The leadership of the organised labour on Wednesday took a swipe at the Department of State Services (DSS) over its warning that the movement should shelve its proposed protest billed to hold February 27 and 28. The secret police had earlier counseled the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its counterpart from Trade Union Congress (TUC) to rescind their decision, saying the plea was in the interest of peace across the country. But reacting to the DSS’ warning, the president of NLC, Joe Ajaero, said the secret police should not blackmail the organised labour and arrest those that want to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence as claimed. Ajaero said history would not forgive the labour movement and its leadership if it sits idly and allows the current hardship to continue festering due to non-chalant attitude of the Nigerian government and its officials. The labour leader, who described the forthcoming action as “peaceful protest against unpardonable cost of living”, added that the Congress would not fold its arm while Nigerians continue to live in penury. “We are concerned by the unsolicited advice of the Department of State Security to shelve our planned protest against the unprecedented high cost of living in spite of the indescribable suffering in the land, spiralling inflation, deepening poverty and the Naira at an exchange rate of N1,900 to the US Dollar. “According to the Service, the planned protest should be shelved “in the interest of peace and public order”, pre-supposing that the action is intended to be violent and disruptive even when we have a history of peaceful protests. “More worrying is the new role the Service has assigned to itself, the chief spokes person of the government. “According to the Service, “It is common knowledge that all levels of Government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt, So far, appropriate authorities are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties”. “We are equally worried that although the “Service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence”, and yet have not executed the arrest of these elements. “We are equally intrigued by the innuendos of the Service, their philosophy of “peace” and wild allegations and we want to reassure them that no one loves this country more than us and on our honour, we would never do anything that will compromise its sovereignty or security. “Having said this, we would not have ourselves blackmailed or lied against by the Service. Our protest is a peaceful one against the unpardonable cost of living of which the unserviced personnel of the Service are also victims. We cannot fold our hands and pretend all is well. That will be a grievous conspiracy that history will not forgive.”

  The senate has asked the federal government to drop the plan to remove subsidies on electricity. The upper legislative chamber took the position after Aminu Iya Abbas, senator representing Adamawa central, and 10 others sponsored a motion against the removal of electricity on Wednesday. The red chamber asked its committee on power to probe a claim by Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, that the federal government owes N1.3 trillion and $1.3 billion to generating companies (GenCos) and gas companies. Last week, Adelabu said Nigeria’s debt to generation and gas companies is now N3 trillion, adding that paying subsidy on electricity was no longer sustainable. While moving the motion, Abbas said the electricity tariff could not be increased because a large number of Nigerians are living below the “poverty line”. “In addition to the high cost of living being experienced in the country, the unmetered customers who are owners of small and medium enterprises are adversely impacted by this level of exorbitant electricity charges and by implication have their businesses affected,” the senator said. “While the prospect of the new electricity act, 2023 of ensuring accurate electricity charges will be negated if DISCOs are not investigated to ascertain the current statistical data on unmetered customers, poor provision of electricity service despite exorbitant tariff and regulatory role of NERC which leaves much to be desired.” The senate asked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to come up with a lasting solution to the energy billing system. The upper legislative chamber resolved to make findings and ascertain to what extent the directive of the federal government on mass metering has been complied with.

  Embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has demanded N1bn damages from Senate President Godswill Akpabio for defamation. Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, in a notice to the Senate President dated February 19, 2024, faulted a “we don’t know what to charge Emefiele with” statement credited to Akpabio on February 18, 2024. Emefiele, through his lawyer, considered Akpabio’s comment “false, distorted and clearly aimed at disparaging his character and indeed made in bad faith”. The Senate President at a thanksgiving service by Senator Barinada Mpigi in Koroma, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday, had said Emefiele left the Nigerian economy in a mess and the Federal Government does not know the charges to levy against the ex-apex bank chief in the eye of the storm. The President Bola Tinubu administration, through anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is currently probing the affairs of ex-CBN governor. Burkaa said contrary to Akpabio’s claim, the Federal Government had since August 14, 2023 preferred charges against Emefiele and his client had pleaded not guilty of the said allegations. Burkaa in his letter to Akpabio said, “Your statement attributing the present economic woes of the country solely on Our Client is most appalling and exposes the inaccuracies in Your assertions, especially, as you were a major player in the immediate Past Administration and worked closely with Our Client and indeed witnessed the innovations he introduced in the banking sector and its impact on the economy whilst in office, as well as the role he played despite all odds in salvaging Nigeria in the P & ID Saga and the positive result it brought for Nigeria.” “You are also aware that no single policy was carried out by Our Client without the approval, directive or authorization of the President and/or the Federal Executive Council of which you were a key and powerful member. “These baseless and false allegations clearly defames the character of Our Client and has also caused him great pains and embarrassment as it has lowered his esteem before the right thinking members of the Society in addition to the obvious odium and opprobrium from the unsuspecting members of the Society as a result of the falsity contained in that statement. “We therefore have Our Client’s further instruction to demand from you an unreserved apology in writing, published and circulated by the same medium with which you have defamed his character and the sum of One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) as reasonable compensation for the willful and unjustifiable denigration of his hard earned reputation. “In the event that you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with this legitimate demand, Our Client will be at liberty to seek the appropriate redress available to him under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  President Bola Tinubu has appointed Kemi Nanna Nandap to serve as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, saying the appointment takes effect from March 1, 2024. “DCG Nandap takes over from Mrs. Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, whose term in office expires on February 29, 2024,” the statement read. “The President anticipates that the new Comptroller-General will deepen the ongoing reforms in the service and create a robust mechanism for efficient and dedicated service delivery to Nigerians, as well as strengthen the nation’s security through proactive and effective border security and migration management.”

  The organised labour in Niger State has embarked on an indefinite strike, shutting down government offices and hospitals. The action is in protest of what the workers described as a violation of civil service laws, following the state government’s appointment of politicians as executive directors into government parastatal in the state. A visit to government offices saw the gates under lock and key, including health care facilities across the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State. Gate of one of the primary health centres in Niger State visited on Wednesday The Niger State Governor, Umar Bago had earlier appointed several persons to assume duty as executive directors of finance, administration and operations as well as chairmen, members and permanent commissioners of the local government service commission among others. In an earlier statement through the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, the state government said a meeting was held on the 20th with organised labour to avert the strike action. The organised labour, however, denied holding a meeting with any government representative yesterday. Inside sources said the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji is holding a meeting with organised labour on behalf of the state government.

  The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure, has been arrested by security operatives in Edo State. Abure was arrested on Wednesday, a few days before the party’s primary election in Edo State. PUNCH Online can confirm that he was arrested by operatives of the Zone 5 police headquarters in Benin, Edo State. A crowd had gathered at the entrance, with only police officers and a few VIPs allowed inside. It was gathered that his arrest was the result of a petition forwarded to the Zone from the office of the Inspector General of Police in Abuja. Abure was captured in viral videos and pictures being forcibly handled by police officers, while his supporters from the LP party tried to intervene to stop his arrest. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Zone, Tijani Momoh, said, “There is a standing order for now that nobody should come in. “Yes, the Labour Party National Chairman is here and it has to do with a petition that was referred to this office from the Inspector General of Police. “It was referred to Zone 5 from the IG’s office, he is with us but I cannot give the contents of the petition right now.” When asked if he was being detained or just to take his statement, Momoh said, “I don’t know for now.” Abure has been having running battles with some members of the party in the state over allegations of substituting candidates in the 2023 general election without the consent of the affected aspirants, an allegation he has denied. It was also gathered that the arrest may be connected to the factional crisis rocking the party as a factional national youth leader was recently brutalised by some suspected members of the party. Abure has also come under fire for allegedly mishandling party funds.

  Wednesday 21 February 2024 Igbo fed up with Nigeria, won’t join hardship protest – IPOB Kano unseals 10 warehouses accused of hoarding foodstuffs State police: Governors to appoint police commissioners, bill lists conditions for CPs sacking Zookeeper killed while trying to rescue woman from lion – NASU chair Senate to probe Buhari govt, Emefiele over N30tn CBN loans Hardship: Customs To Distribute Seized Food Items Nationwide We Have No Business Being Poor, Shettima Tells Nigerians FG Should Create Industrial Estates, Invest In Research To Tackle Food Scarcity – Senator To Avoid Disconnection, Tinubu Orders Payment Of Aso Rock’s Electricity Bill FG, States Legally Empowered To Control Prices Of Commodities, Services – Falana Bandits Block Gusau-Sokoto Highway, Abduct 26 Travellers NARTO Suspends Planned Nationwide Strike Senate To Probe CBN’s Anchor Borrowers, Ways And Means Tinubu Appoints Hafsat Bakari As NFIU Boss Man Bags 14 Years In Jail For Sexually Assaulting Neighbour’s Daughter NAF Apprehends ‘Notorious Kidnapper Isah Abdul’ In Kano NECA, oil marketers to FG: Shun pride, review fuel subsidy removal, flotation of naira APC declares Edo Guber Primaries inconclusive EFCC arrests ‘Pilot’ over N1bn fraud in Kaduna Despite FG’s Clampdown: Dollar Hits N1,900; Pound, N2,250 Police Arrest 109 Illegal Miners In Nasarawa Tinubu Directs Payment Of Aso Rock Electricity Debt To Avoid Disconnection FG threatens to allow cement importation, counter high-cost Federal High Court to commence Easter vacation, March 22 Nigeria faces difficult external environment, domestic challenges —IMF Southeast PDP leaders reject Anyanwu as National Secretary Reps pass State Police Bill for second reading Senate investigates N30trn ways and means loan under Buhari Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The Nigerian Navy said its operatives have busted an illegal oil refining site filled with 750, 000 litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil also known as diesel in Abonema Wharf on Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Navy said the discovery was made during a raid of the area in the heart of Port Harcourt by officers and operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship, Pathfinder, led by the Commander, Commodore Desmond Igbo on Tuesday. The Navy said the site was destroyed, while the diesel was seized following a tip-off. He added that the operation was in continuation of the mandate of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla to end illegal oil bunkering activities and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta and other parts of the nation it swang into action. Igbo, who described illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft as an act of economic sabotage, said he and his team are fully determined to end the menace in their area of operation. “This is another illegal oil bunkering site in Port Harcourt. As you can see, we have lots of drums fully loaded with illegally refined products. “We also have some loaded in the bags. Here, we have not less than Seven hundred and fifty thousand litres of AGO stolen by criminals stocked here. “Last time, we were at the creeks, but these oil thieves have devised a new means to even come to the town. This is Abonema Wharf, a community right inside the city of Port Harcourt, the state capital.” The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, further said the illegal refining site poses a great danger to residents and those doing business in the area. “Apart from being saboteurs of the nation’s economy by stealing this oil, it is also an act of environmental degradation. “They also constitute a danger to the citizens and properties of people around here because, if there is any form of fire outbreak, it will burn down the entire community. We will not allow this to continue. “The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogala has given us this mandate to go to the creeks, the water and the land to make sure that crude oil theft in Niger Delta is put to an end. “We will not relent and we won’t be deterred even with all forms of sabotage and blackmails, we will continue to do the right thing both day and night to ensure this act of economic sabotage stops,” Igbo added. He, therefore, advised all those involved in the illicit activities to refrain and engage in legal business to earn a decent living. Igbo noted that the confiscated products would be handed over to the appropriate authority for further investigation and follow-up action. The state continues to be a hotspot for illegal oil mining, despite security agencies’ efforts to stop it. In October 2023, the NSCDC apprehended 34 individuals for engaging in unauthorised mining activities in the Rumuokarali/Rumualogu community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in the state.