The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve its proposed nationwide protest.

On February 16, the NLC announced a nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28, in response to the economic challenges facing the country.

This decision followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government regarding the widespread hardship.

However, in a letter addressed to the counsel for the NLC, Femi Falana, (SAN) dated February 23, 2024, Fagbemi reminded the NLC of a subsisting order restraining the union from embarking on any industrial action.

The letter read, “I wish to draw your esteemed attention to the Joint Press Release dated 8th February 2024, containing a 14-day ultimatum, jointly issued by the President of the NLC and President of the TUC as well as the notice of a two-day national protest issued by the NLC President on 16th February 2024.

“A cursory perusal of the above press release clearly shows that the planned protest is premised on or connected with alleged non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the Federal Government on October 02, 2023, consequences of the hike in the price of PMS, and other associated issues. It is therefore safe to assert again that the proposed cause of action by NLC is targeted at achieving objectives or promoting issues connected with a hike in fuel price and consequential matters of palliatives workers ‘ welfare, and associated government policies.

"You may wish to note that the foregoing issues or objectives are at the core of the pending case before the National Industrial Court. Upon the submission of grievances to the court, parties in the suit cannot resort to public protests over the same issues, as such conduct amounts to gross contempt and affront to the institution of our courts of law. Therefore, the proposed nationwide protest action in all ramifications is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted in SUIT NO: NICN/ABJ/158/2023-FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR V. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR on 5th June 2023 restraining both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature.

"It is not in doubt that the planned protest is designed to compel the government to accede to the demands of organised labour, therefore, such action qualifies as an industrial action which comes within the ambit of the restraining order. This restraining order has neither been stayed nor set- aside and therefore remains binding.”

He noted that the government had substantially met the demands of the union as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding entered with the NLC.

Fagbemi said, ” I wish to note that the government has substantially and reasonably complied with the items in the MOU and it is only appropriate and equitable for organized labour to engage more with the government to ensure the full implementation of same, especially in areas that have been inhibited by unforeseen challenges.

“May I, therefore request that you kindly implore and enjoin your clients to refrain from self-help by shelving the proposed protests which are antithetical to the mediatory engagements leading to the execution of the MOU, tantamount to undermining subsisting restraining court order, and occasioning disruption of public service, order, and safety"

The Trade Union Congress has warned that the planned protest on February 27 and 28 being championed by the Nigeria Labour Congress may lead to anarchy.

This is as the union stated that the country was too volatile and tense because of the prevailing hunger in the land.

This warning was made by the Deputy President of the TUC, Dr Tommy Etim, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH.

The Organised Labour plans to embark on a two-day strike on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest the hardship currently being faced by Nigerians following the dramatic hike in the prices of goods and services due to the removal of fuel subsidy and the free fall of the naira, among others.

Pockets of protests had broken out in Kano, Niger, Oyo and Osun, among other states, with protesters urging the government to take decisive steps to bring the hardship to an end.

Nigeria’s annual inflation rate climbed to a near 28-year high of 29.9 per cent in January, up from 28.9 per cent in December and above market forecasts of 29.5 per cent.

Food prices are at an all-time high, with a bag of long-grain rice hitting N77,000.

Several videos online have shown netizens lamenting the increase in the prices of consumer goods like toothpaste, butter, and tin tomatoes, among others, and asking the President, Bola Tinubu to intervene.

Many have also expressed their willingness to join the NLC protest to press home their demands for a change in the economic trajectory of the country.

However, the TUC backed out, saying that it was not aware of the planned rally. This caused a crack in the wall of the Organised Labour.

Although the NLC has insisted that the two-day rally must be held, the TUC has stated that it will not be part of the demonstration.

Etim, while commenting on the planned rally, stated that it was ill-timed and urged the NLC not to plunge the country into anarchy.

Speaking on why the TUC backed out of the proposed protest, the labour leader accused the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, of running a one-man show by failing to carry members of the TUC along in his decision to declare a two-day strike.

Etim said the NLC had slighted the TUC in making unilateral decisions four times, adding that it was now a deliberate act.

He said, “When one claims that a mistake is done and it is one that a mistake can be accepted as a mistake, but, when it is up to four times, it is now a deliberate action.

“The first thing is that when you issue an ultimatum to the government, the NEC is supposed to meet to review it. When they do, they will then make a decision.

“In this case, the ultimatum given to the Federal Government was still on and the NLC president decided to announce that they would be going on protest as though he had not been in industrial relations practice or law. It baffles us. We cannot take that.

"What is the essence of unionism if you don’t come together for a particular cause? So, adopting a situation where two centres have been on the ground and one feels it has superior knowledge is not a good one at all.

“I feel that he should be sensitive to know that the struggle is not a one-party affair and we must save the country. We have to be a united force. And we have also said that a people united cannot be defeated. The President must leave up to his responsibility.”

No going back – NLC

Reacting, the Head of Information for the NLC, Benson Upah, in a chat with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, insisted that the planned protest would hold, adding that the congress was in touch with the TUC.

"We are going ahead with the protest come February 27 and 28. There is no reason for us to change our minds on that,” Upah noted.

On Etim’s statement of the TUC being sidelined by the NLC, Upah simply said, “We are in touch with the TUC. We are one family.”

However, Etim said the TUC had not received a letter of apology, adding that the NLC must understand that it could not carry out such a national assignment in disunity.

He further stressed that the disagreement between both labour unions would not affect the workers’ needs.

“Whatever happens now will embolden us. There is no organised labour trade centre that cannot fight on its own, but we decided to come together. We feel that fighting alone without unity will not give us the result,” he added.

Protest ill-timed – TUC

Etim said the Organised Labour could get its demands without protests, adding that all it needed to do was strategic engagement.

According to him, if the protest goes on as planned, it may be hijacked by anarchists and turn chaotic.

He said, “If we carry out a protest in this time of hunger and we may meet anarchy. A hungry man is an angry man, and any protest at this time can snowball into a revolution, which we cannot contain.

"Take what happened in Imo State where Ajaero himself went there after several warnings. If not for the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the NLC leader would have been killed.

“When there is tension in the land, we must be very sceptical and strategic in our agitation. We are not babies; we have been long in this struggle. I, for one, have been in this struggle for 35 years. Sentiments and pride don’t pay.”

On rumours that the TUC might have been compromised by the Federal Government, Etim said, “Everyone is entitled to their opinion but the thing is for sure, hunger knows no religion, political party or ethnic sentiments.

“Whether you are a big man or not, your family members are also feeding on you; and if they are parasitic, you will know that one rich man in a community is poor.

"Whatever we are doing, we must recognise that it is time to rescue Nigeria and we cannot just sit down and say a protest will solve the matter.

"Yes, we can mobilise. Yes, protest is our right. But, I think we should be strategic to know that we must carry everyone along rather than thinking we can do it alone. A fight of this nature is not a one-man fight.

“We at the TUC don’t issue threats and back down. The NLC is synonymous with issuing protest threats and backing out, and we don’t want to be a part of that. Any day we issue a notice of action, we carry it to the letter. If you follow our trajectory, you’d know that we always walk our talks.”

Police warn anarchists

The Taraba, Kaduna and Rivers police commands have warned hoodlums to steer clear of protest grounds during the rally proposed by the NLC.

The Taraba State command, on Friday, said it had placed its personnel on high alert to ensure that hoodlums did not take advantage of the protest to ferment trouble.

Though the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Usman Abdullahi did not take his calls, a senior police officer in the command, who spoke to one of our correspondents on the telephone, said the Commissioner of Police in the state had deployed enough personnel for the protest to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

"In our meeting earlier today (Friday), we deliberated on security issues in the state, including the planned protest by the NLC. I can assure you that our personnel are on red alert to prevent any break down of law and order,” the senior officer said.

In Kaduna, the state police command appealed to the leadership of the NLC to shelve the planned two-day nationwide protest.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, said the plea became necessary because of the precarious nature of the state, which has been enjoying relative peace for a while now.

The police spokesman, however, noted that if the organised labour decided against the appeal, the command would provide adequate cover for the protesters.

He, however, warned the NLC to ensure utmost civility and be law-abiding.

According to him, members of the Organised Labour should know that their rights end where other citizens’ rights begin.

Hassan also warned hoodlums against infiltrating the protest, which he insisted must be peaceful.

The police chief said, “We are appealing that the protest should not even hold. They should understand the nature of Kaduna that it is not everywhere they should come and protest.

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that failure to accept him as its candidate in the State governorship election will spell doom for the party in the state.

Asue Ighodalo won the PDP primary at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Thursday; Philip Shaibu won the parallel election at a different venue.

Speaking on the development on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Shuaibu maintained that he is the authentic candidate of the party for the September 21 election, saying that Edo people do not want Ighodalo whom he said is not homeboy.

“The option is for the PDP not to go and argue against my candidacy, if they do that PDP will lose Edo State. Edo people do not want Asue Ighodalo to be the governor of Edo State because he is not a homeboy they know.

“They are looking for someone that they know, somebody they can feel, somebody they can touch. PDP has a date with history, delegates have spoken that they want Shuaibu and I can bet you that the other eight aspirants will support Shuaibu if they party back him.

"If the party decides to join us in court to argue for Ighodalo then PDP then winning Edo State for PDP will be shaky because Asue will not be accepted by the people,” Shaibu said.

The deputy governor faulted the primary that produced Ighodalo, saying that it was organised by the state party executive instead of the national executive of the party.

He claimed that members of the state executive and the governor are supporters of Ighodalo and therefore were not going to conduct an unbiased election.

Shaibu insisted that he was elected by the authentic delegates of the party in the state.

“I was elected by the authentic delegates, what is key is who are those that elected the governor’s preferred candidate Asue and who are those that elected Philip Shaibu? I think in the coming days we will know who among them are authentic,” he said.

Shaibu also said his relationship with Governor Godwin Obaseki is not the best at the moment, suggesting that his governorship ambition could be the reason behind the strained relationship with the governor.

” My relationship with the governor(Obaseki) is not cordial…I have tried calling him and he doesn’t pick up my calls. I greet him at public functions and he doesn’t answer me.

Not Worried About Shaibu’

Meanwhile, Ighodalo, who emerged as the candidate in the other primary on Thursday, said he is not worried about the emergence of Shaibu as a parallel flagbearer for the party.

Despite the seeming confusion, Ighodalo is not bothered, hinging his resolve on the law.

“We went through the proper process. I’m not worried about Philip Shaibu’s emergence as a parallel candidate,” he said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today hours after his declaration as the winner of the exercise.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) did everything in accordance with the rule of law. From what I have seen, due process was followed. That some people did not agree with it does not mean it is not the right process.”

Ighodalo, a financial expert, beat nine other aspirants to emerge as the PDP candidate for the September 24 election in the South-South state.

Scores of pro-democracy activists on Friday staged a solidarity march from the popular Unity Fountain to the National Assembly complex in Abuja to demand that the Nigeria Labour Congress suspend its planned two-day protest and return to the negotiation table with the Federal Government.

They also vowed to mobilise Nigerians against the unionists if the lawmakers couldn’t convince them not to go ahead with the protest.

The protesters, who arrived at the complex in six luxury buses, were chanting solidarity songs and displaying displaying anti-NLC placards.

Some of the placards read “Let’s be patient with Tinubu” “NLC, please rest. Jagaban is working” and “NLC, stop pretending to be fighting for Nigerians.”

Addressing newsmen at the Unity Fountain, Convener of Nigerian Civil Society Forum, Sunday Attah, said those who are familiar with history know that the same NLC that is ‘pretending to fight for the masses’ was among the biggest critics of fuel subsidy removal.

Attah also urged the unionists to borrow a leaf from the United Kingdom where the people stood with the government when the country’s economy entered recession.

He said, “We must understand the trajectory of how the NLC has operated over time. Remember in this same country when fuel subsidy was removed, they got up and claimed to be standing for Nigerians. They fought and said fuel subsidy should not be removed. But after a series of meetings, which of course today they are saying didn’t yield any fruit, we know how these ‘coloured’ papers exchanged hands and matters died on the ground.

"We are not going to allow the NLC to plunge Nigeria into anarchy. Calling for protest against an eight-month-old government is uncalled for. The President is doing his best. He is not a magician. All that Nigerians need at the moment is to be patient with the President.

“When a woman gets pregnant it takes nine months for her to deliver. When the child is born, it takes another one to two years for the child to walk. Why can’t NLC support Mr President to deliver dividends of democracy and to fulfill all his campaign promises?

What they are doing is to play the wild card to get the sympathy of Nigerians then go behind to negotiate and collect money. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not that kind of president. He wants to work for all Nigerians and this is the reason why the president begged Nigerians to give him time. His policies may take a little time for us to adjust.

“These things happen even in civilised societies where government policies do not start manifesting and yielding fruits overnight it takes a little process of time and that is the process we are at the moment. In the UK today the British government is in recession. Are people protesting against the government? It is a process.”

His position was shared by the co-convener of the group, Terrence Kuanum, who argued that shutting down commercial activities in the country won’t resolve the economic hardship in the country.

“I am hungry, you are hungry. But it is not by sabotaging the system or antagonising the system that we can resolve this issue. We can only resolve this issue as patriotic Nigerians so the next generation doesn’t face it.

"We are giving them 24 hours to rescind the decision to protest and go back to the negotiation table. If they insist on coming out, we are calling on Nigerians not to respect any decision from NLC. We are going to mobilise the masses to stay back and work for this country. No strike can solve this problem. People go on strike to get the attention of policymakers. But in your case, you are already with the policymakers. So what is the essence of the strike?” he said.

The NLC affirmed its determination to proceed with planned protests against the current economic conditions, disregarding warnings from the Department of State Services.

It has also commenced mobilisation efforts for a nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28, highlighting the country’s cost of living crisis.

Sources indicate that the Federal Government’s failure to fulfill its commitments following the 14-day ultimatum from labor will result in a two-day nationwide protest on February 27 and 28.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday elected two candidates to fly its ticket for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

DAILY POST reports that the two candidates are Philip Shaibu, the incumbent deputy governor of the state and Asue Ighodalo.

The two candidates emerged in a parallel governorship primaries that took place in Benin City.

Shaibu was declared winner with 300 votes while Ighodalo in another primary that was held at the Samuel Ogbemudia won with 577 votes.

The governorship primary committee, led by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, said a total of 594 delegates were elected to participate in the primary, while 585 delegates were accredited to vote.

Announcing the final votes, Lawal, the Chief Returning Officer for the governorship primary as well as the chairman of the committee primary, said Asue Ighodalo scored 577 votes, while his closest rival Philip Shaibu scored one vote.

He said Anselm Ojezua, Osaro Onaiwu, Felix Akhabue, Martins Uhomoibhi,, Hadizat Umoru, Arthur Esele scored zero votes, while Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Omosede Igbinedion withdrew from the race.

He said six votes were voided.

In his acceptance speech, the nominated governorship candidate of the party, Ighodalo, promised to take Edo State beyond where Governor Godwin Obaseki would stop.

Ighodalo also promised to bring on board both the young and old to develop the state, if eventually elected governor of the state in the September 21 governorship election.

While noting that no man is God, he, however, called on other aspirants, members of the party and all Edo State people to rally around him to emerge as the governor of the state.

Ighodalo, who said no man is perfect, noted that he will work on other people’s mistakes tirelessly for the betterment of the state.

The Trade Union Congress has backed out of the planned two-day nationwide protest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and hardship in the country.

The Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the decision to protest on February 27 and 28 as announced by the NLC was not taken collectively by both unions.

The TUC in a letter dated February 19, 2024, written by its Secretary General, Dr Nuhu Toro, said the NLC unilaterally took the decision on the planned protest.

Etim in the interview with one of our correspondents, confirmed the letter addressed to the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, adding that “by the virtue of the letter, there is no way we can join the protest.”

This is happening as the Department of State Services warned organised Labour against the planned mass action, saying it could be hijacked.

The NLC had on February 16 declared a two-day protest which would begin after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government which will expire on February 22 (today).

The warning was on account of the alleged failure of the government to implement the agreements reached on October 2, following the removal of the fuel subsidy and other economic reforms which had triggered higher transportation costs, inflation, and general hardship.

The situation had provoked protests across the country with youths, and women taking to the streets over the food inflation and higher cost of living.

The NLC and TUC earlier on February 8 gave a two-week ultimatum to the government to meet demands ranging from wage increments to improved access to public utilities and accused it of failing to uphold pledges to soften the impact of reforms.

Briefing journalists in Abuja after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on the state of the economy and matters related to insecurity in the country, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, also accused the Federal Government of failing to implement the agreement reached in October.

On Monday, the Head of Information of the NLC, Benson Upah, said the NLC affiliates were being mobilised for the protest just as state chapters of the congress vowed to join the nationwide demonstration.

The PUNCH had on Tuesday reported that one of the NLC affiliates, National Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors, and Allied Workers Union, in a letter dated February 18, 2024, written by its Secretary General, Duro Adebisi, directed its members to join the NLC planned protest.

But in a new twist, another Labour centre, the TUC, in the letter written by its Secretary General, Toro, faulted the process adopted by the NLC in fixing the dates for the protests.

But in a new twist, another Labour centre, the TUC, in the letter written by its Secretary General, Toro, faulted the process adopted by the NLC in fixing the dates for the protests.

Confirming the latest position of the TUC, the Vice-President, Etim, noted, “We cannot join the protest because the decision was not taken collectively. It is very clear that by virtue of the letter, there is no way we can join the protest.”

In the letter obtained by this newspaper on Wednesday, Toro recalled that the decision to issue a two-week ultimatum to the government was jointly taken by the NLC and TUC.

He noted that the right thing after the expiration of the warning on Thursday (today) was for the leaders of the two unions to review the situation and agree on the way forward prior to convening their respective national executive councils’ meetings.
TUC tackles Ajaero

It read, “We are writing to address a matter of mutual concern and our disappointment regarding the recent unilateral issuance of two days’ national protest with specified dates.

"You will recall that both centres issued a joint statement with a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government. This ultimatum will expire on Thursday, February 22nd, and the right thing to do was for both leaders to review the situation and agree on the way forward prior to convening our respective NEC meetings.

"Our respective NEC is made up of highly intelligent individuals who are desirous that we both work together always in our collective interest. Even if we didn’t anticipate our NEC decision meetings, it is our responsibility as leaders to harmonise our positions before jointly going to the press.

“It was our understanding that decisions of such magnitude would be made collectively, ensuring that the interests and perspectives of all parties involved are duly considered.

This is the way other leaders of both centres have worked together from the time of SECSCAN to when TUC was formally registered.’’

The TUC further complained that this was the third time Ajaero would be taking a unilateral decision, adding that various interventions to correct the anomaly had failed.

"It is important to stress that this is the third time such a unilateral declaration has happened under your leadership; we are therefore constrained to formally put this on record as various discussions, communications, and interventions have failed. A first and second time could pass as human error, but a third time would, in our opinion, translate to an intentional act to undermine us.

Again, recall that we requested that both congresses jointly develop an MOU (memorandum of understanding) that will clearly guide and define our collaboration on issues of mutual interest to avoid situations like this, which have not seen the light of day,’’ the TUC stated.

Though the TUC said it was not opposed to the protest declaration, Toro emphasised that the TUC had an issue with the NLC taking a decision on an issue the two unions agreed to work on.

The letter noted, “Comrade President, also note that we are not averse to the issuance of your resolution because our members equally feel the pain, even if it’s a weeklong national strike, but we have a huge problem with the unilateral declaration for a process we both mooted and agreed to.

“Because our members are equally concerned about the rising cost of living and not particularly the ultimatum, why can’t we see through the ultimatum that expires within the same period before jointly addressing other issues of mutual concern or, at worst, consolidating them?

British-Nigerian cosmetic doctor Oluwafemi "Tijion" Esho has been accused of having sex with a “vulnerable” patient at one of his clinics after having an improper emotional relationship with her.

According to Daily Mail, Dr Esho, also exchanged a series of X-rated messages with the woman - a sex worker - and promised to give her botox in return for sex.

The medical tribunal, in Manchester, heard how the woman provided sex services through Only Fans and webcams and had gone to the doctor - who boasts a host of celebrity clients and is known as Dr Oluwafemi Esho - because she had heard about a "designer lip" procedure which he provides at his clinics in Harley Street, Wimbledon, Newcastle and Dubai.

After an appointment in July 2019, she started following him on Instagram and the doctor would would respond to her posts with 'strong, sexual content', Chloe Hudson, for the GMC, said.

The woman - known only as Patient A - messaged him about recovering from her lips procedure.

She said that further texts showed that Dr Esho was 'building' his sex chat with the patient, whom he met while she was working at a club, and she would send him videos and photos of her in 'states of UnCloth'.

Ms Hudson said the GMC's case was the messages showed he was 'keen to receive the services' the patient was offering at the same time he was treating her.

But she said he was aware it was wrong because he told the patient in another message: “But if we do for mls I break the doctor's code and I'd be a dead man.”

Other messages were more sexually explicit with the doctor talking about performing sex acts on himself and describing his fantasies about sex with the patient.

Ms Hudson said Dr Esho was aware she was 'vulnerable' due to her job, with her appearance generating her income, and her mental health being affected if she wasn't 'satisfied' with how she looked.

Dr Esho is said to have arranged an appointment at his Newcastle clinic 'because it was quiet' and they wouldn't be disturbed where the pair had sex.

Afterwards, he said to have told her that he could "get away why giving her botox in exchange for sexual services."

But he denies the allegation, along with charges he made inappropriate comments about the patient's bottom during another appointment, rubbed himself against her, and took his penis out of his trousers and allowed her to perform a sex act on him.

The tribunal heard how the woman had complained to the GMC because she believed he had 'taken advantage of her vulnerable position' because her image was important to her her job.

Dr Esho admits four of the ten charges against him in that between July 2019 and February 2022 he behaved inappropriately by exchanging messages with the patient.

He also admits having an 'improper emotional relationship' with her between July 2019 and May 2022 and that his conduct in relation to both allegations was 'sexually motivated'.

The tribunal - due to take 15 days - continues

The police authorities have said they would not condone any form of violence during the planned two-day demonstration declared by organised Labour in protest against the hardships and high cost of living in the country.

The police handed down the Riot Act on Sunday as the Nigeria Labour Congress gave fresh conditions ahead of the minimum wage negotiation commencing on Monday (today.)

The police warning is coming against the backdrop of the alarm by the African Development Bank that rising prices of fuel and other commodities could lead to social unrest in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, and Kenya.

The AfDB sounded the warning in its macroeconomic performance and outlook for 2024 in which it projected Africa’s economy to grow higher than the 3.2 per cent recorded in 2023.

The AfDB projected that growth on the continent will rebound to 3.8 per cent in 2024.

However, the bank cautioned that an increase in fuel and commodity prices occasioned by currency depreciation or subsidy removal in Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, and Ethiopia could trigger internal conflicts.

It stated, “Internal conflicts and violence could also result from rising prices for fuel and other commodities due to weaker domestic currencies and reforms.

"For instance, the removal of fuel subsidies in Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria and the resulting social costs has led to social unrest driven by opposition to government policy.”

On February 8, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress gave a two-week ultimatum to the government to implement the agreements on palliatives for workers to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal and other policies reached last October.

The unions said they had mobilised their members for the nationwide protests slated for February 27 and 28.

The organised labour lamented that millions of Nigerian workers were facing hunger, erosion of purchasing power, and insecurity due to reforms that drove up inflation.

The NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, said the protest would begin a week after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government which will expire on February 23.

Ajaero, who spoke during a briefing with journalists in Abuja, said the decision followed an emergency National Executive Council meeting on the state of the economy and matters related to insecurity in the country.

Sunday PUNCH had on February 18 (yesterday) reported that organized labour was prepared to lower its demand for N1m minimum wage for workers in the country in line with realities on the ground which include high costs of living, inflation, naira devaluation, and the general economic shocks.

Workers’ hardship

But the Head of Information of the NLC, Benson Upah, who spoke to one of our correspondents on Sunday, insisted that the committee must come up with a minimum wage that would reflect economic realities and address the hardship of workers.

Asked about the committee, which would begin its sitting today, he said, “Our expectations are the national minimum wage negotiations and the conclusions will reflect the socio-economic realities of our times.”

Also, a top official of the NLC who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue,, said, “if the Federal Government wants to pay workers anything, anything the government is paying them that cannot take care of the workers is no longer salary, it is a poverty salary.”

He said, “A living wage is that wage that will take care of all the basic needs of the worker and also leave small things for savings for rainy days for the worker, that is why whatever the trade unions are going to demand is going to be scientifically determined,” he said.

He stated, ‘’It (the minimum wage) is going to be based on the cost of living. It will be based on the objective reality that the Nigerian worker encounters daily. How much does it take to care for an average family in Nigeria? That is a family that consists of two parents and four children.

He said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress, already last month sent out questionnaires to all the state councils in Nigeria and the state councils have also sent the questionnaires to all the local governments in the 774 local governments in Nigeria to obtain what it cost them to take care of their basic needs.

"The consumer price Index is also one of the factors that the NLC is using. Then we are also looking at real wages. In essence, the N30,000 minimum wage that was paid in 2019, what is the real value of that N30,000 in 2024?” he said.

Ahead of the protests, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, on Sunday, held a meeting with labour leaders at the command headquarters.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who disclosed this to one of our correspondents, said the union gave an assurance that the protest would be carried out within the ambit of the law.

He added that a team of policemen would be on the ground to maintain law and order.

He added that a team of policemen would be on the ground to maintain law and order.

Hundeyin stated, “We have no fears. The Commissioner of Police met with NLC and TUC today and we had a lengthy discussion. We are certain that there won’t be a breakdown of law and order.

"But notwithstanding, we will be on the ground to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.”

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, on Sunday, said he would be meeting with the labour leaders in the state on Monday (today) over the protest.

Rights activist and stalwart of the Labour Party, Aisha Yesufu, on Saturday accused President Bola Tinubu of rigging himself into power to kill Nigerians.

Yesufu said Nigerians, who experienced poverty during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, are witnessing another level of hardship now.

Posting on X, the activist said those close to the president can’t feel the hardship Nigerians are currently experiencing.

According to Yesufu: “The people that were in multi-dimensional poverty during Buhari, can you imagine what state they are in now? Tinubu rigged his way in to destroy Nigeria.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket and the Emilokan group will not feel it. Anytime they buy, they will just say, “at least they’re rigged in,” nothing else matters.”

Nigerians at different fora have been lamenting over the current hardships being experienced in the country.

President Tinubu has been accused of failure due to the inability of his economic policies to ameliorate hardship in the country..

A Danish man has earned an unusual Guinness World Records title after he managed to stuff 68 matchsticks into his nostrils.

Peter von Tangen Buskov, 39, was awarded the title for the most matches held in the nose, surpassing Guinness World Records’ goal of 45 matchsticks, UPI.com reports.

"Surprisingly it didn’t really hurt,” Buskov told GWR. “I have fairly large nostrils and quite stretchy skin. I’m sure that helped a lot.”

Buskov said he chose the matchstick challenge after researching different world records he could attempt. He said he doesn’t think he can currently beat his own record, but he hasn’t ruled out trying again in the future.

“For me, an increase in capacity would require some training, or perhaps my nose will grow as I get older,” he said.

Governors elected on the platform of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from a meeting in Abuja, on Monday, with a call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately put in place initiatives that will bring the crisis to an end.

Addressing journalists at Oyo Governors lodge in Asokoro, Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Muhammed, said the meeting deliberated on various issues of interest and concern to the country.

Bala lamented that Nigeria is almost on the road to Venezuela and called on the Federal Government to work with relevant stakeholders with a view to bringing succor to Nigerians.

He said: “The meeting reviewed the State of the Nation and noted the hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the economic and security challenges facing the nation.

"The Forum consequently urges the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency embark on initiatives involving all the sub national governments to bring a lasting solution to the crises,” adding that the PDP Governors will continue to play their part in the effort to bring security and succour to Nigerians.

The Governors also reiterated the call for State Police, with appropriate safeguards to avoid any abuse or overreach by any tier of government.

The Forum also decried the falling value of the Naira and requested the “monetary and fiscal authorities to find appropriate solutions.”

Meanwhile, answering questions from journalists, Governor Bala flanked by other PDP Governors said, “Nigerians took a decision to bring the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre and we respect their sensibilities and sense of judgement. What we are doing is giving positive criticism to the obnoxious policies of the federal government.

"But at the onset of this administration, we supported the removal of subsidy, we believed that there were safeguards, we believed that if we took collective decisions, we should go by it. But certainly, we have seen that it is a free fall for the naira. The cost of living is going high, we are almost on the road to Venezuela.

“So, we are giving concrete opposition but not insulting anybody. But ultimately the decision squarely rests with Nigerians and other organs in the country to make sure that we do things that will bring succour to all of us.”

He also said many things were being done across party lines, on bi-partisan basis, within the Nigeria governors forum, the National Economic Council to “make sure that we cushion the effects of some of these policies. We have reached out to our people and opened the food reserves in a manner that it will provide some succour to our people at the lower level.”

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has opened up on his relationship with the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Roosevelt Herbert Wigwe.

Obi expressed deep sadness over the tragic passing of Wigwe, who he described as a dear friend, recalling how he once helped the Access Bank boss prepare for his traditional wedding.

DAILY POST reports that Wigwe, the Co-founder of Access Bank and the founder, Wigwe University, alongside his wife, Chizoba, son and lawyer, Abimbola Ogunbanjo died in a ghastly helicopter crash on Friday.

The chopper was headed to Las Vegas when it crashed near a border city between Nevada and California on Friday night.

The US government confirmed all on board dead as no survivor has been located as of Saturday morning.

“This loss is profoundly felt across the nation. I first met Herbert during his early days, on the brink of starting his marital journey. I vividly remember assisting him in preparing for his traditional wedding and being there for the ceremony with his wife, Chizoba, from Achina, Anambra State,” he recalled in a post on X.

"Since then, I’ve maintained a connection to his endeavors in my own modest ways. Herbert, a determined and forward-thinking individual, led Access Bank to new heights following his brother Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

“His noteworthy contributions extended beyond the professional realm, with commendable philanthropic efforts in health and education, exemplified by the establishment of Wigwe University, showcasing his deep commitment to education as a driver of development.

"The loss of such an exceptional individual reminds us of life’s fleeting nature, encouraging us to live with a purpose that contributes to the betterment of humanity. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Herbert, his beloved wife, and his son,” he added.

Five pregnant girls have been rescued following a raid of a baby factory by security operatives at Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The rescue efforts followed a collaboration of the Anambra State Ministry of Health and security agencies in the South-Eastern state.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike said it was observed that the baby factory was functioning as a hospital but it was a base for child trafficking.

The facility is identified as ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity located on a road along the Tansian University, Umunya.

He identified the facility as ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity located on a road along the Tansian University, Umunya.

“We found that some hospitals that are not registered are operating in the state. We have created data that will capture the hospitals in the state so that people will be able to have quality, good healthcare,” he said.

“Unfortunately, in one of the hospitals that we came for inspection, we found out that in our data system, they were not registered. We came here to verify and look at what is happening,” he said.

Five pregnant girls ranging from 14 to 21 years were rescued by security operatives during a raid on the facility on February 7, 2024.

‘Ran Away’
He said the facility was not registered with the Anambra State Government, adding that the government that seven nurses on duty ran away.

The commissioner put the ages of the victims as 14 to 21 years, stressing that Governor Charles Soludo’s administration is determined to tackle the menace.

“Unfortunately, the hospital is not registered and activities are suspected to be very fraudulent. So we decided to just see the senior doctor in the hospital and all the seven nurses.

"They locked us outside. Before they opened the gate, they followed the back and ran away. Seven to eight of them ran away. We saw little girls here that are pregnant, some of them ranging from 14, 15, 16 and 21 years,” the commissioner said.

Oba Adebayo Fatoba, the Alara of Ara-Ekiti, in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has narrated how he escaped from the kidnappers who killed his colleagues.

Fatoba, along with two other monarchs from the state – Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti in Oye LG and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government of Ekiti State, were attacked by the gunmen while returning from a meeting.

The other two monarchs were killed by the assailants while Fatoba escaped.

Speaking on Awikonko TV Live, in a now viral video, the Oba said he did not disappear from the scene of the incident, as has been speculated.

The traditional ruler described his late colleagues as brave leaders who sacrificed their lives for the peace of their communities, Ekiti and Yoruba land.

Narrating how the incident occurred, Oba Fatoba said: “We have about 25 communities in the Ikole-Ekiti and there was a security committee which I am the chairman of and one of the deceased monarchs was the vice chairman.

"There have been repeated attacks on farmers in our areas because we have large forests here. So, when the attack was becoming too frequent on our people, we sought permission from the police to intervene and the permission was granted.

"So, when we received another report of an attack, where one of our people was killed between Ayebode and Ayedun, we decided to move in. We had visited the community where the incident happened. We were discussing how the late Onimojo, an Associate Professor, was planning to move from the Federal University of Technology in Akure (FUTA) to the Federal University at Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) on Irele road when they appeared from nowhere.

"We did not know they were many because about three of them pointed guns at us. We tried to struggle with them but they began to fire at us from different angles. Though the bullets did not enter, but I realised that they were fully armed with sophisticated weapons. We ran from the scene to a checkpoint mounted by our local hunters.

“But seeing the firearms in the hands of the kidnappers, the local hunters couldn’t advance. I even asked one of our local hunters to return fire but his Dane gun could not work. By the time I looked back, I saw my fellow obas in the pool of their blood.

"It was really a very sad experience. My colleague monarchs sacrificed their lives and died for their people. I would admit that the bullets did not penetrate through my body but I did not disappear, as being speculated.”