The President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, has tasked the Defence Chiefs of the 12 countries that are currently members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to ensure the sustenance of democracy within the subregion.
The membership of the Economic Community of West African States was previously constituted by 15 countries, which included: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
However, in 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from the bloc, following their suspension from ECOWAS due to military takeovers of their respective democratic governments.
Consequently, the development reduced the number of ECOWAS member states to 12.
Speaking at the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staffs, which was held in Abuja, at the Defence Headquarters, Senator Lawan commended the Defence Chiefs in attendance for ensuring the safety of member states.
He underscored the need for the respective parliaments to support ECOWAS through the approval and provision of resources needed to guarantee the security of countries in the West African subregion.
Senator Lawan, who currently Chairs the Senate Committee on Defence, further tasked the Defence Chiefs with working to ensure that democracy was returned to countries taken over by military regimes.
He said: “Let me state that we need to ensure that democracy continues to flourish in our subregion.
“We are challenged at this time by some of our countries that have gone out of democratic administrations. We must never get tired of doing whatever we need to do to ensure that democracy is returned to those countries.”
Senator Lawan, while thanking ECOWAS for re-electing President Bola Tinubu as Chairman of the bloc at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, said that the National Assembly will continue to prioritise issues of security, as well as give its full support to all institutions of ECOWAS within its borders to reciprocate the support extended to Nigeria by member states.
“We, the Nigerian parliament, as always, represent our people in the ECOWAS Parliament and always place security at the front burner.
“We will always support the ECOWAS parliament on our part because we believe that our safety and security depend also on the resources available and approved by us for institutions like this.
“Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank ECOWAS as a body for giving a second mandate to our dear President, Senator. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for an additional year.
“We believe that it is because of the trust that ECOWAS countries have in the president, that is why he has been given this.
“And for us as a parliament in Nigeria, we will continue to support Mr. President and, indeed, all institutions of ECOWAS within our borders, to ensure this one-year is done successfully,” Lawan said.
Ex-Senate President, Lawan tasks ECOWAS Defence Chiefs on sustaining democracy
Ex-Senate President, Lawan tasks ECOWAS Defence Chiefs on sustaining democracy
Technology accelerating growth in Nigeria’s retail sector
The Head of Innovation, Growth and Business Transformation at FoodCo, Funmi Aiyepeku, has described the brick-and-mortar retail segment as a critical pillar that will help sustain the Nigerian consumer goods market and drive significant growth in the economy.
She also said digitisation which was once seen as the biggest threat to physical stores, especially at the advent of the pandemic, has become one of the biggest allies accelerating growth in the sector.
According to a statement on Wednesday, the model will continue to be relevant given the quality assurance, credibility and opportunities for unique customer engagement it offers.
The brick-and-mortar retail segment refers to physical retail stores where consumers can shop in person, as opposed to online shopping or e-commerce.
This segment includes various types of retail outlets, such as department stores, speciality stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores.
She said, “An ancillary attribute of brick-and-mortar retail which many people overlook is its potential to stimulate macro-economic activities across the industry. This is as it feeds into several other sectors such as Real Estate, Construction and ICT.
“There is also the potential to create jobs at scale. For example, in just one FoodCo brand store, we have store managers, cashiers, sales assistants, ICT support, cleaners, security and inventory officers, among others.
“When you multiply this by the total number of brand stores and include corporate roles in Management, legal, and Human Resources, it stacks up to a significant investment in hiring and managing talent.:
Acknowledging the growing influence of e-commerce in retail, Aiyepeku stressed that digitisation has become a transformative tool that is also enabling brick-and-mortar retailers to drive scale, improve their processes and service delivery as well and open up new frontiers for growth.
She stated, “It is interesting that digitisation which was once seen as the biggest threat to physical stores, especially at the advent of the pandemic, has become one of the biggest allies accelerating growth in the sector. The deployment of technology in brick-and-mortar operations has given rise to the concept of ‘Phygital’, a hybrid model that allows customers to tap into the digital and offline experience to create a more robust and immersive shopping experience.
“This is particularly important given the emergence of a customer class that seeks a digital-enhanced interface with brands. So, a customer can begin their shopping by first going online to confirm what is available or compare prices, then come in-store for quality assurance and pick-up.”
Police warn cultists ahead of Osun Osogbo festival
The Police in Osun State has revealed that it has credible intelligence that some group of cultists have earmarked August 8 as a day to celebrate cultism in the state.
This is as the Osun State Police Command warned cultists and other unscrupulous elements in the state to jettison the plan or any of such action as it is monitoring their activities.
The warning from the command is coming as preparations are on for the grand finale of the 2024 Osun Osogbo festival on Friday, August 9.
In a statement by the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Abba and issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Yemisi Opalola on Wednesday, the police assured that it had put in place adequate security mechanisms ahead of the festival.
“The Osun State Police Command in its efforts to ensure crime free society has put adequate security mechanisms in place ahead of this year’s Osun Osogbo festival.
“The annual festival will attract a lot of tourists and involve a series of traditional activities; the Command therefore wishes to assure the good people of the State and visitors that necessary security arrangements have been placed to ensure that the entire activities lined up for the festival are celebrated peacefully without any threat to law and order.
“In addition, the police command is also using this medium to notify the general public upon credible intelligence received that some group of Cultists are planning to mark August 8, 2024 to celebrate cultism.
“In view of this, the command therefore warns cultists and other unscrupulous elements in the state to jettison the plan or any of such action(s) forthwith as the command is earnestly monitoring their activities.
“Consequently, the Command in collaboration with other security agents and Civilian JTF will not tolerate any unlawful gathering or assembly that will endanger the peaceful atmosphere of the state, as the plan to mark 8/8 may lead to blood shedding and destruction of properties.
“It is however imperative to remind all parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and wards, warn them to be law abiding and eschew any act that is in contravention of any provisions of our law.
“The Command will not spare anyone who constitutes any threat to law and order,” it said.
The Osun State Police Command appealed to residents and members of the public to be vigilant and give prompt and actionable information in case of any infraction of the law.
Police warn cultists ahead of Osun Osogbo festival
430,000 Nigerians get UK visas in seven months
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, has revealed that the United Kingdom government has so far given no fewer than 430,000 visas to Nigerians seeking to study and relocate to the European nation in 2024.
Montgomery disclosed this during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja on Wednesday.
He also assured the Federal Government that there would be adequate security measures in place for Nigerians in the UK.
He noted that the UK remains a safe haven despite the ongoing unrest, highlighting the country’s diverse population.
He explained further that 60 special courts have been set up to “tackle criminal activities related to the unrest”.
Also speaking on security, Montgomery stated that 400 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, with the government actively pursuing justice against those inciting unrest through hatred and disinformation online.
On her part, Dabiri-Erewa confirmed that no Nigerian casualties have been reported so far in the UK unrest.
She said NIDCOM “is in touch with the Nigerian High Commission in London and other diaspora groups, none of which have reported any incidents involving Nigerian nationals”.
She applauded the UK government for its swift actions, especially the arrests, advising Nigerians to remain safe and vigilant and adhere to the travel advisories issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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17 states yet to adopt Disability Act – Report
A new report has shown that 17 out of 36 states in the country are yet to adopt the Disability Act as law.
The report was carried out by Agora Policy, a Nigerian think tank and non-profit organisation committed to finding practical solutions to urgent national challenges.
The organisation conducts policy research, facilitates frank and purposeful dialogue, and builds capacity for governance, policy, and advocacy.
This was even as stakeholders called on the government to address the disability data gaps and discrimination against People With Disabilities.
The Agora Policy report obtained by our correspondent stressed the need for the Federal Government to tackle these issues in Nigeria.
It noted, “The Disability Act has only been adopted in 19 out of the 36 states in Nigeria and, therefore, has the force of law in only those 19 states.”
The states that had domesticated the Act are Lagos, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, and Enugu.
The report lamented that the PWDs in the remaining 17 states are without legal protection from discrimination.
Last year, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities demanded that Nigerian states yet to domesticate the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act should do so, four years after the law was passed at the national level.
The Executive Director of CCD, David Anyaele, said, “We are calling on Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Imo, Ogun, Osun, Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Rivers, Taraba, and Yobe governments to demonstrate that the lives of persons with disabilities matter by adopting the National Disability Law.”
According to the Agora Policy report, PWDs faced a high level of discrimination due to the widespread practice of “ableism”, a social prejudice against them based on the belief that physical abilities were superior.
To foster greater inclusion of PWDs, the report proposed several recommendations, including addressing data gaps, sensitisation, and knowledge building, mobilising states to adopt the Disability Act, promoting its implementation, and collaborating with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and Civil Society Organisations to develop an action plan.
It further detailed, “The National Bureau of Statistics and other critical stakeholders should address the data gap by ensuring robust disaggregation based on the number of PWDs per location, demographic distribution, type of disabilities, and specific needs.”
The report highlighted the need to promote the implementation of the Disability Act at all levels, noting that while the Act had several provisions to protect the rights of PWDs and imposed sanctions on offenders, cases of discrimination were rarely pursued.
Danjuma donates second girls’ hostel to UNIBEN
For the second time in 15 months, the family of a former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd), has donated an ultramodern girls hostel to the University of Benin.
In her remarks at the inauguration of the hostel on Wednesday, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Lilian Salami, said the edifice, named after the matriarch of the family, Daisy Danjuma, demonstrated a belief in girlchild and the development.
She said, “We are here to celebrate someone who is just marvellous. I say so with no reservation. How can someone sit in her quiet corner and continue to give, if not someone whom God has created to impact humanity? When we started with the first hostel, we just visited Daisy and General Theophilus Danjuma asked us what we wanted from the family.
“We said if they could give us a hostel, we would appreciate it, and we were promised one hostel, which was inaugurated by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Saturday, April 29, 2023. When Daisy came to UNIBEN to inaugurate the hostel, she said, ‘Why not give a second hostel?’ We thought it was a joke until the foundation laying came and we had it.
“Here again, celebrating Daisy’s 72nd birthday, and she promised to give us a third hostel. I am sure if this continues, by the time she reaches 90, God willing, we will probably have Senator Daisy Danjuma hostels everywhere in UNIBEN.”
The vice-chancellor expressed the hope that the family would grant the request of male students in the institution for a boys’ hostel.
In his address, the representative of the donor, Andy Ehanire, said the Danjuma family felt it owed the university more than the university owed them.
Ehanire commended the institution for singling out the former minister and his wife for honorary doctoral degrees.
Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Thursday, August 8, 2024
Here are the top 10 stories making headlines across the country.
1. Rep Ugochinyere denies $1.7m bribery allegations, vows to fight corruption
Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, Chairman of the House Committee on Downstream Petroleum, on Wednesday, vehemently denied allegations that he bribed the House leadership with $1.7 million to secure his position.Read more
2. Ondo State Govt accused of mismanaging federal palliatives
The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation, representing the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ondo State, has alleged that the state government’s distribution of rice and other palliatives received from the federal government lacks transparency and accountability.Read more
3. Nigeria warns foreign countries against interference in #EndBadGovernance protest
The Federal Government has warned the international community against interference in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest in the country.Read more
4. Aisha Yesufu mocks Tinubu over insinuations North is plotting against him for being a Southern President
Political activist, Aisha Yesufu, has derided assertions from the presidency that the North is plotting against President Bola Tinubu because he is a Southern president.Read more
5. Senate to probe $1.5bn spent on Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation
The Senate has raised concern over the $1.5 billion approved by the Federal Government for the turn-around maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery without commensurate results.Read more
READ ALSO:Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Tuesday, August 6, 2024
6. Protests: DSS quizzes seven Polish nationals
The Department of State Service (DSS) has commenced the interrogation of seven Polish nationals arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano State.Read more
7. Operators accuse NNPC Ltd of not complying with FG’s directives to sell crude in Naira
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other domestic refineries have accused the state oil company , Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL Ltd) of not complying with the Federal government’s directive to sell crude to them in Naira.Read more
8. NGX: Oando, RT Briscoe among top gainers as investors make N96bn
Investors in the Nigerian equities market gained N96 billion at the close of trading on Wednesday.Read more
9. Police arrests notorious kidnapper, recovers firearms in Kaduna
Police operatives in Kaduna have arrested a notorious kidnapper and recovered firearms with 27 rounds of live ammunition in the state.Read more
10. D’Tigress bow out of Olympics after valiant effort against USA
Nigeria women’s basketball team D’Tigress have bowed out of the Olympic Games after putting up a fantastic performance against world number one team, USA.Read more
The post Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Thursday, August 8, 2024 appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Sustain efforts on public safety, DIG tells Kano policemen
A Deputy Inspector General of Police, Bello Makwashi, on Wednesday, charged the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Garba, alongside other senior officers to sustain efforts toward ensuring public safety, robust intelligence gathering, and proactive measures to address emerging security challenges.
Makwashi, who is the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Logistics and Supply, supervising the Northwest Geopolitical Zone on Wednesday, embarked on an on-the-spot assessment tour of the situation in Kano State.
A press statement issued by the Kano State Police Command’s spokesman, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, stated that during the visit, Makwashi, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, commended the CP, Garba, and the officers and men of the command for their exceptional resilience, professionalism, and dedication in containing the situation and maintaining public order.
He emphasised the importance of community engagement, collaboration, and timely response to emerging issues.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful protest while preventing criminal elements from hijacking such protests,” he said.
He assured the public of the Police resolve, as a legal entity to maintain law and order, as well as ensure public safety, and uphold the fundamental human rights of all citizens.
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NNPCL, Dangote rift probe: Bribery allegations unsettle Reps
On Monday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, sacked a powerful ad hoc committee probing NNPC Limited after weeks of infighting among members.
In the past couple of weeks, the House had been divided between lawmakers supporting the Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, and the anti-Kyari team, forcing the leadership to take action.
The joint committee, co-chaired by Ikenga Ugochinyere and Henry Okojie, had become powerful due to the tasks it was given by the House.
Worst still, the committee became tainted with allegations bothering on inducement prior to the inauguration of the House’s standing committees.
Until its unceremonious disbandment, the Committee was investigating the alleged importation of adulterated petroleum products, the acquisition of Oando’s assets by NNPC Retail, the dispute between Dangote Refinery and NNPC Limited, and other issues.
However, the responsibility of probing NNPC Limited became the Waterloo of the Committee, with many lawmakers backing Mele Kyari.
“The Dangote vs NNPCL probe gave the committee so much power,” a lawmaker, who did not want to speak on the record, told TVN.
How it all started
In April, the House resolved to investigate fuel scarcity in the country and invited the Minister of Petroleum Resources to brief the House on the reasons for the fuel scarcity.
However, the day after the resolution, before the minister could be summoned, Ugochinyere and Okojie briefed journalists that their initial findings revealed that “petroleum products are available” and that the regulators and NNPC Limited had assured them that the scarcity was temporary.
Two months later, the scarcity resurfaced in July. Consequently, the House, following another motion, resolved to conduct a “forensic” probe into the downstream sector following the fuel scarcity in Abuja, Lagos, and other parts of the country.
Messrs Ugochinyere and Okojie’s committee was asked to conduct a legislative forensic probe into the allegation of the importation of substandard products and high-sulphur diesel into Nigeria, the sale of petroleum products below fair market value, and the impact on downstream and local refineries.
Earlier in February, Ugochinyere’s Committee was given the task of probing the acquisition of the OVH assets by NNPC Retail.
It would be recalled that a different committee had earlier conducted the probe and submitted a report to the House. However, a group of young lawmakers, led by Philip Agbese, launched an attack on the report during its consideration by the House. The referral was later given to Mr Ugochinyere’s committee.
Despite the majority of the referrals having a timeline of four weeks, TVN learnt that the committee did not act on those two referrals.
Weeks ago, the Committee got another powerful referral when tasked to investigate the dispute between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Dangote Group over the operation of the multi-billion-naira refinery in Lagos.
It would be recalled that NNPC Limited and NMDPRA had been in a battle with Dangote Refinery over the control of the petroleum downstream sector. The Chief of NMDPRA, Farouq Ahmed, had in one of his press briefings alleged that Dangote Refinery had inferior products, while Aliko Dangote also accused senior government officials of owning petroleum blending plants in Malta, a small European country.
Amid the crisis, the House waded into the saga and resolved to investigate the allegations.
The Speaker had earlier announced the setting up of an ad hoc committee to probe the matter, but it was later given to Ugochinyere and Okojie’s committee to probe.
It would be recalled that the leadership of the House, led by Speaker Abbas, had visited the refinery in Lagos and promised the billionaire, Dangote, their intervention.
Days after the referral, some lawmakers close to Mr Ugochinyere launched a campaign for the sack of the GMD of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari. Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson of the House, led the effort for the removal of Kyari.
“The House of Representatives will not hesitate to call for the dismissal of Mele Kyari if the attempt to destroy the refinery project, a national asset, does not stop immediately,” Mr Agbese had said.
A source told TVN that the comment by Agbese gave the impression that the deputy spokesperson was carrying out orders from the leadership who had earlier promised to help Dangote.
Following the comments, another group loyal to Mr Kyari launched massive support for the NNPC boss. The group, led by Billy Osawaru, condemned the call for the sack of Kyari.
The condemnation was said to have stemmed from the fact that the committee was set to sit on the matter and couldn’t have taken any decision either way.
TVN findings revealed that for days, the two camps were lobbying members to join their respective sides.
“The two camps wanted to have as many lawmakers on their sides as possible. Meetings, phone calls, and lobbying of caucus leaders to influence members became the order of the day,” a source in the House told TVN.
On Saturday, advertorials were also launched in major national dailies; however, many later distanced themselves from the advert, stating that they were not consulted.
Aside from the advertorial, there were also accusations and counterclaims by both sides.
Mr Ugochinyere was accused of boasting to have paid $1.7 million to get the Committee; he was also accused of threatening to rock the boat in the House should he be relieved of the Committee.
However, he denied the allegations, describing it as an attempt to “divert attention from endemic corruption in the oil and gas industry”.
Ugochinyere said, “The allegation is a belated nonsensical, childish, and unprofessional fiction work aimed at creating division in the House to aid some criminal elements that are long overdue for the prison to think they can escape justice which is impossible as the demand for transparency and reform is a task that will be pushed.
“Only a childish mind will believe the poorly scripted work that Speaker was given 1.7m dollars for something that is not worth a penny. We will not dignify the cheap attempt to distract and divert attention from the House investigation on the corruption from our Oil industry.”
But many close to the committee informed this paper that some lawmakers in the ad hoc committee disagreed with how Mr Ugochinyere controlled the entire committee and made decisions unilaterally.
His alleged control of the committee was also given as reason for the reported resignation of Okojie and other members a few hours to its dissolution.
TVN reported that in a letter Okojie co-signed by the Deputy chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources, Midstream, Hon. Engr. Sagir Ibrahim Koki, addressed to the Speaker, they dissociated “from all allegations and counter allegations concerning the ongoing investigation on the above subject matter by the Joint House Committees on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) and (Downstream) set up by the House of Representatives.”
The two lawmakers, however, stated on behalf of their committee that,” we are ever ready to carry out any assigned responsibility to us without making any compromise to the detriment of the House of Representatives, the Rules and indeed the Constitution which we have all sworn to uphold.”
Meanwhile, the same source in the House told TVN that, “You know that Ugochinyere has become very powerful in the House. During the election of the Speaker, he set up a campaign office by renting an entire suite at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Asokoro for Abbas/Kalu, and that was why he got that powerful committee despite being a first-timer in the House.”
Also, Mr Ugochinyere’s profile has risen significantly in the House with the fight against the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. Ugochinyere was able to mobilise lawmakers in support of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is in a fight with Wike.
Abbas’ intervention fuel speculation of rift with Kalu
Following the massive division that rocked the House, Speaker Abbas called for an emergency session on Sunday to prevent further damage in the House. The leadership resolved to limit the number of lawmakers speaking to the press and ordered the dissolution of “unauthorised groups in the House”.
TVN obtained the details of the meeting. In the minutes of the meeting, the House resolved that only authorised members should speak to the press.
“Unauthorised media engagements by Members are considered unparliamentary and unethical. Speaking on behalf of the House is reserved exclusively for the House Spokesperson, Deputy, and Leadership. Recognised caucuses may only address matters related to their specific geo-political zones,” it said.
In a surprise move, the Committee was dissolved by the House. This happened some hours after the Deputy Speaker delivered an opening remark at the inaugural sitting of the committee, fuelling speculation of a rift between Abbas and his deputy.
Mr Ugochinyere is seen by many in the House as a close ally of the Deputy Speaker.
So far, the House seems to have hit a break on tearing apart, but tensions are still high pending the announcement of another ad hoc committee to replace the disbanded one.
Meanwhile, the House leadership is also rattled over the bribery-for-committee allegations.
In a statement issued by House Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi Jnr on Wednesday, he said that the recent dissolution of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee adhered to the 1999 Constitution and the House’s standing rules.
“At no point did the House leadership or any individual receive inducements for committee appointments.
“The Selection Committee, which included members from all states of the federation, diligently executed these appointments between June and July 2023.”
One of the Nigerians dissatisfied with the happenings in the House amid the ongoing probe is Dr. Reuben Abati, a veteran journalist and former Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
This is as he dismissed the call by some members of the House for Kyari’s sack.
Abati, the lead anchor in the popular Arise TV breakfast talk show, Morning Show, described the call as “unfair, wrong, and unreasonable, noting that it was wrong for the legislators to ascribe the problem of the Nigerian Oil & Gas industry to just one man.
“The problem with the oil and gas industry in Nigeria is not Mele Kyari. The problem is the way we have run our affairs as a country. Leadership is what is required to address these issues, not crucifying an individual.
“I think the bigger story is that we have seen some people in the media saying Kyari is the problem with the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry.
“We have seen people put up an advertisement for and against the sack of Mele Kyari. No, Mele Kyari is not the problem.
“There are fundamental issues with the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria, which has been there since the 70s and no government has been able to address it.
“So, it is not about crucifying an individual. What Kyari, in my own understanding, is trying to do is to make an effort to solve the problem. But to assume that one man is the cause of the problem will be a very unfair, wrong and unreasonable way to go.
“So, the members of the National Assembly who are saying they want to take Kyari’s head, no, they have their own heads in the wrong place. He is not the cause of the problem.”
NNPCL, Dangote rift probe: Bribery allegations unsettle Reps
Security operatives raid NLC secretariat in Abuja, labour union kicks
The Nigeria Labour Congress has confirmed that its national office in Abuja was invaded by security operatives, believed to be from the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday night.
According to a statement by NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, late on Wednesday, the operatives arrested the security guards, forcing them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.
The operatives then broke into the floor, ransacked the bookshop, and stole hundreds of books and publications.
The NLC condemned the invasion, stating that it was illegal and a violation of democratic principles.
The organisation demanded an international inquiry into the incident and the return of the stolen materials.
The invasion occurred just hours after the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting, where members condemned the high-handed manner in which security agents handled protesters during the #EndBadGoverance protests.
The NLC has directed its staff to stay away from the office until further notice and warned that if the harassment continues, it may call on its members to stay home until their safety and security are assured.
The statement read “This evening at about 8.30 pm long after the close of work, a troop of heavily armed security operatives invaded the Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja which serves as the National Headquarters and secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“The security operatives, some from the Nigeria Police Force, some wearing black tee-shirts presumably from the Department of State Services and others on outright mufti swooped on the 10th Floor of the NLC and arrested the security operative on duty and then commandeered him to the second floor where he was asked to produce the keys to the offices.
“When he told them that he had no such keys on him, they broke into the floor and ransacked the bookshop on the 2nd floor carting away hundreds of books and other publications. The invading troops claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGoveranance protests.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns in its entirety this new low in security operations in Nigeria. The armed security operatives showed no legal document permitting them to invade the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the ungodly hours of the night. Even in the dark days of military rule, NLC secretariats were never invaded and ransacked by security agents. Today is indeed a very sad day for our democracy.”