Metro

Nigeria’s labour union declares nationwide protest

Published

2 months ago

February 17, 2024

Worried by the unbearable hardship, insecurity and hunger Nigerians are currently going through as a result of government policies, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a two-day nationwide protest from February 27 to February 28.

The president on the Union, Joe Ajaero, who announced the decision of the body during a news conference at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Friday in Abuja, said it had become imperative for organised labour to act as the situation was spiralling out of control.

Ajaero said that the NEC of the NLC met to discuss the state of the nation and the non implementation of various agreement reached with government, and unanimously noted its deep disappointment and condemned the action of the federal government in refusing to implement the agreements reached.

The NLC president said that there was need for urgent solution to address the continued suffering of the Nigerian people and workers.

“NEC in session follows its decisions that it stands to rectify the 14 days ultimatum issued to the federal government within which to implement the agreement, and address the mounting crisis of the survival of Nigerians,” Ajaero said while addressing journalists after the meeting.

“That the 14 days ultimatum notices expires on the midnight of February 22, that if on the expiration the Congress is not satisfied with government compliance with the conditions of the notice.

“Congress will be at liberty to take action that will compel government to implement the agreement.

“NEC in session declare a two day nationwide protest on February 27 and 28 to demonstrate outrage on the mounting hardship and insecurity across the nation.

“If our demands are not met after the nationwide protest, NEC will ensure to issue a seven day notice that will expire on March 2, to the federal government, after which an indefinite nationwide strike will commence.

“Nigerians workers and people are not interested in the empty talk but action,” he said, before calling on all NLC affiliates, state councils and civil societies to start mobilising across the nation for effect action for the protest.

Related Topics:Featured Labour Union NLC Protest

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Metro

‘Cyber Act fails to protect the vulnerable,’ Student demands media inclusivity for persons with disabilities

Published

18 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Peter Libila, a student at Icof University’s Chipata campus, highlights the lack of awareness among individuals with disabilities and those residing in rural areas about their digital rights, resulting in limited access to media platforms for free expression.

Libila underscored the marginalization of people with disabilities in discussions on community development, leading to their exclusion from voicing their perspectives.

In an interview with Zambia Monitor in Eastern Province, Libila discussed the discrimination and stigma faced by individuals with disabilities in the media landscape.

Read More: Differently-abled person speaks on challenges impacting freedom of expression in rural areas

“Persons with disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to community developments,” he emphasized.

Moreover, as someone with a physical disability, Libala pointed out shortcomings in the Cybersecurity Act which failed to adequately address online barriers to freedom of expression.

“The act fails to ensure online safety for all; it only offers protection to certain groups while neglecting others,” he asserted.

He stressed the importance of bridging these gaps to foster inclusivity within the media.

“There’s a lack of sign language interpreters in most media outlets, which poses challenges for the deaf community,” he observed.

Libila also emphasized the necessity of providing braille reading materials and writing tools for individuals who are blind.

“Even basic resources like braille books are often unavailable for the blind,” he lamented.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

All my tough policy decisions are in Nigerians’ interest— Tinubu

Published

22 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has insisted that all his tough policy decisions and reforms have been taken with the interest of Nigerians at heart.

Tinubu, who made the assertion in Hague, The Netherlands, during the business session of the bilateral meeting with the Dutch team led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, insisted that though some of the policies had brought hardship on Nigerian masses, he was not afraid to implement more of such policies as they would yield positive results in the end.

“I am a determined leader of my people. I am ever ready to take tough decisions in the best interest of the people, even if with initial pains,” Tinubu said.

“I have and will continue to take the difficult decisions that will benefit our people, even if there is short-term pain.

“We have gone through the worst of the storms. I am unafraid of the consequences once I know that my actions are in the best long-term interests of all Nigerians.

“The Nigerian naira is one of the world’s best-performing currencies today.

“We took the necessary risk, and all resilient Nigerians kept faith with us.

“They will be rewarded, and the reward will only be greater as we partner effectively with you on new opportunities for development.

“As leaders, we must make decisions for the benefit of our nations, and we cannot shy away from that.”

The President also noted that symbiotic economic ties remain the best long-term path to sustainable and mutual prosperity rather than one-sided relationships in which bilateral trade is skewed too much in one direction.