Labour shuns Gbajabiamila's palliatives, insists on strike – Newstrends
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Labour shuns Gbajabiamila’s palliatives, insists on strike

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4 years ago

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The Nigeria Labour Congress on Sunday said there was no going back on a nationwide strike it declared with other workers’ unions from Monday.
To avert the strike, the House of Representatives has offered the organised labour some palliatives.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, at a negotiation meeting with labour on Sunday in Abuja, said the palliatives would be included in the proposed 2021 Budget.
But the President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, said the increase in electricity tariff and hike in fuel price had eroded the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
He said the initial plan was that there would not be increase in electricity tariff until meters were provided for Nigerians.
Wabba commended the speaker for the intervention, adding that he had consistently represented the interest of Nigerians.
The NLC president said there was a valid court judgment nullifying the electricity tariff, adding that the judgment of the National Industrial Court asking it to stop its planned strike could not be sustained.
Wabba insisted that the NLC would go ahead with the strike if its demands were not met by the Federal Government before the expiration of the ultimatum.
Gbajabiamila had said the budget would soon be presented to the National Assembly, stressing that some palliatives were being considered to cushion the effects of increase in electricity tariff and fuel price hike.
The palliatives, according to the speaker, will include distribution of food items, reduction of taxes on minimum wage and payment of some special allowances.

Others are involvement in ownership of housing programmes through mortgage and distribution of special buses, which run on auto gas to public institutions.

Gbajabiamila said the palliatives would go a long way to assuage the suffering of Nigerians.

He said the lawmakers would also make provision in the budget to tackle the eight million deficit of meters to enable Nigerians to access them.

Gbajabiamila, who described estimated billing as a scam, said: “I have never heard it anywhere in the world.

“So if we may have to provide for the deficit, we will have to do that.”

He appealed to Labour to suspend the planned strike, saying embarking on industrial action at this critical time would not augur well for the citizenry.

He said: “You know, you cannot go on strike at this time.

“If you go on strike, the people you think you are protecting will be at the receiving end.”

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Unite against Israel to better humanity, Fani-Kayode task Christians, Muslims

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April 25, 2024

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Femi Fani-Kayode

Unite against Israel to better humanity, Fani-Kayode task Christians, Muslims

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has called for Christians and Muslims to unite against Israel, drawing parallels between its actions and those of Nazi Germany.

FFK’s message, shared on various platforms, urged Catholics, Protestants, Shia, and Sunni Muslims to set aside their differences and jointly oppose what he termed as the “evil and demonic agenda” of Zionists and the state of Israel.

In his statement, FFK condemned Israel’s alleged history of carnage, ethnic cleansing, genocide, and mass murder, as well as its purported perpetuation of racism, apartheid, religious intolerance, and injustice. He questioned the legitimacy of Israel’s claim to be God’s chosen people, particularly in light of its perceived disregard for human life and suffering, including the targeting of women, children, and babies.

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By likening Israel’s actions to those of Nazi Germany, FFK sought to underscore the severity of the situation, accusing the state of accumulating “much blood on its hands” comparable to the atrocities of the past. He distinguished between the historical Israel of King David, which he portrayed as reverent toward God, and the contemporary Israel under leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he accused of espousing hatred and aligning with evil forces.

FFK’s statement reflects a broader sentiment of discontent and condemnation toward Israel’s policies, particularly within certain segments of the international community. As a vocal figure in Nigerian politics, his call for interfaith solidarity against Israel highlights the transnational nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its resonance across religious divides.
Unite Against Israel To Better Humanity,  Fani-Kayode Task Christians, Muslims

Unite against Israel to better humanity, Fani-Kayode task Christians, Muslims

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BREAKING: Panic at Lagos airport after fire outbreak, flights diverted

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1 hour ago

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April 25, 2024

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BREAKING: Panic at Lagos airport after fire outbreak, flights diverted

Following a fire at the facility, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has diverted flight operations from Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos to the D Wing.

The fire outbreak occured at the E54 Passenger Air Bridge at the domestic wing of the Airport.

The incident occurred at 5:29hrs on Thursday, according to a press release issued by Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s head of public affairs and consumer protection.

According to the statement, the fire, however, was brought under control by the Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) at 06:41hrs while efforts to ventilate the smoke from the building were in progress.

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“At 05:29 hrs, smoke was detected billowing from the E54 Bridge, leading electrical engineers to immediately cut off power to the entire E Wing. The Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) team was quick to respond, arriving at the scene by 05:30 hrs. Initial suspicions point to sparks from an electrical unit as the cause, but a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire.

“The incident, which had escalated into a fire, was brought under control by 06:41 hrs. Efforts to ventilate the smoke from the building are in progress. In the meantime, all flight operations in Terminal 1 of MMA have been diverted to the D Wing. More details will follow shortly,” Orah stated.

BREAKING: Panic at Lagos airport after fire outbreak, flights diverted

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Why we withdrew appeal against Kogi court order on Yahaya Bello – EFCC

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April 25, 2024

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Why we withdrew appeal against Kogi court order on Yahaya Bello – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a notice to withdraw an appeal against an order of a Kogi High Court restraining it from arresting the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The EFCC said the withdrawal notice dated April 22 was based on the fact that events had overtaken the appeal.

The commission also admitted that the appeal was filed within the time allowed by law.

“The appellant herein intends to and do hereby wholly withdraw her appeal against the respondent in the above-mentioned appeal,” the notice partly read.

“This notice of withdrawal is predicated on the fact that on the 17th of April 2024, the application filed by the appellant herein was overtaken by the decision of the same high court of Kogi State.

The EFCC is prosecuting Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion. The matter is before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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