their meeting with the members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over their nationwide industrial action.

The Speaker said President Tinubu appealed that he is new in office and needs time to evaluate the issues that are being raised by workers.

“What he said is that he’s just coming on board. We should ask them and beg them to please give him a little more time. The things that they mentioned, he is completely unaware of them, he is yet to be briefed about all those issues.

“But from what he heard from me, he also advised that we should channel some of those issues to the Chief of Staff to look at them one after the other. I believe the next coming days, some concerted actions will be taken,” he said.

He said the leadership of the House of Representatives invited officials of the NARD following threats to embark on strike.

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He said the lawmakers have succeeded in persuading the aggrieved medical personnel to shelve the planned strike.

“Sequel to the meeting we had with them, there were series of conditions that they gave, that we felt we need to share with the president.

“Yesterday’s visit was primarily to brief Mr President on our engagement with National Residents Doctors Association whom we got wind were planning to embark on strike.

“So, we invited them and we persuaded to withdraw that plan. Sequel to the meetings we had with them, there were series of conditions that they gave that we felt that we need to share with Mr President.

“And that is what brought me yesterday, to intimate him on what we have discussed and the agreements so far reached them and issues that they have raised that need his attention.

“And today’s visit, as you can see, we are together, the whole leadership of the House is here. Since our election, as leaders of 10th House of Representatives, we didn’t come formally to present them to Mr President.

“So, today, we requested for this audience primarily to bring and introduce them for him to get to know them and for them to get to know him. That’s just what we are here for,” he said.

Asked what the House of Representatives was doing to halt the August 2, 2023 planned strike by organised labour represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUCN), the Speaker said: “In the same manner, same way, we will also invite them to come and sit so that we hear their grievances and then we follow the same pattern of engaging and persuading them to give us a little time so that we can be able to meet their expectations.”

Meanwhile, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress Mr Joe Ajaero said the congress would go ahead with the August 2, 2023 if the federal government fails to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

The NLC President told State House correspondents after a meeting the Steering Committee on Palliatives led by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen.

“The outcome is very brief. We met based on N520 increase and the committee that was set based on that and we agreed to work to realise the objectives that was set during the last moment.

“The two centers have made their position known and is before Nigerians, the TUC, the NLC, our position is known. And it’s public knowledge.

“Well, policies? I wouldn’t know, we are going ahead with the protest because we have to be emphatic on what we put in our communique, to say we’re commencing protests from August 2.”

Also speaking, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria Mr Festus Osifo the organised labour was not satisfied with some of the issues raised at the meeting.

“We’ve had a meeting and the meeting majorly is to listen to the presentations that is coming from the Secretariat of the steering committee, so they have made presentation to us. We made our robust inputs into it.

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“Some of the things they presented we did not agree with them. So the areas we did not agree, we also made our imputes known because when you come to such meeting it is for government or its representatives to do a presentation. But it’s left for us to either agree or disagree.

“So during the meeting, we gave them sufficient feedback. And they also agreed to go and look at those feedbacks and get back to us on Friday,” he said.

Aldo speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy Ms Olu Verheijen who spoke on behalf of the government said progress had been made in the discussion.

“We’ve agreed to continue to make progress. It was a very productive meeting. The focus was really around how we fasttrack a lot of the interventions that will bring relief, particularly around CNG, mass transportation, cleaner energy, transportation, and reduce the impact of the cost of transportation, the increased cost of transportation.

“So we’ve made good progress. And we’re going to continue to do so and so that we can start rolling out these opportunities and this relief and measures as quickly as possible.”

On why government is dragging its feet in rolling out palliatives, she said: “We have to get it right. It’s important that we do this well, and we keep our promises. So, it’s important that whatever is announced actually gets done. Because we don’t want to make big announcements that will continue to lose people’s trust.

“It’s important that we build trust, and that most of the announcements and the plans that we roll out are credible and impactful. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working assiduously to address all of these issues. And as quickly as he can.

“He’s very empathetic, he is concerned about it, as you’ve seen all of us working round the clock here to make sure that we are able to announce these measures as quickly as possible. It’s a whole package of issues that we’re rolling out as quickly as possible.”

I need more time to address grievances, I’m still new – Tinubu to organised labour

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Tinubu Promises Stable Electricity as Bayelsa Unveils 60MW Power Project

Published

2 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Tinubu Promises Stable Electricity as Bayelsa Unveils 60MW Power Project

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering stable electricity capable of driving economic growth, industrialisation, and national development, saying ongoing reforms in the power sector will soon yield tangible results.

Tinubu made the remarks in Bayelsa State during the commissioning of major infrastructure projects executed by the state government, including a 60-megawatt Independent Power Project (IPP) located at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area.

He described the power project as a “significant step” toward strengthening energy security and subnational electricity generation, noting that no meaningful industrialisation or job creation can happen without reliable power supply.

“There can be no industrialisation, skill development and empowerment without power. I assure Nigerians that we will have electricity to power our growth,” the President said.

The IPP, powered by gas turbines, is expected to supply electricity to Yenagoa and surrounding communities, reducing dependence on the national grid and improving power reliability for households and businesses.

Alongside the power project, Tinubu also commissioned several key infrastructure projects, including the 27-kilometre dualised New Yenagoa City Road 1, the 630-metre Angiama–Oporoma Bridge, and the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road, all aimed at improving connectivity and boosting economic activity across Bayelsa State.

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He praised the state government led by Governor Douye Diri for what he described as “purposeful and progressive leadership,” adding that collaboration between federal and state governments remains essential for sustainable development.

“Development advances further and faster when the federal and state governments work in partnership toward a shared purpose,” Tinubu said.

The President also used the occasion to observe a minute’s silence in honour of soldiers killed in a recent terrorist attack on a military base in Borno State, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism and banditry across the country.

“We will continue to equip and train our armed forces. We will defeat terrorism and banditry, regardless of their shenanigans,” he assured.

Tinubu further acknowledged the economic challenges facing Nigerians, including rising living costs linked to global energy disruptions, but insisted that government interventions are being implemented to ease hardship and support vulnerable citizens.

“We will continue to find ways to ameliorate the suffering of the vulnerable. This is a government that cares,” he said.

At the event, Tinubu also commended former President Goodluck Jonathan, describing him as “one of the most humble and reliable democrats on the continent,” while praising ongoing development efforts in Bayelsa State.

Governor Diri, in his remarks, appealed for federal refunds on projects executed on federal roads by the state government and highlighted ongoing infrastructure efforts under his “Assured Prosperity” agenda, including roads, bridges, civic buildings, and sports facilities.

He described the newly commissioned Yenagoa–Oporoma–Ukubie road as a transformative project that has ended years of isolation for several riverine communities in Southern Ijaw.

The Bayelsa IPP is expected to enhance power supply stability, attract investment, support SMEs, and stimulate economic diversification in the oil-rich state.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by several top political figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, governors from multiple states, senior federal officials, and traditional leaders, reflecting the national significance of the projects.

Residents reportedly thronged the project sites in celebration, cheering and dancing as the President arrived at the Bayelsa International Airport aboard the presidential jet.

Tinubu concluded by expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future, saying: “Nigeria will be great, and we will succeed.”

Tinubu Promises Stable Electricity as Bayelsa Unveils 60MW Power Project

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US Embassy Suspends Abuja Visa Appointments Over Security Concerns

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Trends Admin

US Embassy Suspends Abuja Visa Appointments Over Security Concerns

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has suspended visa appointments in Abuja following heightened security concerns, a move that has disrupted travel plans for hundreds of applicants in Abuja.

In an official notice released via its communication channels, the embassy confirmed that all visa interviews in Abuja have been cancelled until further notice, urging affected applicants to check their emails for updates on rescheduled appointments.

“U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email for details on rescheduled appointments,” the statement read. It added that visa services in Lagos remain operational at the United States Consulate General Lagos, providing an alternative for applicants who can access the facility.

The embassy further clarified that American citizen services in Abuja will continue only in emergency situations and strictly by appointment, indicating a temporary scale-down of operations in the capital.

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The suspension follows a recent directive by the United States Department of State authorising the departure of non-essential staff and their families from Abuja, citing a deteriorating security situation in Nigeria.

An updated U.S. travel advisory has also placed Nigeria under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” status, warning of persistent threats including terrorism, kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest. Several states have been categorised under the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory due to high-risk security conditions.

States listed include Borno State, Yobe State, Taraba State, Niger State, Plateau State, and parts of Adamawa State, where threats linked to terrorism and kidnapping remain high. Other states such as Kaduna State, Katsina State, Zamfara State, and Sokoto State were also flagged over insecurity concerns.

The advisory has triggered reactions from the Federal Government of Nigeria, which described the assessment as “unbalanced” and not fully reflective of ongoing efforts to address insecurity nationwide. Authorities warned that such reports could negatively impact Nigeria’s global image and economic activities.

Despite the disruption in Abuja, visa processing and consular services continue in Lagos, offering a temporary alternative for applicants. However, the development is expected to cause delays in visa processing, particularly for students, business travellers, and individuals with urgent travel needs.

The US Embassy visa suspension in Abuja highlights the broader impact of security challenges on diplomatic operations and international travel, as uncertainty remains over when normal services will resume in the capital.

US Embassy Suspends Abuja Visa Appointments Over Security Concerns

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Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

Published

4 days ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo

Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

Former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed as Senior Strategic Adviser to the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), as the agency pushes forward the continent’s Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda.

The appointment, announced on Monday, comes at a critical time as Africa CDC seeks to enhance health systems, boost domestic financing, expand local production of medical supplies, and strengthen Africa’s influence in global health governance. In this role, Osinbajo will provide strategic guidance on pandemic preparedness, sustainable healthcare financing, policy direction, and continental collaboration.

Director-General Jean Kaseya praised Osinbajo’s wealth of experience, highlighting his expertise at the intersection of governance, finance, law, and diplomacy. “At a time when Africa must act with greater authority on the future of health, his leadership will be invaluable,” Kaseya said. He added that Osinbajo’s appointment reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to mobilising top African leadership in service of the continent’s health security and development.

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Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s Vice-President from 2015 to 2023, during which he chaired the Economic Sustainability Committee, contributed to reforms enhancing the ease of doing business, and played a key role in implementing Nigeria’s social investment programmes. Earlier, he was Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. His legal and governance background positions him to offer critical insights on health policy, regulatory frameworks, and strategic partnerships.

The AHSS agenda, which Osinbajo will help drive, seeks to strengthen Africa’s self-reliance in health, improve disease surveillance, and foster regional collaboration to respond more effectively to pandemics and other public health emergencies. Experts say his advisory role will be crucial in promoting local production of vaccines and medical equipment, ensuring Africa can meet its own health needs while influencing global health decisions.

Africa CDC, operating under the African Union, aims to support member states in building resilient health systems capable of confronting future outbreaks and public health crises. Osinbajo’s appointment is expected to further amplify Africa’s voice in global health while ensuring sustainable health development across the continent.