News
Alleged planned attack: You’re just speculating, FG tells NLC
![](https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot_20240226-110859-1.png)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has alleged that the State has perfected plans to launch attack against the two-day nationwide peaceful rallies it scheduled for Feb. 27 and 28.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero made the allegation in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
In a swift response, however, the Federal Government has denied the allegation describing it as “speculative.”
Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy said, by raising the allegation, “NLC is feeling guilty in hatching its hidden agenda influenced by partisan considerations.”
Onanuga who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the alleged attack, said the planned protest was illegal as it was against a subsisting order of court.
He said the NLC had hidden agenda because most of the issues raised by labour for embarking on the protest had been addressed by the government.
Ajaero in his statement entitled, “As the State Prepares to Unleash Violence on us” alleged that one of the groups being primed to attack the peaceful rallies was by a nebulous name, Nigeria Civil Society Forum (NCSF).
“NCSF is one of the emergency groups put together, funded, promoted and remote-controlled by government to cause violence against our members for electing to peacefully protest against the hunger in the land.
“We would want the State to know that the solution to our horrible economic situation and hunger is not by suppressing peaceful dissent or inflicting violence on peacefully protesting citizens,” he said.
Ajaero insisted that the NLC and civil society allies were moving ahead with the protest rallies against economic hardship and insecurity in line with the decision of the National Executive Council.
“As citizens, we have a fundamental right to peaceful protest and history bears us witness that our protests are always peaceful except in instances of State-engineered violence.
“In light of this, we advise the State to put on its thinking cap and find solutions to the pains it continues to cause the people instead of further dehumanising them,” he said.
Onanuga, however, insisted that the issues raised by the labour had been addressed by the government, including the payment of wage award of N35,000 for six months.
He said the money had been paid to civil servants up till the month of January 2024 and only that of the month of February was outstanding.
The President’s aide said the federal government had inaugurated a 37-Member Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage to review and come up with an acceptable and sustainable Minimum Wage for the Nigerian Workers.
He said government had made substantial financial commitments on the provision of CNG Buses and conversion Kits.
According to Onanuga, the busses would be rolled out very soon to alleviate the transportation challenges being faced by Nigerians.
[NAN]
News
Tinubu Fires Top Appointee Over Alleged N1.4 Billion Embezzlement
![](https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bola-Tinubu.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu has sacked Sani Auwalu Balarabe from his position as HoD, Chief of the Intercountry Centre for Oral Health for Africa, ICOH, over an alleged embezzlement of N1.4 billion during his tenure.
As far as one could gather from the People’s Gazette, the appointment of Balarabe was terminated on the 18th of July, following a spate of petitions that related to financial misconduct and investigations. The president appointed one Taiwo Olaniyi to replace him.
In January, several petitions were sent to the House of Assembly, EFCC, Ministry of Health, and other government agencies to investigate activities of Balarabe at ICOH. The petitions leveled accusations against Balarabe, saying that he had not conducted any research despite the institute receiving huge budgetary allocations, which is its core mandate.
One of the petitions dated January 16 had this: “Despite all these budgetary allocations, the centre has not produced a single oral health research project, which is its core mandate and the reason for its establishment.
It further brought to the fore that projects initiated under Balarabe’s administration, such as the construction of a remodeled dental clinic and administration block and the procurement of project vehicles, costing over N700 million, were never completed.
The petitions also accused him of backdating the appointment letters for new staff and paying them arrears of their salary, with such money to be returned to a particular account. These funds are said to have been applied toward some expenses at ICOH.
The sacking of Balarabe clearly typified President Tinubu’s commitment to corruption fighting and making those in charge of public institutions accountable.
News
Finally, IGP approves hunger protests across Nigeria
![](https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kayode-Egbetokun1.jpg)
The Nigerian police has finally approved the planned nationwide protests and outlined conditions for participants.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, revealed this on Friday while addressing journalists in Abuja.
He urged all groups planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
The police boss said this was to ensure the protest was peaceful.
Egbetokun said, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest.
“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.
“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”
The police boss said the information expected from the organisers also include measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers.
By providing the information, he said, the police will be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.
He said the police needed to know the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
Mr Egbetokun said the police will “establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.
News
Reps North-West Caucus Beg Youths, Citizens In The Region Not To Join Planned Protest
![](https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240726_155935-scaled.jpg)
-
News23 hours ago
Tinubu, Southern Govs Mourn Iwuanyanwu
-
News23 hours ago
Sokoto Governor, Aliyu’s Wife Holds Lavish Birthday As Guests Spray Dollar Notes On Her Amid Hunger, Hardship
-
News23 hours ago
Protest: President Tinubu In Closed-door Meeting With Traditional Rulers (Video)
-
News20 hours ago
Nationwide protest: ‘Airport Is Filled Up, Govs, Senators, Reps, Ministers Traveling Abroad’ — Fayose
-
Metro24 hours ago
8 School Children Rescued In Lokoja Auto Crash
-
News24 hours ago
Court fixes date to hear suit challenging Shaibu’s reinstatement
-
News24 hours ago
Nationwide protest: NYCN orders members to be on standby
-
News24 hours ago
Hermaphrodite shares story of how she put 2 women in family way