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Tag: NURTW

  • Femi Falana steps into NURTW presidency saga

    Femi Falana steps into NURTW presidency saga

    Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has urged the Federal Government to immediately reinstate Tajudeen Baruwa as the President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, following court judgments affirming his leadership.

    In a press statement made available to newsmen on Monday, Falana reacted to the election of Alhaji Musliu Akinsaya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the union’s national president.

    Falana advised the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that Baruwa is restored as national president of NURTW without further delay.

    The statement titled, ‘FG should restore Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa as president of NURTW without delay’, reads: “On August 28, 2023, a gang of armed thugs invaded the National Secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at Abuja. One of the security men guarding the said Secretariat was killed by the armed invaders.

    “At the end of the violent invasion, the Secretariat was seized while the elected President, Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa and members of his Executive were arrested and charged with murder before a Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory. However, the charge of murder was withdrawn and struck out after the successful but illegal seizure of the Secretariat!

    “As a law-abiding citizen, Comrade Baruwa approached the National Industrial Court for legal redress.

    “In a judgment delivered on March 11, 2024, the Court confirmed Comrade Baruwa and members of his Executive as the elected leaders of the NURTW.

    “Dissatisfied with the judgment, the opponents of Comrade Baruwa appealed to the Court of Appeal. On November 8, 2024, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment.

    “The Justices of the Court dismissed the appeal and confirmed the judgment of the National Industrial Court which had recognised Comrade Baruwa as the President of the NURTW.

    “In view of the foregoing, we call on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN and the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun to ensure that Comrade Baruwa is restored to his office in strict compliance with the judgments of the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal”.

  • FG urges NURTW to resolve crisis

    FG urges NURTW to resolve crisis

    The Federal Government has urged the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to resolve the crisis within and outside the union.

    Mr Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment made the call at the 10th Quadrennial Delegates Conference and the inauguration of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the union on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The NAC members consist of those elected from five zones of the union.

    Lalong was represented by Mr Falonipe Amos, Registrar, Trade Unions in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    “It is my hope and belief that the inauguration of the new leadership would mark a new beginning to the union.

    “Let’s us continue to work together and ensure that all other issues within and outside of the union are amicable resolved,”he said.

    The minister charged the new leaders on harmonious relationship with its members and also to ensure a fruitful tenure.

    He added that, let me reassure you that the ministry will work with the new leadership to take the union to the next level,”he said.

    Alhaji Najeem Yasin, Former President of the union also called for harmony in the union.

    According to him, the crisis in the union is over now, so let’s joint hands and build the organisation.

    “Our founding father suffered to build the union and ours is to build on the foundation that have been laid by them, we must not divide the union ”he said.

    Yasin noted that such division in the union had occurred in 1999 and must not be allowed to repeat itself again.

    He said that at that time the union was divided into two centres which were Lagos and Abuja. “We should not allow what happens over 20 years ago to repeat itself again.

    “I want to appeal to everyone to be patience so that we can put the union in order,”he said.

    Also, Mr Tajudeen Agbede, Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the NURTW said the struggle for peace in the union was not yet over.

    Agbede alleged that the last four years of Alh. Tajudeen Baruwa as President of the union was a total waste in the history of our Union.

    “Throughout his four-year tenure, Our union was always in the news for bad reasons.

    “”Also, up till now, we are still battling with the problem, he created for the union, especially in the southwest,” he said.

    He further said the Caretaker Committee was set up in Aug. 28 to address the crises in the union after Baruwa tenure expired.

    He said the committee have worked tirelessly to ensure they brought all the zonal councils together and to hold proper delegates conference in all the zones, except southwest.

    NURTW has been enmeshed in a leadership tussle caused by an attempt to take over power by various factions of the union.

    The clashes which led to the death of one person, forced the Nigerian Labour Congress and other stakeholders to wade in to settle the issue.

  • NURTW passes vote of no confidence on Baruwa

    NURTW passes vote of no confidence on Baruwa

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has passed votes of no confidence on Alh. Tajudeen Baruwa, former president of the union.

    Alh. Tajudeen Agbede, National Chairman Caretaker Committee of the NURTW said this while speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that Baruwa on the tenure as the president of NURTW expired on Aug. 28.

    According to him, we the undersigned, having the mandate of our members in the various states and zones unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on Alh. Tajudeen Baruwa.

    He alleged that Baruwa had committed many atrocities while he served as president of the union from Aug. 2019 to Aug. 2023.

    He alleged that Baruwa had reduced membership of the union in the International Transport Federation (ITF) from 400,000 members to a paltry 160,000 members.

    Agbede, also noted the former president failed or neglected to pay affiliation dues as and when due, thus causing the union to be deregistered from ITF.

    “In a letter referenced NLC/NS/A.16 dated 27th August, 2019, the NLC wrote to NURTW commending the union for showing “good example to other affiliate unions of the NLC.

    “That is by continuing to be financially up to date” and for “being financially up to date as at the end of July 2019,”he did.

    He however, noted that sundry letters received from NLC during Baruwa’s administration were various demands for payment of affiliation dues.

    He added that the dues at one point, were owed for as long as 18 months (April – December 2021) and January — September 2022.

    Agbede said that Baruwa failed or neglected to account for Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) money paid during his administration for the 2023 general election.

    He also noted that during the four years administration of the former president of the union, the National Executive Council (NEC) only held four times.

    He said that this was against the constitutional provisions of Article 10 (2) of the union’s constitution.

    Agbede also said Baruwa had arbitrarily mandated the posting of union staff without concomitant relocation allowances or transfer claims, among others.

    He added that, thus causing unnecessary hardship and adversity to staff.

    “He failed to abide by constitutional provisions in respect to succession, by refusing and/or neglecting to conduct a credible Zonal Delegates Elections for the continuity of the union.

    “Thus putting the union into unnecessary drama before right-thinking members of the public, ”he added.

    In a unanimous decision, Baruwa was elected president for a second four-year term on Aug. 25.

  • Don’t meddle in our internal crises – NURTW tells NLC

    Don’t meddle in our internal crises – NURTW tells NLC

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has urged the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) not to meddle in its internal crises.

    Mr Kayode Agbeyangi, Acting General Secretary of the union made the call in his address at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Agbeyangi alleged that the recent outbreak of violence at the National Secretariat of the union was due to the interference of the NLC for selfish reasons.

    According to him, like the proverbial sympathiser who cried more than the bereaved, NLC has gone overboard in expressing their interest in our internal affairs.

    “The NLC took a one-sided decision that further threatened our effort to unite all interests and move the union forward.

    “It is very sad and unfortunate that the umbrella body of workers that is expected to protect the welfare and right of all workers has turned itself into a tool used for outbreak of violence and favoritism.

    “Also the flagrant abuse of constitutional provisions of the union by attempting to impose the erstwhile President Alh. Tajudeen Baruwa on the union whose tenure expired on Aug. 28,” he said.

    He, however, called on the Joe Ajaero-led NLC to discard their bias and ethnic sentiments towards the former General Secretary who is their kinsman.

    He also urged him to refrain from further blackmailing the union in their desperate bid to authenticate illegality.

    “What is expected of the congress at this time is to support without rancor, the ongoing process of organising a statutory National Delegates’ Conference of the NURTW as stipulated by the union Constitution,” he said.

    Agbeyangi also said the NLC and other relevant agencies have been duly intimated through official correspondences about the various resolutions taken at various organs of the union.

    He said the union expects the NLC  to respect the determination of the NURTW to ensure the emergence of a democratically elected National leadership for NURTW at the forthcoming Quadrennial Delegates Conference.

    “We believe the congress will be honourable enough to support the peaceful process and to align with established legal framework and international standards governing industrial relations.

    “That is which the congress claims to uphold, towards ensuring industrial harmony in the union and Nigeria at large.

    “In the interest of peace, justice and fair play, the NLC should give chance to the Board of Trustees of the union to resolve the union crises internally as enshrined in its constitution,” he said.

    The acting general secretary therefore said that strategic process have been put in place to achieve peace in the union.

    He also said due to the inability of the past administration to convene a Zonal Delegates Conference, a National Caretaker Committee.

    Agbeyangi said the Caretaker Committee would prepare the ground to conduct a credible conference across the zones of the Union on Oct. 5.

    He also noted that the inauguration of the National officers would be held on Oct.25.

    He however commended the former President of the union, Alh. Najeem Yasin towards ensuring that the union crises were amicably resolved

    In a swift reaction, Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC said the congress will not join issues with just any group outside the legitimate fold of the NLC.

    “We have alerted the whole world that our leadership in NURTW has been cloned.

    “The cloned leadership is also threatening to attack the leadership of NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    “I don’t want us to join issues with unknown quantity,” he said.

  • Police release detained NURTW leaders – NLC

    Police release detained NURTW leaders – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday, confirmed the release of the four leaders of the Nigeria Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) by the Nigeria Police.

    NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, who confirmed the release in a telephone interview in Abuja, said that the officials were released on Thursday night after staying for more than a month in custody.

    The released officials were the National President, Tajudeen Baruwa, General Secretary, Anthony Chukudi, Olayi Odion, National Trustee and Principal Assistant Secretary, Abdulrasak Yemi.

    Recall that the National Executive Council (NEC) had during its meeting on Aug. 31 condemned the Police’s action and called for the release of the NURTW leadership.

    This was part of NLC’s demand during the two-day nationwide warning strike held on Sept.5 and 6th.

  • NURTW faction clash in Abuja claims two lives

    NURTW faction clash in Abuja claims two lives

    A clash between two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at its Abuja headquarters on Tuesday, tragically resulted in two fatalities, according to local sources.

    According to information gleaned from union officials, one of the victims hails from the Nasarawa state chapter, while the identity of the other remains unconfirmed.

    The root cause of this clash appears to be linked to disputes over the leadership’s composition, stemming from a divergence between the current president and his predecessor’s choice of successor.

    NURTW President Tajudeen Baruwa, had accused the Lagos Park Management Committee led by Tajudeen Agbede of illegally occupying the union’s national headquarters, and sought the intervention of both the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in resolving the situation but had not met with success.

    He also accused the former union president, Najeem Yasin, and Agbede, the former National Vice President, of clandestinely holding meetings with specific past union leaders.

    Baruwa, however, vowed: “We shall henceforth not hesitate to defend our mandate with the last drop of our blood.”

    In a video from the scene that went viral, some men armed with clubs were seen in a frenzy smashing the windshields of cars as people scampered for safety.

    It was gathered that one faction subsequently convened a meeting at the NURTW headquarters in the Garki 2 area of Abuja, while the other sought refuge at the Nigeria Labour Congress headquarters in Labour House, Central Business District.

    To maintain order, Nigerian police officers have been deployed to patrol the NURTW headquarters and relative calm has been reinstated in the surrounding vicinity.

  • Why we invaded NURTW secretariat – FCT Police

    Why we invaded NURTW secretariat – FCT Police

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says the deployment of its personnel to the Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) was done as a proactive step to forestall violence.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “The deployment of police personnel to the NURTW secretariat is not an act of interference in the internal affairs of the union.

    “It is a proactive step to forestall any potential violence or illegal actions that could arise from disputes within the union,” she said.

    Adeh said the clarification followed concern raised by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero over the deployment of police personnel to the union secretariat.

    Ajero had alleged that the deployment was an alleged attempt to dethrone a legally elected leadership of the union.

    Adeh said the role of the police in a crisis situation was to ensure that disputes were resolved peacefully and in accordance with the law.

    “If there are concerns about the legality of any actions taken, the appropriate legal channels should be pursued.

    “The police will not fold its hands and allow the leadership  feud between the two groups to degenerate into a break down of law and order.

    “It is the police’s constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order,” she added.

    The police stormed the NURTW headquarters in Abuja on Friday evening.

    The development came barely two days after the NURTW president, Mr Tajudeen  Baruwa, raised an alarm over alleged plot by some persons and groups to stage a protest at the national secretariat of the union located in Garki 2 district of Abuja.

  • NURTW asks Tinubu to wade into leadership crisis

    NURTW asks Tinubu to wade into leadership crisis

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has called on President Bola Tinubu to call the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun to order not to truncate the democratic process of the union.

    The Union also called on the state chapters to begin mobilization across the nation to resist any attempt to take over the union by some disgruntled elements.

    The National President of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa disclosed this at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja over the illegal attack and invasion of its secretariat by the Lagos State Parks and Management Committee.

    The union said the interference by the police and Government in the internal affairs of a trade union did not only contradicts the established legal processes for addressing industrial disputes in Nigeria, as enshrined in our Constitution but also portrays the Nigeria Police Force, under the IGP’s leadership, as a violator of the very laws it is mandated to uphold.

    Baruwa queried the source of the IGP’s authority to intervene in trade union matters, especially when neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the IGP holds the role of a legal arbitrator in industrial disputes.

    According to him ” We are perplexed by the IGP’s disregard for the rule of law and the Constitution, which, if allowed to persist, will undoubtedly lead to a breakdown of law and order in our beloved nation.

    “The events that unfolded earlier today are deeply troubling. We were dismayed to witness a large contingent of police officers, accompanied by thugs and hoodlums, under the directive of the IGP, cordoning off and invading our National Headquarters; the National Union of Road Transport Workers, situated in Abuja.

    “This alarming act was carried out with the intent to undermine the democratically elected leadership of our Union, led by Comrade Baruwa, and install a puppet leadership from Lagos State.

    “We must emphasize that the interference of the Government in the internal affairs of a Trade Union, as witnessed today, is a blatant violation of democratic principles. It not only contradicts the established legal processes for addressing industrial disputes in Nigeria, as enshrined in our Constitution but also portrays the Nigeria Police Force, under the IGP’s leadership, as a violator of the very laws it is mandated to uphold.

    “We remind all stakeholders that Nigeria remains a democracy, and it is imperative for the government to uphold democratic principles in all its dealings. Attempting to overthrow a democratically elected leadership within NURTW or any trade union for that matter not only contradicts international labor conventions but also undermines the very essence of democracy in Nigeria, which the government is duty-bound to protect.

    “The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) calls all its state chapters to begin mobilization across the nation to resist this attempt at taking over our Union. Our Union is not a war booty that can be handed over as a trophy to anyone as a compensation for whatever reasons.

    “We urge the IGP to immediately withdraw the police operatives and associated hoodlums from our National Secretariat. We strongly implore the Nigeria Police Force to cease interfering in the affairs of our Union and to refrain from further actions that jeopardize the rights and privileges of Nigerian workers and citizens”.

    Baruwa said if the unlawful actions persist the union would be compelled to take necessary steps to protect the rights and interests of its members and the Nigerian people as a whole.

    “Nigerians must unite to condemn these actions, as they represent a dangerous slide toward despotism and a disregard for democratic values.

    We call on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to immediately take steps to save our great Union from the clutches of the forces of retrogression that are bent on hijacking it. We may be the target today but we know that the ultimate target is a take over of the entire trade union movement. It is said that what we condone today may come to haunt us tomorrow.

    Intimidating and harassing trade union leaders and resorting to gestapo-style invasions of trade union secretariats are not the path to achieving the government’s stated objectives. Our nation must operate within the bounds of established rules and regulations, and government agencies must be at the forefront of upholding these principles. Any deviation from this course undermines our nation and leads to suboptimal outcomes for all.”

  • NLC condemns unlawful invasion of NURTW National Secretariat

    NLC condemns unlawful invasion of NURTW National Secretariat

    The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has condemned the unlawful invasion of the National Secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers {NURTW) by alleged thugs and hoodlums.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC Pesident who said this in a statement co-signed by Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary on Monday in Abuja said the thugs were escorted by men in police uniform.

    Ajaero said this in a resolution reached at the end of an emergency National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting on Monday in Abuja.

    He said that the resolution was reached after exhaustively deliberation of NAC -in-session on the unlawful invasion of the NURTW National Secretariat.

    “NAC-in-session consequently resolved to demand the immediate vacation of the illegally occupied national secretariat of the NURTW by the Police and thugs within 48 hours of this resolution.

    “To demand that President Bola Tinubu being a product of democracy clears his name which is being peddled by those who have committed this brigandage and unconstitutionality from further being used to scuttle democracy.

    “That if nothing is done within an acceptable time, Nigerian workers under the leadership of the NLC will be forced to call all its affiliates out in support of

    the legally elected NURTW leadership and its members across the nation,”he said.

    The NLC president also noted that the Nigeria Police had a recent history of interfering in the internal affairs of the NURTW and indeed other unions.

    He added that the police had usurped the powers of arbitration in industrial disputes contrary to the dictates of the statutes governing the nation’s industrial relations clime.

    “The IGP has acquiesced on the invasion of the national Secretariat with a view to dethroning a legally elected leadership and installing a stooge in the Union without lawful order.

    “That there is a known democratically elected leadership of the NURTW led by Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa.

    “That violence and bloodletting may be imminent in counter response to this illegal action,”he added.

    Ajaero added that a national shutdown is possible given this undemocratic action in a democracy.

    He also said that there was need to avert further escalation has therefore become exigent.

  • Baruwa reelected NURTW President, vows to carry members along

    Baruwa reelected NURTW President, vows to carry members along

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has returned its President, Prof. Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, unopposed for a second term of four years.

    Baruwa will head a 17-member National Administrative Council (NAC) of NURTW who were equally elected to administer the affairs of the union for the next four years.

    Baruwa alongside other national executive members were sworn in on Wednesday during the 10th Quadrennial National Delegate Conference.

    The conference was held in Lafia, Nasarawa State, following their election at the Special Zonal Delegates Conference on May 24 2023 in line with the Constitution of the Union.

    Performing the swearing-in, the External Legal Adviser, Barr. Sunday Oluwole on behalf of Tolu Babaleye & Co. charged the officials to uphold the Constitution in piloting the affairs of the union for the next four years.

    In his acceptance speech, Baruwa expressed gratitude to the delegates and members of the union for the confidence they reposed in him just as he promised to carry everyone along and not to let them down.

    The conference was attended by 33 states including Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ) with 5 delegates from each state.

    The communique jointly signed by the President, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa and General Secretary, Anthony Asogwa Chukudi respectively issued at the end of the event, commended the steps taken so far by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to revamp the economy for the overall interest of the people.

    The communique read in part: “The conference in session after critical assessing President Tinubu administration though less than three months in office, expressed satisfaction with the steps taken so far towards revamping the economy of the country for the overall benefit of the people.

    “We also express our support for his administration’s policies and program with the belief that if transparently implemented it will reduce hardship being encountered by the masses.

    “We want to also express our gratitude to the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police Nasarawa State and other security agencies for their cooperation and understanding by providing security leading to the success of the 10th National Delegates Conference where the elected National Administrative Council Officers were nominated and elected at the six Special Zonal Councils delegate conference of the union concurrently in 24th May 2023 were finally inaugurated”.

    The NURTW also commended the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. A. A Sule for his support and labour-friendly disposition to the union during the conference.

    The union also commended the delegates for their large turnout, orderliness and maturity before, during and after the conference.

    The National Administrative Council officers include Alh. Aliyu Isa Ore: Deputy President, Alh. Bello Maduganari, National Treasurer,  Chief Eugene Eze Job,  Vice President, Chief Comrade Olalekun Salami. Vice President, Comrade Monday Eleazar: Vice President and Alh. Salihu Adamu: Vice President.

    Others are;  Alh. Bello Adamu: Vice President ,  Alh. Aliyu Tanimu: Vice President, Chief Comrade Anthony Ewa: Deputy National Treasurer, Alh. Danjuma Sa’idu: National Auditor, Chief Comrade Herbert Iwuji: National Trustee, Alh. Abedeen Olajide: National Trustee, Chief Comrade Odion Olaye: National Trustee,  Prince Comrade Isa Dahiru: National Trustee, Alh. Suleman Adamu, National Trustee, Alh. Hamisu Kasuwardaji: National Trustee and  Dinyoerinyu Eminah: National Financial Secretary.