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Tag: Protest

  • FCT: Angry Wike summons area council chairmen as teachers, nurses, others protest in Abuja

    FCT: Angry Wike summons area council chairmen as teachers, nurses, others protest in Abuja

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has summoned Chairmen of FCT area councils and leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, for a crucial meeting.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the meeting also includes the FCT chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    This is coming after the various unions, under the umbrella body of the NLC, protested against the non-payment of salary arrears and wage award to the Minister’s office on Thursday.

    The workers had been on strike for over a month, resulting in the shutting down of primary schools and primary healthcare centers in the FCT.

    The meeting was to find lasting solutions to the lingering primary school teachers’ strike over unresolved welfare concerns.

    Wike stated in Abuja, after inspecting ongoing projects in preparation for inauguration to celebrate the second anniversary of President Bola Tinubu, that the protest was unfortunate.

    The minister, who described the development as very pathetic, wondered why the chairmen of the FCT area councils did not have conscience.

    He said that the area council chairmen refused to pay the teachers their entitlements, in spite of receiving approved funds specifically for that purpose.

    “They were unable to pay them. In fact, I got the report yesterday and have summoned all of them for a meeting.

    “You see, that’s the problem we have in this country; by the time I apply the big stick, people will be saying all kinds of things.

    “I don’t know why people don’t have conscience that these are teachers who take care of our children, and you are happy that you are not paying them their salaries,” he said.

    Wike explained that primary schools were under the purview of the area councils and not FCT Administration, adding that the area councils were in charge of primary schools.

    He appealed to the NUT to give him some time, assuring that the issues would be sorted out soon.

    Earlier, the NUT Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Shafa, who led the protest, acknowledged Wike’s intervention to resolve the lingering strike, including the release of N4.1 billion to the area councils to pay the striking teachers.

    He accused the area council chairmen of diverting the funds and called on the National Assembly and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission to intervene and called them to order.

    Recall  that primary school teachers had embarked on a series of strikes over non-payment of minimum wage and 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance.

    Other unresolved issues included the non-implementation of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases, and the N35,000 wage award, among other benefits.

    Similarly, the FCT chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) on Thursday staged a protest in Abuja.

    The protest was over the shutdown of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports primary healthcare centers across the FCT have been shut down with pregnant women, near delivery, chased away.

    Their demands include the immediate reopening of PHCs, implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, and payment of outstanding arrears and allowances.

    The protest also included members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    It was in response to the ongoing health crisis caused by the prolonged closure of more than 270 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the six area councils in the FCT.

    Speaking during the protest, Mr Jama Medan, Chairman of NANNM-FCT, lamented the deteriorating health situation, stating that Nigeria ranked second globally in maternal and child mortality rates.

    He warned that continued closure of PHCs could worsen the crisis.

    “We have less than 130 nurses and midwives manning these centres. Women and children are dying because the facilities have been shut for over a month.

    “There’s a gross shortage of manpower, and no one in government is addressing the issue,” Medan said.

    He alleged that in spite of the release of more than N4.1 billion by the FCT Minister to address the crisis, area council chairmen had refused to pay entitlements.

    These entitlements, he said include hazard and uniform allowances for nurses and other health workers.

    Medan also expressed concern over the disruption of a scheduled nationwide polio vaccination campaign in the FCT due to the shutdown, warning that the territory risked new cases of the disease.

    In solidarity, NUT FCT Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Shafa, condemned the non-payment of minimum wage to primary school teachers, noting that they had been on strike for more than a month.

    He called on the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to intervene urgently to avoid a total collapse of the education system in the area councils.

    The NLC also threatened to join the protest if the minister failed to act on the workers’ demands within a week.

    Responding on behalf of the Minister, Dr Hayyo Danlami, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, promised to deliver the protesters’ letter to the minister and assured them that their concerns would be addressed.

  • FCT nurses, workers protest against closure of healthcare centers

    FCT nurses, workers protest against closure of healthcare centers

    The FCT chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) on Thursday staged a protest in Abuja.

    The protest was over the shutdown of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports primary healthcare centers across the FCT have been shut down with pregnant women, near delivery, chased away.

    Their demands include the immediate reopening of PHCs, implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, and payment of outstanding arrears and allowances.

    The protest also included members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    It was in response to the ongoing health crisis caused by the prolonged closure of more than 270 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the six area councils in the FCT.

    Speaking during the protest, Mr Jama Medan, Chairman of NANNM-FCT, lamented the deteriorating health situation, stating that Nigeria ranked second globally in maternal and child mortality rates.

    He warned that continued closure of PHCs could worsen the crisis.

    “We have less than 130 nurses and midwives manning these centres. Women and children are dying because the facilities have been shut for over a month.

    “There’s a gross shortage of manpower, and no one in government is addressing the issue,” Medan said.

    He alleged that in spite of the release of more than N4.1 billion by the FCT Minister to address the crisis, area council chairmen had refused to pay entitlements.

    These entitlements, he said include hazard and uniform allowances for nurses and other health workers.

    Medan also expressed concern over the disruption of a scheduled nationwide polio vaccination campaign in the FCT due to the shutdown, warning that the territory risked new cases of the disease.

    In solidarity, NUT FCT Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Shafa, condemned the non-payment of minimum wage to primary school teachers, noting that they had been on strike for more than a month.

    He called on the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to intervene urgently to avoid a total collapse of the education system in the area councils.

    The NLC also threatened to join the protest if the minister failed to act on the workers’ demands within a week.

    Responding on behalf of the Minister, Dr Hayyo Danlami, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, promised to deliver the protesters’ letter to the minister and assured them that their concerns would be addressed.

  • Federal workers protest in Oyo

    Federal workers protest in Oyo

    Some Federal workers on Wednesday staged a protest at the frontage of the Federal Secretariat, Ikolaba Ibadan, in Oyo state as directed by the Federal Workers Forum, over poor welfare.

    National Coordinator of the forum, Andrew Emelieze, and Secretary General, Itoro Obong, said the strike followed a 21-day ultimatum issued to the government.

    The workers are demanding the immediate payment of the five-month wage award arrears, the implementation of the 40 percent peculiar allowance, and the payment of its arrears.

    However, dozens of federal workers were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Pay us five months wage awards,70k minimum wage is a failure’; Federal Workers have suffered enough’; ‘FG workers live on loans’, among others.

    Addressing newsmen, Emelieze, alleged that the federal government has been ”cheating its workforce over the years, and it has gotten to a stage where workers can no longer endure.”

    Emelieze said workers called for the indefinite national protest because they could no longer cope with the hardship facing them.

    According to him, part of the forum demands is immediate payment of outstanding five months wage award.

    He said government stopped the wage award payment in March 2024, since then no federal worker has received the money contrary to government claim that it has paid the five months wage award arrears.

    “In addition, we demand for implementation of 40 per cent peculiar allowance and the payment of its arrears.

    “The 70,000 minimum wage is unacceptable to us, it’s a slave wage, we are rejecting it and call for its immediate upward review.

    “We equally want immediate review of the heavy taxation of the federal workers’ poor wage,” he stated.

    He further urged federal government to ensure that the welfare of its workforce is prioritised, saying workers are the engine room of government, “without it, governance will collapse”.

    He called on President Bola Tinubu to reason with workers, and direct the relevant agencies of government to act fast on the demands of the workers.

    Emelieze said the protest will be held from morning till noon every day until the federal government yields to the demands of the workers.

  • JOSTUM announces resumption of academic activities

    JOSTUM announces resumption of academic activities

    The Senate of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), on Thursday approved April 14 for resumption of academic activities at the institution.

    The resumption date was announced in an internal memo signed by Dr John David, Registrar and Secretary to Senate, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

    The institution was closed following the protest that erupted on the campus after three students were kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

    The students were abducted on February 25th and released on March 5th.

    David said that the Senate, at its emergency meeting, deliberated extensively on the security situation in and around the campus and approved that academic activities resume on the said date.

    He said that the resumption was for continuation of the first semester of 2024/2025 academic session.

    “Consequently, all students of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), are to return to campus on Sunday, 13th April.

    “Senate therefore urges all students, staff and university community to maintain vigilance for enhanced campus security.

    “Meanwhile, the university administration expresses its profound appreciation to all security agencies and JOSTUM stakeholders for their maximum cooperation during the period of security breach and midsemester break,” the memo reads.

  • Angry Catholics protest against Kidnappings In Edo

    Angry Catholics protest against Kidnappings In Edo

    Members of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Edo State on Friday embarked on a peaceful protest against killing and kidnapping of their priests.

    This is against the backdrop of recent kidnapping of a priest in the diocese and killing of a seminarian.

    The protesters in their numbers, including priests, took to the streets of Auchi carrying placards with various inscriptions.

    Recall that a priest, Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli and seminarian, Andrew Peter were recently kidnapped; while the priest was released after ransom was reportedly paid, the seminarian was killed by his abductors.

    Rev. Fr (Dr) Clement Anadevha, Director, Justice Development and Justice Commission (JDPC) who led the protesters demanded the “government to declare a state of emergency on security of lives and property.”

    Anadevha also led the protesters to the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia where they also registered their displeasure over the attack on priests in the area.

    In his response, Dunia said he had made several efforts on security matters, wondering why priests and the churches are now victims of kidnapping.

    He called on the government to act, lamenting that farmlands have been occupied by bandits who now deprive farmers from going to the farm.

    The protesters also took their protest to the Etsako West Council secretariat to register their grievances.

    Addressing the protesters, the chairman of the local government, Mr Valentine Okwilagwe promised to take their request to the appropriate authority.

  • Federal Varsity Lokoja reopens after shutdown over students’ protest

    Federal Varsity Lokoja reopens after shutdown over students’ protest

    Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has reopened for commencement of academic activities after three weeks shutdown over students’ protest.

    Dr Rebecca Okojie, the Registrar and Secretary of Council of the University, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Lokoja.

    Okojie said that the university would reopen on Tuesday, March 11, while lectures would commence from Monday, March 17.

    According to her, the reopening of the institution was sequel to an emergency meeting held by Senate on Monday, March 10.

    “The senate approved the reopening of the University with effect from Tuesday, March 11.

    “The decision is following the ongoing efforts and consultations in several quarters to address the challenges which led to road mishaps that resulted in the loss of lives of five students and serious injury to some others, ” she said.

    NAN recalls that the management of university had shut down the institution following a threat by students to block the Abuja-Lagos Highway over the truck  accident that killed five of their mates.

    “Following the unfortunate incident, the students barricaded the gates of the university in spite of interventions from the state government as well as frantic efforts and appeals by the university management for calm.

    “Based on the advice of the security agencies and to forestall further loss of lives, the Vice Chancellor, after due consultation with management, decided to, on behalf of the senate to shut down the university indefinitely on Feb. 20,” Okojie had said.

  • FUOYE grounded as students stage protest

    FUOYE grounded as students stage protest

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), on Wednesday, staged a protest against what they described as deliberate attempt by the SSANU National Women’s Committee to destabilise peace of the university.

    The students’ union led by it’s Vice President, Eniola Olaniyan, marched through the university campus in Oye-Ekiti carrying placard with various inscription.

    Some of the inscriptions on the placard read ” We love our VC, stop hatred, spread love ” SSANU National Women Committee leave our university alone, “Leave Fasina alone, let him breathe” and so on.

    Olaniyan, who spoke to journalists said that inflammatory statements by the SSANU National Women’s Committee could disrupt the peace and stability of FUOYE under the leadership of Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina.

    The protest by the students followed a news conference by the Committee held on March 4 in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, where the group demanded the suspension of the vice chancellor over allegation of sexual harassment.

    The Vice President of the SUG described the committee’s demand as “a shameful, politically motivated attack”

    She accused the committee of attempting to disrupt the university’s progress through baseless claims.

    “We are angry by the disgraceful actions of a so called union body, the SSANU National Women’s Committee, led by Mrs Ijeoma Kalu, which is demanding the suspension of our highly respected vice chancellor over a completely unfounded allegation.

    ”It is disappointing that these women, who should be expected to uphold truth and integrity, have chosen instead to spread falsehoods and engage in media blackmail.

    “We were shocked to read how they publicly disgraced themselves, calling for the removal of our beloved VC without any factual basis,” she said.

    According to Olaniyan, Mrs Adebayo herself had never accused Prof. Fasina of sexual harassment in any formal document

    “The vice chancellor has already clarified that Mrs Adebayo, in her official petition to the Governing Council, never mentioned sexual harassment.

    “Even in her statement before the Nigerian Police, which investigated the matter, there was no mention of sexual harassment. So where did the SSANU Women’s Committee fabricate this claim from?

    “On what basis are they demanding his suspension? This is clearly a politically motivated campaign, which is doomed to fail.” the students added.

    The Students’ Union Government of FUOYE reiterated their full support for the vice chancellor, describing his administration as the most impactful in the history of the university.

    “Under Professor Fasina’s leadership, FUOYE has witnessed unprecedented development.

    ”He has been a compassionate father figure to students, ensuring zero tolerance for sexual harassment, sex for marks, intimidation, and oppression.

    “He has actively supported students through scholarships and financial aid, ensuring that no student drops out due to financial hardship.” Olaniyan said.

    The students warned SSANU and its affiliates to desist from further interference, urging them to allow the university’s governing council to complete its investigation without external pressures.

    “It is unfortunate that rather than focusing on the incredible progress FUOYE has made under this administration, some individuals are spreading baseless and damaging narratives.

    ”We strongly caution against the interference of uninvited groups seeking to disrupt the university’s stability,” she said.

    The students urged the governing council of the university to act with transparency and fairness, ensuring that justice prevails.

  • Protest: Police arrest 17 suspected thugs in Kano

    Protest: Police arrest 17 suspected thugs in Kano

    The Police Command in Kano State on Wednesday announced the arrest of 17 suspected thugs who were allegedly planning a protest in the state.

    This is contained in a statement by the command spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa in Kano.

    He said the command has taken proactive security measures to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order in the state.

    Kiyawa said the command has deployed personnel and assets to strategic locations within Kano Metropolis to prevent the protest and ensure public safety.

    He said that the command has warned individuals and groups against engaging in unlawful gatherings, processions, or violence.

    The spokesperson said that such actions would be met with swift and decisive responses from security agencies.

    He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.

    “The command appreciates the people of Kano State’s cooperation and support in maintaining peace and order,“ he said.

  • Katsina varsity closed over students’ protest

    Katsina varsity closed over students’ protest

    The Management of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State has announced a one-week Mid-Semester break starting from Feb. 24.

    The closure of the school followed a protest embarked on by the students on Sunday after they alleged that the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) had shot to death one of their colleagues.

    The students’ protest continued Monday morning. Reports indicated that the JTF members on Sunday shot the student, alleging that he was an informant.

    The FUDMA Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, announced the decision of the Senate to close the school in a statement issued in Katsina on Monday.

    Bichi further advised the students to leave campus before 6.00 p.m. on Feb. 24.

    “The Management wishes the students a happy and peaceful mid-semester break,” he said.

  • Telecoms union lauds NLC for suspending protest

    Telecoms union lauds NLC for suspending protest

    The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has described as commendable,  Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) decision to suspend its Tuesday’s planned protest over approved 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariffs.

    The association’s Secretary-General, Mr Abdullahi Okonu, told NAN in Lagos State that the union, as a major stakeholder, was knowledgeable about  issues in the sector.

    Okonu said that the cost of resources needed to make telecommunications services available to the masses had increased.

    “The only logical thing is for government to allow us to increase the tariff in order to meet up with the cost of running business and, at the same time, make profits,” he said.

    The secretary-general also said that the increase was needed  to prevent collapse of the telecommunications sector and save jobs.

    “We do not want a situation where workers in the private telecommunications sector will lose their jobs.

    “Where  companies are struggling to meet up with running costs, of course, the first thing they will look at is how to reduce their overhead costs by sacking workers, which we do not want.

    “Our members should be protected and their jobs should be protected.

    “Also, if the telecommunications sector is allowed to collapse, definitely, it will have a negative impact on other sectors,” he said.

    The Chairman of NLC, Lagos  State Council, Mrs Funmi Sessi, told NAN  that the council had already mobilised its members for the protest, but had to suspend it following a meeting between NLC and the Federal Government.

    Sessi called  on the committee set up  following the meeting to come up with reasonable reduction from the 50 per cent increase.

    “We appeal to the government to alleviate the financial burden of Nigerians,” she said.

    NLC had suspended its planned nationwide protest against 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariffs after the meeting a Federal Government representatives.

    It agreed to negotiate with the Federal Government and resolve the dispute within two weeks.