News

Oshiomhole Disagrees With Labour Over Strike

Published

2 years ago

November 14, 2023

Senator representing Edo North District, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday, said the striking Labour Unions are not prioritizing the interests of Nigerian workers.

This was as he said the rationale for the commencement of Tuesday’s nationwide strike is misplaced, arguing that the Organised Labour is better off mobilising states to monitor the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the Federal Government on October 2, 2023.

“I will publicly support an action against any government that thinks that we should lament away our hunger…unfortunately, this strike is not about those issues…we have to be careful not to mix our political opinion with our responsibilities because the issues confronting workers are so many that they should become the priority,”

Oshiomhole told the State House Correspondents when he emerged from closed-door talks with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

The PUNCH reports that the Federal Government, on the night of October 2, agreed to fulfill several demands by the Organised Labour, amongst which was the payment of N35,000 to all federal workers as Wage Awards for the next six months.

The agreement also included the provision of Compressed Natural Gas-enabled vehicles and conversion kits to ease commuting nationwide.

But on Monday night, the Labour Centres announced the commencement of a nationwide strike to protest the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and some other executives of the congress in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, as well of the pending labour issues in Imo State.

The Union wrote their affiliates, such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Union of Electricity Employees, Nigeria Union of Teachers, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, among others, ahead of the planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin midnight, November 14, 2023.

But Oshiomhole, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (1999 – 2007), argued that Labour’s priorities were misplaced.

“The federal government had granted N35,000 Wage Award. And those discussions were supposed to be for and on behalf of not only the federal government but of all workers in Nigeria, including those employed by local governments and state governments.

“Now, I would have wished that somebody in the NLC recognise that the hunger in the stomach of federal employees is not any worse than that of state or local government employees.

“If these are the issues on the table, even as a senator, I will publicly support action against any government that thinks that we should lament away our hunger…You have to be careful not to be seen as doing the bidding of a particular candidate or a political party,” he remarked.

While kicking against violence against any individual, the former Edo State Governor called on Labour to mobilse its members in all 36 states to ensure that the FG fulfils its promises to ease the living conditions of Nigerians.

He advised, “Let me be clear. I do not support the brutalisation of any Nigerian…including the Labour Leader.

“But I’m saying, in terms of what you might call the hierarchy of needs and challenges that we face, I think that NLC should robustly engage all the state governors or governments who are not implementing the agreement that was midwife, courtesy of a national strike, not a federal government’s employees strike.

“So if you mobilise private sector workers, state employees, local government workers, and now there is an agreement on N35,000 across the board, I want to see NLC saying there will be no sleep in any state where this is not being implemented.”

Oshiomhole appeared at the State House in the company of two former members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, a former National Vice Chairman (North Central), Ahmed Wambai, and National Treasurer, Adamu Fanda.

He said they were at the Villa to congratulate President Bola Tinubu, who is away in Saudi Arabia, through the VP over the APC’s success in the Imo and Kogi elections on November 11.

“So first, we have to congratulate him, and since the President is not here, through him to the president, for the victory we recorded in the elections in Imo and Kogi,” he explained.

The Senator reasoned that the off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states show how much power the people wield over those he described as vocal elements who sit in the country’s capital and opine over the politics of regions they have never visited.

He opined, “What has happened in Imo shows that urban elites cannot arrest this democracy. This forgotten majority of voiceless people…have the power of the ballot.

“That it is not what sponsored commentators say on television or sponsored writers write in papers that will inform their judgment. Their judgments will be formed by what they have seen the governor doing and what the governor is doing that touches them.

“The worst mistake you can make is to rely on sampling people in Abuja whom we call ward 17. They don’t exist in the States, but they are very vocal. They are the ones you will find being hosted by TV hosts. But those voiceless people are potent. They are the ones that vote.”

News

Group Throws Weight Behind Benin Monarch’s Decision On Iyaloja

Published

15 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Group known as Edo Art and Cultural Heritage Institute (EACHI) has thrown its weight behind Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on the royal father’s stance on the traditional leadership of markets in the Benin Kingdom.

A statement isdued by Okpioba Osaro Idemudia, on behalf of the group, said the “institute aligns with the Oba’s stance that the Iye-Eki is the only recognized traditional head of the markets, and we believe that this position should be respected and preserved in accordance with our cultural heritage.

“EACHI stands firm on the ground that the Iye-Eki holds a significant and revered position in the Benin Kingdom, serving as the main market traditional head. We believe that any attempts to impose external leadership structures that contradict our cultural norms and traditions would undermine the rich heritage of the Benin people.

“We are proud of our royal rather, for his unwavering commitment to upholding the cultural values and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.

“EACHI reassures the people of Edo State and the broader community that we will continue to support and promote the preservation of our rich cultural heritage.”

The group, while calling on Edo sons and daughters in home and in diaspora to “stand in unity to support our royal father Oba Ewuare II’s disapproval of IYALOJA,” commended
Edo market women for talking a bold stand against the imposition of IYALOJA

News

JUST IN: Tinubu’s Minister Resigns Amid Allegations

Published

16 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid controversies surrounding his academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.

“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

Nnaji’s resignation comes amid a lingering controversy over alleged certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nnaji and the Enugu State Government had traded words over allegations that he presented forged certificates.

The dispute intensified after the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected Nnaji’s bid to stop the University of Nigeria from releasing his academic records.

The court had ruled that the institution was within its rights to release the minister’s academic details in response to a freedom of information request, a decision that fuelled further public scrutiny.

Nnaji, however, maintained that he was being blackmailed by political opponents determined to tarnish his reputation.

News

UNIBEN Bans Students’ Sign-out Celebration

Published

17 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has prohibited all forms of sign-out celebrations by graduating students.

The ban is contained in a circular by the university’s Registrar, Mr Ademola Bobola, on Tuesday in Benin.

In the circular addressed to members of the university community, the management warned that violators risk severe disciplinary actions, including rustication, expulsion, or withdrawal of certificate.

Bobola said the decision was reached at a meeting on Monday, where it reaffirmed an earlier resolution of the university’s Senate banning such activities on campus.

“The management declared that no sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts and playing of music, will be tolerated,” he said.

He stated that the university would not condone any form of disorderly conduct or unauthorised gathering during or after examinations.

“Indiscriminate parading around the campuses in any brand of vehicle will not be permitted,” the circular warned.

According to him, unauthorised vehicles will not be allowed into the campuses all through the last week of the second semester examination.

“The management also prohibited large gatherings around faculties, schools, or institutes after examinations.

“Photographers will not be permitted to put up photo stands or galleries for the purpose of such celebration,” he said.

He said the management equally cautioned parents and guardians of final-year students against visiting campus premises during the final days of examinations.

“Parents and guardians of final-year students are advised to stay away from the Faculty, School, or Institute premises, especially on the last day of examination,” he said.

Bobola emphasised that the university’s stance was aimed at maintaining order, discipline, and academic decorum on campus.

“Members of the university community are kindly invited to note the above position for strict compliance.

“Any violation will attract severe disciplinary sanctions, including withdrawal of certificate, rustication, and expulsion of violators,” he warned.