News
JUST IN: Police Seal NLC Office In Lagos Over Planned Nationwide Protests
…as protesters converge in Lagos
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Police Force has sealed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) office in Lagos State to prevent the planned nationwide protest against hunger and hardship.
The protest, scheduled by the NLC for February 27 and 28, aimed to address the economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
Activist and national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Hassan Taiwo, shared an image on Monday morning showing armed police personnel stationed in front of the NLC headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos State.
According to Taiwo, a few comrades were sealed off in the building, uncertain about the developments awaiting them.
The NLC issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government regarding widespread hardship, leading to organising the protest.
However, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urged the NLC to cancel the protest.
Despite warnings from the government and concerns from other quarters, the NLC insisted that the protest would proceed as planned.
It accused the government of preparing to attack peaceful rallies and alleged the involvement of certain groups in causing violence against protestors.
The NLC President, in a statement, emphasised the right to peaceful protest and warned against suppressing dissent or inflicting violence on peaceful protestors.
The statement also mentioned the potential deployment of state-sponsored terror and expressed the NLC’s determination to proceed with the protest.
In anticipation of the upcoming organized labor protest set to commence on Tuesday, the ‘Take It Back Movement’, a human rights group, has initiated a nationwide demonstration in Lagos State to address the prevailing economic hardships in the country.
This action occurs despite the caution issued by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, against violent behavior or activities that could disrupt public order, such as obstructing traffic and impeding commercial operations within the state.
Fayoade reassured residents of Lagos that appropriate security measures had been enacted to safeguard lives and property, regardless of any protest activity.
However, disregarding the police warning, the ‘Take It Back Movement’ proceeded with their demonstration on Monday, brandishing placards as they marched through the streets.
In a related development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned that protesters nationwide must not face harm or harassment during the planned protest scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its national president, Joe Ajaero, the NLC expressed concerns over potential state-sponsored tactics aimed at thwarting the protests.
The NLC warned that any aggression against protesters would be met with severe consequences, including a complete shutdown and withdrawal of services.
Despite government attempts to intimidate them, the NLC reiterated its commitment to the planned protest, citing the urgent need to address escalating economic challenges, including rising inflation, food prices, forex shortages, and the removal of petrol subsidies.
News
I’ve never lied against anyone, says Dele Farotimi after regaining freedom
A human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, has been released from the correctional centre in Ekiti State after meeting his bail conditions.
Farotimi was released on Tuesday morning.
Last week Friday, at a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, granted Farotimi bail conditions, including a N30 million bond, two sureties, one of whom must be a property owner, a submission of Farotimi’s passport and a prohibition of Farotimi granting media interviews once released.
However, addressing media personnel after his release, Farotimi said he had never had any course to lie against anyone in his life, adding that whatever he had said about someone or an institution was true.
“It is not ever an easy journey when you are fighting evil, but some years back, before I started this work, God told me that the truth is enough. It is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria, which is the truth. In my war against the evil empire that we all lived in, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know, I will say I don’t know,” he said.
Recall, on July 2, Farotimi released a book titled ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.
Months after the 116-page book’s release, renowned legal luminary Afe Babalola accused Farotimi of defamation, and this led to the human rights lawyer being arrested in a Gestapo-like manner at his Lagos office by a group of policemen attached to the Ekiti State Police Command on December 3.
Farotimi was then subsequently transported to Ekiti State.
Apart from the defamation charges initially brought against Farotimi at an Ekiti State Magistrate Court by Babalola’s team, Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police also filed 12 additional charges against the lawyer at an Ekiti Federal High Court on December 6.
Apart from the defamation charges initially brought against Farotimi at an Ekiti State Magistrate Court by Babalola’s team, Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police also filed 12 additional charges against the lawyer at an Ekiti Federal High Court on December 6.
The PUNCH reports that Farotimi was arraigned in court on charges bordering on defamation and cyberbullying, stemming from a petition by legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Afe Babalola, who alleged that Farotimi defamed him in his book.
According to the police, Farotimi, in the book, accused Babalola and other SANs of corrupting Justices of the Supreme Court.
News
Doctors demand 70-year retirement age in new FEC memo
The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria has revealed that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, is set to submit a memo to the Federal Executive Council regarding their demands to harmonise the retirement age for medical consultants to 70 years.
Additionally, Pate and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, plan to submit a joint memo to the Presidential Committee on Salaries, advocating the universal application of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure for medical lecturers.
MDCAN recently embarked on a seven-day warning strike on November 18 to push for these demands.
The strike, however, was suspended after six days, following government intervention in a dispute over the Vice-Chancellor position at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, which addressed one of the association’s core concerns.
The association has reiterated its demand for the harmonisation of medical consultants’ retirement age to 70 years and for the universal application of CONMESS to all medical and dental officers.
Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, MDCAN President, Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, confirmed progress on the memos.
“We have seen the draft of the memo and included our input, but I am unsure of its current stage with the ministers. They are in the process of submitting it to the Federal Executive Council for consideration,” he said.
“The Minister of Health and the Minister of Education will jointly submit the memo on salary harmonisation to the Presidential Committee on Salaries.
We urge them to fulfil their commitments from the conciliation process to resolve these issues before our next meeting in January 2025.”
MDCAN’s next meeting is scheduled to take place from January 20 to 25, 2025, where further actions may be determined.
News
Ex-Presidents’ wives lament disrespect after husbands’ tenure
Wives of former presidents of African countries have lamented that they suffer systemic neglect, find themselves abandoned, stripped of their resources and dignity and relegated to obscurity after their husbands leave office or pass away.
The ex-presidents’ wives rendered these lamentations when they converged on Conakry, Republic of Guinea, for a conference aimed at having a formidable Former Presidents’ Wives Coalition.
From one former President’s wife to the others who spoke, it was similar tales of struggle and loss that they suffered, attributing it to a systemic issue that required urgent attention.
Championing the cause, Andre Toure, widow of Guinea’s late President Sekou Toure, said the coalition aimed to revive the aspirations of former Presidents’ wives and ensure they do not fade into oblivion after their public service.
“The coalition is to challenge the stigma and neglect faced by former Presidents’ wives, advocating their dignity and respect in society; to create a historical narrative that honours their contributions by establishing a museum dedicated to their lives and legacies, thus ensuring their stories are documented and remembered,” Toure said in a statement made available to The PUNCH.
Toure said the coalition’s vision is shared by former Presidents’ wives, Fatmata Momoh (Sierra Leone); and Isabel Vieira (Guinea-Bissau).
“We are here to combat the unfortunate reality that many former Presidents’ wives face after their husbands leave office.
“These women, who once held esteemed positions, often find themselves abandoned, stripped of their resources and dignity, and relegated to obscurity.
We are united by our shared experiences and our commitment to change this narrative.
“We are not just figures from the past; we have played significant roles in our nation’s histories, and we deserve recognition and respect. But, we are treated with indifference and disrespect after our husbands’ political careers end,” Toure said.
The tales of the struggle and loss of the widow of late President Samuel Kedo were also relayed at the conference.
Though she noted that the coalition’s impact waned over time due to disappointments and lack of sustained commitment from potential allies, she said the former Presidents’ wives were now dedicated to empowering their members and advocating for their rights.
As part of the efforts, Toure said the coalition would embark on a tour across various African nations, introducing their initiative to other former Presidents’ wives and seeking support from international partners.
She said, “The coalition’s mission is not only about advocacy; it’s a call for international partners, governments, and civil society to recognise the vital roles these women have played and to support their initiatives aimed at creating a more equitable and dignified existence for former Presidents’ wives across Africa.
“Their journey is a collective effort to reshape the narrative around women in leadership roles and to ensure that the sacrifices and contributions of these women are honoured and preserved for future generations.”
Credit: PUNCH
-
Opinion22 hours ago
HASSAN TAIYE EJIBUNU: CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE, HUMILITY, AND ALTRUISM
-
News23 hours ago
Bandits snatch Christmas foodstuffs, drinks from Kaduna residents
-
News23 hours ago
Tinubu Bombs Obasa Over Controversial Lagos Council Law
-
News19 hours ago
Just in: Ooni Ex- Queen Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat, others to spend Christmas in prison
-
News16 hours ago
BREAKING: Human Rights Lawyer Dele Farotimi Released
-
News23 hours ago
Mozambique Top Court Confirms Ruling Party Disputed Win
-
News17 hours ago
NASC backpedals reverses Atiku’s appointment as DCNA, replaces him with Yero
-
News14 hours ago
WATCH moment Tinubu hails FCT minister for his doggedness, sterling performance