Folarin Kehinde

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has said that its members will boycott work if security operatives continue to harass its officials and facilities.

NLC in a statement signed by NLC Head of Media and Public Relations, Comrade Benson Upah, gave the warning in response to the invasion of the union’s headquarters by armed security personnel suspected to be from the Department of State Services, DSS on Wednesday night.

It was reported that some armed security operatives broke into the Labour House in Abuja and ransacked the offices at the 10th and 2nd floors.

A source indicated that they took various materials to their vans, claiming that these items were used to incite and organize the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests in the country.

To this effect, the NLC leadership has directed that all its officials and staff should refrain from coming to the invaded house until further notice to avoid being incriminated.

“Given the current circumstances, the Nigeria Labour Congress has instructed all its staff to stay away from the Labour House until we are certain that no incriminating materials or harmful substances have been left in our offices by the invading operatives. To alleviate our concerns, we demand an international inquiry into this traumatic invasion.

“If this harassment continues, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not hesitate to call on its members to remain at home until their safety and security are assured.

“We warn that the stifling of public space and channels for constructive engagement, dialogue, and negotiations in light of the excruciating difficulties that Nigerians are currently facing will only exacerbate the situation. A stitch in time may still save nine!” the statement said.

The NLC has also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to investigate the deaths of dozens of citizens who were killed by security personnel during the ongoing nationwide protests against hardship.

The union condemned the government for employing various strategies to prevent citizens from holding demonstrations against the economic hardships caused by failed policies.

The NLC reiterated its support for the ongoing protests, tagged as #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, urging President Tinubu to immediately reverse his anti-people policies to quell the unrest.

The organised labour also called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency approve subsidies on basic commodities so as to alleviate the suffering of the citizenry.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, said yesterday it was working to ensure collaboration with industry regulators and stakeholders to attract businesses in the sector, amid divestment.

The commission also said it was implementing the Upstream Asset Divestment Framework to guide the seamlessly non-destructive exit of divesting entities and promote sustainable operation for the acquiring parties.

Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Gbenga Komolafe, who disclosed this at the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, NAICE, 2024, in Lagos, said this was all in the overriding national interest.

Speaking on the theme of the event, ”Petroleum Industry Value Chain Optimisation: The Inevitability of Midstream and Downstream Development”, Komolafe said the commission was pursuing collaboration with sister agencies, such as the NMDPRA, and other key stakeholders, to deepen end-to-end value in critical areas of operations.

To ensure robust development of oil and gas midstream operations, he said the commission would strengthen alignments on the administration of the domestic crude supply obligation and the domestic gas delivery obligation to grow the sector consistently with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.

He expressed confidence that commission’s effort to foster regulatory alignments in this respect would stimulate further activities for domestic energy security in the shelter, insisting that the commission would not rest on its oars.

Komolafe said: “We are committed to entrenching collaboration for enhanced value to the industry and the nation at large, as we deliberate on the strategies and innovative approaches that will prepare the industry forward, let us remember that the optimisation of the midstream and downstream segments is not merely an option but inevitability.

“By focusing on this area, we can mitigate the risks associated with market volatility, enhance the refining capacities, and ensure a more stable and efficient energy security for our nation in the world undergoing change.

“No matter what individual views may be, the world is on the energy transition course, hence, dividend of the in-country value from the oil and gas resources via a midstream and a downstream operation is highly imperative’.”

The NUPRC boss disclosed that the commission had made deliberate and conscious efforts to position the upstream appropriately through the implementation of the ongoing regulatory framework for upstream decarbonisation and carbon monetisation in Nigeria.

He noted that the commission was championing decarbonisation initiatives to sustain and grow investments in upstream oil and gas, while ensuring environmental, social, and governance principles.

In his remarks, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, said the NNPCL was putting in place the required infrastructure required to deepen domestic gas utilisation. According to him, the obligation for domestic gas supply and also domestic supply of crude oil into the country is by no means designed to ensure things worked for the industry.

The Ogun State government has reportedly asked persons seeking employment into its civil service to pay a fee of N10,000 for application form.

This was communicated in a memo seen by SaharaReporters and signed by the Permanent Secretary Commission, Jacobs R.O on behalf of the Ogun State Civil Service Commission.

The document noted that “Applicants are to obtain tellers from Room A261 at the Civil Service Commission for application form on payment of a non-refundable fee of ten thousand Naira (N10,000) per candidate”

It was noted that “The Application forms and other credentials should be submitted to the office of the Director, Appointment and Transfer (Civil Service Commission) Block A, Room A233, State secretariat complex Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta” the document read.

This is not the first time the state government will do so; in 2021, it was reported that the state government asked those seeking to become fire service officers in the state to pay N10,000 as application form fee.

The governor, Dapo Abiodun, had approved the recruitment of qualified candidates to the post of Fire Officer II, GL.08, Higher Fire Superintendent GL. 08 and Medical Officer II, GL.12 into the mainstream of the State civil service.

A press release signed by the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mr. Kolawole Ogunlana, had stated that a written examination would be conducted through the Public Service Competitive Entrance Examination on Monday, December 6, 2021 at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

“Candidates should obtain a teller at Room A261, Civil Service Commission, Block A, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta for payment of non-refundable fee of N10,000, while forms must be submitted on or before Friday, November 26, 2021.” The statement read in 2021.

Eight months after the suspension of betta Edu, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of seven Nigerians to head strategic agencies and programs under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

This was revealed in a statement sent to journalists today by Ajuri Ngelale, a presidential spokesman.

According to the statement, Dr Badamasi Lawal has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). Dr. Lawal, who holds a doctorate degree in education, previously served as a commissioner in Katsina State.

Ms. Funmilola Olotu will serve as the Programme Manager for the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office. Ms Olotu, who has a master’s degree in business administration, is currently the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on state lotteries.

Ms. Aishat Alubankudi has been named Programme Manager for the Grant for Vulnerable Groups. Ms. Alubankudi holds a bachelor’s degree in community development and brings experience as a risk assessor and financial manager.

Princess Aderemi Adebowale will manage the Home Grown School Feeding program. Princess Adebowale is the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Civic Engagement and has previously served as a local government chairperson.

Mr. Abdullahi Alhassan Imam has been appointed Programme Manager of the National Cash Transfer Office. Mr Imam, who holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy, has experience as chief accountant at Northern Dairies Ltd and as a bank manager.

Mr. Ayuba Gufwan will serve as the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for People with Disabilities. Mr. Gufwan holds an LLB and is currently the executive director of the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre in Jos.

Ms. Lami Binta Adamu Bello has been appointed Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. Ms Binta holds a master’s degree in public administration and has previously served as the Secretary-General of ALGON and Permanent Secretary in both the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

President Tinubu expressed confidence that the new appointees will execute their responsibilities with the highest levels of integrity and diligence.

The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have reached former Governor Nyesom Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt.

Wike, the Federal Capital Territory minister, had vehemently kicked against the protest in the Nigerian capital.

While the protests seem to have died down in the FCT, the street processions are gradually picking up in Wike’s home state.

The demonstrators have now gathered at the former governor’s mansion in the state capital as the protests enter Day 6.

In response, the Nigerian Police Force has deployed additional personnel to the area to maintain order and ensure the safety of all parties involved.

The protesters had earlier stormed the Government House on the first day of the protests where they publicly embarrassed Governor Sim Fubara who tried to give them money for ‘pure water.’

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