NLC reveals what was discussed with President Tinubu over nationwide protests

Published

4 weeks ago

December 17, 2025

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NLC reveals what was discussed with President Tinubu over nationwide protests

President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, says the meeting held with President Bola Tinubu by organised labour on Tuesday night centered on addressing the the issue of financial insecurity of Nigerian workers.

Ajaero stated this after a meeting convened by Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo with the NLC leadership in Abuja on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu’s meeting with the NLC leadership at the State House on Tuesday night was part of the last-minute efforts to halt the union’s proposed nationwide protest over insecurity.

NAN recalled that the NLC had declared a nationwide protest for Dec. 17, citing what it described as the country’s “degenerating security situation.”

At the resumption of the meeting, Ajaero said that the engagement that Labour had with the Federal Government to cancel the planned protest.

Ajaero said that workers who were poorly paid and inadequately fed were more likely to face deeper challenges than those whose welfare needs were properly met.

“The action continued this morning. We are rounding off now. We will take back whatever we discussed with them to our members.

“The attitude of meeting at the day or eve of any action is not rocket science.
However, Mr President was emphatic that the issue of insecurity will be a thing of the past very soon. He said he’s taking extra steps to take care of it.

“We equally talked about financial insecurity because a worker that is not well fed and not well paid will have even more problems than the ones that are well fed and well paid.

“Mr President said he has put Nigeria in the map of prosperity and we agreed that we’re going to meet in January to look at some grey areas where we need to touch.

“It will equally translate into the prosperity of the working people of Nigeria,” he said.

On whether the protest had been cancelled, Ajaero said: “We are going back to our members now, and then we will get back to them.

“But today (Wednesday) is gone and our action is not an indefinite one. It’s a protest. The issue of suspension is not there because the action has taken off this morning,” Ajaero said.

Also speaking, Gov. Uzodimma who is Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), said the president’s intervention played a key role in resolving the matter and that a channel had been opened for increased communication with labour.

He said: “President Bola Tinubu met last night with the leadership of NLC.

“They discussed issues of the Nigerian economy, issues of welfare of workers and the various reforms going on; and also issues of national security and other developments in the country, and all of them agreed.

“National unity is very critical and our national interest is also very important. And the march towards economic prosperity by the president is a welcome idea.

“At the end of the meeting, we also discovered that there is a need for regular engagements with the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“For now, both the government and labour are on the same page to ensure that Nigeria is better protected and more investments in the areas of security should be encouraged.

“And the president’s programmes to secure Nigeria and the entire space should also be supported.”

The governor expressed appreciation to Tinubu for the way he came out to explain to the labour leaders his programmes and activities for an improved security arrangement in the country.

“We are also very grateful to the NLC for the maturity they exhibited; for the interest they also displayed for national security and better security for Nigerians and the welfare of Nigerian workers,” he said.

Uzodimma further said that all parties had agreed to be on the same page, adding that labour was working together with other agencies of government for the interests of the country and the citizens.

“It was a very good development and all issues that were not cleared before this time had been cleared, and all the parties are also comfortable with all the explanations given,” he said.(NAN)

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Published

2 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

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Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

Published

3 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, did not reconvene for plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its last session.

During its first sitting of 2026, held last Thursday, the House had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct. The charges reportedly included the demolition of the state assembly complex and unauthorized spending, among other allegations. That session was adjourned to January 15, 2026.

However, as of noon on Thursday, a visit to the assembly—currently holding sittings at its conference hall along Aba Road—showed no indication that the House would resume.

No official reason has been provided for the delay, and a new date for resumption has not been announced.

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Two killed, others arrested as Police operatives engage hoodlums that attacked ex–Governor’s convoy in gun battle

Published

3 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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Two killed, others arrested as Police operatives engage hoodlums that attacked ex–Governor’s convoy in gun battle

Two suspected armed robbers were shot dead following a prolonged gun battle with police at Enugwu Agidi Junction in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

According to the state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, the clash occurred between security operatives and hoodlums believed to be armed robbers and cultists with links to a proscribed secessionist group. He said the exchange of gunfire lasted about two hours.

Ikenga disclosed on Thursday that three other suspects escaped during the operation, sustaining varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

He added that items recovered from the scene included one T.06 rifle, two pump-action guns, 24 rounds of T.06 ammunition, 15 live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, a red cult beret, and a black Toyota Highlander vehicle.

He said, “Anambra State Police Command in the early hours of 14th January 2026 recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the State of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property.

“The Police Operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu acting on credible and actionable intelligence, laid an ambush to a 5-man group of armed hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers, cultists, and linked to a proscribed secessionist group at Enugwu Agidi Junction, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“Upon sighting the Operatives, the suspects engaged the Officers in a fierce gun battle that lasted for two hours which resulted to fatal gun shot injuries on two of the armed suspects, while the other three fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

“The Operatives also recovered One (1) T.06 rifle, two (2) pump-action guns, Twenty-four (24) rounds of T.06 ammunition, Fifteen (15) live cartridges, Assorted criminal charms, One cult red beret and One black Toyota Highlander vehicle.

“Furthermore, while in deep agony, one of the armed suspects confessed the gang members as being part of those who launched an unsuccessful but repelled attack by the Police Operatives on the convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.

“He also confessed being part of the striking squad of Vikings confraternity on a mission to retaliate the death of one of their members by another rival cult group.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu while commending the gallantry of the operatives charged them to intensify efforts to arrest other gang members, particularly those who fled with gunshot injuries during the encounter.

“Meanwhile, hospital or related medical facilities are advised to admit anyone with gunshot wounds or related injuries, but must endeavor to report such to the nearest Police Station immediately.

“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress.”