TheNewsGuru

Tag: Protest

  • Cross River rice farmers protest over non-payment of salaries

    Cross River rice farmers protest over non-payment of salaries

    Over, 300 youths employed as Rice farmers by the Cross River State Government protested on Monday over the non-payment of three months salaries.

    The workers, who protested with placards at the Ministry of Agriculture in Calabar, said they worked at the state rice farm and they could no longer continue working every day without being paid at the end of the month.

    According to one of the workers, they have started harvesting the rice, which they planted three months ago, yet they have not been paid their salaries.

    The worker said, “We are some of the people who worked in the Cross River State rice farm at the time. We resumed on May 4, this year.

    “We worked and they paid us salaries on the 6th of June. But they did not pay everybody because they left that day when the governor personally came to the farm to pay.

    “The next day, we resumed work and the farm manager said they gave him information that we should go and rest for two weeks and we will receive a call to come back.

     

  • Police arrest 30 in Lagos, disrupt protest against increase in fuel price, electricity tariff

    Police arrest 30 in Lagos, disrupt protest against increase in fuel price, electricity tariff

    The Nigeria Police on Wednesday in Lagos arrested over 30 Joint Action Front (JAF) and some civil society members protesting against recent fuel price hike and increase in electricity tariff.

    The arrested protesters have been taken to Ojuelegba Area C Command in Surulere in over seven police vans and vehicles.

    The fuel price hike and electricity tariff protest started at 10.05am from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) office at Yaba with the protesters carrying different banners.

    At Ojuelegba, policemen in about five vans attempted to stop the protest which was resisted by JAF and other civil society members.

    After argument on the right to protest on the street without police permission, the security personnel started to arrest the leaders of the organizers of the protesters.

    Some of the JAF and civil society protesters asked the police to arrest everybody and later surrounded themselves to the police.

    Among those arrested are JAF General Secretary, Abiodun Aremu, JAF Vice Chairm, Achike Chude, National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign (ERC), lecturers from tertiary institutions in Lagos as well as some members of Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN).

  • ‘Buhari robbing Nigerians…’: Protest in Lagos over increase in electricity tariff, fuel price [Video]

    ‘Buhari robbing Nigerians…’: Protest in Lagos over increase in electricity tariff, fuel price [Video]

    Aggrieved Nigerians under the aegis of Joint Action Front (JAF), staged a protest on Wednesday at Ojuelegba area of Lagos over hike in electricity tariff and petrol price in the country.

    Some of the protesters displayed placards with the following inscriptions, ‘Buhari robbing the masses to pay the rich’; ‘Reject hike in electricity tarriff now; Fight for socialism,’ among others.

    Watch videos:



    Earlier this month, Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) ,across the country, implemented a new electricity tariff regime.

    Also, petrol is being sold for N162 per litre, a development that has caused furore on social media as Nigerians tasked opposition leaders and organised labor to reject the developments with physical protest.

  • Uber, Bolt drivers protest in Abuja

    Uber, Bolt drivers protest in Abuja

    Dozens of Uber and Bolt drivers are protesting in the nation’s capital Abuja against their service providers.

    The protesting drivers are calling for a review in charges for services, commissions, and proper profiling of users.

    The drivers insist that charges for services in Abuja remain the lowest when compared with other cities in the country.

    According to them, the current customer profiling method by Uber and Bolt puts their members in harm’s way.

    The drivers are however giving the operators of Uber and Bolts a seven-day ultimatum to address their demands or risk service withdrawal in the nation’s capital.

  • BREAKING: Massive protest hits LASU; VC, students locked out

    BREAKING: Massive protest hits LASU; VC, students locked out

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) on Monday locked out the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Olanrewaju Fagboun in protest.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that both unions that also locked out students of the institution are protesting against the non implementation of their salaries increment as promised by the Lagos State government.

    All attempts by the VC to dialogue with members of the unions were not successful as they insist that no one will be allowed into the university premises until their demands are met by the State Government.

    The protesters blocked the main entrance of the university. The free flow of vehicular movement was hindered by the protesting members who gathered as early as 7:00 am and prevented both students and lecturers from gaining entrance into the institution.

    The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu two weeks earlier announced that tertiary institutions in the State would be reopened today, September 14, 2020 after been shut for six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Fuel hike: NANS dissociates from planned protest in southwest

    Fuel hike: NANS dissociates from planned protest in southwest

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has dissociated itself from the planned protest by the alleged SouthWest Zone D chapter of the association over the recent hike in fuel pump price and electricity tariff.
    Mr Azeez Adeyemi, the National Public Relations Officer of NANS, disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta on Sunday.

    According to Adeyemi, the NANS southwest zone D, led by Kappo Olawale had given the Federal government a five-day ultimatum to reverse the hike in the prices of fuel and electricity tariff.

    He said that the students insisted that if the government failed to reverse the prices, it would shutdown the southwest states in a mass protest on Monday.

    The NANS spokesman, however, disowned the Olawale – led group, describing them as “impostors”.

    Adeyemi insisted that the group was not recognised by the national leadership of the students’ umbrella body.

    He urged the police not to hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone caught disturbing the peace of the country under any guise.

    Adeyemi explained that the national leadership of NANS had met in Abuja on Thursday where it was unanimously agreed that the Federal government be given a stipulated date to reverse the hike in the pump price of fuel and electricity tariff .

    Adeyemi said that NANS and other affiliate bodies had staged a protest in Abeokuta the Ogun state capital and other five southwest states last Tuesday to register their displeasure on the issue.

    “The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) wishes to inform the general public that it is not part of any planned protest by a group of impostors who called themselves NANS SouthWest zone D, led by one Kappo Samuel Olawale.

    “We want to put on record that the umbrella body does not recognised the Olawale – led group and would not in any way be held responsible for their actions.

    “This group of individuals are not authourised to carry out any protest in the name of NANS and we want to call on security agencies to be alive to their responsibility and arrest any one caught during the planned protest,” he said.

  • Wike takes swipe at opposition parties over suspended NLC protest

    Wike takes swipe at opposition parties over suspended NLC protest

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says he has utilized the mandate given to him by Rivers people to provide basic infrastructure for them.

    He also stated that he is proud to be contributing his quota to the development of the State.

    Governor Wike stated this while speaking to journalists after inspecting the Rebisi, GRA, Rumuola and Rumuogba flyover bridges and ongoing road construction work in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the State.

    He stated that through passion and commitment he has judiciously utilized scarce resources for the development of the State.

    “It is not the amount of resources you get that determines the kind of projects you carry out for your people.

    “It is your commitment, your passion for the development of your people. If you have very good resources and you don’t have the passion and commitment, resources cannot be utilized for the good of the people.

    “If you have the passion and commitment as we do, even the little resources that we have, will be judiciously used for the development of our State,” he said.

    Governor Wike expressed happiness with the speed at which the various flyover bridges are advancing, emphasizing that the Rebisi flyover would be completed by December this year while the Rumuogba and Okoro-Nu-Odo flyovers would be completed by February, 2021.

    He described the Rebisi flyover as an engineering masterpiece and commended Julius Berger for delivering a quality project.

    “I am indeed proud that I am able to contribute my own little quota to the development of our State.

    “I have not abused the mandate given to me by Rivers people and I have also not disappointed them,” he stated.

    On the outcome of the negotiation with Organised Labour, Governor Wike expressed satisfaction that all contending issues were amicably resolved during the meeting.

    He said that the Opposition Parties and those who thought the State would be plunged into crisis were disappointed.

    “All the issues were mere understandings and now that they have understood our position, they said they have to suspend the protest.

    “So for me, I am happy that there was nothing like conflict At the end of the day, those of them who were thinking that Rivers State will be shut down were highly disappointed, ” he added.

    Also speaking, the Project Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Port Harcourt, Mr. Finn Drosdowsky thanked the State Government for entrusting the projects to them and assured that the various flyovers would be completed on schedule.

  • Fuel, Electricity hike: APC reacts as NLC suspends planned protest

    Fuel, Electricity hike: APC reacts as NLC suspends planned protest

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers has commended the organised labour in the state for suspending its planned strike for Tuesday.

    It said in a statement issued by its spokesman in the state, Mr Ogbonna Nwuke, that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its associates had demonstrated uncommon maturity and discipline.

    Nwuke noted that labour demonstrated this by allowing a last-minute discussion with the Rivers Government.

    He said that the breakthrough recorded at the meeting was plainly as a result of the unique sacrifice made by labour in the overall interest of the state and nation.

    “We have heard that the Rivers Government and labour have settled their differences.

    “It took last-minute efforts that lasted late into the night to avert a crippling strike.

    “While we welcome the resolutions reached at the end of that very crucial meeting, it is our expectation that the Rivers Government would fulfil its promise to workers.

    “Government must have a human face and all of us have a responsibility to evolve for mankind, a kinder and responsive system that is understanding, just and fair,’’ he said.

    Nwuke urged Gov. Nyesom Wike to learn lessons from the action of the labour.

    “His administration had no reason whatsoever to threaten sons and daughters of Rivers who are part of the labour movement and who are rendering essential services to the people of the state.

    READ ALSO Police go after kidnappers of Cross River NLC Chairman

    “We thank the labour leaders for doing the needful, they have proved that the interest of the working class was more paramount in the decision they took to call out workers,’’ he said.

    Nwuke called on the governor to eschew his “gunboat politics’’.

    “It has no place in an egalitarian society and no place in a society that hopes to embrace a system of social responsibility,’’ he said.

  • No going back on planned protest against fuel price hike – TUC

    No going back on planned protest against fuel price hike – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress on Saturday says it will not go back on its decision to embark on a protest on Tuesday against the increase in the prices of fuel and electricity tariff despite speculations about a court order stopping the proposed demonstration.

    TUC Deputy National President, Chika Onuegbu, who disclosed this to The newsmen, said the union had begun to mobilise its members for the protest and strike.

    Explaining that the TUC was not aware of any court order to stop the planned protest, Onuegbu condemned the increase of fuel price, adding that the Federal Government’s action had become a burden on Nigerians.

    He said, “I must say that we are mobilising our members for the planned protest on Tuesday. Some are talking about a court order; but to the best of my knowledge, we are not aware of any court order stopping our planned protest.

    “I am also not aware that our secretariat has received any court order; our people have not been served. As a matter of fact, we are preoccupied with mobilising our members for the protest.

    “The increase in fuel price is an extra burden on us and our families; the increase in electricity tariff is an extra burden on us and our families; the increase in Value Added Tax is an extra burden on us and our families; and the general increase in food prices.

    “While all these are happening, our members are being owed salaries, gratuities and pensions. Honestly speaking, we have a lot that we are bothered with this period. I think we have to really make a statement that Labour is united in the struggle for a better Nigeria.”

    Onuegbu called on the Federal Government to immediately revert to the old prices of fuel before the recent increase to avert the protest.

    “Again, the National Secretariat has not given any counter-order to say we should not proceed with the protest/strike.

    “The last order I know is that we have to go ahead with the strike and it is that order we are working on. The government should immediately revert to the old price of petrol before these increases,” he maintained.

  • Fresh massive protests rock US over brutal killing of another black man

    Fresh massive protests rock US over brutal killing of another black man

    An African American cyclist, Dijon Kizzee has been fatally shot by Los Angeles County police, the latest instance of police killing a black man.

    However, both the county Sheriff’s Department and the lawyer representing Kizzee’s family gave different accounts of the shooting on Tuesday.

    Benjamin Crump, lawyer to the 29 year-old cyclist, said the cyclist was shot more than 20 times in the back on Monday afternoon after two sheriff’s deputies tried to stop him for a bicycle code violation.

    But the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said Kizzee, was shot fewer than 20 times after dropping a handgun he had been carrying and punching one of the deputies.

    The killing renewed protests in the city by demonstrators angered at deadly violence against Black people by police. Such protests have become a near daily occurrence around the country after George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in May.

    “You don’t kill any race but us, and it don’t make any sense,” Fletcher Fair, Dijon Kizzee’s aunt, told reporters at the site of the shooting on Tuesday where activists called for an independent investigation by California’s attorney general. “Why us?”

    Protests also continued in Kenosha, Wisconsin, over a white police officer’s shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back, leaving him paralyzed, and the unrest has become a major issue ahead of November’s presidential election.

    President Donald Trump, a Republican, arrived in Kenosha on Tuesday as he seeks to rally his base of white supporters by defending police against criticism of brutality.

    Kizzee was riding his bike on Monday afternoon in Los Angeles County’s Westmont neighborhood when two sheriff’s deputies who had been driving by tried to stop him.

    Kizzee abandoned his bike and ran for a block with the deputies in pursuit,

    Brandon Dean, a sheriff’s department spokesman, told reporters on Monday evening. Kizzee then punched one of the deputies in the face, dropping a bundle of clothing he was carrying, the department said.

    The deputies said a semi-automatic handgun was in the dropped bundle, and both of them began shooting Kizzee, the department said.

    Dean said he did not know what part of the bicycle code Kizzee was suspected to have violated or how many times the deputies shot him, other than saying it was fewer than 20.

    His office declined to answer questions about the shooting and the status of the two deputies on Tuesday.

    The county coroner was due to conduct an autopsy on Kizzee on Tuesday.

    However, Crump, a civil rights lawyer known for representing Black victims of police violence around the country, wrote in a Twitter post: “They say he ran, dropped clothes and handgun. He didn’t pick it up, but cops shot him in the back 20+ times then left him for hours.”

    Crump asked on Twitter for people to send him any videos of the incident, saying that sheriff’s deputies are not required to wear body cameras.