News

Protests: NLC To Introduce Detention Allowance For Member

Published

3 years ago

June 23, 2023

Editor

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says it will introduce detention allowance to members arrested during protests.

Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said this on Thursday in Abuja when he led workers on a second-day picketing of the Shaanxi Construction Company building site at the ECOWAS Headquarters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NLC had picketed the Chinese construction company over alleged unfair labour practices and dehumanisation of workers.

The bad working conditions are believed to have led to the death of a driver, Mr Austine Okunbor.

It also alleged that the company engaged the workers on an ad-hoc basis with no conditions of service attached nor any welfare or medical services in place which sparked up peaceful protest by some workers who were arrested.

Ajaero said that the allowance was to show support for members of the union who are harassed and arrested by security personnel during peaceful protests carried out in support of workers maltreated by their employers.

“I am making a pronouncement that henceforth, we are going to introduce detention allowance and this will start from the workers detained for the picketing done by the union yesterday.

“We urge all unions to start immediately because harassment and detention by security personnel is one of the hazards of the job.

“We need to retain this solidarity. It doesn’t matter how much, when a worker is detained because of his or her conviction, there is a need to support the person,” he said.

The NLC president said that the gesture would encourage more members to stand in solidarity with fellow workers who are enslaved and maltreated by employers.

He told employers to prioritise the welfare of its staff or face mass action by the union, adding that the use of force and threats to intimidate workers would be strongly resisted by the union.

Also, Mr Yakubu Dudu, Head, ECOWAS Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who came to address the protesting workers, called for peace and calmness.

“I want to assure you that Nigerian workers’ interest will be protected,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Emma Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary, has announced that the Chinese company had agreed to the demands by the unions on the safety of workers at the construction site.

It also spelt out compensation for the widow of Austine Okunbor, he added.

He further stated that a committee comprising various stakeholders had been set up to discuss specific details of the agreement and allowances to be paid.

“The challenge we have here has been resolved. All workers will formally resume work tomorrow.

“The unions have also been recognised in this place and the conditions of service that govern workers in the construction industry have been put in place.

“We have signed an agreement with the management and it will implement it because that is the bone of contention,” he said.

NAN also reports that workers who were arrested during the protest have been released.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

4 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

4 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.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.