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NLC President not above the law, no abuse inviting him for questioning- Presidency
The Presidency has reacted to the claims by the Trade Union Congress, TUC that the federal government is abusing the rights of citizens.
Bayo Onanuga, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement Tuesday, said the allegations, as made by the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, in the United Kingdom were completely false and do not represent the realities in the country.
He said there is no citizen that is above the law and that where there is genuine suspicion of infraction against the law, security agencies have the right to invite any citizen so suspected, no matter the office they occupy or social standing.
Onanuga therefore stated that security operatives stopping the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero at the airport to respond to questions bothering on insecurity and other allegations does not amount to abuse of his rights.
Drawing strength from the cases of former US president Donald Trump and Hunter, son of President Biden both of who are facing criminal prosecutions, Onanuga said even the most advanced democracies understand the need to bring citizens to justice when the need arises.
The President’s spokesperson said- “The Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom opened its conference today in London, with its leader making false claims about human rights abuses and violations in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government was wrongly and falsely accused of rights abuse because the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, was stopped from travelling abroad after he snubbed the invitation of a law enforcement agency conducting an ongoing investigation.
“Ajaero, who probably considers himself above the law, was slated to speak at the same conference where the UK TUC leader attacked Nigeria. His actions, however, have serious consequences, as no one is above the law in Nigeria.
“Clearly, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), no person is above the summons of law enforcement agencies and lawful investigation. Like the United Kingdom and other civilised nations, Nigeria is a country of law governed by the Constitution.
“We are not aware that there is anyone in the United Kingdom or anywhere in Europe and the United States, trade union leaders inclusive, who will flagrantly ignore the invitation or summons of MI5 or Scotland Yard or treat the FBI with the level of disdain Mr Ajaero has subjected law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
“In the United States, for example, former President Donald Trump has been the subject of numerous investigations and prosecutions in courts in several states since he left office. Mr. Hunter Biden, son of the President of the United States, has been the subject of a lawful investigation by the FBI.
“We, therefore, reject any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria. The accusations made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom are, thus, unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the situation.
“Besides, the Nigerian Government is being led by a pro-democracy activist president who will do everything to protect civil liberties and the rights of all citizens.
“There is no adversarial relationship between the Labour Movement in Nigeria and the government.
“While labour unions and the government may not always agree on policy direction, the government has consistently shown readiness to engage on any issue with labour despite the latter’s political partisanship.
“Contrary to the erroneous impression being created, the invitation extended by the Department of State Services to Mr. Ajaero has nothing to do with his role as the President of NLC.
“As a responsible citizen of Nigeria, Mr Ajaero should honour any invitation from our security agencies and resolve any issues that may arise during the investigation instead of stirring adverse public opinion against the security agencies.
“It is worth reminding Nigerians and the global community that the federal government recognises that the labour movement exists to protect and defend the interests of its members. What is also worth noting is that Labour, in most cases, only advances ideological positions that fly in the face of economic realities.
“Many ideological stances of the labour unions in Nigeria in the past have only stunted the economic growth and development of the country and even compromised the material well-being of the workers and the poor people they protect.
“A case in point was the strong opposition of the NLC and TUC to the sale of Port-Harcourt and Kaduna Refineries to Bluestar Consortium, promoted in 2007 by Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Seventeen years after the labour movement forced the successor government of Umar Yar’ Adua to cancel the sale of the two refineries, none of the four government-owned refineries worked.
“In the obverse, Mr. Aliko Dangote, one of the promoters of Bluestar, has built the largest single-train refinery in the world. In a twist of fate, the same Labour Movement that fiercely opposed Dangote from taking over the two refineries in 2007 hailed him on completing his 650,000-bpd refinery in Lagos.
“The administration of President Tinubu will continue to promote the best economic interest of Nigerians despite the current challenges. It will also continue to pursue policies and programmes that will expand national economic output and create prosperity for our citizens.”
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Petrol price to drop by N50 as independent marketers load at N990/litre at Dangote
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN has disclosed that over 30,000 of its members are set to buy Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in bulk.
IPMAN also revealed that the price of petrol from the refinery was N940/litre and N990/litre when purchased using ships and trucks, respectively.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, IPMAN President, Abubakar Garima, said the pump prices of petrol at its retail outlets will drop following the agreement with the Dangote refinery to lift products directly from the plant.
On Monday, IPMAN agreed with the Dangote refinery to directly lift petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products.
This agreement follows months after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation suspended its plan to serve as the sole off-taker of petroleum products from the 650,000 barrels per day refinery.
The IPMAN president explained that the Dangote refinery had been obliged to allow marketers to lift PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for onward supply to their depots and retail outlets but didn’t reveal the price.
Giving an update on pricing during the interview, the IPMAN national officer said the Refinery has provided two different rates for marketers based on their preferences.
He said marketers can load at the gantry at a price of N990 per litre or N940 through vessel transportation.
Garima said, “Presently, we have been given two different arrangments on how to buy fuel from the refinery. There is the one that we can load the vessels and carry to our various depots at the rate of N940 per litre. Then for the depots, it is at the rate of N990 per litre.
“The difference is because we have to load it and carry it to another part of the state. We use vessels to carry these products and there is another one to load from the gantry.
“For Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar, we have to use vessels because there is no Dangote loading gantry there, we have to carry it to our private depot and discharge and distribute it to our members.”
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Zulum reinstates 23 suspended health workers, deploys others
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the reinstatement of 23 health workers previously suspended for absence from their duty posts at Gwoza General Hospital.
This decision was announced during the Governor’s inspection of the hospital’s newly renovated maternity and child center, as well as other ongoing projects.
Dauda Iliya, Spokesperson and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, in a statement Tuesday, said the health workers had initially been suspended after Zulum’s earlier visit, where he found them absent from their duties.
Addressing the staff, Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of dedication to work and assured them of improved working conditions and other incentives.
“Complaints were made about the 23 medical workers who were absent during my last visit,” he noted. “No one is perfect, so the government has pardoned them, although no arrears will be paid.”
In response to a staff shortage raised by the Principal Medical Officer of Gwoza General Hospital, Dr Nuhu Nasiru Wakawa, Governor Zulum directed the immediate deployment of four additional doctors and ten nurses to the facility.
He further announced that Gwoza General Hospital will be upgraded to support training for nursing students from the new school of nursing under construction.
“The Commissioner of Health, together with the Chief Medical Director of the Hospitals Management Board, will work on this deployment,” Zulum added. “We will also recruit community health workers from Gwoza to strengthen local healthcare services.”
In addition to his healthcare initiatives, Governor Zulum inspected the crusher plant base under construction in Pulka, which will produce up to 300 tonnes of stones per hour.
He said the completion of the crushing and asphalt plants is expected to facilitate new road networks across Borno State.
The Governor also visited other development sites, including the 500-unit mass housing project in Wala B, Gwoza Local Government Area, and a proposed site for a high Islamic school in Bama, underscoring his administration’s commitment to infrastructure and educational advancement.
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Dangote to begin direct supply of petroleum products to marketers
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has secured an agreement with Dangote Refinery to lift products directly.
IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima, announced this at an ongoing press briefing on Monday in Abuja, following a meeting of the National Working Committee of the Association.
He said the partnership would ensure a steady, affordable supply of PMS products nationwide.
“After meeting with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, we are pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has agreed to supply IPMAN with PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets.”
Garima urged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, citing the benefits of backward integration and its positive impact on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.
“IPMAN members should rely on Dangote Refinery and Nigerian refineries for white products, creating more job opportunities and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.”
The latest development concludes several months of negotiations between both parties and is expected to increase efficiency, affordability, and economic growth.
The Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa and Europe, has already commenced the production of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, with plans to supply products to over 30,000 IPMAN members and 150,000 retail outlets nationwide.
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