Headline

Lack of trust tearing up Nigeria, says Edwin Clark

Published

1 week ago

May 26, 2023

Elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Edwin Clark has called on leaders in the country to devote more efforts to the promotion of peace, saying lack of trust is breaking up the country by the day.

Clark stated this on Thursday at his private residence in the Asokoro District of Abuja at an event marking his 96th birthday anniversary.

The event was attended by the Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, ex-Edo State Governor, Oserheimen Osunbor, All Progressives Congress chieftain, Cairo Ojougboh, saw Clark in his elements, renewing his commitment to speak truth to power at all times.

The Ijaw leader told guests gathered to honour him that he stopped celebrating his birthday anniversaries when schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State were kidnapped in 2014.

On April 14, 2014, over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, were abducted by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, from their hostels; a tragedy that sparked international condemnation with calls for the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to swing into action and rescue them alive.

“I will always speak of what I know in defence of Nigeria. We cannot be one country by word of mouth. We must love and trust ourselves. It is a lack of trust that is breaking Nigeria today, Nigeria is divided but we must speak our minds. I am a Nigerian, but I won’t keep quiet when Nigerians are suffering. If Nigeria does not stand properly, there will be no unity, there will be no peace.

“I have worked for Nigeria for over 70 years, from the age of 25 or thereabout. I have served this country in various capacities. I must have offended many people, but I will always speak on any issue concerning Nigeria.

“I am not celebrating. I stopped celebrating my birthdays since the Chibok school girls were abducted in Borno State. It was very painful. Today, I am not celebrating, I am thanking God. I am not celebrating because I lost two younger brothers in the past. On October 13, 2020, I lost my younger brother, Prof John Pepper-Clark. In July last year, I lost my brother, Ambassador Blessing Clark who was Nigerian Permanent Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs. So, I no longer celebrate my birthdays,” he said.

The elder statesman who unveiled his memoir titled, “Brutally Frank,” at the event expressed his readiness to face litigations because of “What I wrote in this book.”

He continued, “This is a book, my memoirs that I have written. It contains everything and I titled it, ‘Brutally Frank.” I know some people would like to take me to court but I am waiting for them. I have spoken the truth and you can’t kill the truth. The foreword to the book was written by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.

In his goodwill message, Gov Diri saluted the courage of the nonagenarian for his deep sense of history, stressing that even at his (Douye’s) age, he could not boast of Clark’s athletic mind especially when dealing with datelines of important events.

Headline

No Going Back On Proposed Nationwide Strike – NLC

Published

7 hours 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

7 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