News

Mass Protest Looming over fake election, tanker drivers raise alarm

Published

4 months ago

July 24, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A prominent member of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, PTD, Comrade Olaitan Idris, during the week, raised an alarm over looming crisis by its members over the continued parading of some disgruntled elements of the union as their elected executive officers in total breach of recent court order that a genuine election should be conducted and credible officers elected to fill vacant positions in the union.

Comrade Olaitan said that those people claiming to be elected officers sat in a private meeting and arrogated themselves positions in the union in disobedience of a subsisting court order and took laws into their hands believing that they will use money to buy their ways into the leadership of the union stating that their action must be urgently stopped in order to avert serious riot amongst members of the union.

Tracing the genesis of the division in the union, Comrade Olaitan said that trouble started after a former National Chairman of the union, Otunba Salmon Akanni Oladiti (now NUPENG Trustee) completed his tenure but refused to give way to his deputy, Lucky Osesua.

“He insisted on signing the union cheques and control activities at the Lagos zone where he was a former chairman. “In fact, he skillfully orchestrated willful plans to remain relevant and found allies in engaging top officials of NUPENG especially the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale with a view to getting their support.

“The first thing they did was to change our bye laws without a memorandum to suit his ill conceived ambitious goal to be the forthcoming NUPENG President.

They continued their personal agenda in total breach of our bye laws and they disorganized the entire PTD. NUPENG is a mother body of over 150 branches. Why should they pitch their tent in PTD if they don’t have a wicked and vicious motive?

“There was supposed to be election in 2022 after the end of the tenure of PTD leadership in Lagos state and the next Warri Zone but instead of conducting a peaceful transition to take over because Lagos tenure has terminated, the next tenure is Warri Zone which Otunba has no say as a member like others, they connived with a member from Warri and challenged the eligibility of Osesua.

They went to court and the eligibility of Lucky Osezua was confirmed. Unfortunately, this did not go well with the opposers and they connived with NUPENG and took over the affairs of PTD.

“ I am calling on all relevant government agencies including law enforcement agencies, particularly DSS, Police, NSCDC, EFCC etc, to step into the matter because these people are holding our teeming members to ransom. There should be proper election according to the order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and that all the suspended officers should return to their various duties.

The law of labor does not permit all these nonsense and lawless election and malpractices they are doing is politicizing the union unnecessarily. They think they can pocket the judiciary.

“Peace will be restored if the right penalty could be awarded to those who messed up the court order. The court cannot rule the union but the court can correct every lawless act in the Union. I foresee riot, massive protest and violence, let us reason together in the interest of our nation.

“The situation in Nigeria now is terrible and all the arms of the government are trying their possible best to fix things but in PTD, a group of vicious cabals are sabotaging the life and income of people. A hungry man is an angry man. If tanker drivers should be allowed to troop into the streets in protest, the economy will suffer.

“We are, therefore, crying out for justice because I know that the cabal has denied means of livelihood to a lot of our members and they have not been able to feed their families for upwards of two years now.

“They have lost their properties, living from hand to mouth and many of them are now bankrupt. What they are doing now is to mislead members of the public and relevant authorities to believe that there was an election. It is criminal and must be treated as such.”

News

President Tinubu Leaves Brazil After G20 Summit

Published

49 minutes ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

President Bola Tinubu has departed Galeao Air force Basa (SBGL) Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, for Abuja after attending the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The President is due to arrive at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.00 p.m. (Nigerian time).

President Tinubu had attended the G20 Leaders summit where he endorsed the global alliance against hunger and poverty, which he said was pivotal.

The President also held bilateral talks with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who commended his administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.

He also presided over the signing of a 2.5 billion dollar Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and the JBS S.A., a Brazilian company and one of the top three largest meat processing companies in the World.

The president was accompanied in the trip by senior government officials including the minister of foreign affairs yusuf Tuggar, the national security adviser, Nuhu RIBADU and many others.

News

HoR to lead historic march, other Key initiatives against gender-based violence

Published

57 minutes ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

In commemoration of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the House of Representatives will lead a landmark march on Monday, November 25, 2024, along with other strategic activities as part of its unwavering commitment to eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement issued by the HoR spokesperson, Rotimi Akin, Jr on Saturday.

According to him the march, which starts at 8:00 AM, will bring together over 1,000 participants – including Representatives and members of the public – on a symbolic walk from the National Assembly to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.

This demonstration of solidarity will culminate in the submission of a petition to the Inspector General of Police, demanding decisive action to safeguard vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for perpetrators of GBV.

“This march and the associated activities are not just symbolic gestures, they reflect our resolve and call to action against gender-based violence head-on,” said Hon. Abbas Tajudeen,, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“We stand united in the fight to protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable. Together, through collective action and legislative reforms, we can build a society where safety, justice, and equality prevail.”

Beyond the march, the 10th House of Representatives in alignment with its Legislative Agenda (2023 – 2027) has outlined *key activities to sustain awareness and action throughout the 16 Days of Activism:*

1. *Sash Demonstration Ceremony* – Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Members of the House will don orange sashes, symbolising solidarity with the fight against GBV, during plenary sessions throughout the campaign period.

2. *Convergence of State Assembly Speakers* – Monday, December 9, 2024
A strategic meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will bring together Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to discuss legislative strategies for combating GBV nationwide.

3. *National Citizens’ Summit and GBV Conference 2024 -* Tuesday, December 10, 2024
This summit will conclude the 16 Days of Activism with discussions on constitutional reforms and securing endorsements for gender equality initiatives championed by the House.

The House of Representatives invites all Nigerians to *participate in this historic march on Monday, November 25, 2024.* Participants will receive orange T-shirts—the official colour of the United Nations campaign to end violence against women—symbolising hope for a future free of violence.

*Details of the March:*

• *Date:* Monday, November 25, 2024
• *Time:* 8:00 AM
• *Starting Point:* Speaker’s Car Park, National Assembly
• *End Point:* Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters

Gender-based violence continues to devastate families and communities across Nigeria. The 10th House of Representatives however, remains steadfast in driving systemic reforms, fostering collaboration, and championing accountability to address this pervasive issue.

Together, let us take a decisive stand for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights, paving the way for a safer, more equitable Nigeria.

News

Police rescue abducted Emirates Airlines Airport Services Manager

Published

1 hour ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Ghana Police Service has announced that Sylvia Patience Baah, the Airport Services Manager of Emirate Airlines in Accra, who was kidnapped has been rescued.

The Police said the victim is currently reunited with her family.

“The Ghana Police Service would like to state that the victim of the alleged kidnapping, Sylvia Patience Baah, the Airport Services Manager of Emirate, Airlines in Accra, has been rescued and reunited with her family.” The Police said in a statement.

According to the Police, a team of Police medical officers and clinical psychologists have been assigned to assist the family to ensure that everything is in a perfect condition and assured the family and the general public that the suspect will be arrested and face the law

“Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has spoken to the victim and her family and they are in good spirits. A team of Police medical officers and clinical psychologists have been assigned to assist the family during this critical time.” Part of the statement read.

Transparent, Rewarding!
The victim was allegedly kidnapped by an unknown men on Thursday ,November 21, 2024 night.

Below is the full statement:

KIDNAPPED VICTIM, SYLVIA PATIENCE BAAH RESCUED

The Ghana Police Service would like to state that the victim of the alleged kidnapping, Sylvia Patience Baah, the Airport Services Manager of Emirate Airlines in Accra, has been rescued and reunited with her family.

The Police are currently continuing the search for the suspects behind this incident and we want to assure the public that we will surely bring them to face justice.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who gave us pieces of information in the course of our rescue operations in particular and the public in general for their support and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has spoken to the victim and her family and they are in good spirits. A team of Police medical officers and clinical psychologists have been assigned to assist the family during this critical time.