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NCDMB, BOI modify MoU on $50 million NOGaPS Manufacturing Fund

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A modification to the Memorandum of Understanding on the $50 million NOGaPS Manufacturing Fund has been signed by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and the Bank of Industry.

In order to draw manufacturers of oil and gas equipment to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme it developed, the NCDMB formed the fund and had it deposited in the BoI.

Increasing industrial companies’ access to affordable financing is the goal of the fund.

According to a release from NCDMB, the updated MoU was signed in Lagos during the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund’s second quarter review meeting in 2023.

 

Simbi Wabote, the executive secretary of NCDMB, highlighted in his remarks the NCIFund’s outstanding accomplishments in promoting investments and capacity building in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

He made a suggestion that the fund was used as a template for local content policies across the African continent and that it served as the impetus for the African Energy Bank, which was established by the African Petroleum Producers Organisation in collaboration with the African Export Bank.

In order to understand how the NCI Fun operates so that they may imitate it in other countries, he noted that Angola and Namibia were currently contacting the board.

According to Wabote, “Angola is currently considering establishing a similar credit line for their oil and gas industries. I believe that recently, the parliament gave them a budgetary amount to manage in that regard. With the prospective adoption of a Local Content Act, Namibia intends to follow suit.

Wabote also praised Bank of Industry for managing the NCI Fund successfully and reaffirmed that the Board would keep looking for other chances to strengthen its relationship with BoI.

In light of the efficiency and performance demonstrated by BoI, he stated: “NCDMB may take into consideration inviting BoI to send a nominee who will serve as an independent Director to the Board of Directors of some of the companies in which we have invested equity. They will be able to get over some of the current problems with governance, liquidity, and technical optimization thanks to this.

Olukayode Pitan, the managing director of Bank of Industry, stated his own trust in the future performance of the board’s money housed in the bank.

He pointed out that maintaining efficient disbursements and recovering those cash will be impacted by those quarterly review meetings.

He asserts that the NCI Fund is operating at a high level, with 194 applications totaling $1bn (N80.6bn) and 69 disbursements totaling $324 (N38.4bn) as of the reporting date.

In order to finance oil and gas enterprises to expand their capacities and boost Nigerian content in the industry, the board established the NCI Fund in 2018.

NPA, Customs to promote agro exports

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To increase exports and ease trade, particularly with regard to agricultural exports, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Customs Service have reestablished their partnership.

When visiting the acting Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, in Abuja recently, the NPA’s managing director, Mohammed Bello-Koko, made this comment on Tuesday.

He said that the meeting’s main objective was to make export processing simpler by doing away with all administrative obstacles that cause delays and reduce the competitiveness of Nigerian exports, particularly agro-allied items, abroad.

Adeniyi had earlier praised NPA for establishing export processing terminals, which had increased the nation’s exports.

He gave the NPA the assurance that the NCS was wrapping up its efforts to streamline the proliferation of Customs units, checkpoints, the removal of overdue goods from the ports, and the swift relocation of the Customs facility located on the rail link of Apapa Ports.

He continued by saying that the elimination of these issues would allow for the optimization of Ikorodu Lighter Terminal.

The renewed cooperation between the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Customs will provide President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s attempts to expand the national economy new momentum, he added, “given that the balance of trade is vital to improving the value of the naira.”

Tinubu, DSS, must to adhere to the law

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The repeated contempt for the law and defiance of court decisions carried over from his predecessor’s administration have continued unabatedly under Bola Tinubu three months into his presidency. The Department of State Services, as usual, is in charge of the assault, solidifying its reputation for impunity. Judge Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos recently expressed strong criticism of the Federal Government for continuing to disobey court orders while presiding over the illegal firearm possession case against Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s suspended governor. Tinubu’s unraveling democratic credentials would become irreparably soiled unless he acts fast to reign in the authorities and agencies breaking the law.

Oweibo highlighted his annoyance with the government’s propensity to ignore court rulings by defying them, as well as his displeasure with the defiance of state authorities.

When the judge dismissed the charge against Emefiele for lack of a diligent prosecution, he or she stated that the prosecution had demonstrated that the government was not law abiding and did not respect the court. The court cannot compel them. For the arrested defendant, what use will it be? What advantage will it have to maintain the file on the court’s calendar? I think it’s right to give them permission to drop the accusation. They can just decide to drop it, but the court will still have to dismiss it for lack of persistent pursuit. The request to withdraw is approved in this instance.

Tinubu regularly takes pleasure in characterizing himself as a devoted democrat, although democracy is based on and preserved in practice by surrender to the supremacy of the law. Tinubu was actively involved in the fight for Nigeria’s democracy.According to the UN, “the rule of law, guarded by an independent judiciary, ensures that civil and political rights and civil liberties are safe and that the equality and dignity of all individuals are not under danger.”

 

The DSS served as the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s major weapon in the fight against civil rights and court orders, and Tinubu should firmly distance himself from this impunity. The joyful retention of its leadership by Tinubu, in contrast to his dismissal of the military, customs, and police chiefs he inherited, reveals a disconcerting lack of disgust or apathy for that agency’s pervasive contempt for the law.

He must now enforce strict adherence to the law and strengthen statutory institutions to enable for their unhindered operation.

The rule of law is defined by the non-governmental organization (NGO) The World Justice Project as “a lasting system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment which promotes accountability, just law, open governance, and accessible and impartial justice.”

In addition to arbitrary detentions and arrests, attacks on the media and the right to peaceful assembly, and other wrongdoings, the Nigerian government, its agencies, and its agents routinely disobey the courts. But disobedience to court orders threatens the legitimacy of democracy and the rule of law. The greatest formula for anarchy in every democratic country is disobedience of court rulings, according to a study released with the support of the Kenya Law School. It creates the conditions for eventual self-help usage.

However, many Nigerian officials don’t seem to care. The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra separatist group’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was granted bail by the Court of Appeal in 2022 but has since remained in DSS custody. Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, the head of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, and his wife Zeenah have been denied access to their confiscated passports since July 2021 despite a Kaduna High Court ruling that ordered their release for medical travel and discharge.

The police and the state government in Ilorin, Kwara State, have united to repress traditionalists who are trying to practice their constitutional rights. In court, three of the victims are vying for their freedom. Nearly three months have passed since Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was taken into DSS custody. Sani Abacha’s $5 billion in looted assets, which the previous governments eventually recovered, were managed in full detail, according to a judgement from the FHC in Abuja that Tinubu has so far disregarded.

Tinubu has to overhaul security organizations right away, especially the DSS. He has a holy duty to reinstate the rule of law, guarantee adherence to court rulings, and strengthen Nigerian democracy, along with Lateef Fagbemi, the new Attorney-General of the Federation.

Reps detect Great Green Wall tree planting scheme allegedly costing N81.2b

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The National Agency for the Great Green Wall allegedly spent a staggering N81.2 billion on the planting of 21 million trees across 11 frontline states, according to records found by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

There are nine states in total: Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno.

The legislators who spoke at the investigative hearing on “Utilization of ecological funds released to National Great Green Wall from 2015 to date” voiced their displeasure with the conflicting financial reports provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Agency, and questioned some of the expenditures made during the period under consideration.

The legislators who spoke after carefully reading the documents provided to the Ad-hoc Committee claimed that N11.28 billion was spent on capital projects, including claiming ownership of some projects completed by lawmakers under the Constituency Project as its project and excluding three States from the tree-planting initiative. These projects included spending N697.372 million, an additional N500 million, and N480.657 million on renovation of office space.

 

The lawmakers also questioned the justification for Wareho utilizing several billion naira in the Agency’s account without returning them to the government’s coffers in accordance with the rules at the time.

The MPs expressed regret that the Agency had not conducted a financial audit since its creation and expressed disapproval of the enormous sums spent on capacity building and other subheads that are unrelated to the Agency’s duties as outlined in the Act.

The parliamentarians who commented on their independent findings said that 80% of the trees planted by the Agency did not live, which alarmed them given the Agency’s inability to substantiate most of the tree planting programs carried out thus far.

Remember that in 2015, certain Federal Ministry of Environment employees fraudulently laundered N1 billion on behalf of the Agency; however, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses were able to retrieve the money.

The investigators discovered that the Bureau de Change and a few financial institutions worked together to conduct the illegal transfers.

The Central Bank of Nigeria reported in a 6-page document dated August 22, 2023, with Reference No. BKS/CSO/CON/NASS/005/082 that the Agency’s account has held a total of N9,465,960,382.57 since 2015.

Only one of the seven accounts opened by the Agency was a mandated account, according to CBN Director Mr. Samuel Okudere, who revealed this in his presentation.

According to the data provided by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, Accountant General of the Federation, a total of N19.378 billion has been disbursed to the Agency since February 2019 from the Derivation & Ecology Accounts.

Additionally, the Agency also received N11.02 billion in capital expenditures from the AGF.

The Director of the AGF, Mrs. Irene Nwangwu, stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has given his approval for the disbursement of N2.309 billion to the Agency as a September 2020 Statutory 5% Ecology Fund.

Dr. Yusuf Bukar, the managing director of NAGGW, said in response to questions from the lawmakers that the Great Green Wall Act, which was signed by the President in 2015, allows the Agency to carry out the Nigerian component of the program as an African Union initiative being implemented in 11 countries across Africa to cogently address the issue of land degradation, desertification, drought, climate change, and the livelihood of affected communities.

He said that the Agency had planted one million trees in Borno, Yobe, and other states, spending N2.4 billion in the first phase and N7.3 billion in the second.

He continued, “Fund accruing into the Agency’s account include: 15% of the ecological fund for the Great Green Wall, contribution of fund from the Natural Resources Development Fund, and gifts, loans, and grants in aid from national bilateral, multilateral organizations, donors, international and development agencies, as well as individuals.”

He could not give pertinent papers regarding the total amount collected to date while saying that the Agency receives funding from donor agencies.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the Agency has strayed from its initial mandate when responding to inquiries about different violations in the execution of its tasks.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas described the purpose of the Ad-hoc Committee’s investigation during the flag-off of the hearing:

every release and every donation from donors or international organizations since 2015; The use of ecological funds released to the Great Green Wall by international organizations; all contracts granted to different contractors for the project from 2015 to date; the total amount received through the policy; and the degree of compliance with the goals and objectives of the projects. All budgetary and other Federal allocations to the National Agency for the Great Green Wall from 2015 to date.

The objectives of this investigative hearing, according to Abbas, who was represented by Hon. Dickson Tarkir, are to gather information to ensure that the program is carried out as effectively as possible, identify obstacles to project execution, uncover corruption, and provide guidance to the new administration in the continued implementation of this policy, which is essential to both the welfare and security of our country.

Additionally, using public funds and making sure they are used in accordance with this hearing fulfills the obligation of the legislature to establish policies of public interest and annual budgetary provisions, not to mention donations from both local and foreign donor organizations.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Isma’ila Dabo, noted that this investigation was necessary in order to provide fair hearings to all parties and for all issues affecting the successful implementation of the project to be brought to the table given the persistence of these environmental challenges despite funds invested in the program from both the federal government and international partners.

In order to verify the claims, he stated that “after this hearing, we shall embark on, an on-the-spot assessment tour of all the projects done under this scheme.

“The Ad-hoc committee is determined to carry out this task in the best interests of all Nigerians. We are merely here to make sure that public monies are used for the intended purpose and not to embarrass any person or organization. When required, we won’t hesitate to accuse anyone, not out of personal malice but merely for the sake of our country.

NIMET is allegedly corrupt, says APC Chieftain, who demands an investigation

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Chief Oluwafemi Adegboye, a leader of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), has said that the Federal Government and the administration of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) violated the Federal Character Principles when hiring individuals for the organization.

In addition, he demanded that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launch an investigation into the finances of NIMET over the previous eight years, stating that the organization engaged in a number of corrupt actions during that time.

In an effort to guarantee a probe into the various fraudulent activities in the agency over the previous eight years, Adegboye also lobbied President Bola Tinubu to place the whole executive management team and several senior officials on mandatory leave.

A petition
NIMET is a parastatal under the ministry of aviation and aerospace development. In a letter dated August 29, 2023 to President Bola Tinubu, with the subject line “Very Urgent: Petition on Inadequacies, Misappropriation, Travesty and Corruption in NIMET, a Parastatal Under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development,” the President was urged to correct all the irregularities that had been committed in the agency in the past.

Sen. Hadi Sirika, the former minister of aviation, was charged in the document with playing up ethnic tensions within the organization. Mr. Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, received a copy of the accusation.

Adegboye said that the management had been acting in blatant defiance of federal character principles while being supported by Sirika.

For instance, he said that all of the employment done over the eight years was biased and in favor of a specific area of the nation.

Additional information
He further claimed that all appointments to the agency’s executive and senior management levels were biased, highlighting the fact that, of the 10 positions at the executive management level, for example, six were filled by residents of Katsina State and the remaining four by residents of the other five geopolitical regions of the nation.

He also stated that the agency’s salary bill had nearly doubled as a result of illicit recruitments, accusing both the previous administration and the present management of Nimet of engaging in covert hiring without permission and following proper process.

Additionally, he said that several agency employees in the south were purposefully denied promotions in 2023, despite the fact that openings in their cadres existed.

Important information
Additionally, he emphasized how Sirika and the present management at NIMET abandoned the agency’s procedures for fair hiring and contracting.

He continued:

Most often, legal advertisements for jobs and contracts are not posted. In all job and contract negotiations during the past eight years, there have been many shady agreements.The agency’s leadership and senior management studied subjects unrelated to the organization’s mission in greater than 80% of cases. In terms of giving NIMET the right direction, they are lacking in ideas. Almost all of the money that NIMET generates is used for things like building improvements, replacing outdated construction, and other things.
Infrastructure for meteorology, the advancement of meteorological science, and employee welfare receive very little or no funding.
Adegboye demanded that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conduct a thorough investigation into the financial irregularities of NIMET management. He questioned how, for example, a parking space at the agency’s Kano Station could have cost roughly N250 million.

In addition, he questioned why the agency’s multi-million dollar Doppler Radar system wasn’t operating despite the enormous sums of money that were spent on its upkeep.

Army discovers illegal camp for oil bunkerers in Imo and Delta

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The Nigerian Army said they found illicit oil bunker sites in the states of Imo and Delta as well as intercepted boats and vehicles carrying illegal oil products.

The Nigerian Army announced this in a message posted on their X (previously Twitter) profile on Wednesday and authored by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations.

PICTORIAL: In Imo and Delta, the army discovers an illegal camp for oil bunkerers
A camp for oil thieves was attacked by 343 Artillery Regiment troops on August 28, 2023, while they were conducting anti-oil theft operations in the Obokofia community of Imo State. 15 sacks and 13 Jerrycans of illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO) that were hidden in the camp were found during the crackdown by the attentive troops.

PICTORIAL: Army discovers illegal oil bunkerers’ camp in Imo, Delta “The forces also found two pumping equipment, three power generators, one hose, and a toolbox for breaking into oil pipelines.

In a related operation, which was also carried out on August 28, 2023, soldiers from the 3rd Battalion seized control of a location that was actively refining oil illegally, in Enokora Community, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, and contained three cooking ovens and six reservoirs.

PICTORIAL: In Imo and Delta, the army discovers an illegal camp for oil bunkerers

On August 29, 2023, troops engaged in anti-oil theft operations discovered a wooden boat hidden in the creeks of Egbema West in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State that was carrying 110 sacks of illegally refined AGO.Two cars carrying 18 sacks of illegally refined AGO were equally intercepted by the watchful military in the same approximate region.

Palliatives: Kwara provides 250 000 rice sacks

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The Kwara State Government began distributing rice palliatives to the most disadvantaged residents of the state on Wednesday, and the palliative committee promised to distribute at least 250,000 10kg bags of rice in the initial phase.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stated that the palliatives are simply being given out as a sign of compassion for the populace as more sustainable programs are being introduced gradually.

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, acted as the governor’s representative.

In this extremely important period of our country’s history, the governor added, “This is merely a portion of what we have done to identify with the people. The withdrawal of fuel subsidies will have an adverse impact on those among us who are most vulnerable, therefore palliatives are a temporary solution.

“Over the past few weeks, our administration has implemented a variety of palliative measures to aid those working in both the formal and unofficial sectors. We also distributed the five trucks of rice the federal government gave us earlier. We are aware of the reach restrictions placed on this distribution.

“We are launching the distribution of the first consignments of rice today that we bought using the N2 billion we have already received from the Federal Government. In this round, we are delivering a minimum of 250 000 10 kg bags of rice.

The group of distinguished Kwarans will decide who the beneficiaries are on an impartial basis.
Huge investments are being made to increase the local food production through commercial agriculture, the manufacturing sector, local production of CNG and electric vehicles, and mass employment for young people in many economic sectors.

Members of the palliative committee, first batch recipients, and representatives of the following organizations were present: people with disabilities, WOWICAN, marketmen and women group, Hausa community, Igbo community, South-South community, Youth Council, NANS, Youth CAN, orphanage, NUT, NUJ, TUC, FOMWAN, non-indigene community, NURTW, NLC, and artisans groups.

African countries now paying $4000 for Nigerian doctors, CMDs tell Reps

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Prof. Emem Bassey, the chairman of the committee of chief medical directors of the federal tertiary hospitals, claimed on Wednesday that other African nations are currently stealing Nigerian physicians and other healthcare workers.

Additionally, he claimed that Sierra Leone and the Gambia were providing them with up to $3000 to $4000, which was around three to four times what was available domestically.

According to Bassey, the CMD of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, the health sector is currently experiencing a severe workforce shortage as medical professionals are quitting in large numbers.

Additionally, he claimed that because the government frequently fell short of unrealistic promises, doctors frequently went on strike.

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“A strike should be the absolute last resort, but one of the things we have observed is the fact that we see threats, threats, and more threats,” continued Bassey. Governments have, in my opinion, negotiated unworkable resolutions in previous sessions purely out of a desire to put an end to a strike.

They currently have agreements that they are unable to carry out. After a certain amount of time—six months or a year—if you haven’t executed it, people start to strike. As a result, we must discuss and negotiate jointly.

Even though they have better choices abroad, the doctors should be patriotic and stay home to help the country prosper, said the Ad hoc Committee’s Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi.

He stated that the committee would seek to balance the requirement for adherence to the federal character with the necessity to fill critical vacancies in the health sector.

“I admit there is a dearth of cutting-edge medical facilities in our health sector,” Gagdi remarked. This is a fact, and as governments, we need to take note of it. We are perplexed about the issue of lack of patriotism.

“Nigerian institutions create you (medical doctors). We acknowledge the brain drain and are looking for answers. We are glad to have you among us. Many of you may have connections because you respect your intelligence enough to live in wealthy nations and provide your services to them. However, the majority of you think it fashionable to improve your own country and fatherland.

What patriotic values and the importance of giving back to the community that provided you with your education do you teach your professional colleagues? We ask you to uphold your moral principles and the standards of your particular trade. No matter how ungrateful your father is for bringing you this far to go and adopt someone’s father, you cannot disown him. Nigeria is where we live.

“Despite the corruption in the pay in our public sector, Nigeria produced us as doctors. Let’s collaborate and try to come up with some answers to that. But let’s stay in Nigeria and work for our own nation.

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Gadgi continued, “We would thoroughly review your submissions. We would interact specifically with these institutions regarding any open recruitment cases. We will check into your problem if you don’t have one.

“You have a strong case to make that your federal character is now balanced. Nigerians have taken you seriously. Therefore, whatever recommendations this committee makes to the government will be followed, and it will be fully for our own advantage.

Cross River APC Members Protest Against Tinubu’s Appointment Of PDP Chief In Niger Delta Commission

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The appointment of Asu Oku Okang, the state chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Bola Tinubu drew protests from members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State on Wednesday.

The demonstration occurs a short time after President Tinubu, on Tuesday, dissolved the NDDC’s board of directors and management, which was headed by Lauretta Onochie.
A demonstration video revealed how the AC members marched through Calabar, the state capital, while holding placards.

reported on Tuesday that Tinubu had given his approval for the nomination of a new commission board and management, with Chiedu Ebie of Delta State serving as chairman.

The individuals appointed included Chiedu Ebie (chairman of Delta), Samuel Ogbuku (managing director/CEO of Bayelsa), Boma Iyaye (executive director; finance and administration of Rivers), Victor Antai (executive director, projects of Akwa-Ibom), Ifedayo Abegunde (executive director; corporate services of Ondo), and Dimaro Denyanbofa (state representative of Bayelsa).
Other state representatives include Tony Okocha (Rivers), Patrick Aisowieren (Edo), Kyrian Uchegbu (Imo), Victor Kolade Akinjo (Ondo), Dimgba Eruba (Abia), and Asu Oku Okang (Cross River). Abasi Nkono (Akwa Ibom) is a state representative. Monday Igbuya (Delta) is a state representative.

The three zonal members of the board are Nick Wende (zonal representative, North-Central), Namdas Abdulrazak (zonal representative, North-East, and Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (zonal representative, North-West).

NLC denounces police occupation of NURTW national secretariat

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The National Union of Road Transport Workers’ national secretariat was allegedly occupied by thugs who were accompanied, according to reports, by police officers. This was denounced by the Nigeria Labour Congress.

The NLC criticized the alleged involvement of the Nigerian Police in the invasion of the NURTW national secretariat in Abuja in a statement released following its Emergency National Administrative Council meeting on Monday.

“The NAC acknowledged the recent history of the Nigeria Police’s engagement in the internal affairs of numerous unions, which it regards as an infringement on the autonomy of union operations and a violation of the legal framework governing industrial relations,” the labor organization said.

It denounced the Inspector General of Police’s suspected interference in the invasion of the NURTW National Secretariat, which was “intended to overthrow the duly elected union leadership and install an alternative faction.”

“The NAC categorically demanded that the thugs and the police both immediately and unconditionally leave the illegally occupied NURTW National Secretariat. Within 48 hours of the resolution’s passing, this demand must be met.

In an effort to promote openness and accountability, it stated, “the NLC called for His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to react to the allegations linking his name to those guilty for the invasion.”

The NLC emphasized that as a representative of democracy, President Tinubu should make clear his position and deny any role in the occurrence.

A strike was warned by the labor union if the elected NURTW leadership was not restored.

“The NAC’s resolutions demonstrate its dedication to supporting democratic values, safeguarding the autonomy of unions, and defending the rights and safety of workers across Nigeria.

The NLC said it was “steadfast in its dedication to preserving the interests of Nigerian workers and unions while calling for the rapid resolution of the crisis in question” as the country closely watched the developments.