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NLC Threatens Nationwide Shutdown in Response to Government Failures and Violations

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Abuja, Nigeria – August 31, 2023 – In an extensive session, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened on Thursday, the 31st day of August, 2023, to address the pressing issues plaguing the nation. The council’s discussions centered around the dire hardships and suffering experienced by citizens across all states of Nigeria and the federal government’s perceived neglect of their plight.

During the meeting, NEC examined the federal government’s failure to establish essential structures to alleviate the widespread suffering, contrasting this with the government’s commitment to engage in social dialogue, as previously pledged during President’s inaugural address on May 29, 2023. The council also expressed alarm over the escalating threats against trade unions and their leaders, emanating from various Governors and organizations.

Key points addressed by the NEC include:

Fuel Price Hike: The federal government’s refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue and reach agreements with organized labor concerning the repercussions of the recent petrol price increase, which has exacerbated the suffering of Nigerian workers and the masses.

Onslaught Against Trade Unions: A renewed onslaught against trade unions and their leadership by state authorities and agents across Nigeria.

Illegal Occupation of NURTW Headquarters: The illegal occupation of the National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) by the police under certain forces, impeding the union’s ability to serve its members nationwide.

Imo State: Ongoing efforts by the Imo state government to undermine the Congress in the state and exploit workers’ rights, despite efforts to resolve the issue amicably.

Abia State: The interference of the Abia State Government in trade union affairs, attempts to impose its own leadership on state councils, and the intimidation of workers and unions in the state.

Aviation Sector Violations: Violations of workers’ rights to join unions of their choice within certain aviation companies, including Airpeace Airline, in disregard of international conventions and Nigerian laws.

Security Concerns: The unchecked violence by marauders disguising as herdsmen against farmers and citizens nationwide, with the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) disassociating itself from these activities.

Threats to Abuja Residents: Nyesom Wike, the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), threatening to demolish houses of residents despite the government’s failure to provide alternatives.

Nationwide Shutdown: A total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from August 31, 2023, until the government takes concrete steps to alleviate mass suffering and impoverishment.

Warning Strike: Commencement of a 2-day nationwide warning strike on September 5th and 6th, 2023, to demonstrate readiness for the upcoming indefinite strike and to demand the vacation of the illegally occupied NURTW National Headquarters.

Protest in Imo State: A mass protest and rally in Imo State in September 2023, with preparations for a significant shutdown of the state to compel the government to respect workers’ rights and trade unions.

Shutdown of Aviation Sector: Initiating the shutdown of operations of Airpeace Airline and other aviation sector companies involved in violating workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Community Cooperation: Calling on communities nationwide to report matters involving members of the AUFCDN to authorities for resolution, rather than taking the law into their own hands.

Ministerial Demands: Demanding that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, refrain from threatening the demolition of properties belonging to Abuja’s working-class citizens and instead focus on providing affordable housing solutions.

The NEC’s resolutions reflect their determination to address the grievances of workers and citizens across Nigeria. Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of NLC, and Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja (Mni), General Secretary, jointly affirmed these decisions as necessary actions to address the nation’s pressing issues. The threat of a nationwide shutdown looms, putting pressure on the government to respond effectively to the people’s concerns

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Stands Firm on Sexual Harassment Lawsuit.

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has reaffirmed her commitment to pursuing her sexual harassment lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, vowing to see the case through to its legal conclusion.

Despite calls from Akpabio’s lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), urging her to withdraw the suit or provide extrajudicial clarification, Akpoti-Uduaghan has insisted that such matters must be resolved within the judicial system. She emphasized that the assessment of evidence belongs to the courts alone and rejected any attempts to circumvent due process.

The senator further accused Akpabio of leveraging media narratives to manipulate public perception while evading institutional accountability. She warned against efforts to litigate the matter outside the courtroom, stressing that legal proceedings should not be undermined by external pressures or public relations tactics.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit has drawn national attention, with legal experts and political observers closely monitoring the unfolding case. As the legal battle continues, she remains resolute in her stance, advocating for due process and institutional integrity in addressing allegations of misconduct.

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Excessive Heat Blamed for Explosion at Giwa Barracks, Army Confirms

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. The Nigerian Army has attributed the explosion at Giwa Barracks to the soaring temperatures in Maiduguri, dismissing speculations of an attack.

In an official statement issued by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI, the army confirmed that the incident involved the explosion of ordnance stored in one of their ammunition facilities. “The explosion was due to the current high temperatures in Maiduguri, which led to the detonation of some munitions,” Kovangiya stated.

Authorities were quick to contain the situation, deploying multiple fire response units to prevent further damage. “The situation has, however, been brought under control with the combined efforts of the Borno State Fire Service Department and fire trucks from various security agencies,” Kovangiya assured the public in his statement.

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In addition to firefighting efforts, troops from Operation HADIN KAI have been mobilized to secure the area and prevent any form of exploitation by miscreants. “Troops have been deployed to protect the public and prevent miscreants from taking advantage of the situation,” Kovangiya emphasized, highlighting the army’s swift response to secure the affected region.

The army has also urged residents of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council to remain calm and disregard any unfounded rumors of an attack. “The general public is therefore urged to please discountenance any speculation of an attack and remain calm,” the statement concluded.

As investigations continue into the incident, authorities are expected to assess the impact of extreme weather conditions on military storage sites to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

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Viral Video Misattributed to ISWAP Sparks Misinformation Concerns

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A video circulating widely on social media has sparked controversy and confusion, as it is being falsely linked to ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) and attributed to a recent comment by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Nigeria. However, security analyst Zagazola Makama has debunked these claims, clarifying on his verified Facebook page that the footage has no connection to Borno State or Nigeria.

According to Makama, the video in question originates from Burkina Faso and features members of JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin), a militant group active in the Sahel region. The misrepresentation of this footage is not only misleading but poses significant risks, as it can fuel unnecessary tension and undermine trust within communities.

Makama emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing it online, especially in sensitive matters like security and governance. “It’s unfortunate how quickly misinformation spreads, especially when people don’t take time to verify facts,” he stated.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of misinformation in the digital age. As social media continues to play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, users are urged to exercise caution and responsibility in consuming and sharing content. False narratives, particularly in matters of national security, can have far-reaching consequences, including heightened anxiety and strained relationships between communities and authorities.

Governor Zulum has not commented on the video, but the clarification from Makama highlights the need for vigilance and critical thinking in the face of viral content. As Nigeria and other nations grapple with security challenges, the spread of unverified information only adds to the complexity of addressing these issues effectively.

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