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Showing posts with label Labour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Labour. Show all posts

Labour Rejects ₦62,000, ₦100,000 ‘Starvation Wage’: But We Cannot Declare Strike Now — NLC

Labour Rejects ₦62,000, ₦100,000 ‘Starvation Wage’: But We Cannot Declare Strike Now — NLC

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NLC President Ajaero Breaks Silence on Minimum Wage Dispute, says the labour Union Cannot Declare Strike Now



The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced that it will not embark on a strike action tomorrow, Tuesday, to demand a new national minimum wage.

This decision was made known by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, at the ongoing International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ajaero said: “We cannot declare strike now because the figures are with the President.”

He added that the tripartite committee’s proposals are awaiting the President’s decision, and the NLC’s National Executive Council will deliberate on the new figure once it is announced.

NLC President Ajaero Breaks Silence on Minimum Wage Dispute, says the labour Union Cannot Declare Strike Now



The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced that it will not embark on a strike action tomorrow, Tuesday, to demand a new national minimum wage.

This decision was made known by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, at the ongoing International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ajaero said: “We cannot declare strike now because the figures are with the President.”

He added that the tripartite committee’s proposals are awaiting the President’s decision, and the NLC’s National Executive Council will deliberate on the new figure once it is announced.
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OPINION: FG can pay and Sustain N494k as minimum wage

OPINION: FG can pay and Sustain N494k as minimum wage

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*N494k is $325.* That amount does not fuel a Minister's convoy in a week. Attempting to pay N60k to Nigerian workers ($39) as monthly salary, is gross insensitivity when those that rigged elections are living in luxury with their families.


Children are paid £102 monthly (N188k) in the UK just for being children. If you were working but stopped, Ireland pay €232 weekly as job seeker's allowances. A month is €928 (N1.41m) for being jobless! That is the meaning of 'distribution of common wealth'. These are countries that do not have what Nigeria has in terms of natural resources. What they mostly have is good leadership and people-oriented policies.

Meanwhile, in these difficult times, apart from wardrobe allowances and other luxuries, our senators receive N1.2m monthly as newspaper allowances. Is this not demonic corruption?

You will never understand how wicked Nigerian rulers/RUINERS are, if you don't travel abroad to normal countries with normal leaders.That is why Nigerians in diaspora are angrier that our compatriots back home. They have seen both sides of the world and they know that Nigeria is directly opposite of what happens in normal societies. Sadly, those back home seem to have conditioned themselves to the uncommon hardship. They only complain online and sing "na so we see am o. Na wetin we go do na?" A people that fight their activists and attack their co-sufferers!


They throw pittance at Nigerians like dogs in the name of palliatives. They publicize their God-forsaken palliatives as if they are doing you some special favour from public wealth.

Oh, how I hate that word in Nigeria: PALLIATIVES!! 

Many of them made so much money during covid-19 when the world mourned and paid their people salaries while they stayed at home. From the gains of palliatives, your ruiners built mansions. Now, they are forcing you to sing "Nigeria, We Hail Thee".


They hugely inflate the cost of the so-called palliatives because they turn every pain to gain. They desperately struggle to get all they can and can all they get! 

The ones you gladly call 'Excellency'😤 

Your 'Leader... '

Your 'Chairmo...'

Your 'Honourable...'


Only a massive revolution will reset Nigeria when Nigerians are ready to take back their country.

*THE NLC STRIKE IS A VERY WELCOMED DEVELOPMENT AND WE HOPE THAT THEY SUSTAIN IT*.😤


@Comrade Frederick Odorige

 


*N494k is $325.* That amount does not fuel a Minister's convoy in a week. Attempting to pay N60k to Nigerian workers ($39) as monthly salary, is gross insensitivity when those that rigged elections are living in luxury with their families.


Children are paid £102 monthly (N188k) in the UK just for being children. If you were working but stopped, Ireland pay €232 weekly as job seeker's allowances. A month is €928 (N1.41m) for being jobless! That is the meaning of 'distribution of common wealth'. These are countries that do not have what Nigeria has in terms of natural resources. What they mostly have is good leadership and people-oriented policies.

Meanwhile, in these difficult times, apart from wardrobe allowances and other luxuries, our senators receive N1.2m monthly as newspaper allowances. Is this not demonic corruption?

You will never understand how wicked Nigerian rulers/RUINERS are, if you don't travel abroad to normal countries with normal leaders.That is why Nigerians in diaspora are angrier that our compatriots back home. They have seen both sides of the world and they know that Nigeria is directly opposite of what happens in normal societies. Sadly, those back home seem to have conditioned themselves to the uncommon hardship. They only complain online and sing "na so we see am o. Na wetin we go do na?" A people that fight their activists and attack their co-sufferers!


They throw pittance at Nigerians like dogs in the name of palliatives. They publicize their God-forsaken palliatives as if they are doing you some special favour from public wealth.

Oh, how I hate that word in Nigeria: PALLIATIVES!! 

Many of them made so much money during covid-19 when the world mourned and paid their people salaries while they stayed at home. From the gains of palliatives, your ruiners built mansions. Now, they are forcing you to sing "Nigeria, We Hail Thee".


They hugely inflate the cost of the so-called palliatives because they turn every pain to gain. They desperately struggle to get all they can and can all they get! 

The ones you gladly call 'Excellency'😤 

Your 'Leader... '

Your 'Chairmo...'

Your 'Honourable...'


Only a massive revolution will reset Nigeria when Nigerians are ready to take back their country.

*THE NLC STRIKE IS A VERY WELCOMED DEVELOPMENT AND WE HOPE THAT THEY SUSTAIN IT*.😤


@Comrade Frederick Odorige

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Minimum Wage Struggle: A Symptom of Wider Problems in Nigeria’s Political System — Ultimate Equal

Minimum Wage Struggle: A Symptom of Wider Problems in Nigeria’s Political System — Ultimate Equal

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According to Channels TV, National Assembly Budget Office Revelation, each senator is entitled to a Wardrobe Allowance of ₦621,061.37 and a Recess Allowance of ₦240,424.55, totaling over ₦860,000 ($2,600) in additional monthly allowances.


This revelation has drawn widespread condemnation from many Nigerians who see it as an affront to the country’s economic struggles. The minimum wage in Nigeria.


The Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been called upon to remain resolute in their demand for a living wage for workers.



The disparity between the minimum wage and the allowances received by legislators has highlighted the widening gap between the political elites and the majority of Nigerians who struggle to make ends meet.


The situation calls for a serious rethink of Nigeria’s political system and its relationship with the people. A more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities is crucial for the country’s economic and social development.


In response to the ongoing calls for a minimum wage increase, the Federal Government has stated that the current minimum wage of ₦494,000 is not sustainable, given the country’s economic challenges.


This claim, however, has been met with skepticism by me, who point to the lavish allowances received by public officials as evidence that the government is more concerned with enriching itself than supporting its citizens.


The Nigerian Government’s stance has further fueled the resentment and frustration among workers, who are already grappling with soaring inflation and the rising cost of living.


Nigerian economist, Professor Pat Utomi, speaking on the matter said, "The gap between the rich and the poor in our society is too wide, and the government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage is a reflection of their disregard for the plight of ordinary citizens."


In light of this, some have called for a boycott of tax payments until the government addresses the needs of the working class.


Historically, Nigeria has faced similar issues in the past. The Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund, set up in 1994, was supposed to use a fraction of the country’s oil revenue to fund development projects. However, the fund was eventually revealed to have been mismanaged, with billions of naira going unaccounted for.


A similar situation occurred during the sale of national assets in the 1980s, where the proceeds were meant to be invested in infrastructure development but were allegedly diverted for other purposes.


The continued pattern of mismanagement of public resources in Nigeria has contributed to a deep mistrust of the government among the populace.


In light of these past events, it is crucial for the Nigerian government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens, particularly the working class, and take steps to address the economic disparities that exist in the country.


The call for a fair minimum wage is not just about money; it is about dignity, justice, and a government that listens to and cares about the people it represents.


_Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor otherwise known as Ultimate Equal.


According to Channels TV, National Assembly Budget Office Revelation, each senator is entitled to a Wardrobe Allowance of ₦621,061.37 and a Recess Allowance of ₦240,424.55, totaling over ₦860,000 ($2,600) in additional monthly allowances.


This revelation has drawn widespread condemnation from many Nigerians who see it as an affront to the country’s economic struggles. The minimum wage in Nigeria.


The Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been called upon to remain resolute in their demand for a living wage for workers.



The disparity between the minimum wage and the allowances received by legislators has highlighted the widening gap between the political elites and the majority of Nigerians who struggle to make ends meet.


The situation calls for a serious rethink of Nigeria’s political system and its relationship with the people. A more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities is crucial for the country’s economic and social development.


In response to the ongoing calls for a minimum wage increase, the Federal Government has stated that the current minimum wage of ₦494,000 is not sustainable, given the country’s economic challenges.


This claim, however, has been met with skepticism by me, who point to the lavish allowances received by public officials as evidence that the government is more concerned with enriching itself than supporting its citizens.


The Nigerian Government’s stance has further fueled the resentment and frustration among workers, who are already grappling with soaring inflation and the rising cost of living.


Nigerian economist, Professor Pat Utomi, speaking on the matter said, "The gap between the rich and the poor in our society is too wide, and the government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage is a reflection of their disregard for the plight of ordinary citizens."


In light of this, some have called for a boycott of tax payments until the government addresses the needs of the working class.


Historically, Nigeria has faced similar issues in the past. The Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund, set up in 1994, was supposed to use a fraction of the country’s oil revenue to fund development projects. However, the fund was eventually revealed to have been mismanaged, with billions of naira going unaccounted for.


A similar situation occurred during the sale of national assets in the 1980s, where the proceeds were meant to be invested in infrastructure development but were allegedly diverted for other purposes.


The continued pattern of mismanagement of public resources in Nigeria has contributed to a deep mistrust of the government among the populace.


In light of these past events, it is crucial for the Nigerian government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens, particularly the working class, and take steps to address the economic disparities that exist in the country.


The call for a fair minimum wage is not just about money; it is about dignity, justice, and a government that listens to and cares about the people it represents.


_Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor otherwise known as Ultimate Equal.

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Ajaero And Osifo Trojans Of Now: Thanks To NLC and TUC For Raising The Progressive Bar

Ajaero And Osifo Trojans Of Now: Thanks To NLC and TUC For Raising The Progressive Bar

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Let no one call them names, they have raised the Progressive Bar remarkably high, perhaps the highest since the 2012 Ojota Fuel Hike protestation. Yours sincerely was heavily involved in that siege against Jonathan's Administration (in fact I addressed the rally in Ojota several times through the near two weeks of that popular action), a siege that was supported in cash and kind by the present watchman President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.


Against formidable attrition and debauchery, against the threat of jail and imprisonment, against a government that is squandamania oriented, and against a government sold to propaganda and gaslighting, they rose, they mobilized and shut down the nation with intent to call government to address the need for living wage, and they did so effectively, effectually and efficiently for 48 hours. I'm impressed and enamoured by the commitment of the NLC and the TUC to Take Back Our Country for good with the call for Living Wage as veritable weapon. Kudos.


Also impressive is the suspension of the Strike (Industrial Action) with a timeline. In 5 days time if the negotiation for Living Wage for Nigerian Workers remains a hard-call for government, the Civil Society, the Progressive left and the Nigerian Studentry must join forces with organized Labour to rescue the soul of our nation from the hoard of rampaging buccaneers feasting on our collective patrimony with reckless abandon.


In the one year of the present watch, the government has shown an uncanny predilection to wastage and wanderlust. See instances and questions that dominate the social media space and ask yourself why the government is slow about the need for a healthy minimum wage for the Nigerian worker whereas on all fronts it has shown an unbriddled penchant for profligacy. READ..


® N90B for Hajj.

-N4B Cars for BAT.

-N2B Cars for RAT.

-N58B SUVs for NASS.

-N37m Monthly for NASS

-N7B for Shettima's House.

-500m for each NASS member.

-N3TN budget padding by NASS.


But you say the NLC doesn't deserve at least N150,000 monthly salary? - Author Unknown.


Reading further one would wonder why the present watch appears impervious to logic, they appear completely focussed on mendacious inveigle and perfidy, with soulless propaganda as chief BUT I'm glad for Trojans Ajaero and Osifo, and I'm thankful to providence that hurricane TUC and NLC is here. READ...


©In as much as I believe the 1000% minimum wage increment that NLC is seeking is outrageous and untenable, the FG needs to answer some vital questions:


1. What are we doing with a bi-camera legislature? Why do we need the Senate and the House of Representatives?


2. What are we doing with a Presidential Yacht, and why do we need a Presidential fleet of 10 airplanes?


3. Why was there a 300% increment on the salaries of Federal Judges, and why did the FG need to buy new SUVs for Ministers, Senators and Members of HoR?


4. Where did the FG get over ₦80 billion to finance the needless foreign trips of the President and his Vice within a year?


5. Where did the FG get the ₦100 billion used to finance the Muslim pilgrimage in 2024?


Until the FG is able to provide answers to these pertinent questions, they have no right or moral justification not to increase the minimum wage by at least 200%. Credit: Femi Falana SAN.


Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, we must therefore rise up and organize rather than agonize. We must close ranks and forge ahead with the NLC and TUC rather than break ranks. We must show to those who criticize and oppose our cause that the Hallmark of Patriotism is a critical mass, and proactive opposition. Once again I salute organized Labour for rising to be counted.


'E Soweto E Africa... Solidarity Forever!!


Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.

Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVEMENT.


Let no one call them names, they have raised the Progressive Bar remarkably high, perhaps the highest since the 2012 Ojota Fuel Hike protestation. Yours sincerely was heavily involved in that siege against Jonathan's Administration (in fact I addressed the rally in Ojota several times through the near two weeks of that popular action), a siege that was supported in cash and kind by the present watchman President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.


Against formidable attrition and debauchery, against the threat of jail and imprisonment, against a government that is squandamania oriented, and against a government sold to propaganda and gaslighting, they rose, they mobilized and shut down the nation with intent to call government to address the need for living wage, and they did so effectively, effectually and efficiently for 48 hours. I'm impressed and enamoured by the commitment of the NLC and the TUC to Take Back Our Country for good with the call for Living Wage as veritable weapon. Kudos.


Also impressive is the suspension of the Strike (Industrial Action) with a timeline. In 5 days time if the negotiation for Living Wage for Nigerian Workers remains a hard-call for government, the Civil Society, the Progressive left and the Nigerian Studentry must join forces with organized Labour to rescue the soul of our nation from the hoard of rampaging buccaneers feasting on our collective patrimony with reckless abandon.


In the one year of the present watch, the government has shown an uncanny predilection to wastage and wanderlust. See instances and questions that dominate the social media space and ask yourself why the government is slow about the need for a healthy minimum wage for the Nigerian worker whereas on all fronts it has shown an unbriddled penchant for profligacy. READ..


® N90B for Hajj.

-N4B Cars for BAT.

-N2B Cars for RAT.

-N58B SUVs for NASS.

-N37m Monthly for NASS

-N7B for Shettima's House.

-500m for each NASS member.

-N3TN budget padding by NASS.


But you say the NLC doesn't deserve at least N150,000 monthly salary? - Author Unknown.


Reading further one would wonder why the present watch appears impervious to logic, they appear completely focussed on mendacious inveigle and perfidy, with soulless propaganda as chief BUT I'm glad for Trojans Ajaero and Osifo, and I'm thankful to providence that hurricane TUC and NLC is here. READ...


©In as much as I believe the 1000% minimum wage increment that NLC is seeking is outrageous and untenable, the FG needs to answer some vital questions:


1. What are we doing with a bi-camera legislature? Why do we need the Senate and the House of Representatives?


2. What are we doing with a Presidential Yacht, and why do we need a Presidential fleet of 10 airplanes?


3. Why was there a 300% increment on the salaries of Federal Judges, and why did the FG need to buy new SUVs for Ministers, Senators and Members of HoR?


4. Where did the FG get over ₦80 billion to finance the needless foreign trips of the President and his Vice within a year?


5. Where did the FG get the ₦100 billion used to finance the Muslim pilgrimage in 2024?


Until the FG is able to provide answers to these pertinent questions, they have no right or moral justification not to increase the minimum wage by at least 200%. Credit: Femi Falana SAN.


Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, we must therefore rise up and organize rather than agonize. We must close ranks and forge ahead with the NLC and TUC rather than break ranks. We must show to those who criticize and oppose our cause that the Hallmark of Patriotism is a critical mass, and proactive opposition. Once again I salute organized Labour for rising to be counted.


'E Soweto E Africa... Solidarity Forever!!


Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.

Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVEMENT.

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RESOLUTIONS REACHED AT THE MEETING BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ORGANISED LABOUR HELD ON MONDAY 3RD JUNE, 2024

RESOLUTIONS REACHED AT THE MEETING BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ORGANISED LABOUR HELD ON MONDAY 3RD JUNE, 2024

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Further to the negotiation by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) and subsequent withdrawal of Labour from negotiation, the Leadership of the National Assembly intervened on 2nd June, 2024. The Organised Labour declared nationwide strike on Monday, 3rd June, 2024 to drive home its demands.


2. The Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action.


3. After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached:


1. The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000;


II. Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage;


III. Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria's commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and


IV. No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action.


Done in Abuja on the 3rd of June, 2024.


Signed


For the Federal Government of Nigeria:


1. Mohammed Idris


03/08/24


Minister of Information and National Orientation

2. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha


Nerf 3/6/24


Minister of State for Labour and Employment


For the Organised Labour: 


1. Joe Ajaero

President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)


2. Festus Osifo

President, Trade Union Congress (TUC)

Further to the negotiation by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) and subsequent withdrawal of Labour from negotiation, the Leadership of the National Assembly intervened on 2nd June, 2024. The Organised Labour declared nationwide strike on Monday, 3rd June, 2024 to drive home its demands.


2. The Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action.


3. After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached:


1. The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000;


II. Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage;


III. Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria's commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and


IV. No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action.


Done in Abuja on the 3rd of June, 2024.


Signed


For the Federal Government of Nigeria:


1. Mohammed Idris


03/08/24


Minister of Information and National Orientation

2. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha


Nerf 3/6/24


Minister of State for Labour and Employment


For the Organised Labour: 


1. Joe Ajaero

President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)


2. Festus Osifo

President, Trade Union Congress (TUC)

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Labour Union Says: Strike Action Goes on, A living wage is Possible

Labour Union Says: Strike Action Goes on, A living wage is Possible

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 Minimum Wage: Fuel, health, schools, courts, banks, others to be grounded as strike begins today

LAGOS — Fuel distribution, health, bank and other essential services nationwide will be shut from today as organised labour begins an indefinite strike over minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariff.



But the Federal Government in a swift reaction yesterday, warned the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to shelve the proposed indefinite strike, saying it was premature and illegal.


This is even as the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, among others, last night failed in their effort to stop the proposed strike, after a marathon meeting with NLC president, Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo.


However, as part of the mobilization for the strike, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has directed the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, ASSBIFI, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, and other senior staff associations to ensure total compliance.


Earlier, Nigeria Labour Congress’ affiliates, including the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, and other critical sector unions had written to their members to ensure total compliance.


Recall that the two labour centres had Friday, announced an indefinite nationwide strike from today over the government’s failure to conclude a new national minimum wage and reverse the recent hike in electricity tariff.

NLC and TUC leaders had on Workers Day’s celebrations, given the Federal Government’s May 31 deadline to conclude the negotiations on a new national minimum wage or risk nationwide industrial unrest.


The tripartite committee on a new national minimum wage set up by the government failed to agree on a new national minimum wage after about four meetings.


Labour leaders had walked out of the meetings thrice after rejecting government and the organised private sector’s, OPS, offers.


The last walkout was Friday, which incidentally was the deadline labour gave the government to conclude a new minimum wage as the old minimum wage of N30,000 signed into law by former President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019, expired on April 18, 2024.


Earlier on Friday, May 31, organised labour negotiators had walkout of the meeting for the third time over refusal by the government to make a new offer beyond N60,000.


It was gathered that the negotiations hit a brick wall when the government and the organized private sector, OPS, remained adamant on the N60,000 offers, they made earlier on Tuesday.


Organised labour’s negotiating team had Tuesday, May 28, for the second time in two weeks, walked out of the committee meeting after the Federal Government increased its offer marginally to N60,000 from the N57,000 it offered on Wednesday, May 22.


The labour negotiating team had on May 15, walked out of the tripartite committee meeting after the government offered N48,000 and the organised private sector, OPS, offered N54,000, against labour’s offer of N615,000.


TUC directives

Ahead of today’s commencement of the strike, TUC directed PENGASSAN, ASSBIFI, ASCSN and other senior staff associations to fully participate in the nationwide strike.


Acting Secretary of TUC, Hassan Anka Secretary- General, said: “We convey compliments from the TUC, particularly the President, Festus Osifo, and write to direct all state councils to commence mobilization for an indefinite strike effective Monday, June 3, 2024. Today’s (Friday May 31) meeting was unfruitful as the government further demonstrated unseriousness towards the demands of Nigerian workers and people.


“The six governors that are members of the tripartite committee were absent, except the ministers of state for labour and employment who acts as a conciliator. Sadly, she had no mandate to make any commitment.


‘’Therefore, you are hereby directed to jointly work together with your sister labour center to carry out this important action.”


In the build-up to the strike, PENGASSAN has informed all its officers across the country, including Lagos, that the strike was compulsory.


A notice by the Public Relations Officer, PRO, Lagos Zone of PENGASSAN, Juliana Adenike, said: “Concerning the planned withdrawal of service from all of our offices on Monday, June 3, 2024, there must be strict compliance. It is your responsibility to ensure no entry and exit in your offices by any of our members.”

According to the notice, all executives at every level of leadership of PENGASSAN “are to wear red or any PENGASSAN attire,” adding.


‘’Mount your entrances and ensure 100 per cent compliance with the above directive. There will be a joint task force TUC/NLC going around to ascertain full compliance. Any company in default will be penalized.


More critical unions to join


Meanwhile, more critical unions affiliated with the NLC have joined the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, among others have pledged total compliance.


Teachers

In a circular to all its officers across the country, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Secretary General, Dr. Mike Ene, said: “This is to inform all national standing committee members, state chairmen and state secretaries that consequent upon the inability of the federal government to yield to the demand for a living wage by organized labour for Nigerian workers, an indefinite nationwide strike has been jointly declared by the NLC/TUC with effect from the midnight of Sunday, June 2, 2024.


“Given this, you are requested to sensitize and mobilize our members to fully join the strike and ensure that on no condition should any school be allowed to open from Monday, June 3, 2024 till further notice.


“The national leadership will not entertain any excuse for failure from any state, so, strict compliance is required because NUT particularly has a stake in the struggle.


NAPPS opts out, urges dialogue, peaceful resolution

But the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, opted out of the strike and called for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the face-off between organised labour and government.


The body in a statement signed last night by Chief Yomi Otubela, National President, Comrade Augustine Ajibade, National Secretary, and Pastor Gabriel Igbinejesu, National Publicity Secretary, said: “The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, Nigeria, is aware of the directive regarding the proposed strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, scheduled to commence on June 3, 2024.


“While NAPPS Nigeria identifies with the struggles of the NLC/TUC to improve the living conditions of workers in affiliated organisations, it is important that we prioritize the well-being of our nation and work towards a peaceful resolution that benefits the workers, the economy, and the overall social fabric of Nigeria.


“In light of this, NAPPS Nigeria issues the following directives and information: Advice to embrace constructive dialogue and negotiation, rather than resorting to industrial action. We encourage both the federal government and the Nigeria Labour Congress to further engage in constructive dialogue, negotiation, and mediation to find a mutually acceptable solution. NAPPS is willing to offer its support and expertise in facilitating the negotiation process to ensure a fair and sustainable resolution for all parties involved.


“Non-participation in the strike: Our esteemed members are enjoined not to participate in the indefinite strike by NLC/TUC commencing on Monday, June 3, 2024. A strike would disrupt the education sector, affecting both students and teachers. Continued stability in the education system is crucial for the growth and development of our nation.’’


Medical, health workers

Also, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, M&HWUN, in a circular, said: “Sequel to the declaration of a nationwide indefinite strike by the organized labour over federal government’s apparent unseriousness and failure to reverse the satanic increment of electricity tariff and conclude negotiation for a living wage for Nigeria workers, I wish to request you to immediately commence intense mobilization of our members’ for a total shut down of all the health facilities in the country, commencing from 00.01 hours, June 3, 2024, in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress.


“Consequently, the state councils’ leadership are equally requested to collaborate with organized labour in their state to ensure water-tight compliance and monitoring of the strike, as any form of sabotage shall not be acceptable.


“Also, pictorials of your level of compliance should be posted on the national secretariat platform for further necessary action please.’’


ASUU’ll participate, CONUA undecided

Similarly, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, said they would participate in the nationwide strike.


However, a rival academic staff union in the university system, the Congress of University Academics, CONUA, has yet to take any position on the matter.


Presidents of the unions, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke of ASUU, and Dr Niyi Sunmonu of CONUA, made their positions known yesterday while speaking with Vanguard.


Osodeke said: “ASUU is an affiliate of NLC, hence ASUU will participate in any action of NLC.”


Sunmonu, on his part stated: “We are following the development and I have called an emergency meeting of the congress for later this evening. There, we will appraise the situation and decide on what to do next. “


Also speaking in a chat, the Chairman of ASUU in the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Prof. Kayode Adebayo, explained that the NLC and the government had till midnight on Sunday to resolve the issue.


“One cannot say the matter is totally closed now. The NLC and the government have up till midnight to negotiate, one cannot say anything positive can come out of such.


‘’If by that time, they agreed, there may be no need for any strike, but if the logjam remains, all affiliates of NLC would join, “he said.


SSANU

On its part, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, in a circular by Kingsley Okayi, Senior Assistant General Secretary, said: “We bring you warm and fraternal greetings from the national secretariat of our great union.


“In line with the letter from the NLC which we are an affiliate, I am directed by the President to request that you comply with the information by directing all SSANU members to liaise with their NLC state chapters to ensure a comprehensive closure of workplace with effect from Monday, June 3, 2024, until further notice.


“You are also to liaise with your national pice president and report the progress of the industrial action to the national secretariat regularly.”


Civil service union

Similarly, the Nigeria Civil Service Union, NCSU, in a notice by its leadership, said: “Fraternal and solidarity greetings from the national leadership of our great union.


“The national leadership is, hereby, directing all state chapters to comply with the directive of organized labour declared nationwide indefinite strike which is scheduled to commence on Monday, June 3, 2024,

“This is in furtherance to the directives of organized labour, comprising both NLC and TUC, due to a deadlock at the meeting of the negotiation committee on the new national minimum wage. Please, adhere to this directive and make the nationwide strike total and successful.”


AUPCTRE

Also, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, among others, said: “Your council, committee and organ is hereby directed to mobilize our members to join the nationwide strike that will commence on Monday the 3rd of June, 2024 to press home our demands on the reversal of the hike in Electricity Tariff and the inconclusive National Minimum wage negotiation.”


Judiciary workers

In the same vein, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, in a statement by its Acting General Secretary, Moses Akwashiki, said: “Following a declaration of industrial action by NLC and TUC, beginning from Monday 3rd June 2024 due to the inability of government to conclude the negotiation of the new National Minimum Wage and refusal to reverse the increase in electricity tariff, I am directed to inform you to commence mobilisation ahead of the action.


“The action will start at midnight on Sunday nationwide, so all branches /chapter chairmen and secretaries of JUSUN are expected to ensure strict compliance with this directive


“All vice presidents of our great unions are to monitor their respective zones to ensure compliance with the total shut down of all Courts and Judicial Institutes across Nigeria


“Note that the nationwide action is to ensure governments agree to a new national minimum wage and subsequently pass it into law before the end of May as they were notified, reverse the hike in electricity tariff without consulting the stakeholders as required by the Law to N225/kwh back to N66/kWh and stop the apartheid categorization of Nigerian electricity consumers into Bands.”


Railway workers

Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, NUR, in a circular, by its Secretary General, Igbokwe Francis, said: “As directed by the NLC, we write to inform you of the commencement of a Nationwide strike beginning from 12 midnight, Monday 3rd of June 2024.


“This is sequel to the insensitivity of the Federal Government of Nigeria to agree on a new national minimum wage to be passed into law as directed by the organized Labour before the last day of May 2024 as notified, plus their refusal to reverse electricity to the old tariff of N66/kwh instead of the criminally new N225/kwh inter alia the categorization of Nigerian electricity into bands.


“Consequently, we advise Management to ensure that all critical equipment and properties of the corporation are well protected.”


NUJ

In a circular to its national officers, state chairmen and secretaries, the National Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Achike Chude, said: “This circular serves to inform all the national officers, zonal vice presidents, and council executives in all the states of our country and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, that in solidarity with the NLC/TUC, following labour’s indefinite strike declaration from midnight of Sunday, June 2, 2024, NUJ is expected to fully participate in the strike.


This action has become inevitable, following the inability of the government to yield to the demand for a living wage for Nigerian workers.


‘’All officers, state, and national, are thus expected to help mobilize and sensitize members and participate where necessary towards the success of this action.”


Meanwhile, organized labour yesterday urged workers nationwide to be wary of the antics of the government and fully participate in the strike because it is about their wellbeing and survival.


One of the labour leaders who spoke on a purported government’s claims that there was a subsisting court order preventing NLC and TUC from embarking on strike, said: “It is an old antic of the federal government. There is no court order anywhere.


‘’What the government is parading or circulating is an injunction got since last year that has lost relevance, even since last year. We can’t be intimidated by those antics. We are talking about statutory minimum wage.


‘’Sometimes, some of these government officers need to think over issues before making the jaundiced views public. It is unfortunate that in Nigeria, once one is appointed to a public office, he or she finds it easy to say what he or she would not have said outside the government.


‘’Well, we are going ahead with the strike until we sign an agreement. The Minimum Wage Act expired on April 18, 2024. We are fighting for a new Act. We are not lawbreakers.’

 Minimum Wage: Fuel, health, schools, courts, banks, others to be grounded as strike begins today

LAGOS — Fuel distribution, health, bank and other essential services nationwide will be shut from today as organised labour begins an indefinite strike over minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariff.



But the Federal Government in a swift reaction yesterday, warned the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to shelve the proposed indefinite strike, saying it was premature and illegal.


This is even as the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, among others, last night failed in their effort to stop the proposed strike, after a marathon meeting with NLC president, Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo.


However, as part of the mobilization for the strike, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has directed the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, ASSBIFI, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, and other senior staff associations to ensure total compliance.


Earlier, Nigeria Labour Congress’ affiliates, including the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, and other critical sector unions had written to their members to ensure total compliance.


Recall that the two labour centres had Friday, announced an indefinite nationwide strike from today over the government’s failure to conclude a new national minimum wage and reverse the recent hike in electricity tariff.

NLC and TUC leaders had on Workers Day’s celebrations, given the Federal Government’s May 31 deadline to conclude the negotiations on a new national minimum wage or risk nationwide industrial unrest.


The tripartite committee on a new national minimum wage set up by the government failed to agree on a new national minimum wage after about four meetings.


Labour leaders had walked out of the meetings thrice after rejecting government and the organised private sector’s, OPS, offers.


The last walkout was Friday, which incidentally was the deadline labour gave the government to conclude a new minimum wage as the old minimum wage of N30,000 signed into law by former President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019, expired on April 18, 2024.


Earlier on Friday, May 31, organised labour negotiators had walkout of the meeting for the third time over refusal by the government to make a new offer beyond N60,000.


It was gathered that the negotiations hit a brick wall when the government and the organized private sector, OPS, remained adamant on the N60,000 offers, they made earlier on Tuesday.


Organised labour’s negotiating team had Tuesday, May 28, for the second time in two weeks, walked out of the committee meeting after the Federal Government increased its offer marginally to N60,000 from the N57,000 it offered on Wednesday, May 22.


The labour negotiating team had on May 15, walked out of the tripartite committee meeting after the government offered N48,000 and the organised private sector, OPS, offered N54,000, against labour’s offer of N615,000.


TUC directives

Ahead of today’s commencement of the strike, TUC directed PENGASSAN, ASSBIFI, ASCSN and other senior staff associations to fully participate in the nationwide strike.


Acting Secretary of TUC, Hassan Anka Secretary- General, said: “We convey compliments from the TUC, particularly the President, Festus Osifo, and write to direct all state councils to commence mobilization for an indefinite strike effective Monday, June 3, 2024. Today’s (Friday May 31) meeting was unfruitful as the government further demonstrated unseriousness towards the demands of Nigerian workers and people.


“The six governors that are members of the tripartite committee were absent, except the ministers of state for labour and employment who acts as a conciliator. Sadly, she had no mandate to make any commitment.


‘’Therefore, you are hereby directed to jointly work together with your sister labour center to carry out this important action.”


In the build-up to the strike, PENGASSAN has informed all its officers across the country, including Lagos, that the strike was compulsory.


A notice by the Public Relations Officer, PRO, Lagos Zone of PENGASSAN, Juliana Adenike, said: “Concerning the planned withdrawal of service from all of our offices on Monday, June 3, 2024, there must be strict compliance. It is your responsibility to ensure no entry and exit in your offices by any of our members.”

According to the notice, all executives at every level of leadership of PENGASSAN “are to wear red or any PENGASSAN attire,” adding.


‘’Mount your entrances and ensure 100 per cent compliance with the above directive. There will be a joint task force TUC/NLC going around to ascertain full compliance. Any company in default will be penalized.


More critical unions to join


Meanwhile, more critical unions affiliated with the NLC have joined the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, among others have pledged total compliance.


Teachers

In a circular to all its officers across the country, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Secretary General, Dr. Mike Ene, said: “This is to inform all national standing committee members, state chairmen and state secretaries that consequent upon the inability of the federal government to yield to the demand for a living wage by organized labour for Nigerian workers, an indefinite nationwide strike has been jointly declared by the NLC/TUC with effect from the midnight of Sunday, June 2, 2024.


“Given this, you are requested to sensitize and mobilize our members to fully join the strike and ensure that on no condition should any school be allowed to open from Monday, June 3, 2024 till further notice.


“The national leadership will not entertain any excuse for failure from any state, so, strict compliance is required because NUT particularly has a stake in the struggle.


NAPPS opts out, urges dialogue, peaceful resolution

But the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, opted out of the strike and called for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the face-off between organised labour and government.


The body in a statement signed last night by Chief Yomi Otubela, National President, Comrade Augustine Ajibade, National Secretary, and Pastor Gabriel Igbinejesu, National Publicity Secretary, said: “The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, Nigeria, is aware of the directive regarding the proposed strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, scheduled to commence on June 3, 2024.


“While NAPPS Nigeria identifies with the struggles of the NLC/TUC to improve the living conditions of workers in affiliated organisations, it is important that we prioritize the well-being of our nation and work towards a peaceful resolution that benefits the workers, the economy, and the overall social fabric of Nigeria.


“In light of this, NAPPS Nigeria issues the following directives and information: Advice to embrace constructive dialogue and negotiation, rather than resorting to industrial action. We encourage both the federal government and the Nigeria Labour Congress to further engage in constructive dialogue, negotiation, and mediation to find a mutually acceptable solution. NAPPS is willing to offer its support and expertise in facilitating the negotiation process to ensure a fair and sustainable resolution for all parties involved.


“Non-participation in the strike: Our esteemed members are enjoined not to participate in the indefinite strike by NLC/TUC commencing on Monday, June 3, 2024. A strike would disrupt the education sector, affecting both students and teachers. Continued stability in the education system is crucial for the growth and development of our nation.’’


Medical, health workers

Also, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, M&HWUN, in a circular, said: “Sequel to the declaration of a nationwide indefinite strike by the organized labour over federal government’s apparent unseriousness and failure to reverse the satanic increment of electricity tariff and conclude negotiation for a living wage for Nigeria workers, I wish to request you to immediately commence intense mobilization of our members’ for a total shut down of all the health facilities in the country, commencing from 00.01 hours, June 3, 2024, in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress.


“Consequently, the state councils’ leadership are equally requested to collaborate with organized labour in their state to ensure water-tight compliance and monitoring of the strike, as any form of sabotage shall not be acceptable.


“Also, pictorials of your level of compliance should be posted on the national secretariat platform for further necessary action please.’’


ASUU’ll participate, CONUA undecided

Similarly, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, said they would participate in the nationwide strike.


However, a rival academic staff union in the university system, the Congress of University Academics, CONUA, has yet to take any position on the matter.


Presidents of the unions, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke of ASUU, and Dr Niyi Sunmonu of CONUA, made their positions known yesterday while speaking with Vanguard.


Osodeke said: “ASUU is an affiliate of NLC, hence ASUU will participate in any action of NLC.”


Sunmonu, on his part stated: “We are following the development and I have called an emergency meeting of the congress for later this evening. There, we will appraise the situation and decide on what to do next. “


Also speaking in a chat, the Chairman of ASUU in the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Prof. Kayode Adebayo, explained that the NLC and the government had till midnight on Sunday to resolve the issue.


“One cannot say the matter is totally closed now. The NLC and the government have up till midnight to negotiate, one cannot say anything positive can come out of such.


‘’If by that time, they agreed, there may be no need for any strike, but if the logjam remains, all affiliates of NLC would join, “he said.


SSANU

On its part, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, in a circular by Kingsley Okayi, Senior Assistant General Secretary, said: “We bring you warm and fraternal greetings from the national secretariat of our great union.


“In line with the letter from the NLC which we are an affiliate, I am directed by the President to request that you comply with the information by directing all SSANU members to liaise with their NLC state chapters to ensure a comprehensive closure of workplace with effect from Monday, June 3, 2024, until further notice.


“You are also to liaise with your national pice president and report the progress of the industrial action to the national secretariat regularly.”


Civil service union

Similarly, the Nigeria Civil Service Union, NCSU, in a notice by its leadership, said: “Fraternal and solidarity greetings from the national leadership of our great union.


“The national leadership is, hereby, directing all state chapters to comply with the directive of organized labour declared nationwide indefinite strike which is scheduled to commence on Monday, June 3, 2024,

“This is in furtherance to the directives of organized labour, comprising both NLC and TUC, due to a deadlock at the meeting of the negotiation committee on the new national minimum wage. Please, adhere to this directive and make the nationwide strike total and successful.”


AUPCTRE

Also, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, among others, said: “Your council, committee and organ is hereby directed to mobilize our members to join the nationwide strike that will commence on Monday the 3rd of June, 2024 to press home our demands on the reversal of the hike in Electricity Tariff and the inconclusive National Minimum wage negotiation.”


Judiciary workers

In the same vein, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, in a statement by its Acting General Secretary, Moses Akwashiki, said: “Following a declaration of industrial action by NLC and TUC, beginning from Monday 3rd June 2024 due to the inability of government to conclude the negotiation of the new National Minimum Wage and refusal to reverse the increase in electricity tariff, I am directed to inform you to commence mobilisation ahead of the action.


“The action will start at midnight on Sunday nationwide, so all branches /chapter chairmen and secretaries of JUSUN are expected to ensure strict compliance with this directive


“All vice presidents of our great unions are to monitor their respective zones to ensure compliance with the total shut down of all Courts and Judicial Institutes across Nigeria


“Note that the nationwide action is to ensure governments agree to a new national minimum wage and subsequently pass it into law before the end of May as they were notified, reverse the hike in electricity tariff without consulting the stakeholders as required by the Law to N225/kwh back to N66/kWh and stop the apartheid categorization of Nigerian electricity consumers into Bands.”


Railway workers

Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, NUR, in a circular, by its Secretary General, Igbokwe Francis, said: “As directed by the NLC, we write to inform you of the commencement of a Nationwide strike beginning from 12 midnight, Monday 3rd of June 2024.


“This is sequel to the insensitivity of the Federal Government of Nigeria to agree on a new national minimum wage to be passed into law as directed by the organized Labour before the last day of May 2024 as notified, plus their refusal to reverse electricity to the old tariff of N66/kwh instead of the criminally new N225/kwh inter alia the categorization of Nigerian electricity into bands.


“Consequently, we advise Management to ensure that all critical equipment and properties of the corporation are well protected.”


NUJ

In a circular to its national officers, state chairmen and secretaries, the National Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Achike Chude, said: “This circular serves to inform all the national officers, zonal vice presidents, and council executives in all the states of our country and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, that in solidarity with the NLC/TUC, following labour’s indefinite strike declaration from midnight of Sunday, June 2, 2024, NUJ is expected to fully participate in the strike.


This action has become inevitable, following the inability of the government to yield to the demand for a living wage for Nigerian workers.


‘’All officers, state, and national, are thus expected to help mobilize and sensitize members and participate where necessary towards the success of this action.”


Meanwhile, organized labour yesterday urged workers nationwide to be wary of the antics of the government and fully participate in the strike because it is about their wellbeing and survival.


One of the labour leaders who spoke on a purported government’s claims that there was a subsisting court order preventing NLC and TUC from embarking on strike, said: “It is an old antic of the federal government. There is no court order anywhere.


‘’What the government is parading or circulating is an injunction got since last year that has lost relevance, even since last year. We can’t be intimidated by those antics. We are talking about statutory minimum wage.


‘’Sometimes, some of these government officers need to think over issues before making the jaundiced views public. It is unfortunate that in Nigeria, once one is appointed to a public office, he or she finds it easy to say what he or she would not have said outside the government.


‘’Well, we are going ahead with the strike until we sign an agreement. The Minimum Wage Act expired on April 18, 2024. We are fighting for a new Act. We are not lawbreakers.’

Tags:

Don’t be afraid, We can’t allow those who are supposed to be in a nursing home handle the affairs this Country - Baba Ahmed

Don’t be afraid, We can’t allow those who are supposed to be in a nursing home handle the affairs this Country - Baba Ahmed

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The Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed has said Nigerians should not entertain any fear as a lot may happen in the next few months.

Baba Ahmed said the affairs of the country can not be left in hands of  those who are supposed to be in a nursing home.


"A lot will happen in the next 7 months. The election is close, don’t be afraid as we will not allow this country to sink.


There’s no aspirant older than Obi that has a better idea than Obi… We can’t have people who are supposed to be in a nursing home handle the affairs of this country. Be part of this change by getting your PVC and voting for Labour Party. "


Follow my Instagram account @Yusuf_dattibaba.


#obidatti2023 #HopeAgain2023

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed has said Nigerians should not entertain any fear as a lot may happen in the next few months.

Baba Ahmed said the affairs of the country can not be left in hands of  those who are supposed to be in a nursing home.


"A lot will happen in the next 7 months. The election is close, don’t be afraid as we will not allow this country to sink.


There’s no aspirant older than Obi that has a better idea than Obi… We can’t have people who are supposed to be in a nursing home handle the affairs of this country. Be part of this change by getting your PVC and voting for Labour Party. "


Follow my Instagram account @Yusuf_dattibaba.


#obidatti2023 #HopeAgain2023

Tags:

Buhari’s 75,000 Vs Sowore’s 100,000 - Femi Adeyeye

Buhari’s 75,000 Vs Sowore’s 100,000 - Femi Adeyeye

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It was as if Sowore announced that aliens were about to take over the Nigerian space, when he rolled out some of the welfare plans of the AAC party, which includes working out a scheme that will pay each Nigerian University student a Cost of Living/Study Allowance of 100,000 Naira per Semester. 


The shock that greeted the promise during that period did not come from any debate by his opponents or their allies, because they never argued it. The people who argued most are the so-called intellectuals; Economists on Facebook and Policy Analysts on Twitter. 


“Where will the money come from?”, “Is it sustainable?” “Will they now receive more than the minimum wage?” “What is the value of the intercept?” “Will it hit the gradient of Humanity Vs Belliconomics curve?” (I made this up 😀) But there was nothing we didn’t hear and there was no question we didn’t answer at that time. Omoyele Sowore remains one of the most engaged Politicians of this era. Today, the Buhari regime promised 75,000 for University Education students and 50,000 for College of Education students. 


I would admit anyway that the debate then was somehow healthy. However, I want to tell you that if a government that reeks of corruption, ineptitude and grand mismanagement could still mutter such promise; “audio” or not, it goes to show that they understand that it is very possible to implement. 

In many of our schools, Education students are the most populous, so if nobody is questioning the feasibility of paying the 75k, it means we would be adding just little to pay everyone 100k. 


We explained then that by massive industrialization of the economy, serious production- rather than this guess-work kind of economy that we run, blocking of loopholes, conduits of corruption and cesspools, we would pay 100,000 Naira minimum wage, which was just an addition of some billions to the wage bill as at 2018. Interestingly, we were told paying people a living wage would cause inflation. 


Today, there is serious double-digit inflation without paying our 100,000 wage. Many states are not even paying the approved  30,000 Naira. Buhari has blamed the “middlemen” again.


Nigerians. You are the ones I’m talking to now. 

It’s understandable that you find it hard to believe there is a way out of this misery. As against what you have held as popular opinion, I want to tell you that you deserve good life and it is very possible to lead one, here on earth. Not in heaven. 

Make suffer tire una na.


- *Adeyeye Olorunfemi*






It was as if Sowore announced that aliens were about to take over the Nigerian space, when he rolled out some of the welfare plans of the AAC party, which includes working out a scheme that will pay each Nigerian University student a Cost of Living/Study Allowance of 100,000 Naira per Semester. 


The shock that greeted the promise during that period did not come from any debate by his opponents or their allies, because they never argued it. The people who argued most are the so-called intellectuals; Economists on Facebook and Policy Analysts on Twitter. 


“Where will the money come from?”, “Is it sustainable?” “Will they now receive more than the minimum wage?” “What is the value of the intercept?” “Will it hit the gradient of Humanity Vs Belliconomics curve?” (I made this up 😀) But there was nothing we didn’t hear and there was no question we didn’t answer at that time. Omoyele Sowore remains one of the most engaged Politicians of this era. Today, the Buhari regime promised 75,000 for University Education students and 50,000 for College of Education students. 


I would admit anyway that the debate then was somehow healthy. However, I want to tell you that if a government that reeks of corruption, ineptitude and grand mismanagement could still mutter such promise; “audio” or not, it goes to show that they understand that it is very possible to implement. 

In many of our schools, Education students are the most populous, so if nobody is questioning the feasibility of paying the 75k, it means we would be adding just little to pay everyone 100k. 


We explained then that by massive industrialization of the economy, serious production- rather than this guess-work kind of economy that we run, blocking of loopholes, conduits of corruption and cesspools, we would pay 100,000 Naira minimum wage, which was just an addition of some billions to the wage bill as at 2018. Interestingly, we were told paying people a living wage would cause inflation. 


Today, there is serious double-digit inflation without paying our 100,000 wage. Many states are not even paying the approved  30,000 Naira. Buhari has blamed the “middlemen” again.


Nigerians. You are the ones I’m talking to now. 

It’s understandable that you find it hard to believe there is a way out of this misery. As against what you have held as popular opinion, I want to tell you that you deserve good life and it is very possible to lead one, here on earth. Not in heaven. 

Make suffer tire una na.


- *Adeyeye Olorunfemi*

Tags:

Remembering Teslim “Samore” Oyekanmi (17/11/69-2/10/11) - Brain Behind the Police’s Rank-and-File strike (2002)

Remembering Teslim “Samore” Oyekanmi (17/11/69-2/10/11) - Brain Behind the Police’s Rank-and-File strike (2002)

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It’s now a decade since we lost Samore. He was a fearless revolutionary, versatile unionist, brilliant activist and unrepentant Mayost who lived life to the fullest.


But alas, sickness took him away from us at his prime. And this was barely two years after we lost his partner Zainab, a revolutionary Mayist in her own right.


Teslim was Secretary General of the LASU students union towards the end of the last century. Zainab would later serve as Vice President and then Ag. President of the same union in the following session.


I met Tes in the run up to the election where he emerged as SG of LASUSU. Whilst I’d started full time work in the trade union movement, I kept close in contact with the students movement, spending many an evening on campuses like LASU.


He was recruited into the May 31st Movement (M31M, the precursor of today’s SWL) when he was a LASU union leader. And he remained a lifelong member of the movement. He was quite critical of a number of things bearing on internal democracy. Some of these became clearer only after his death. We have however learnt our lessons from them.


On graduating with a BA in History and International Relations, he started working as a journalist with Alao Arisekola’s paper. I think it was called ‘The Monitor.’


He wrote an exposé on KWAM1, the popular pro-establishment fuji crooner. Not surprisingly, Wasiu (KWAM) had ties with Arisekola.


The paper’s publisher put pressure on Samore to retract the story and/or identify his source. He refused to do either of these. He stood by his story & dared KWAM to go to court. Tes was then summarily sacked.


Before this, he had taken his first steps into the trade union movement. He had been elected as Chair of the Lagos State Correspondents Association (LASCA) Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.


His open, generous and vibrant approach to life, work and politics had endeared him to many. It also incurred not a few enemies.


Anyway, he got to work as a correspondent with The Punch newspapers. This led to his making what might be one of the most important, but unsung steps in the country’s revolutionary history - organizing the short lived Nigeria Union of Police which led a police wo/men’s strike in February 2002.


The opening chapter of this historic development was written ar a bar in the ancient city of Benin. Whilst having a drink and inviting persons in the bar to join him, amidst his witty thrust of conversation he met with some junior ranks in the Edo State Police Command.


They complained of how they were suffering (while the top ranks were enjoying life). Most of them had not received promotions in years. Salaries were also irregular and they had to sew their uniforms at their own costs.


Samore told them that this was because they didn’t have a union. The police officers first laughed at his suggestion that they should be unionized. Police wo/men, they said, are law enforcement officers, so they could not be unionists.


Samore debunked this argument. He gave several examples of countries where police unions existed. Where he won them to his line of thinking was when he gave the example of POPCRU in South Africa.


This was not some distant, Western country. If there could be a union in another African country, why couldn’t there be one in the so-called giant of Africa?


Not all the officers were convinced though. And amongst those convinced morale initially went down after they discussed with other officers. Those ones pointed out that they were playing with fire which could cost them their lives.


Samore was however someone that would not let an idea die out once he had sowed it in people’s minds.


He informed and inspired them with histories of trade unions emerging as clandestine societies even in countries now considered the gold standard of (liberal) democracy.


Gradually but surely, he won over and established a core group. For the (to start as a clandestine) union envisaged to be national, they had to seek out like minds and build structures across the country.


It was at this point that he came to brief me at Akure where I was working as Ondo State Secretary of MHWUN. Four three days, we reflected for hours through the night with quite a few emptied bottles of squadron and cigarette butts in the background.


He knew that he was putting his life on the line. If things went wrong, the state would definitely act nasty. But he felt this was an opening that we were duty bound to seize.


Realizing the perilous path we were taking, we decided to restrict information on what was happening within the movement. This was to protect the effort, our organization and its cadre. For accountability only one other leading comrade was informed until much later.


Teslim assumed the nommé de guerre of “Monday Sule” becoming secretary of the underground NUP. He and a select few from the Edo State Police Command toured strategic centres in the country where they found support.


The faceless NUP issued demands to the IGP for improvement of rank and file welfare. This was dismissed as mere irritation by the top brass. Tes then convinced the NUP that they had to use the ultimate power of workers/unions: the mass strike.


In February 2002, after 9 months of building the NUP underground, the union called a strike. To say this was historic would be an understatement. President Obasanjo and the entire state machinery were thrown into a state of shock!


Indeed, the bourgeois could not comprehend how such a thing could happen. I remember going to the First Atlantic bank branch I used at Akure at the time.


The manager took pains to explain to customers that they had to shutdown from the following day when the strike would commence because they didn’t know how long it would last and they couldn’t guarantee security! I couldn’t hide my smirking.


Soldiers were drafted to take over policing functions and hundreds of rank-and-file police suspected of being members of NUP were silently rounded up.


All the police’s demands except for democratic involvement were implemented. But behind the curtains dozens were tortured, with many of these executed.


According to Samore, probably as many as 37 persons were killed. Several of them knew Monday Sule. But they defended this knowledge with their very lives.


NUP was snuffed out after this. Virtually all its leading lights in the force were amongst those executed.


In 2006 Samore applied to work with MHWUN as an organizing Secretary. He commenced work with the union a year and a half later. He served at different times as state secretary in Gombe and the FCT as well as in the National Secretariat.


The union leadership appreciated his skills as a writer, and organizer. His frankness, fearlessness and prioritizing rank-and-file’s roles in the union however saw to his having several head-on collisions with the state chairpersons in the councils he worked in.


This was one of the reasons why he was brought back to the national headquarters. Both Comrade Ayuba Wabba (National President) & Marcus Ighodalo Omokhuale (Secretary General) appreciated his talents as a unionist and mourned him on his death.


His move to the Hq came whilst I was studying in Germany & Brazil. On my return we had time to bond again, for a while. Little did I know it would be for less than 2years.


He lived with me briefly at that point in time. As I write, I remember those nights we would come home pissing drunk, to the consternation of my wife.


He always stood by me. When my family was to be thrown out by the landlord whilst I was away, he was one of the persons I turned to for a loan. And when I returned and tried to pay the debt, he refused to collect it.


I also could never deny him anything within my reach. So, when he asked me to help get Che Oyinatumba (also a leading member of our tendency at the time) a job at the Labour Party, I had to.


I walked up to Dan Nwuanyanwu, the party chair, the following day to push for this. He promptly said yes. It was the first and last favor I ever asked for from him in the twelve years we were on the LP national leadership together.


Things started to go downhill in Tes life from 2009. Nine months after delivering their daughter (Agustina Neto, her elder brother is named Cabral) on May Day 2008, his Zainab, an activist and lawyer who had been his soulmate from school died.


This hit Samore badly. I don’t think he ever recovered psychologically from that. The physiological blows came no much later. By the beginning of 2011 tuberculosis and diabetes had ravaged his body.


Unfortunately, he did not help mattes. He kept drinking even if not as much as before. We would quarrel over this several times when we met. Esther, whom he’d started dating in 2010 would also call me on many occasions to ask me to tell my brother and comrade to live the bottle.


Tes would promise to “try” each time we talked about it. But it would be the same story next time.


I remember the last time I saw him, which was a few months before his death. There was some drama to that meeting.


OSJ had informed me that Tes had been admitted at LUTH. I was in Lagos for a day’s assignment. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to leave without checking up on him.


So I called to let him know, but he wasn’t picking his calls. I then texted asking him to send details of his ward, which he did.


On getting to that men’s ward in LUTH, I couldn’t find him. I then called and he said he was there. Still confused I ask us to meet at the laundering section, got there and called. He said he was there too.


It was at that point I asked him “which hospital are you actually now?” And it turned out it was LASUTH and not LUTH.


I headed straight to LASUTH and we had a good laugh over that comedy of errors. I never knew that , that would be my last laughter with our Samore.


Rest in Power comrade. Like the rejuvenation of May, your name will be written with the spirit of spring, when our story is told.


*Baba Aye*

2/10/21

It’s now a decade since we lost Samore. He was a fearless revolutionary, versatile unionist, brilliant activist and unrepentant Mayost who lived life to the fullest.


But alas, sickness took him away from us at his prime. And this was barely two years after we lost his partner Zainab, a revolutionary Mayist in her own right.


Teslim was Secretary General of the LASU students union towards the end of the last century. Zainab would later serve as Vice President and then Ag. President of the same union in the following session.


I met Tes in the run up to the election where he emerged as SG of LASUSU. Whilst I’d started full time work in the trade union movement, I kept close in contact with the students movement, spending many an evening on campuses like LASU.


He was recruited into the May 31st Movement (M31M, the precursor of today’s SWL) when he was a LASU union leader. And he remained a lifelong member of the movement. He was quite critical of a number of things bearing on internal democracy. Some of these became clearer only after his death. We have however learnt our lessons from them.


On graduating with a BA in History and International Relations, he started working as a journalist with Alao Arisekola’s paper. I think it was called ‘The Monitor.’


He wrote an exposé on KWAM1, the popular pro-establishment fuji crooner. Not surprisingly, Wasiu (KWAM) had ties with Arisekola.


The paper’s publisher put pressure on Samore to retract the story and/or identify his source. He refused to do either of these. He stood by his story & dared KWAM to go to court. Tes was then summarily sacked.


Before this, he had taken his first steps into the trade union movement. He had been elected as Chair of the Lagos State Correspondents Association (LASCA) Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.


His open, generous and vibrant approach to life, work and politics had endeared him to many. It also incurred not a few enemies.


Anyway, he got to work as a correspondent with The Punch newspapers. This led to his making what might be one of the most important, but unsung steps in the country’s revolutionary history - organizing the short lived Nigeria Union of Police which led a police wo/men’s strike in February 2002.


The opening chapter of this historic development was written ar a bar in the ancient city of Benin. Whilst having a drink and inviting persons in the bar to join him, amidst his witty thrust of conversation he met with some junior ranks in the Edo State Police Command.


They complained of how they were suffering (while the top ranks were enjoying life). Most of them had not received promotions in years. Salaries were also irregular and they had to sew their uniforms at their own costs.


Samore told them that this was because they didn’t have a union. The police officers first laughed at his suggestion that they should be unionized. Police wo/men, they said, are law enforcement officers, so they could not be unionists.


Samore debunked this argument. He gave several examples of countries where police unions existed. Where he won them to his line of thinking was when he gave the example of POPCRU in South Africa.


This was not some distant, Western country. If there could be a union in another African country, why couldn’t there be one in the so-called giant of Africa?


Not all the officers were convinced though. And amongst those convinced morale initially went down after they discussed with other officers. Those ones pointed out that they were playing with fire which could cost them their lives.


Samore was however someone that would not let an idea die out once he had sowed it in people’s minds.


He informed and inspired them with histories of trade unions emerging as clandestine societies even in countries now considered the gold standard of (liberal) democracy.


Gradually but surely, he won over and established a core group. For the (to start as a clandestine) union envisaged to be national, they had to seek out like minds and build structures across the country.


It was at this point that he came to brief me at Akure where I was working as Ondo State Secretary of MHWUN. Four three days, we reflected for hours through the night with quite a few emptied bottles of squadron and cigarette butts in the background.


He knew that he was putting his life on the line. If things went wrong, the state would definitely act nasty. But he felt this was an opening that we were duty bound to seize.


Realizing the perilous path we were taking, we decided to restrict information on what was happening within the movement. This was to protect the effort, our organization and its cadre. For accountability only one other leading comrade was informed until much later.


Teslim assumed the nommé de guerre of “Monday Sule” becoming secretary of the underground NUP. He and a select few from the Edo State Police Command toured strategic centres in the country where they found support.


The faceless NUP issued demands to the IGP for improvement of rank and file welfare. This was dismissed as mere irritation by the top brass. Tes then convinced the NUP that they had to use the ultimate power of workers/unions: the mass strike.


In February 2002, after 9 months of building the NUP underground, the union called a strike. To say this was historic would be an understatement. President Obasanjo and the entire state machinery were thrown into a state of shock!


Indeed, the bourgeois could not comprehend how such a thing could happen. I remember going to the First Atlantic bank branch I used at Akure at the time.


The manager took pains to explain to customers that they had to shutdown from the following day when the strike would commence because they didn’t know how long it would last and they couldn’t guarantee security! I couldn’t hide my smirking.


Soldiers were drafted to take over policing functions and hundreds of rank-and-file police suspected of being members of NUP were silently rounded up.


All the police’s demands except for democratic involvement were implemented. But behind the curtains dozens were tortured, with many of these executed.


According to Samore, probably as many as 37 persons were killed. Several of them knew Monday Sule. But they defended this knowledge with their very lives.


NUP was snuffed out after this. Virtually all its leading lights in the force were amongst those executed.


In 2006 Samore applied to work with MHWUN as an organizing Secretary. He commenced work with the union a year and a half later. He served at different times as state secretary in Gombe and the FCT as well as in the National Secretariat.


The union leadership appreciated his skills as a writer, and organizer. His frankness, fearlessness and prioritizing rank-and-file’s roles in the union however saw to his having several head-on collisions with the state chairpersons in the councils he worked in.


This was one of the reasons why he was brought back to the national headquarters. Both Comrade Ayuba Wabba (National President) & Marcus Ighodalo Omokhuale (Secretary General) appreciated his talents as a unionist and mourned him on his death.


His move to the Hq came whilst I was studying in Germany & Brazil. On my return we had time to bond again, for a while. Little did I know it would be for less than 2years.


He lived with me briefly at that point in time. As I write, I remember those nights we would come home pissing drunk, to the consternation of my wife.


He always stood by me. When my family was to be thrown out by the landlord whilst I was away, he was one of the persons I turned to for a loan. And when I returned and tried to pay the debt, he refused to collect it.


I also could never deny him anything within my reach. So, when he asked me to help get Che Oyinatumba (also a leading member of our tendency at the time) a job at the Labour Party, I had to.


I walked up to Dan Nwuanyanwu, the party chair, the following day to push for this. He promptly said yes. It was the first and last favor I ever asked for from him in the twelve years we were on the LP national leadership together.


Things started to go downhill in Tes life from 2009. Nine months after delivering their daughter (Agustina Neto, her elder brother is named Cabral) on May Day 2008, his Zainab, an activist and lawyer who had been his soulmate from school died.


This hit Samore badly. I don’t think he ever recovered psychologically from that. The physiological blows came no much later. By the beginning of 2011 tuberculosis and diabetes had ravaged his body.


Unfortunately, he did not help mattes. He kept drinking even if not as much as before. We would quarrel over this several times when we met. Esther, whom he’d started dating in 2010 would also call me on many occasions to ask me to tell my brother and comrade to live the bottle.


Tes would promise to “try” each time we talked about it. But it would be the same story next time.


I remember the last time I saw him, which was a few months before his death. There was some drama to that meeting.


OSJ had informed me that Tes had been admitted at LUTH. I was in Lagos for a day’s assignment. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to leave without checking up on him.


So I called to let him know, but he wasn’t picking his calls. I then texted asking him to send details of his ward, which he did.


On getting to that men’s ward in LUTH, I couldn’t find him. I then called and he said he was there. Still confused I ask us to meet at the laundering section, got there and called. He said he was there too.


It was at that point I asked him “which hospital are you actually now?” And it turned out it was LASUTH and not LUTH.


I headed straight to LASUTH and we had a good laugh over that comedy of errors. I never knew that , that would be my last laughter with our Samore.


Rest in Power comrade. Like the rejuvenation of May, your name will be written with the spirit of spring, when our story is told.


*Baba Aye*

2/10/21

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RE: Mr. Apple of God's Eye, STOP PLAYING THE ROLE OF AN AGENT-PROVACATEUR TO DEROGATE JAF, COME TO THE OPEN TO STATE YOUR GRIEVANCES!

RE: Mr. Apple of God's Eye, STOP PLAYING THE ROLE OF AN AGENT-PROVACATEUR TO DEROGATE JAF, COME TO THE OPEN TO STATE YOUR GRIEVANCES!

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*JAF REMAINS A PRINCIPLED ORGANISATION!


1. *We should recall that as Secretary of JAF, we circulated widely a post on May 20, 2021 tagged "CHATS ON LABOUR AND THE STATE WHATSAPP (reposted below).


*2. Then, ystde May 30, the same person 'hiding' under the pseudonym Mr. Apple @ God's Eye was engaged on the same WhatsApp in another chats with the JAF Deputy Chairperson, reproduced as follows: Achk: We urge JAF affliates and members to join the Day of Action against Insecurity to be held tomorrow Monday May 31, 2021 in Abuja and a number of states nationally. Take off points are Abuja - Unity Fountain; Lagos - Ikeja UnderBridge; Oyo - NULGE Event Centre Dugbe-Onireke Road Ibadan and Osun - Freedom Park Osogbo. Time 8am


 


Is JAF just waking up from sleep. JAF and the CSO brought us to where we find our self as a country. Where are the occupy Nigerians. Who said fuel price will be 80naira and the dollar 💵 80- 100 with this administration. What is the security situation today. Is 6years now. Where’s the fuel price and dollar today. Where’s is our economy today. It is written faith without work is death. 


I do not know who this is. Let's know your name so we can engage properly. JAF did not bring anybody to where we are. Nigerians brought themselves to this place. In 2011, JAF issued a.public statement to the effect that a Jonathan presidency will not resolve the problem of misgovernance in the country. In 2015, JAF issued a public statement warning about the dangers of a Buhari presidency. The argument was that there was a deep systemic dysfunction within the Nigerian state that would have to be overthrown in other to move the country in the right direction. At no time has JAF ever supported any government from 1999 till date. I can ask the JAF Secretary to post our position statements on all occasions of change of governments on this platform."


3. *@Mr. Apple of God's eye, u need not hide your real identity, becos as someone, being a student of Malcolm X and who drinks from the fountain of his wisdoms, one can always uncover the 'hidden elements' and u ve bn uncovered! - "in the bush are hunters hunting the animals but there are also the forces who hunt the hunters" - Malcolm X


4. AS JAF, WE INVITE U TO DISCLOSE YOUR IDENTITY BEFORE WE DISCLOSE U, STATE WHAT YOUR ISSUES ARE AND STOP FRONTING FOR OTHERS! AND WE WILL ENGAGE YOU BASED ON PRINCIPLES!


Cde-Aremu

JAF Sec


*NB: as reposted!*

*CHATS ON 'LABOUR AND THE STATE WHATSAPP!* 

JAF and some CSO should hid there face in shame. They are the reason the Nigerian masses are suffering. They can not play a saint in current situation Nigerian workers find themselves. Our help is in God. 


Aby: *@ Mr. Apple of God's eye: I can speak for JAF but wouldn't know d organisations that qualified as d CSO u mentioned! We are JAF and our faces are not hidden. Our humble interventions on d side of the working people and d poor massesfor the past two decades bear testimonies to what we stand for! We don't struggle for d workers/people bcos we are not storm troopers or hired mercenaries of d workers/ people. Instead, we struggle with d workers/people because their class interest is our class interest, their cause is our cause and their aspirations are also ours! When we struggle with the workers/ people, we do not do so because of d individuals or their leaders, we struggle based on the necessity to struggle and class solidarity! Therefore, whatever we do with d class of workers/ oppressed masses, is a DUTY we owe to our class interest and we will always live up to it, bearing in mind that we also as an organisation and as individuals in the organisations, we have limitations, which we must admit, identify and overcome, in order for FORWARD MOVEMENT! If in your wisdom, u alleged or condemned as JAF as being "the reason the Nigerian masses are suffering", we want to humbly ask you to speak elaborately to it so that we can learn lessons on what u "judged" JAF has done to wrong the people! And if u ve followed JAF and check our antecedents, we have always made our identity very clear as a pro-Labour coalition and not just any egbekegbe CSOs (salute to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Abami Eda for his song - United Nations egbekegbe)! And for some us, we don't and can't run away from any struggle where the class interest of the workers and oppressed poor masses are at stake! As a learning student of ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA, I remain inspired by one of his numerous thoughts - "A BATTLE MAY BE WON OR LOST, THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT THE BATTLE MUST BE FOUGHT!*

*Comrade Abiodun Aremu, JAF Secretary*

*JAF REMAINS A PRINCIPLED ORGANISATION!


1. *We should recall that as Secretary of JAF, we circulated widely a post on May 20, 2021 tagged "CHATS ON LABOUR AND THE STATE WHATSAPP (reposted below).


*2. Then, ystde May 30, the same person 'hiding' under the pseudonym Mr. Apple @ God's Eye was engaged on the same WhatsApp in another chats with the JAF Deputy Chairperson, reproduced as follows: Achk: We urge JAF affliates and members to join the Day of Action against Insecurity to be held tomorrow Monday May 31, 2021 in Abuja and a number of states nationally. Take off points are Abuja - Unity Fountain; Lagos - Ikeja UnderBridge; Oyo - NULGE Event Centre Dugbe-Onireke Road Ibadan and Osun - Freedom Park Osogbo. Time 8am


 


Is JAF just waking up from sleep. JAF and the CSO brought us to where we find our self as a country. Where are the occupy Nigerians. Who said fuel price will be 80naira and the dollar 💵 80- 100 with this administration. What is the security situation today. Is 6years now. Where’s the fuel price and dollar today. Where’s is our economy today. It is written faith without work is death. 


I do not know who this is. Let's know your name so we can engage properly. JAF did not bring anybody to where we are. Nigerians brought themselves to this place. In 2011, JAF issued a.public statement to the effect that a Jonathan presidency will not resolve the problem of misgovernance in the country. In 2015, JAF issued a public statement warning about the dangers of a Buhari presidency. The argument was that there was a deep systemic dysfunction within the Nigerian state that would have to be overthrown in other to move the country in the right direction. At no time has JAF ever supported any government from 1999 till date. I can ask the JAF Secretary to post our position statements on all occasions of change of governments on this platform."


3. *@Mr. Apple of God's eye, u need not hide your real identity, becos as someone, being a student of Malcolm X and who drinks from the fountain of his wisdoms, one can always uncover the 'hidden elements' and u ve bn uncovered! - "in the bush are hunters hunting the animals but there are also the forces who hunt the hunters" - Malcolm X


4. AS JAF, WE INVITE U TO DISCLOSE YOUR IDENTITY BEFORE WE DISCLOSE U, STATE WHAT YOUR ISSUES ARE AND STOP FRONTING FOR OTHERS! AND WE WILL ENGAGE YOU BASED ON PRINCIPLES!


Cde-Aremu

JAF Sec


*NB: as reposted!*

*CHATS ON 'LABOUR AND THE STATE WHATSAPP!* 

JAF and some CSO should hid there face in shame. They are the reason the Nigerian masses are suffering. They can not play a saint in current situation Nigerian workers find themselves. Our help is in God. 


Aby: *@ Mr. Apple of God's eye: I can speak for JAF but wouldn't know d organisations that qualified as d CSO u mentioned! We are JAF and our faces are not hidden. Our humble interventions on d side of the working people and d poor massesfor the past two decades bear testimonies to what we stand for! We don't struggle for d workers/people bcos we are not storm troopers or hired mercenaries of d workers/ people. Instead, we struggle with d workers/people because their class interest is our class interest, their cause is our cause and their aspirations are also ours! When we struggle with the workers/ people, we do not do so because of d individuals or their leaders, we struggle based on the necessity to struggle and class solidarity! Therefore, whatever we do with d class of workers/ oppressed masses, is a DUTY we owe to our class interest and we will always live up to it, bearing in mind that we also as an organisation and as individuals in the organisations, we have limitations, which we must admit, identify and overcome, in order for FORWARD MOVEMENT! If in your wisdom, u alleged or condemned as JAF as being "the reason the Nigerian masses are suffering", we want to humbly ask you to speak elaborately to it so that we can learn lessons on what u "judged" JAF has done to wrong the people! And if u ve followed JAF and check our antecedents, we have always made our identity very clear as a pro-Labour coalition and not just any egbekegbe CSOs (salute to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Abami Eda for his song - United Nations egbekegbe)! And for some us, we don't and can't run away from any struggle where the class interest of the workers and oppressed poor masses are at stake! As a learning student of ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA, I remain inspired by one of his numerous thoughts - "A BATTLE MAY BE WON OR LOST, THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT THE BATTLE MUST BE FOUGHT!*

*Comrade Abiodun Aremu, JAF Secretary*

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