News

Nigerians May Celebrate New Year In Blackout, Says Rep.

Published

6 years ago

December 11, 2019

Editor

Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives , Toby Okechukwu , has expressed the fear that there might be a nationwide blackout over the ongoing industrial action by the National Union of Electricity Employees .

Members of the union had vowed to go on a nationwide strike after the 21 -day ultimatum it issued to the Minister of Power , Mr Saleh Mamman , expired .

The lawmaker representing Enugu said if urgent actions were not taken , Nigerians may end the remaining part of 2019 and celebrate the New Year in a blackout .

This is as the House of Representatives says it will meet with heads of Ministries of Power , Labour and the National Pension Commission to intervene in the industrial action by the NUEE on Thursday .

Okechukwu moved the motion under ‘ Matters of Urgent Public Importance ’ at plenary, presided over by the Speaker , Mr Femi Gbajabiamila , on Wednesday .

The motion was tagged , “ Urgent need for the Federal Government to interface with the management of electricity companies and the National Union of Electricity Employees to avoid impending electricity blackout . ”

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Okechukwu recalled that a petition was written by NUEE to electricity distribution and generating companies , warning of a nationwide strike if their demands were not met .

“A petition , dated Nov. 7 , was written to the Minister of Power by the NUEE and copied to all DISCOS and GENCOS , where the union warned , and gave a 21 – day ultimatum to declare a nationwide strike if their demands were not met by the electricity companies .

“ These include non – payments of salary arrears , remittance of pension deductions , refusal to pay over 2 , 000 disengaged workers of the ex – PHCN staff since 2013 , underpayment of over 50 , 000 ex – PHCN staff and casualisation /outsourcing of workers , ” he said .

The lawmaker said NUEE accused the ministry of power of failing to respond to their strike notification letter which expired on December 10 .

“ The union , having exhausted every avenue for resolution of the dispute , has no other option than to withdraw services, without further notice .

“ Their resolve to go on with the strike without further notification came as a result of the information by a power sector consultant, Mrs Rahila Thomas, wherein she stated that GENCOS and DISCOS direly need N1 . 2 trillion bailout to improve services, ” he said .

He expressed the concern that “ the whole country would be plunged into a blackout if the union should be allowed to carry out its threat . ”

The lawmakers also expressed the concern that if the reasons for the nationwide strike by NUEE were not addressed , it would lead to “ serious financial losses for both private and government establishments , and pose security challenges in our country . ”

(Punch)

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.