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Hardship: Nationwide Protest Must Hold, DSS Can Keep Its Unsolicited Advice – NLC President, Ajaero
The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has explained why the labour union is determined to embark on the planned nationwide hunger protest across the country on February 27 and 28.
Ajaero, who gave the explanation on Friday evening while speaking on X space hosted by SaharaReporters, also clarified that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had never been part of the planned protest from the beginning.
Asked of the specific challenges facing Nigerians that necessitated the declaration of the two-day nationwide protest and the position of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ajaero listed the high cost of food items, cement, transport, amongst others, which according to him were orchestrated by removal of fuel subsidy.
He said, “Clearly speaking, TUC has never been part of the action from conception. The only warning signal was the TUC coming out to say they are not part of it, even when we didn’t say they are part of it.
“For them to have gone further to deduce some letters disassociating themselves and leaking it to the media. Such statements were unprovoked. Their letter coming the same day the DSS sent a letter to us, warning us to shelve the protest, gives course to odd.
“The NLC at its National Executive Council last Friday, resolved to have a two-day protest on the cost of living on the high sea faced by Nigerians, and by implication, workers, to make their (NLC) position known, not just to the government but to every Nigerian.”
Ajaero said that the NLC in its response told the DSS “To keep their unsolicited advice; because history will not forgive NLC if we should keep quiet at this moment in Nigeria’s political history.”
On mobilisation for the planned protest, the NLC President said that all industrial unions in the country and 36 state councils and Abuja had resolved to organise the protest, adding that the union had started forwarding all the mobilisation materials to all the states, and had held several meetings with the union’s civil society allies.
Ajaero said that “The whole crisis of this hardship and hunger started with the removal of fuel subsidy,” stressing that “The moment that was touched, transportation and everything associated with it went up, that even if a wanted to go to a bush market to buy plantain, before she would transport it to the town, a lot of money has gone into it, and it will go out of the reach of an ordinary man.”
He said that this was further aggravated by the free float of the Naira “Where Naira today is getting to almost N2,000 per Dollar.”
According to him, “The implication of that is that every other neighbouring country’s currencies are higher than Nigeria in value and that has led to a very large extent, the issue of smuggling.
“For a businesswoman, no matter how primitive and local, who knows that if she sells a paint of garri for N3,000, if she takes it through the border between Nigeria and Cotonou or Nigeria and Niger Republic, she will sell it maybe for N7,000, she would find her way to that area. To that extent, food will no longer be cheap and available to the common man.”
The NLC President further noted that those who have their children abroad, some of the children are really suffering at the moment.
He said that this is “Because, assuming there is any worker that is earning N1 million in Nigeria, but I doubt, if you convert it, you will hardly get maybe $500. Now, you can’t even take care of your kids.”
He added that “In that circumstances, school fees seem to have jumped up. Cost of cement has jumped up. We may say that it is someone who has money that is building a house, the people who manage to build can’t rent it because of the costs of cement and other building materials.
“There is nothing that the Nigerian government has a competitive advantage that will make people import such products from Nigeria. The only one which is crude oil, the government has equally not been refining it here. A bag of rice now is about N70,000 and above.
“An average worker who holds a wage economy, some of them earn N30,000, and that N30,000 most states are not paying it. And that N30,000 is not enough for you to transport yourself to office to and fro for about 20 days. Those are the challenges we have.”
Ex-presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu, has said it is possible to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election if the opposition gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) close monitoring.
Momodu made the remark during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, stressing that removing President Tinubu from office is not impossible.
According to the politician, who recently announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the opposition needs candidates with the political strength and capacity to challenge the ruling party.
“I don’t know why people think it’s impossible that Asiwaju is not removable. Trust me, as long as we give INEC close marking, and that is why you need candidates who will be able to generate the firepower,” he said
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Parade and Wreath-Laying Ceremony took place at the National Arcade in Abuja on Thursday
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Benjamin Kalu, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, and other dignitaries attended the event.
Vice President Shettima at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, January 15, 2026
The dignitaries were led to the cenotaph in a solemn march by soldiers, where they laid a wreath in remembrance of the fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to the nation.
Prayers were also conducted for the living and fallen heroes who fought gallantly for global peace and national integration.
The prayers were led by the Director of Chaplain Services (Protestants) Army, Colonel Rev. B.P. Nyam; followed by the Director of Air Force Islamic Affairs, Group Captain H. Idris; and finally, the Director of Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic), Navy Captain Very Rev. Fr. R.C. Diala.
Following the prayers, a minute of silence was observed in honour of the fallen heroes, immediately followed by the firing of the artillery gun.
The wreath-laying ceremony, which involves the placing of flowers at a memorial site, then commenced at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Leading the wreath-laying ceremony was Vice President Kashim Shettima, who solemnly proceeded to lay the wreath, accompanied by the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya.
Next to lay wreaths were the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
Following them, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, laid her wreath, immediately succeeded by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Abbas Salaheeden, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cameroon.
The Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, and the Inspector General of Police also participated in laying wreaths to honour the fallen heroes.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) is observed annually on 15 January. It serves to honor veterans of World War I and II, as well as the Nigerian Civil War, and to commemorate the servicemen of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
News
Armed Forces Remembrance Day: HoR minority caucus honour Nigeria’s fallen heroes, say “your sacrifices not forgotten”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The House of Representatives Minority Caucus commemorate with Nigerians on 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, says their sacrifices cannot be forgotten.
This was contained in a commemorative message signed on behalf of the caucus leadership by the Minority Leader, Rep Kingsley Ogundu Chinda stating that:
“Today, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives joins the rest of the nation in solemn reflection as we honour the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism of the gallant men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces (past and present) who laid down their lives in defence of our country.
“On this Armed Forces Remembrance Day, we remember with deep gratitude those who paid the ultimate price to preserve Nigeria’s sovereignty, unity, and democratic ideals.
“Their selfless service, often rendered in the face of grave danger and personal loss, remains a powerful reminder that our freedoms were hard-won and must never be taken for granted.
“We also salute our wounded heroes and veterans whose sacrifices did not end on the battlefield, as well as the families of fallen soldiers who continue to bear the pain of loss with quiet strength and dignity.
” Your resilience embodies the true spirit of national service, and the nation owes you an enduring debt of gratitude.
“As a Caucus, we reaffirm our commitment to the welfare of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
“This includes sustained advocacy for improved welfare packages, adequate equipment, mental health support, timely pensions, and the fulfilment of all statutory obligations owed to those who have served our nation with honour.
“At a time when our country continues to confront security challenges, we urge renewed national unity, responsible leadership, and collective resolve to support our Armed Forces, not only in words, but through concrete policies and actions that strengthen morale, accountability, and professionalism within the security sector.
“May the souls of our fallen heroes rest in perfect peace. May their sacrifices continue to inspire us to work tirelessly for a safer, more just, and more united Nigeria.
“We remember. We honour. We will never forget.
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VP Shettima, Akpabio, Other Dignitaries Commemorate Armed Forces Remembrance
Armed Forces Remembrance Day: HoR minority caucus honour Nigeria’s fallen heroes, say “your sacrifices not forgotten”
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