Police to abide by FG’s stance on state policing — IGP

by Olalekan Olabulo 

Nigerian Tribune/

The Southern Post blog June 3, 2024 Reading Time: 2 mins read

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has stated that the Nigeria Police Force will abide by the Federal Government’s decision on the creation of State Police.

He made this clarification during a working visit to Lagos State, represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of FCID.

The police chief emphasised the importance of discipline, hard work, respect for human rights, and professionalism among officers.

He warned against the misuse of firearms and stressed the need for interagency collaboration to provide comprehensive security for Nigerians.

Egbetokun encouraged officers to engage with youths in their communities to educate them about the dangers of cultism.

He also announced that the police are working with consultants to provide befitting accommodations for officers and men.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, welcomed the IGP’s team and highlighted the success of collaborative crime prevention strategies in reducing crime rates in Lagos State to a bare minimum. He listed various strategies adopted, including intelligence-led policing, technology-driven tracking, and community policing.

Federal Gov’t Summons Tripartite Meeting On Minimum Wage

 Written by The Southern Post blog

Following to the ongoing nationwide strike action by the organised labour, the federal government has summoned a meeting of the Tripartite Committee through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

According to a source privy to the development, the meeting would border on the new minimum wage and is scheduled for 10am on Tuesday.

THE SOUTHERN POST gathered that the government was overwhelmed by the level of compliance with the NLC/TUC directive by workers on the first day of indefinite nationwide strike.

Recall that the Organised Labour walked out of the federal government during the last negotiation meeting held on May 31 following the government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage from N60,000.

The Southern Post reports that there was substantial compliance with the strike directive in many states of the Federation on Monday

Airports Grounded As Labour Begins Indefinite Strike

 Airports Grounded As Labour Begins Indefinite Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had declared the industrial action over a lack of consensus on the new minimum wage and the hike in electricity tariff. 

By Bukola Otetunmbi and Charles Opurum

Updated June 3, 2024

Activities have been grounded at the Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja airports following the indefinite strike declared by labour unions. 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had declared the industrial action over a lack of consensus on the new minimum wage and the hike in electricity tariff.

In compliance with the directive, workers at Port Harcourt Airport under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) blocked vehicular access to the area.

This forced passengers to come down and walk into the airport. However, flights haven’t been disrupted and there is a heavy security presence.

According to the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals Emmanuel Akagha, the passengers are still being allowed into the airport because the road leading to the airport connects some communities. He, however, said there’s no checking-in or boarding allowed.

It was a similar situation in Lagos State as passengers were grounded owing to the strike.

At the Murtala Mohammed Airport II, quite several passengers are stranded with luggage in hand. As the aviation unions locked the gate, so staff and passengers had no access to the terminal as the nationwide protest began.

At the Abuja Airport, a few passengers are seen at one of the entrances into the terminal as doors are locked. Inside the airport terminal is empty. No staff are in sight and airline stands are empty.

ASUU Joins NLC/ TUC Strike

 The Academic Staff Union of Universities has announced its participation in the current strike alongside the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has joined the ongoing strike by the organised labour comprising Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

This is coming after the Federal Government failed to meet the unions’ minimum wage demand.

In a statement addressed to the branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators of ASUU on Monday, the association’s President, Emmanuel Osodeke, directed lecturers in universities across the country to join the strike as an affiliate of the congress.

The statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, as a result of the failure of Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.

Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress.

“Consequently, branch chairpersons are to mobilise all members to participate in the strike action. Yours in the struggle.”

Recall that ASUU had been contemplating a strike action after decrying the failure of FG to appoint Governing Councils for Federal Universities.

The union also faulted what it described as the nonchalant attitude of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to matters about academics in Nigerian Federal Universities.

The body, during a press briefing at the University of Abuja, also faulted the 35 per cent  salary increment for professors and the 25 per cent salary increment for other academics in the university system.

The body said it saw the increment as a wage award that the government could withdraw at any time.

The Southern Post reports that the National Universities Commission announced the dissolution of the governing councils of all federal universities and boards of other agencies and parastatals in the country on June 22, 2023.

The NUC directive was based on a similar order by President Bola Tinubu three days earlier to dissolve the boards of all government parastatals, agencies, and companies.

Ahead of this, the body has decided to join the strike as an affiliate of NLC and might continue even after FG resolves the minimum wage issue with the striking unions.

Minimum Wage strike: Labour leaders shut Lagos FIRS office, chase out staff [photos]

 Minimum Wage strike: Labour leaders shut Lagos FIRS office, chase out staff [photos]

While enforcing the nationwide strike by labour over minimum wage, members of labour union shut down Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Lagos, after chasing staff out of the Agidingbi, Ikeja, office.

CBN revokes licence of Heritage Bank

CBN revokes licence of Heritage Bank

Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Hakama Sidi Ali disclosed this in a statement.

She said: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in accordance with its mandate to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria and in exercise of its powers under Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Act (BOFIA) 2020, hereby revokes the licence of Heritage Bank Plc with immediate effect.

Mexico just got their First Female President: Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City’s former mayor and climate scientist, is on track to win the country’s largest election in history.

 

By Tara John and CNN en Español

 4 minute read

Updated 4:28 AM EDT, Mon June 3, 2024

Mexico is set to elect its first female president, with preliminary results showing Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City’s former mayor and climate scientist, is on track to win the country’s largest election in history.

Mexico is set to elect its first female president, with preliminary results showing Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City’s former mayor and climate scientist, is on track to win the country’s largest election in history.

Preliminary results project Claudia Sheinbaum to become Mexico’s first female president

Claudia Sheinbaum addresses her supporters in Mexico City on June 3, 2024.

Claudia Sheinbaum addresses her supporters in Mexico City on June 3, 2024. Raquel Cunh

Mexico is set to elect its first female president, with preliminary results showing Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City’s former mayor and climate scientist, is on track to win the country’s largest election in history.

Sheinbaum has won between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote, according to what is known as Quick Count, an exercise that the National Electoral Institute (INE) carries out based on a statistical sample of ballots from polling stations.

The 61-year-old rode the wave of popularity of her longtime political ally, the outgoing leftist Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and their Morena party.

Sheinbaum said her administration would govern all Mexicans “without distinction.”

“Even though many Mexicans do not fully agree with our project, we will have to walk in peace and harmony to continue building a fair and more prosperous Mexico,” she told supporters in a speech on Monday.

She also spoke about the historical significance of becoming the first female president of the country.

“I am also grateful because, for the first time in 200 years of the republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” she said.

Sheinbaum is not only set to be Mexico’s first female president, but also the country’s first leader of Jewish heritage, although she rarely speaks publicly about her personal background and has governed as a secular leftist.

Trailing Sheinbaum is opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez, backed by a coalition of the National Action (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary (PRI) and Democratic Revolution (PRD) parties, with between 26.6% and 28.6% of the votes. In third place is the Citizens’ Movement candidate, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, with between 9.9% and 10.8% of the votes

Preliminary results project Claudia Sheinbaum to become Mexico’s first female president

 

Claudia Sheinbaum addresses her supporters in Mexico City on June 3, 2024.

Claudia Sheinbaum addresses her supporters in Mexico City on June 3, 2024.

Mexico is set to elect its first female president, with preliminary results showing Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City’s former mayor and climate scientist, is on track to win the country’s largest election in history.

Sheinbaum has won between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote, according to what is known as Quick Count, an exercise that the National Electoral Institute (INE) carries out based on a statistical sample of ballots from polling stations.

The 61-year-old rode the wave of popularity of her longtime political ally, the outgoing leftist Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and their Morena party.

Sheinbaum said her administration would govern all Mexicans “without distinction.”

“Even though many Mexicans do not fully agree with our project, we will have to walk in peace and harmony to continue building a fair and more prosperous Mexico,” she told supporters in a speech on Monday.

She also spoke about the historical significance of becoming the first female president of the country.

“I am also grateful because, for the first time in 200 years of the republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” she said.

Sheinbaum is not only set to be Mexico’s first female president, but also the country’s first leader of Jewish heritage, although she rarely speaks publicly about her personal background and has governed as a secular leftist.

Trailing Sheinbaum is opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez, backed by a coalition of the National Action (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary (PRI) and Democratic Revolution (PRD) parties, with between 26.6% and 28.6% of the votes. In third place is the Citizens’ Movement candidate, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, with between 9.9% and 10.8% of the votes.

According to the quick count results, participation in the presidential election was between 58.9% and 61.7% of the electorate of nearly 100 million people.

Obrador, the outgoing president, congratulated Sheinbaum on her win.

“With all my affection and respect I congratulate Claudia Sheinbaum who came out victorious with an ample margin. She will be the first (female) President of Mexico… but also the President, possibly, with most votes obtained in all of the history of our country,” he said in a video posted on X.

Sheinbaum’s projected win is a remarkable moment for a country that is a world leader when it comes to gender equality in elected office, a position it cemented in 2019 with constitutional reform. It outflanks several countries in terms of women’s parliamentary representation. Yet Mexico remains a dangerous place to be a woman: it has sky-high femicide rates with around 10 women murdered in Mexico every day.

Sheinbaum ran Mexico’s most important city for five years until her resignation last June to run for the presidency. She is also the co-author of a Nobel-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report and is married to Jesús María Tarriba Unger.

She is seen as a continuation of the status quo left by López Obrador, whose social welfare programs boosted the Morena party’s popularity and had a positive impact on the lives of poorer Mexicans.

Live TV

World / Americas

Preliminary results project Claudia Sheinbaum to become Mexico’s first female president

By Tara John and CNN en Español

 4 minute read

Updated 4:28 AM EDT, Mon June 3, 2024

Claudia Sheinbaum addresses her supporters in Mexico City on June 3, 2024.

Claudia Sheinbaum addresses her supporters in Mexico City on June 3, 2024. Raquel Cunha/Reuters

CNN

 — 

Mexico is set to elect its first female president, with preliminary results showing Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City’s former mayor and climate scientist, is on track to win the country’s largest election in history.

Sheinbaum has won between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote, according to what is known as Quick Count, an exercise that the National Electoral Institute (INE) carries out based on a statistical sample of ballots from polling stations.

The 61-year-old rode the wave of popularity of her longtime political ally, the outgoing leftist Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and their Morena party.

Sheinbaum said her administration would govern all Mexicans “without distinction.”

“Even though many Mexicans do not fully agree with our project, we will have to walk in peace and harmony to continue building a fair and more prosperous Mexico,” she told supporters in a speech on Monday.

She also spoke about the historical significance of becoming the first female president of the country.

“I am also grateful because, for the first time in 200 years of the republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” she said.

Sheinbaum is not only set to be Mexico’s first female president, but also the country’s first leader of Jewish heritage, although she rarely speaks publicly about her personal background and has governed as a secular leftist.

Trailing Sheinbaum is opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez, backed by a coalition of the National Action (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary (PRI) and Democratic Revolution (PRD) parties, with between 26.6% and 28.6% of the votes. In third place is the Citizens’ Movement candidate, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, with between 9.9% and 10.8% of the votes.

According to the quick count results, participation in the presidential election was between 58.9% and 61.7% of the electorate of nearly 100 million people.

Obrador, the outgoing president, congratulated Sheinbaum on her win.

“With all my affection and respect I congratulate Claudia Sheinbaum who came out victorious with an ample margin. She will be the first (female) President of Mexico… but also the President, possibly, with most votes obtained in all of the history of our country,” he said in a video posted on X.

Sheinbaum’s projected win is a remarkable moment for a country that is a world leader when it comes to gender equality in elected office, a position it cemented in 2019 with constitutional reform. It outflanks several countries in terms of women’s parliamentary representation. Yet Mexico remains a dangerous place to be a woman: it has sky-high femicide rates with around 10 women murdered in Mexico every day.

Supporters of Claudia Sheinbaum celebrate during an election rally in Mexico City on June 2, 2024.

Supporters of Claudia Sheinbaum celebrate during an election rally in Mexico City on June 2, 2024. Luis Antonio Rojas/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Sheinbaum ran Mexico’s most important city for five years until her resignation last June to run for the presidency. She is also the co-author of a Nobel-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report and is married to Jesús María Tarriba Unger.

She is seen as a continuation of the status quo left by López Obrador, whose social welfare programs boosted the Morena party’s popularity and had a positive impact on the lives of poorer Mexicans.

Sheinbaum has pledged to continue her predecessor’s policies, including a pension for all senior citizens, scholarships for more than 12 million students and free fertilizers for small farm owners, but has rejected criticism of her close political alignment with López Obrador.

Immense violence in the country, which has seen dozens of political candidates or applicants killed in the past year and cartels extend their grip through Mexico, appears to have been a top concern for voters.

And while the murder rate fell in Mexico between 2019 and 2022, in absolute numbers the country is still reeling from historically high levels of around 30,000 homicides each year. The true number is likely higher, experts say.

Sheinbaum has been coy about her security proposals but has pointed to her record as Mexico City mayor, when according to her team she improved the police force’s working conditions and intelligence-gathering abilities.

One big challenge for her will be convincing voters that she can end the culture of impunity in Mexico, where around 95% of all crimes nationwide went unsolved in 2022, according to think tank Mexico Evalua.

Sunday’s poll is the largest election in the country’s history. More than 98 million voters are registered to cast a ballot, and 1.4 million Mexicans are eligible to vote abroad. In addition to the presidency, more than 20,000 positions are being contested by an estimated 70,000 candidates vying to become senators, mayors and governors.

After the final results come in, the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (TEPJF) must receive and analyze any possible challenges to the process, as well as qualify the presidential election no later than September 6. If the court validates the election, Sheinbaum will take office on October 1. Her term will last six years, from 2024 to 2030.

Sheinbaum has pledged to continue her predecessor’s policies, including a pension for all senior citizens, scholarships for more than 12 million students and free fertilizers for small farm owners, but has rejected criticism of her close political alignment with López Obrador.

Immense violence in the country, which has seen dozens of political candidates or applicants killed in the past year and cartels extend their grip through Mexico, appears to have been a top concern for voters.

And while the murder rate fell in Mexico between 2019 and 2022, in absolute numbers the country is still reeling from historically high levels of around 30,000 homicides each year. The true number is likely higher, experts say.

Union shut down National Grid

 PRESS RELEASE

GRID SHUT DOWN : UNION DELIBERATELY SHUT DOWN THE NATIONAL GRID.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in black out  nationwide. The national grid shut down occured at about 2.19am this morning, 3rd June 2024.

At about 1:15am this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control room and that staff that resisted were beaten while some were wounded in the course of forcing them out of the control room and without any form of control or supervision, the Benin Area Control Center was brought to zero.

Other transmission substations that were shut down, by the Labour Union include the Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba and Osogbo Transmission Substations. Some transmission lines were equally opened due to the ongoing activities of the labour union.

On the power generating side, power generating units from different generating stations were forced to shut down some units of their generating plants, the Jebba Generating Station was forced to shut down one of its generating units while three others in the same substation subsequently shut down on very high frequency. The sudden forced load cuts led to high frequency and system instability, which eventually shut down the national grid at 2:19am.

At about 3.23am, however, TCN commenced grid recovery, using the Shiroro Substation to attempt to feed the transmission lines supplying bulk electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. The situation is such that the labour Union is still obstructing grid recovery nationwide.

We will continue to make effort to recover and stabilize the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission of electricity to distribution load centres nationwide.

Ndidi Mbah

GM, Public Affairs

3/5/24

Today's Biggest Headlines: Minimum wage: AGF tackles Labour as NASS fails to stop strike

 Minimum wage: AGF tackles Labour as NASS fails to stop strike 

Deborah Tolu-Kolawole, Dirisu Yakubu and Deborah Musa

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN), has faulted the organised labour over the nationwide strike it is starting today (Monday).

Fagbemi, in a letter to the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress leaders, dated June 1, 2024, insisted that the strike over the new minimum was a violation of a subsisting National Industrial Court order restraining the unions from grounding the nation through the strike action.

The AGF said this as a meeting convened by the National Assembly leaders on Sunday night failed to achieve its objective following the NLC and  TUC’s insistence on going ahead with today’s strike.

The meeting, which was presided over by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, was attended by the NLC president Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart,  Festus Osifo.

Also, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, affirmed that the government could not pay more than N60,000, which she said represented a 100 per cent increase on the current minimum wage.

On Sunday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told The PUNCH that the labour leaders might have an ulterior motive, stressing that the minimum wage offer they presented was unrealistic for both the federal and state governments.

On Friday, Organised Labour declared an indefinite nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase its new minimum wage offer above N60,000.

The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, announced that the strike followed failed negotiations between the government and organised labour, and its refusal to reverse the withdrawal of the power sector subsidy and increase in electricity tariff.

The unions had earlier given the May 31, 2024 deadline for the conclusion of new minimum wage negotiations.

The government had raised its minimum wage offer from N57,000 to N60,000 while the labour unions reduced their demand to N494,000 from N497,000 proposed earlier. The labour leaders initially demanded N615,000.

But the negotiations deadlocked as the government maintained its offer of N60,000, leading to the declaration of a nationwide indefinite strike.

However, the AGF in his letter addressed to the presidents of the NLC, Ajaero and the TUC, Festus Usifo, strongly condemned the planned industrial action, stating that it was wrong of organised labour to call out workers at a time when the government and other stakeholders were working towards determining a new national minimum wage.

The letter was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General, the Department of State Service.

Also, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, affirmed that the government could not pay more than N60,000, which she said represented a 100 per cent increase on the current minimum wage.

On Sunday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told The PUNCH that the labour leaders might have an ulterior motive, stressing that the minimum wage offer they presented was unrealistic for both the federal and state governments.

N60,000 offer

On Friday, Organised Labour declared an indefinite nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase its new minimum wage offer above N60,000.

The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, announced that the strike followed failed negotiations between the government and organised labour, and its refusal to reverse the withdrawal of the power sector subsidy and increase in electricity tariff.

The unions had earlier given the May 31, 2024 deadline for the conclusion of new minimum wage negotiations.

The government had raised its minimum wage offer from N57,000 to N60,000 while the labour unions reduced their demand to N494,000 from N497,000 proposed earlier. The labour leaders initially demanded N615,000.

But the negotiations deadlocked as the government maintained its offer of N60,000, leading to the declaration of a nationwide indefinite strike.

However, the AGF in his letter addressed to the presidents of the NLC, Ajaero and the TUC, Festus Usifo, strongly condemned the planned industrial action, stating that it was wrong of organised labour to call out workers at a time when the government and other stakeholders were working towards determining a new national minimum wage.

The letter was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General, the Department of State Service.

Citing the Trade Union Dispute Act 2004, Fagbemi argued that the NLC and the TUC were required to issue mandatory strike notices of a minimum of 15 days.

The letter read, “It is pertinent to observe that at no time did either the  NLC or the TUC declare a trade dispute with their employees or issue any strike notice as required by law for such strike action to be legitimate and unlawful.

 So This Happened (248) Reviews the Africa Magic...

Also, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, affirmed that the government could not pay more than N60,000, which she said represented a 100 per cent increase on the current minimum wage.

On Sunday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told The PUNCH that the labour leaders might have an ulterior motive, stressing that the minimum wage offer they presented was unrealistic for both the federal and state governments.

N60,000 offer

On Friday, Organised Labour declared an indefinite nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase its new minimum wage offer above N60,000.

The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, announced that the strike followed failed negotiations between the government and organised labour, and its refusal to reverse the withdrawal of the power sector subsidy and increase in electricity tariff.

The unions had earlier given the May 31, 2024 deadline for the conclusion of new minimum wage negotiations.

The government had raised its minimum wage offer from N57,000 to N60,000 while the labour unions reduced their demand to N494,000 from N497,000 proposed earlier. The labour leaders initially demanded N615,000.

But the negotiations deadlocked as the government maintained its offer of N60,000, leading to the declaration of a nationwide indefinite strike.

However, the AGF in his letter addressed to the presidents of the NLC, Ajaero and the TUC, Festus Usifo, strongly condemned the planned industrial action, stating that it was wrong of organised labour to call out workers at a time when the government and other stakeholders were working towards determining a new national minimum wage.

The letter was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General, the Department of State Service.

Citing the Trade Union Dispute Act 2004, Fagbemi argued that the NLC and the TUC were required to issue mandatory strike notices of a minimum of 15 days.

The letter read, “It is pertinent to observe that at no time did either the  NLC or the TUC declare a trade dispute with their employees or issue any strike notice as required by law for such strike action to be legitimate and lawful.

‘Strike premature’

“I wish to note that this latest declaration of strike action by organised labour is premature at a time when the Federal Government and other stakeholders involved in the tripartite committee on the determination of a new national minimum wage had not declared an end to negotiation,” Fagbemi noted.

Emphasising the significance of following due process in declaring a labour strike, the justice minister added, “By the Trade Union Dispute Act 2004, NLC and TUC are required to issue mandatory strike notices of a minimum of 15 days.

“It is pertinent to observe that at no time did either NLC or TUC declare a trade dispute with their employees or issue any strike notice as required by law for such strike action to be legitimate and lawful.

“It is not in doubt that the fundamental importance of the 15-day notice is underscored by the fact that both NLC and TUC failed to comply with the statutory condition precedents (dispute resolution procedures) provided for under section 18(b)(a) of the Trade dispute Act 2004, as amended.”

He also stressed that the proposed strike action is in breach of relevant conditions itemized under section 31(6) of the Trade Union Act, as amended.

“No person, trade union or employer shall take part in a strike or lockout or engage in any conduct in contemplation of any furtherance of trade dispute unless the person, trade union or employer is not engaged in the provision of essential services,” he declared, referencing the law.

The AGF further drew the attention of the labour leaders to an interim Injunction order granted by the National Industrial Court on  June 5, 2023, in suit no: NICN/ABJ/158/23, between the Federal Government of Nigeria & Anor V. Nigerian Labour Congress & Anor.

The order restrained both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature.

The AGF noted that this “Order has neither been stayed nor set aside, therefore it remains binding on the labour unions.”

Fagbemi explained that the conditions outlined by Nigerian laws for exercising the right to strike were in tandem with the International Labour Organisation principles concerning the right to strike.

He assured that the government would adopt a conciliatory approach to resolving matters about workers’ and citizens’ welfare in the spirit of collective bargaining.

Oando Turns the Corner with 2023 Interim Results, Records N74.7Billion

 Breaking News

Oando Turns the Corner with 2023 Interim Results, Records N74.7Billion Profit, 71% Increase in Turnover

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Oando Plc, Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy solutions provider, at the weekend said it posted a N74.7 billon Profit-After-Tax (PAT) in its full year ended 2023 unaudited financials.The company said that the profit showed a positive turn in its fortunes in comparison to the preceding year when the company posted a loss after tax.Within the larger industry context, Oando’s N74.7 billion PAT compared favourably with indigenous peers over the same period under review such as Seplat Energy which recorded N81.330 billion.

Similarly, Total Energies Nigeria posted a PAT of N12.912 billion, while Aradel’s PAT stood at N54.2 billion.Despite what continues to be a challenging business environment and economic headwinds, energy companies like Oando and Seplat amongst others, recorded commendable results.

Last year saw Oando push forward with its growth agenda, recording positive highlights, including the signing of a Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Italian oil major, Eni to acquire one of its local subsidiaries, the Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC).In addition, its clean energy arm, Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) launched its electric mass transit buses in partnership with the Lagos State government, signalling that things are beginning to look up for the indigenous oil firm.

More significantly the release of the company’s Financial Year End (FYE) 2023 results, albeit unaudited, finally brings the company a step closer to being in line with regulatory requirements for all listed companies.It’s also an indication that by the end of this year the company could be on track with its peers in reporting results, thus giving confidence to shareholders and investors on the company’s current state and future.

Although 2023 saw oil and gas companies impacted by spikes in incidences of militancy and sabotage, the company said it  was still able to record a 71 per cent increase in its turnover to N3.4 trillion compared to N1.9 trillion in FYE 2022. Over the last four years, the company said it had been consistent in recording a positive incline in turnover, announcing a turnover of N477.1 billion 2020,  N803.5 billion in 2021,  N2 trillion in 2022 and more recently in 2023, making a total of N3.4 trillion in turnover.

Commenting on the results, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, said: “Despite the persistent pipeline vandalism across the Niger Delta, which continues to dampen crude production, we achieved a profit after tax of N 74.7 billion in 2023.“This was largely driven by increased trading volumes due to our strategic global partnerships and net foreign exchange gains on the group’s foreign currency denominated assets as against losses on our foreign currency denominated liabilities.

“Furthermore, our milestone signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement with Eni towards the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares of NAOC Ltd, marked a pivotal moment for our organisation and is poised to unlock substantial synergies in the near future.“Our focus is now on completing the acquisition and seamlessly integrating operations to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders.”With the country seeing a decline in national oil output, precipitated by pipeline vandalism, oil theft and illegal refining,  Oando said that its upstream operations saw average daily production increase marginally by 1 per cent to 20,837 boepd in FYE 2023 as against  20,703 boepd in FYE 2022.

These production numbers comprised of oil production at 6,024bbls/day (vs 4,939bbls/day in FYE 2022); natural gas production of 14,572boe/day (vs 15,292boe/day in FYE 2022) and NGL production of 241bbls/MMscf/day (vs 472bbls/MMscf/day in FYE 2022),” the company stated.In its trading operations, Oando said it posted a marked improvement, recording a 50 per cent increase in traded crude oil volumes of 32.8 million bbls FYE 2023 compared to 21.8 million bbls in FYE 2022 and a 15 per cent decrease in traded refined petroleum products, that is, 1,645,535 MT compared to 1,937,833 MT in FYE 2022.

Against the backdrop of the interim results, speaking on the company’s strategic focus for the future,  Tinubu added: “Having weathered the storm of recent years, our latest results provide a foundation for us to consolidate and build for the future.“With our planned acquisition of NAOC, we are positioned to take full operatorship and drive-up outputs, value and efficiencies. Moreover, our foray into and leadership in clean energy expand our footprint as a fit and proper integrated energy company with our feet firmly planted in today’s realities and the possibilities of the future.”

NDLEA Intercepts N2.1bn Codeine Syrup, Loud Consignments

 

Written by Ejike Ejike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted large consignments of codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis worth over N2,185,000,000.00 in street value at the Port Harcourt seaport, Onne, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said in a statement that on Friday, May 31, 2024, at the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers, with the cooperation of other security agencies, intercepted a large consignment of Loud, packed in eight suitcases, containing 320 parcels with a total weight of 164.50kg of the strong psychoactive substance coming from Canada on a KLM flight via Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The consignment, estimated to be worth N960,000,000.00, was brought in by a passenger, Ughenu Nnaife Francis. During a joint search operation by security

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a resident of Germany but traveled to Toronto, Canada, to transport the drug to Nigeria.

The NDLEA said during interrogation he claimed that he was recruited to convey the drug to Nigeria for an agreed fee of N6 million.

At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, NDLEA operatives intercepted a container marked TEMU 6807401 imported from India en route to the C to C bonded terminal in  Enugu on Monday, May 27.

Police bust ritualist gang targeting Uber drivers in Rivers

 

2nd June 2024

The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended a graduate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, for allegedly luring cab drivers to ritualists.

He will face charges in court, according to the State police command.Ignatius Ajuru University of Education entrance

Spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Iringe-Koko, said the arrest of the suspect, Anthony Chima, aged 35, a graduate of Political Science from the university followed the sudden disappearance of an Uber driver identified as Oghenevwarhe Akpobome, upon which operatives swung into action.

She stated that after his arrest, the suspect confessed to how he was recruited into a gang that specialized in luring cab drivers into ambushes, stealing their vehicles, and ultimately murdering them for ritualistic purposes and organ harvesting.

The statement read, “In a shocking turn of events, the Rivers State Police have uncovered a disturbing criminal enterprise that has been targeting Uber drivers in the region.

“According to Chima’s testimony, he was recruited into a gang that specialized in luring cab drivers into ambushes, stealing their vehicles, and ultimately murdering them for ritualistic purposes and organ harvesting.”

BREAKING NEWS: NLC and TUC To Proceed with strike

 BREAKING NEWS : NLC and TUC to proceed with a strike despite the call from the NASS Leadership to resume negotiations at the discussion table.

JUST IN: Flights threatened as Nigerian aviation unions join strike

 JUST IN: Flights threatened as Nigerian aviation unions join strike

Aviation unions have agreed to join the organised Labour in its indefinite strike starting tomorrow.

The aviation unions which initially said they were yet to receive a directive from the Trade Union Congress which they are affiliated to have now directed its members to withdraw services across airports in Nigeria.

The Southern Post learnt that the unions decided after an emergency meeting held on Sunday.

The withdrawal would take effect by midnight on Monday, June 3, the unions declared.

US based Nigerian woman, is seeking a well educated man for marriage

 A US-based Nigerian woman, Ogechukwu Christine Kalu,  is seeking a well educated and God fearing man for marriage.

 

The educational consultant, in a post on Sunday, June 2, 2024, said the man should know how to cook, do laundry, enjoy other house chores, PDA and “perform.”

 

"Now that my DM is clogged with “I love you” let me reinstate that I am single. Looking for a cute man, well educated, God fearing, knows how to pray and intercede for the family, can cook and enjoys laundry, is homely and can fold clothes immediately after laundry. Enjoys house chores, can take care of kids and also has a good job business and/or great career prospects. Loves PDA and can perform. Loves plants. Enjoys listening to worship. Expects loyalty, respect, faithfulness because he gives and is capable of giving them long term. Listens to understand and not to respond. Knows how to pronounce “parallelogram, Otorhinolaryngologist, and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”