BREAKING; NLC declare nationwide protest

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest set for Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in response to the recent approval of a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The decision was reached after an emergency meeting of the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) in Abuja on Wednesday .

The union condemned the tariff hike as “insensitive and unjustifiable,” arguing that it places an additional financial burden on Nigerian workers and the general public, who are already struggling with rising inflation, high food prices, electricity tariff increases, and the lingering effects of petrol subsidy removal.

Labour centre last week categorically rejected the NCC’s decision, calling for its immediate suspension.

The union warned that Nigerian workers, earning a minimum wage of ₦70,000, could not afford the increase, which it described as a “direct assault” on the people.

Despite its initial call for dialogue, the government has yet to address the union’s concerns, which has prompted the latest decision to mobilise for mass action.

In a communique signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the congress directed all its affiliates and state councils to begin full mobilisation ahead of the February 4 nationwide protest rally.

The labour union further warned that if the government fails to reverse the tariff increase, it may escalate its actions, including a potential nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and a broader industrial action.

The communique reads, “NAC-in-session totally rejected the 50% Telecom Tariff Hike which it considers as too harsh for citizens.

“To express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike, the NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only ₦70,000; a population that has suffered outrageous hike in the price of petrol, high cost of food, hike in electricity tariff and general rising inflation.

Nigeria Govt prepared to welcome deported citizens amid US crackdown

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signaled its readiness to welcome Nigerians potentially deported from the United States as part of a recent crackdown on illegal immigration.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) made this announcement following growing concerns about the fate of Nigerians in the US facing deportation.

Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media and Corporate Affairs at NIDCOM, confirmed in a Tuesday interview that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is overseeing the matter.

He also revealed that an inter-agency committee had already been set up to address the situation if deportations were to occur.

The committee includes representatives from NIDCOM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the National Security Adviser’s office.

However, Balogun emphasized that, as of now, the commission has not been informed of any Nigerians currently undergoing deportation procedures in the US.

“The Federal Government has set up an inter-agency committee, comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the office of the National Security Adviser, to manage the situation should there be a large-scale deportation of Nigerians from the US,” he stated.

Reports suggest that around 3,690 Nigerians in the United States could be at risk of deportation as part of a broader immigration enforcement effort under President Donald Trump’s administration. According to a document from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) titled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,” a significant number of individuals from various countries are facing removal orders.

Mexico and El Salvador top the list, with 252,044 and 203,822 individuals, respectively, while Nigerians are among the nationalities on the list, though significantly fewer in number.

As the US government moves forward with its crackdown, Nigeria has reassured its citizens that proper mechanisms are in place to manage the repatriation process should the need arise.

Streets in America empty amid Donald Trump’s deportation order on new immigration policy

In Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, a once-bustling community now finds itself in retreat, with streets that were once alive with activity eerily quiet.

This shift comes as Donald Trump’s immigration policies continue to tighten, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have intensified, instilling a deep sense of fear among local residents.

Little Village, a predominantly Hispanic area on the city’s South Side, is experiencing the effects of these heightened immigration enforcement efforts.

Community members say they are avoiding public spaces, fearing that they could be swept up in ICE operations. While the primary focus of the raids is on individuals with criminal backgrounds, there are growing concerns about “collateral arrests” — where even undocumented immigrants not specifically targeted may be detained. As a result, even those with legal status are taking precautions.

Steve, a local resident, shared his concerns about his mother, a Mexican immigrant who entered the U.S. without proper documentation.

“She crossed the border to give us a better life, to get an education. Now, she’s scared to leave the house, worried she might get picked up,” Steve told Sky News.

At a nearby community center that supports migrants, staff have taken steps to bolster security.

The entrance gate is kept closed, and workers now begin their day by checking the streets for the presence of ICE officers. A notice posted on the door offers guidance for migrants on what to do if agents arrive.

For Oliber, a Venezuelan migrant with a valid work permit, the fear is palpable.

“I feel scared,” he said. “I don’t go out like I used to. I used to work late into the night, but now I can’t. I’m afraid that I might be caught, that I might be deported. My family depends on me. I’m scared.”

The heightened anxiety reflects a broader trend. Immigration officials have reported a significant increase in deportations compared to the final year of the Biden administration, underscoring the far-reaching impact of these policies on immigrant communities.

As raids continue, the atmosphere in neighborhoods like Little Village remains one of uncertainty, where every day feels like a precarious balancing act between survival and fear of being caught in the net of immigration enforcement.