News

NLC, TUC, Declare Nationwide Strike Over Ajaero

Published

6 months ago

November 7, 2023

Editor

The leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterparts, have declared an immediate and total strike in Imo State from midnight today, over last Wednesday’s attack on the NLC President, Joe AJaero, other labour leaders, among other issues.

They have also resolved to declare a nationwide strike by Tuesday, November 14, if their demands are not met.

In a communique issued at the end of their joint National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, NLC and TUC directed all workers and affiliates to ensure compliance.

According the communique, all flights into and out of Imo State, fuel supplies and electricity will be stopped immediately as applicable.

Besides the beating of Ajaero, other grievances were the outstanding salary arrears, unjust declaration of 11,000 workers as ghost employees, unsettled gratuities, non-compliance of N30,000 minimum wage act, and declaration of 10,000 pensioners as ghost retirees.

The communique was signed by NLC’s Deputy President and TUC President, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, and Festus Osifo, respectively.

They said “the meeting deliberated on the distressing incident involving the abduction and assault of the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

“Additionally, the council addressed the appalling acts of violence and bloodshed inflicted upon him and fellow workers, who had assembled at the NLC Imo state Secretariat in compliance with the directive on Imo State.

“These acts were perpetrated by the Imo State Government, acting under the guidance of the Governor and in collaboration with the Nigeria Police.

“To this end, the joint NLC/TUC NEC-in-session observed that the decision to embark on an industrial action in Imo state was purely in keeping with its earlier resolution; the Imo State Government under Hope Uzodimma heartlessly continues in its abuse of the rights and privileges of workers in the state.

“The Government has repeatedly reneged on agreements, most notably the accord reached on January 9, 2021, between the Government and Organised Labour.

“Shockingly, some workers have been subjected to a staggering 20 months of unpaid salaries under the unfounded label of ‘ghost workers.

“Approximately 11,000 hardworking individuals have been unjustly branded as ghost workers, their salaries diverted even while they diligently carried out their duties.

“The wanton destruction of the NLC State Secretariat is a blatant attack on the rights of workers and a violation of the sanctity of their representative body.

“The introduction of discriminatory pay practices and the imposition of apartheid-like policies in determining monthly payments is an affront to fair labour practices.

“The Government has failed to address the eight-year backlog of gratuity owed to retirees, showing a grave disregard for the rights of those who have dedicated their careers in service.

“The Government has persistently shirked its duty to properly implement the N30,000 National Minimum Wage, a critical safeguard for the economic well-being of workers.

“The Government’s witchhunt against trade union leaders through various guises constitutes an alarming assault on the right to represent and advocate for the rights of workers.

“The continued deployment of thugs and violence against workers and their leaders is an unacceptable practice that undermines the democratic rights of workers.

“The impoundment and illegal diversion of union dues, funds rightfully belonging to the unions, is a gross violation of the rights of workers to manage their collective resources.

“Approximately 10,000 pensioners have been wrongly labelled as ghost pensioners, resulting in over 22 months of unpaid pensions, tragically leading to the loss of lives.

“The entire workforce is constantly subjected to threats of violence and sack, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty.

“The Government’s persistent resistance to the use of the instruments of social dialogue and collective bargaining is an affront to the principles of fair labour practices.

“The violent interference and disruption of the Imo State Delegates’ Conference demonstrates a blatant attempt to impose favored candidates on the workers, undermining their democratic rights.”

The communique recalled that “workers had gathered to peacefully protest these infractions by the Governor at the Secretariat of the NLC in Imo State as guaranteed by our extant labour laws and the Constitution.

“The Police supported a group of Imo state thugs led by the SA on Special Duties to invade the premises of the Imo NLC Secretariat and unleashed mayhem on the few workers who had gathered inflicting injuries and stealing and damaging personal effects including various sums.

“The President of the NLC was subsequently subjected to brutalisation, blindfolded and abducted by the Police and taken to an unknown destination where he was further subjected to further violations and humiliation;

“The NLC and TUC have made demands on the Government which have not been met as at the time of this session.

“The continued prevalence of the use of violence and impunity in negotiating rights and interests within the nation’s socio-economic space against all known dictates of democracy and Social Dialogue.”

The communique noted that consequently, the NLC/TUC NEC-in-Session resolved to order the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo State beginning midnight today (Tuesday).

“All workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are.

“All flights into and out of Imo state, fuel supplies and electricity be stopped immediately as applicable.

“All public and private sector workers are to immediately down tools indefinitely.

“If our demands are still unmet, workers all over the federation shall join in withdrawing their services by midnight Tuesday, the 14th of November, 2023.

“All State Councils of NLC and TUC and affiliates are by this resolution mandated to ensure full compliance with NEC’s decision.”
VANGUARD

News

Amadasun Owns Landed Property Situated At Zone MD Obazagbon, Benin Court Rules

Published

1 hour ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

A Benin High Court presided over by Hon Justice A.N. Erhabor has issued a certificate of “execution of warrant of possession” to Mr Frank Omo- Amadasun in order to take full possession of his landed property situated at Zone MD/A44/OBAZAGBON in lkpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

In 2021, some persons encroached the landed property measuring 1,000 feets by 1,000 feets in Obazagbon near Avbiama in Ikpoba okha local government area of Edo state.

The land acquired in 1979, was in full control of the complainant before its encroachment.

This forced Amadasun to institute a legal procedure against those who encroached on his land including Johnson Akpobosa, Peter Akpobosa, Abel Oyo Akpobosa l, Mrs Omoruyi, Mrs Oronsaye and 11 unknown persons.

In the case marked: No.B/975/2021, there was consequently an enrolment of order where the judge granted an interlocutory injunction restraining all the defendants/ respondents, their servants, agents, or any person howsoever described as acting on their behalf or instruction from further trespassing on the piece or parcel of land measuring approximately 1,000 feets by 1,000 feets known as plot 53351 lying and situate at Zone MD/A44/OBAZAGBON, lkpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suite before the court.

But despite the restraining order, the defendants went ahead to start developing property in the land.

In the judgement, the court confirmed that Mr Amadasun has a verifiable Certificate of Occupancy to the land with digital registrar in the EDOGIS.

The court also confirmed that the claimant is the rightful owner in possession of 1,000 feets by 1,000 feets bounded by Beacon numbers 542, 543, 544 and 454 which covers an area measuring approximately 8, 557 hectares now known as plot 53351, lying and situate at Obazagbon in lkpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

After the judgement, the claimant, then got a certificate of execution of a warrant of possession which has been fully executed.

Contacted , the Edo state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor said the police received a letter from the Deputy Director of the High Court to execute the court order over the land.

SP Chidi Nwabuzor said the Edo state Commissioner of Police , CP Funsho Adegboye has since ordered men of the Anti Kidnapping And Cybercrime Unit of the Edo State Police Command to take over the judgement execution order.

As at Press time, the claimant has since taken over the full possession of the land as ordered by the court but not without resistance by some persons in Obazagbon in Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo state.

News

Ex-First Bank Chairman Is Dead

Published

3 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

A former Minister of Labour and former Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, Ajibola Afonja has died aged 82.

The Oyo-born Prince passed away on Sunday night, May 19 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Confirming the passage of the former Minister in a statement, the Oyo Global Forum (OGF) through its Chairman, Taiwo Adebayo described the late Afonja as a unifier.

“On this dark day in Oyo, we mourn the loss of Ajibola Afonja, former Labour Minister and Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, who passed away on Sunday night, aged 82.

“Although, a national figure with tremendous influence, he was particularly light for the Oyo community where he made pioneering efforts as an industrialist. His legacy of generosity and open-heartedness touched countless lives, and his presence will be profoundly missed.

“Until his last month, Daddy IDS, as he was affectionately known, as a reference to his manufacturing company, remained hardworking, dedicated to realizing one of the most transformative business visions for the country’s economy. It was the E-Customs project.

“His absence leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, but his spirit of generosity and leadership will continue to inspire us. For all of us that he inspired, we shall honour his memory by carrying forward the values he embodied and continuing his legacy of service and compassion, the values that guide OGF, which he supported during his lifetime.”

Afonja was Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Bank Plc and was appointed as Minister of Labour under the interim government of Earnest Shonekan.

He was the chairman of Integrated Dimensional System and many other companies. He attended Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom where he bagged a degree in Accounting in 1970.

News

UK Regulator Reports Air Peace Over Alleged Safety Violation

Published

6 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority has written Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority stating Air Peace has reportedly violated some aviation safety regulations

The development came barely three months after the Nigerian carrier commenced the Lagos-London route.

Two mandatory occurrence reports on Air Peace had been reportedly sent to the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority.

The UK CAA, in turn, forwarded the complaints to the NCAA.

The CAA’s letter of complaint forwarded to NCAA was entitled; ‘United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report with reference number: CAA-UK, -2024-0217’ and ‘NATS Management System Safety Report.’

The NCAA has also written to Air Peace to provide clarification on the issues.

The letter, with reference number: NCAA/DOLTS/APL/Vol.11/03624 was titled, “United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report.

It was dated May 14, 2024, and signed by the NCAA General Manager of Operations, Capt. O.O. Lawani.

In the letter, the NCAA said the UK CAA had called its attention to the no operational approval of Electronic Flight Bag functions affecting the safe operation of the aircraft, while adding that the captain of the flight admitted that an Electronic Flight Bag was being used for navigational purposes.

NCAA further noted that the CAA stated in its letter that there was “no mounting device for the use of EFB, no charging points or battery for backup.”

Air Peace recently commenced operation to London Gatwick from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, which Nigeria has with the UK.

The spokesperson of Air Peace, Stanley Olisa, could not be reached as of press time.

When called, the spokesperson of the airline picked but when this reporter began to enquire about the development, he kept mute until the call ended.

The PUNCH correspondent also sent a text message of enquiry to the spokesman but there was no response as of the time of filing this report.