News

Naira Scarcity: Why We’re Not Protesting On Street – NLC

Published

3 years ago

February 7, 2023

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba on Tuesday, accused the Federal Government of pushing the working population to the wall with its money swap policy.

He said the President and his economic team, comprising the Central Bank of Nigeria, should as a matter of urgency take immediate action to end the excruciating suffering being experienced by Nigerians, occasioned by the scarcity of new naira notes.

Lamenting the situation at the 13th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja, Wabba wondered why there should be scarcity of new naira notes and fuel crisis, both essential needs to Nigerians daily to live a reasonable life.

He said the stance of the government shows no action to arrest the situation.

His words: “Many Nigerians and workers have been pushed to the wall owing to the chaotic situation in our banks and filling stations, where Nigerians are queuing up endlessly to assess new currency notes and PMS. This is not acceptable and is condemned.

“We have more than enough to address those two issues. First, we’re a major oil-producing country but unfortunately, the only country in the world that is a member of OPEC that still depend on importation.

“Secondly, we don’t understand the rationale that you lodge your money in your bank accounts, yet you are limited from withdrawing what you want to use.”

“Our government tend to forget that our economy is rural and informal, and therefore people need to transact business in cash. Go to our local markets, our commodity markets, you will see that people cannot transact businesses without cash.”

He said further: “This policy, if not addressed within the shortest possible time, nobody can predict what will be the outcome. That is the truth of it.

“Yesterday by 12 midnight, I went to Area 8 to get some funds but [none of] the ATM machines was dispensing.

“We have seen a situation where people are protesting in banks [in the] nude, they want to access their money, yet they couldn’t access their money.”

He added, “our political elite must understand the situation and the challenge that people are going through,” while stressing that “we want this situation to be addressed very quickly.”

On why NLC has not taken its displeasure and disappointment on the two burning issues to the street, Wabba said: “There is a theory that possibly labour is working towards making sure that the forthcoming election does not take place in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. That is why labour has restrained itself from taking to the street in a bid to make sure we have a peaceful transition because we fought for democracy. We supported democracy. We shield our blood for democracy, and therefore will continue to support democracy.”

Meanwhile, a mild drama played out at the 13th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference taking place in Abuja as workers booed former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole in disapproval of his backing of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Delegates attending the event became agitated when Oshiomhole made an attempt to deliver a message from the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

When called to address the mammoth crowd of workers at the Conference hall, Oshiomhole explained that the APC presidential candidate was unavoidably absent at the event because of an already scheduled campaign rally in Ibadan, Oyo State. He, however, said that Tinubu gave him a message to deliver to the workers.

While he was about to deliver the message, thousands of workers at the auditorium unanimously shouted “no, no, no.”

For over four minutes, the crowd continued to shout and refused to be calmed even by Wabba, until Oshiomhole said he will not deliver the message but will address them as their former president.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

57 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

19 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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