Nelson Ugwuagbo

In a bid to stop the ongoing strike by organized labour, the Federal Government, through the National Salaries Wages and Income Commission, has extended an invitation to the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

However, it is not yet clear if the Labour leaders will attend the meeting.

LeadingReporters gathered that some unions have shut their workplaces to comply with the directive of the two labour unions to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.

On Friday, organised labour announced that they will be commencing a nationwide indefinite strike due to the refusal of the Federal Government to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.

According to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, the strike will begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

In a joint statement delivered by Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed their serious concerns and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to finalise and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law.

They also demanded that the government reverse the increase in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.

Recall that both unions had given an ultimatum of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage.

However, talks between organised labour and the Federal Government broke down on Tuesday after both parties presented their offers.

The government increased its initial offer of N57,000 by adding N3,000 to make it N60,000. ,

This proposal was rejected by labour during the meeting.

During negotiations at this meeting, labour also lowered their demand from last week’s proposal of N497,000 by removing N3,00 which reduced their new proposal to N494,000.

Abuja-Kaduna Train Services (AKTS) did not operate on Monday, June 3, due to the ongoing strike action announced by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

There was no train movement from either Idu (Abuja) or Rigasa (Kaduna).

The chairman of Abuja Union of Abuja-Kaduna Train Services (AKTS), Comrade Yusuf Kazeem said no train moved in or out of Abuja today.

Kazeem said: “There is total compliance throughout the system as there is no train movement.

“Passengers were not stranded because we sent a message to inform them that there would be no train service.

“Also, most of our tickets are sold online and the portal was not opened for passengers to buy tickets which was an indication that we were not available for service.

“Some passengers called to complain about their inability to buy tickets and we used the opportunity to inform them that we would be embarking on strike, so passengers did not bother to come to the station.”

He added that workers of AKTS also boycotted work on Monday.

“Our staff too did not come to work because they are aware of the strike,” he said.

A Federal High Court in Abuja granted Chioma Okoli a N5 million bail with two sureties of the same amount on Friday, following allegations related to her online comments about Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste product.

Okoli is facing charges related to her online remarks about Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste, which the police say contravened the Cybercrime Act of 2015.

She was brought before the court by the Inspector-General of Police and indicted on two counts of cybercrime.

More details later…

The Kano State Police Command has urged residents to ignore false information circulating on social media that Alhaji Aminu Bayero, the 15th Emir, would lead the Friday prayers at the Central Mosque.

The Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel told the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview on Friday that Bayero will observe his Friday prayers in the mosque within the Nasarawa Palace, where he currently resides.

The commissioner said the police and other state security agencies will provide robust security at the Emir’s Palace, where Emir Muhammad Sanusi II is expected to lead the Jummah prayers.

”The police urges the general public to disregard the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation.

”The police will continue to provide necessary security to ensure that will enable residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully without threats to their lives and property,” he said.

He urged the people to volunteer credible information on the movement of dubious characters for prompt security action in the state.

Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday, May 30, visited the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja.

This was revealed in a post by the governor on his official X page.

Governor Yusuf shared pictures of his meeting with the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, captioned: “I had a fruitful engagement with the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, this afternoon in Abuja. – AKY.”

Details shortly…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, is currently conducting investigations across the country to uncover the reasons for the high cost of food prices in Nigerian markets.

This is to enable the commission to provide suggestions to the federal government on how to address the ongoing food crisis.

The Head of the FCCPC, Lagos Office, Suzzy Onwuka, recently led a team of investigators to engage with marketers and traders’ associations in Lagos State to understand the reasons behind the ongoing increase in food prices.

Similarly, in Rivers State, the FCCPC, under the guidance of its South-South Zonal Coordinator, Uchegbu Chukwuma, also conducted fact-finding sessions with traders’ associations and marketers to identify the factors contributing to the continuous rise in food prices.

In Lagos, the fact-finding investigation at the Mile 12 International Perishable Market and the Oke-Odo Market in Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA was described by Onwuka as a mission to collect firsthand information from key sources and stakeholders. This included engaging with market union leaders, sellers, and consumers in these significant food markets.

A statement from the FCCPC yesterday, reads: “FCCPC’s surveillance efforts suggest that participants in the food chain and distribution sector, including wholesalers and retailers, are allegedly engaged in conspiracy, price gauging, hoarding and other unfair tactics to restrict or distort competition in the market, restrict the supply of food, manipulate and inflate the price of food indiscriminately.

“These obnoxious, unscrupulous, exploitative practices are illegal under the FCCPA.

“Following this exercise, the commission would develop a concise report of its inquiry and make recommendations to the government in accordance with Section 17(b) of the FCCPA and initiate broad-based policies and review economic activities in Nigeria to identify and address anti-competitive, anti-consumer protection and restrictive practices to make markets more competitive while also ensuring fair pricing for consumers.”

President Bola Tinubu has assented to the National Anthem Bill 2024 reverting to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee”.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, revealed this on Wednesday at a joint session of the National Assembly marking the Silver Jubilee Of Nigeria’s 4th Republic.

President Bola Tinubu is expected at the joint session.

Akpabio said the sitting is primarily to launch the new national anthem, explaining that the President will not be making a speech because he has to leave to launch the Abuja metro line.

The Senate and the House of Representatives had previously passed the legislation to swap the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” at separate sittings.

The old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, composed when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, has replaced the “Arise, O Compatriots” anthem.

Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria during its independence, penned the lyrics for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” while Frances Berda composed the music. The anthem played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s national identity and unity during the 1960s and late 1970s.

What are the lyrics to Nigeria We Hail Thee?

Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood, we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour’d,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.

O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed. 

More to follow…

   
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has summoned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and the Chief Judge of Kano State High Court over conflicting interim injunctions regarding the Kano Emirate, causing uncertainty in the state.

The Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice S. A. Amobeda, issued an order for the eviction of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II from the Kofar Kudu Palace, reinforcing the authority of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from inviting, arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating, harassing the Applicant, or infringing on his rights is hereby granted,” stated Justice Amobeda.

He added, “This order ensures that Emir Aminu Bayero enjoys all rights and privileges accrued to him by virtue of his position.”

On the other hand, the Kano State High Court, under the jurisdiction of Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, issued an injunction to protect Muhammadu Sunusi and other key figures from potential harassment by state authorities. This order prevents any interference with the Emir’s autonomy and the seizure of key symbols of his authority, such as the twin spear, the Royal Hat of Dabo, and the Ostrich-feathered shoes.

Details later…..

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, discharged the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo, of an alleged terrorism charge filed against him by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, discharged Bodejo after counsel for the AGF, Aderonke Imana, moved an oral application for the withdrawal of the three-count charge.

Upon resumed hearing, Imana informed the court that she had an oral application.

The lawyer said the application was pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.

She said the request was further predicated on the power of the AGF under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“Consequently, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation has instructed me to withdraw this charge against the defendant in the interest of justice.

“That is our humble application my lord,” she said.

Bodejo’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji, SAN, did not oppose the application.

The senior lawyer thanked the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for his “magnanimous gesture.”

“We urge your lordship to discharge the accused person under the sections referred to by the prosecutor,” Raji said.