Headline

‘I Look To Engaging With You’ — Tinubu Congratulates King Charles III

Published

4 weeks ago

May 7, 2023

Fellow Press

Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president-elect, has congratulated King Charles III of the United Kingdom on his coronation.

The coronation took place on Saturday at London’s Westminster Abbey.

King Charles III is the first to be inaugurated since 1937, and he is taking over the reign after the demise of Queen Elizabeth II, his mother in September 2022.

In a letter, Tinubu said he looked forward to engaging on different issues in the future with the newly crowned King, expressing hopes that the bilateral relationship between the UK and Nigeria would be stronger.

“It is heartwarming that your accession to the throne is coming after the 70-year reign of your iconic mother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose death last September left the entire world in grief, given her eventful reign,” he said.

“Bearing your unique place in history as the first King to be inaugurated in Britain since 1937, I trust that you will follow in the glorious footsteps of your late mother and even surpass her achievements in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

“Particularly remarkable about you is your love for the environment, importantly your lifelong crusade for sustainability and biodiversity.

“I hope that you will continue to push for these initiatives with kind eyes on the situation and plight of the underprivileged people in Africa and around the world.

“As the president-elect of the federal republic of Nigeria, I also hope that during your reign, the excellent bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Britain will continue and even become stronger in the interests of our two countries.

“I look forward to further engagements with you and the opportunity of a meeting in the near future as both of us had earlier indicated in discussions with mutual friends and associates.

“Once again, I rejoice with you on your coronation and pray that God Almighty grant you strength and wisdom and make your reign successful for the benefit of not only the people of Great Britain but for the entire world.”

Headline

No Going Back On Proposed Nationwide Strike – NLC

Published

1 hour ago

June 4, 2023

Fellow Press

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has debunked speculations that it might back down on its proposed industrial action slated nationwide for Wednesday.

It said the only reason it would shelve the strike is when the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited NNPCL did the needful by returning to status quo on the fuel subsidy removal issue.

NLC declared the position in a statement by Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs on Sunday.

The workers’ body was reacting to a story in a national newspaper on Sunday.

It described the report as laughable and desperate attempt by enemies of the people to polarise Nigeria Labour Congress along ethnic or regional lines on an issue with a national spread.

According to Upah, “this scenario only plays in their imagination as Nigeria Labour Congress continues to be the biggest pan-Nigerian organisation united by a common vision/ mission and shared national values.”

“On the looming strike, we want to assure that all the affiliate unions of the Congress stand together with an unshakeable resolve to prosecute, come Wednesday, except the NNPC and Government do the needful.

“Whereas, primordial sentiments such as religion, region or ethnicity may be refuge for some, at the Nigeria Labour Congress, they have no place. What counts for us are issues such as the mindless and criminal increase in the pump price of pms whose burden will be borne by the already impoverished communities of the poor across Nigeria,” it stated.

NLC said the burden of the malevolent policy would not be borne by other segments of the country to the exclusion of the North or South-West, hence, there is no reason for those regions to back out of the strike.”

Recall that the President, Bola Tinubu had during his inaugural speech declared that the era of subsidy for petroleum products was gone, a development that has had ripple effect on the Nigerian polity since May 29, 2023.

Headline

Electricity Workers To Embark On Nationwide Strike Over Fuel Subsidy

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2023

Fellow Press

The National Union of Electricity (NUEE) has directed its members to withdraw their services nationwide over the sudden removal of fuel subsidy by the Nigerian Government

The NUEE in a notice signed by its acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, urged its members to comply with the directive and stop work from the early hours of Wednesday.

The NUEE said its decision was a sequel to the NLC emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on 2nd June, at the Labour House Abuja over the sudden removal of fuel subsidy, which it said brought untold hardship to Nigferians as well as increased inflation in the Country.

The statement reads :

Sequel to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on June 2, 2023 at the Labour house Abuja, over the sudden removal of fuel subsidy which has brought untold hardship to Nigerians as well as increased inflation in the economy, the NLC has directed that the nationwide withdrawal of Services action will commence on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

To this effect, all National, State and Chapter executives are requested to start the mobilisation of our members in total compliance with this directive.

“Please note that withdrawal of Services nationwide commences from 0.00 hours of Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Dominic Igwebike
Ag General Secretary
National Union of Electricity Employees