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NLC President Leads Protesters To National Assembly, says Nigerians are dying of hunger
…as NASS Leadership say efforts on to urgently address problem
By Gloria Ikibah
The Nigeria labour Congress NLC, has commenced its two-day national protest in Abuja.
Addressing members of the national Assembly on Tuesday at the NASS complex, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who decried that Nigerians are dying of hunger as a result of the economic hardship in the country, urged the Federal Government to urgently address the situation.
Naijablitznews.com reports that Comrade Ajaero led thousands of protesters including civil society organizations in protest against the economic hardship.
He said: “We thank everyone for making this happen. Today has come to pass. They said we should not be but we are here. We are here because there is hunger in the land. History will not forgive us if we do not protest at the level of hunger in the land. It is to signal to the authorities that there is a problem in the land”.
Tje NLC President further lamented the falling value of the Naira, growing insecurity, and rising unemployment among other issues.
He said that immediate measures must be taken to address the suffering, adding that the NLC would decide its next line of action.
The NLC President presented a letter containing their grievances to the representative of the leadership of the National Assembly.
Chairman Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang, who accepted the letter on behalf of the National Assembly said they were aware of the hardship and assured that efforts would be made to urgently address the situation.
He promised that the letter would be dispatched accordingly.
“We are supposed to stand in for Nigerians where it pinches them. I want to assure you that the National Assembly is very sensitive to what is happening, very sensitive.
“The leadership of the National Assembly, yesterday, the Senate President and the Speaker met. I was with them. We parted around 12 midnight and all the issue is about bringing solution to the suffering and yearnings of Nigerians.
“We are at a very critical period that Nigeria is taking a decision that would be of economic advantage to all of us.
“My plea and our plea is for the union to reason with us, understand with us. There is no way we will allow this thing to continue. But steps must be taken.
“Already the 15th agenda of the Memorandum of Understanding given between government and labour are being tackled. The last issue that is in place is the issue of minimum wage and negotiations are going on.
“There is no way that we will not end up with a resolution and a decision that will benefit Nigerians.
“I assure you that all of us, the press, general public, everybody is feeling it, but Nigeria will succeed. The president will succeed. We will succeed. We are very sensitive to it. So may God Almighty, help us to maximize our potentials, maximize our natural resources, may we intervene in such a way that all Nigerians will be able to exploit the God-given wealth that we have. We are all on the same page”, he stated.
Also, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Labour and Productivity, Rep. Adefarati Adeboyega, supported his Senate counterpart.
“We will take your letter to the leadership of the Nation Assembly. Very soon you will hear from us. We are facing the same challenges.
The economic challenges and hardship faced by Nigeria is borne by everybody.
“I want to assure you that the leadership of the National Assembly will look into your request and demands and take swift and bold action. I can assure you Nigeria will breathe again,” he added.
Naijablitznews.com reports that various security agencies were seen stationed around the entery and exit points of the National Assembly particularly the Federal Secretariat axis to ensure the orderliness of the action.
Despite several warning by some security agencies, the NLC went ahead with a protest against the economic hardship in the country.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the DSS had last week warned that some persons are planning to use the opportunity of the planned protests by organized labour slated for 27th and 28th February to foment crisis and widespread violence.
The Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, DSS National Headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Peter Afunanya, in a statement, had called on labour to shelve the action meant to protest the economic situation in the country in the interest of peace.
He had urged that they pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conducts that could heighten tensions in the country.
These entreaties however seem to have fell on deaf ears as the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, insisted that the protest must go on.
News
Video: Watch moment Senator Manu tasks NAFDAC officials on poor budget presentation
The Senator representing Taraba Central, Manu Haruna white washed officials of NAFDAC for poor budget presentation during 2025 budget defense on Friday.
In a video, Senator Manu a former Deputy Governor of Taraba State opened the underbelly of NAFDAC on improper presentation of figures in the outlines.
He pointedly told the officials that the presentation was designed to mislead senators.
Watch video below:
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Why I returned N100m excess fund to Kano Govt Commissioner
The Kano State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tajo Othman, who was recently in the news for returning N100 million excess fund to the state government, has revealed the reason behind his action.
The commissioner while addressing newsmen in Kano on Friday said his action was influenced by the state governor’s “exemplary leadership style,” adding that in an ideal situation, leaders are always a pace setter for others to follow.
He said he did not expect Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf to reveal the act to the public, but the governor chose to do so during the flag-off of the free uniform distribution to encourage the future generation to be transparent.
He said, “In an ideal governance setting, the leader is a pace setter for others to follow. We have seen the governor’s body language and as such we fall in. That is what exactly happened. it is the wish of the governor that everybody should be as transparent as possible.
“He is a transparent governor and therefore we should be transparent as well. I never expected the governor to go public with it, but I believe the reason behind his announcement is indeed genuine.”
The commissioner added that as the head of the committee for school uniform distribution, the state governor entrusted him with the task and advised the committee to execute it to the best of their ability.
The commissioner who was a retired customs officer was in the news when the Governor Yusuf publicly commended him for returning N100 million in unspent funds from a N2 billion budget earmarked for the production of 798,000 uniforms for pupils of primary 1 in the state.
News
Nigerian Online Population Shows Strong Enthusiasm for AI – Report
A new global survey report from Ipsos and Google has shown widespread use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among Nigerian online population.
The study, tagged: “Our Life with AI: From Innovation to Application,” surveyed 21,000 people across 21 countries, and observed that global AI usage has jumped to 48 per cent and excitement about its potential now exceeds concerns (57 per cent vs. 43 per cent, up from 50 per cent / 50 per cent last year).
According to the report, in Nigeria, AI adoption and enthusiasm are even higher, as 70 per cent of the Nigerian online population used generative AI, surpassing the 48 per cent global average. Moreover, 87 per cent are excited about AI’s potential and see its benefits outweighing the risks.
Analysing the report, President of Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, Kent Walker, said: “AI is starting to deliver magic at scale, making people’s lives easier and better. The survey results show the more people use these tools, the more excited they get about the possibilities and about the personal, professional, and scientific breakthroughs on the way.”
The survey results indicate that optimism about AI is growing within the surveyed online community in Nigeria. Key findings from the survey, show that among survey participants in Nigeria, 70 per cent reported using generative AI in the past year, which is significantly higher than the global average of 48 per cent. A substantial 87 per cent of Nigerian respondents feel that AI’s potential benefits outweigh the associated risks, suggesting a strong belief in the positive impact of AI. A significant 81 per cent of surveyed Nigerian adults believe AI will positively change the economy.
Furthermore, 90 per cent of the survey respondents in Nigeria anticipate AI having a positive impact on science and medicine, demonstrating the widespread belief in the potential of AI to drive progress in these sectors.
According to the report, Nigeria’s online population demonstrates a higher level of excitement and adoption of AI when compared to other regions. The survey indicates: Nigeria is among the top countries in terms of AI usage and excitement about its potential.
This contrasts with more cautious sentiment in some European and North American countries.
The report also said the Nigerian online community saw immense potential for AI in science and medical advancements:
“A significant 90 per cent of survey respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on science and medicine. This is one of the highest rates globally, highlighting the strong anticipation of breakthroughs in these fields through AI,” the report said, and onlinerd that the population in Nigeria recognised AI’s potential to enhance personal and professional development:
“Many believe AI can make people’s lives better by boosting productivity and providing access to resources. Within the Nigerian online population surveyed, there is a prevailing sentiment that supports the fostering of AI advancement rather than restrictive regulations. This suggests that those surveyed are keen to embrace innovation,” the report further said.
The survey results highlight the strong enthusiasm and optimism of the surveyed online population in Nigeria about the role of AI in various aspects of life, particularly in the economy, healthcare, and scientific advancement. The findings suggest that Nigeria’s online community is among the most enthusiastic globally about the transformative potential of AI.
Google has been pursuing AI boldly and responsibly for years. In 2018, Google was one of the first companies to establish AI Principles grounded in beneficial use and avoidance of harm. Two years ago, it unveiled its opportunity agenda, which shard concrete recommendations for governments to ensure AI benefits the broadest range of people possible.
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