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The Federal Government is hopeful of the organised labour suspending its planned indefinite strike, saying the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) will consider the government’s offers, including a N35,000 pay increase for all “treasury-paid” federal workers.

This was one of the highlights of the hours-long meeting between the Federal Government and the labour unions in Abuja on Sunday.

Earlier, President Bola Tinubu, in his Independence Day speech, announced a N25,000 pay bump which he said would apply to “low-grade” workers only as a means of cushioning the effect of the removal of fuel subsidies.

“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above,” a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said.

The virtual meeting was chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulrazak Abdulrahman; and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State also in attendance.

The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Deputy President, TUC; Dr Tommy Etim Okon; NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja; and TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, among others.

Others present included the information minister, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on all citizens to join its “march to freedom”, insisting it would embark on an indefinite strike from Tuesday.

The NLC, in its President Joe Ajaero’s statement early Sunday to commemorate the country’s 63rd Independence anniversary, addressed members of the Nigerian public, saying they would attain victory when they stand as an indivisible unit.

“Together, we can reclaim the greatness that has eluded us for too long. It is time for Nigeria to rise and shine once more as a beacon of hope and prosperity for all its citizens,” Ajaero said.

“Remember, when we stand as one refusing to be divided, we will triumph! We call on all Nigerians to join us on the 3rd day of October around Nigeria to begin our march to freedom through the indefinite nationwide strike.”

The labour leader urged the citizens to mark Independence Day with a renewed sense of purpose.

“Let us acknowledge our past, confront our present challenges, and collectively work towards a brighter future for Nigeria,” he said.

Tragedy struck on Sunday, in Jalingo, Taraba State capital, as a hit-and-run driver killed a 400 level student of the Taraba State University, TSU.

The incident, which occurred on the day Nigeria marked its 63rd independence anniversary, was described as tragic by eyewitnesses.

The student, whose name was given as Joseph Afara, was said to have been on his way to withdraw money in one of the new generation banks located in the Roadblock area of Jalingo metropolis when the vehicle knocked him down.

An eyewitness alleged that the incident was caused by recklessness on the part of the driver.

“The driver in his attempt to gain entrance into the Jalingo Motor Park, made a reckless manoeuvre into the wrong lane, resulting in the head on collision,” he said.

Another eyewitness, who sells goods close to the motor park, also blamed the driver for the untimely death of the student.

The trader, who also craved anonymity, said if the driver had not attempted to manoeuvre his vehicle into a different lane, the accident would not have occurred.

The driver was also reported to have abandoned his vehicle and the student in a pool of blood and took to his heels in order to avoid being lynched by angry youths around the park.

The student, who did not die on the spot, was said to have given up the ghost shortly after he was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, in Jalingo metropolis.

Some members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, who also spoke with our reporter, regretted the driver’s action, stating that the leadership of the union will work round the clock to bring him to book.

Confirming the incident, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, who said he was not in the position to speak with journalists, said, “We are actually aware of the accident.”

He added that the driver will definitely be brought to book.

Self-proclaimed journalist, Kemi Olunloyo has slammed Nollywood actresses, Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, over their involvement in the burial of the late singer, Mohbad.

LEADING REPORTERS recalls that Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo recently showed off Mohbad’s burial casket while offering a sneak peek into their elaborate preparations for the late singer’s funeral.

Taking to her Facebook page, Kemi Olunloyo slammed Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh for their role in Mohbad’s burial, emphasizing that the casket should not have ben filmed for content.

She wrote, “Nigerians are blasting Tonto and Iyabo Ojo all over the Internet. I am sure if Festus or Priscilla died she would not like anyone to videotape the casket, shopping and post it online.

“Tonto is already a super clout chaser. I came up with idea that Sanwo should give him a befitting burial at Ebony Vaults. You stole the idea and messed it up by videoing it for content. Even MOhbad is singing “wetin be dis one like this” the young man don suffer”

Reacting to the attack, Iyabo Ojo placed a curse on Kemi Olunloyo for bringing her children into the conversation, calling her names, and expressing displeasure at her involvement in the matter.

The actress, who had previously mocked Kemi over her Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), challenged the journalist to reveal her current location.

She wrote, “Kem kem oloriburuku, Agbaya, oni urgent 2k, ex convict, oni ptsd ofo, i hear say you dey Ghana, why are you running now, the next time you mention my children’s name or wish them death, Ogun lo ma pa e danu la se edumare …… Madam, fake jonalist, oni iro aiye, ole aji malt worldwide, oni bo ni nu eleyi lo te yii, you will go back to your original home sweet home seee, I promise you that……. you go hear wieeeeeee,

Abeg, who knows her current location DM me….. them no go cover your own face enter naija for night, na oju mo mo you go enter …….. dey cry like owiwi wa fe la”

Kemi responded, calling Iyabo the “Queen Mother of OLOSHOS” and dismissing the accusations. She claimed to be teaching African mothers about the dangers of drug abuse and mentioned her recent travels.

Kemi Olunloyo also accused Iyabo Ojo of filming other people’s children’s caskets for clout and warned of the consequences.

She wrote “Queen Mother of OLOSHOS. I’m loving these distractions on #justice4mohbad #AuntyKemKem#Ajimalt

You’re planning the funeral of a cultist and musician with a history of drug trafficking and drug use. I can’t even attend the reception to come and steal malt. You’re venturing into evil territory.

“I was in Haatso and Accraa, don’t live there permanently. The Assignment was even announced on the @ndlea_nigeria spaces on my last day.

“I’m teaching African moms how to teach their kids the dangers of drug abuse. What are you doing for African youth? Did 18mos campaign for Nigeria, I don’t have your time Iyabo Queen Mother awon OLOSHOS. Life is more than selling wigs and creams.

“I dey Senegal 🇸🇳 now. Ghana was 🇬🇭May and August my 60th 🎂 Sierra Leone🇸🇱June 🗳️ Togo 🇹🇬July Tomorrow Abidjan🇨🇮

“STOP FILMING OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN’S CASKETS FOR CLOUT. You’re inviting the wrath of the devil “

A nationwide blackout is likely as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has directed its members to commence total mobilisation to ensure compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to embark on an indefinite strike.

The NLC had declared an indefinite nationwide strike to pressure the federal government to address the hardships associated with fuel subsidy removal.

The NUEE, in a notice signed by its acting general secretary, Dominic Igwebike, on Thursday, urged its members to comply with the directive and stop work from the early hours of Tuesday.

The NUEE members’ strike could throw the country into darkness, given the workers’ critical roles in electricity distribution in the country.

NUEE urged its members to withdraw its services and participate in street protests and rallies “until the government responds to our demands”.

Part of the notice read:

“Further to the NLC National Executive Council meeting held on September 26, 2023, and the Joint Press Conference of NLC and Trade Union Congress over the untold hardships being faced by Nigerians as a consequence of the high price of petroleum resulting from the removal of fuel subsidy as well as other anti-labour policies by the government, the NLC and TUC have declared an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation beginning on zero hours of Tuesday, October 3 2023.

“Hence, we are to totally withdraw our services and participate in street protests and rallies until the Government responds to our demands.

“Please note that withdrawal of Services nationwide commences from 0.00 hours of Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

“You are encouraged to work with the leadership of State Executive Councils of the congress in your various states with a view to having a successful action.”

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has placed a ban on Nigeria’s October 1st independence anniversary celebrations across the Southeast.

IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, urged people of the Southeast to shun the Independence Day celebration in the region.

Powerful claimed that the Nigerian state detests Igbos and has rejected all efforts to treat people of the Southeast equally.

In a statement signed by Powerful, IPOB urged state governors and political leaders to shun the October 1st independence day celebration across the Southeast.

Parts of the statement read: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the Supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU hereby call on Biafrans both home and in diaspora to shun participation in the Nigeria Independent day celebration on 1st October 2023

“Every sensible Biafra citizen must understand that Nigeria detests Biafrans, particularly Ndigbo. Nigeria has rejected all our efforts to be treated as equal citizens. Nigeria has marginalized Biafrans politically and economically. Since Nigeria has rejected us, we have also rejected Nigeria and her celebrations.

“The Nigeria Government and Nigeria citizens have time after time demonstrated that we are not part of them, and therefore, we must do everything possible to liberate ourselves from the bondage of Nigeria. Even a fool would have come to the realization that Nigeria is not for Ndigbo and Biafrans after the shenanigan that they called 2023 elections.

“As Nigeria’s government plans to celebrate her flag Independence from Britain, we advise Eastern Region Governors and Political leaders to shun the October 1st Independence celebration in our region. Moreso, we advise Biafrans not to attend any Independence celebration anywhere within Biafra territory or outside of it.

“Hence, IPOB has banned the Independence Day celebration and flying of Nigeria flags in any part of Biafraland on October 1st, 2023.”

The minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that the Nigerian Ports Authority would soon commence the implementation of full automation and cargo tracking to promote ease of doing business across various ports in the country.

The minister made the disclosure recently in Abuja after he receiving a renowned entrepreneur and sustainability expert, Professor Gunter Pauli, who is on a three-day visit to Nigeria.

In a statement by the Director, Press & Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, on Friday, noted that Pauli’s visit was facilitated by his partners in Nigeria, Premium Blue Economy Innovation and Investment.

The minister stated that the Federal Government is keen on the diversification of the Nigerian economy away from the oil industry, hence, it was intentional when it created the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The statement read, “Again, we are going to be talking of automation of ports to make them more efficient. I would like to tell you that in another two years, it will all change. We are bringing in automation and cargo tracking as we are working on that for implementation.”

Noting further, the minister said that the government is interested in partnering with relevant stakeholders under the Public public-private partnership arrangement to maximise and explore the resources of the ocean sector for rapid economic development, improve the livelihood of its people and create jobs as well as preserving the health of the ecosystem.

According to him, “Seventy per cent of the resources that are available actually come from the ocean, and we have it in abundance here”.

In addition, the minister noted that the Nigerian waterways have enjoyed adequate security with no single incidence of piracy for the past two years. He, therefore, called on investors to take advantage of the opportunities and partner with the newly created Ministry to drive development.

Embattled Nigerian singer and Marlian Records henchman, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley has denied claims that he is responsible for DJ Splash’s mental instability.

Also, he cleared the air on rumours that he (DJ Splash) was once signed to Marlian Records.

The ‘soapy’ crooner has been tongue-lashed in recent times on different allegations since the death of his former signee, Mohbad.

Among such allegations was that DJ Splash ran mad after taking substances given to him by the Marlian team.

DJ Splash’s mother, in a recent video shared by actress Iyabo Ojo during her visit, alleged that since her son left Naira Marley’s house, he had been mentally unstable.

However, in an interview with Reno Omokri on Thursday, Marley denied all the allegations.

According to him, DJ Splash was never officially signed to his music label, and neither was he responsible for the DJ’s mental instability.

He mentioned that the DJ had parted ways with Marlian Records before his mental instability began.

He stated, “DJ Splash was never signed to Marlian Music. I know him as a DJ, but he has never deejayed with me at shows or anything, it is not like he is my DJ. They just gave him the title because I have a picture with him.

He added that he did not know how the DJ’s mental instability started, and neither was he (DJ Splash) still associated with Marlian Records at the time.

“When whatever happened to him, he was not at my house, and I do not understand where all this is coming from,” he noted