News
CSJ Calls on FG to Ensure Proposed Strike is Averted
CSJ Calls on FG to Ensure Proposed Strike is Averted
By: Michael Mike
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has advised the Federal Government to ensure that the proposed indefinite industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) is averted in public interest.
The non-governmental organisation (NGO) gave the advice on Wednesday in a statement signed by its Lead Director, Eze Onyekpere
He stated that the strike slated for October 2 by the workers unions could have been averted through more considerate and humane engagement by the Federal Government in the post petrol subsidy removal and floating of the Naira negotiations, but noted that: “It is still not too late for the Federal Government to act in the public interest.”
The CSJ acknowledged the importance of President Bola Tinubu’s policy reforms, notably the removal of fuel subsidies and the floatation of the Naira, but nevertheless, the Lead Director of CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, insisted that: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu missed an opportunity to gain widespread support for his two main policy reforms – the fuel subsidy removal and the floatation of the Naira – by not adequately addressing the hardships that followed these policy pronouncements. The expectation was that President Tinubu would announce corresponding relief programmes alongside these policies, and these programmes should have been implemented either simultaneously or immediately after making the policy and reform declarations. Unfortunately, this has not been the case.”
He added that: “For instance, the proposed salary increase for workers, which has been pending for three months now, remains unresolved in a country where the minimum wage is Thirty Thousand Naira ($30) per month. This starkly contrasts with fellow African nations like Algeria, South Africa, and Morocco, where minimum wages are $170, $242, and $360, respectively.”
He noted that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed concerns that the government-appointed committee responsible for negotiating cushioning measures for workers has either intentionally delayed or neglected to commence negotiations, a situation deeply troubling to CSJ.
CSJ argued that the deployment of the Minister of Labour as the chief negotiator with the organised labour is misplaced, considering the financial nature of the negotiations. High-level discussions involving significant political and financial decisions should be chaired by the President, Vice President or in their absence, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), insisting that the team must include the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Labour, etc.
The NGO said in such situations, the Minister of Finance is in the best position to present the government’s financial standing to labour representatives and to recommend decisions including wage increase based on affordability.
The CSJ firmly placed responsibility on the government for the current developments, asserting that the decision to announce the removal of fuel subsidies without proper consideration of the consequences reflects an unacceptable level of arrogance towards the Nigerian people,
while acknowledging that these policy reforms were intended to address issues like fuel subsidy corruption, petroleum smuggling, foreign exchange market manipulation, and fiscal constraints, but stressed that such reforms cannot exist in isolation. “They should be accompanied by strategic interventions across various economic sectors to alleviate hardship, boost productivity, and curb fiscal leaks.”
CSJ also contended that the Federal Government should have taken swift action to combat rampant oil theft and prosecute those responsible for subsidy fraud, as revealed in recent reports by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and previous reports of the Auditor General for the Federation.
Meanwhile, it called upon the Federal Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the NLC/TUC to resolve the proposed industrial action and implement measures to mitigate the impact of recent policy reforms on the Nigerian populace.
Onyekpere said: “CSJ remains unwavering in its commitment to advocating for social justice and equitable policies that prioritize the well-being of all Nigerians.”
CSJ Calls on FG to Ensure Proposed Strike is Averted
Over 500 Girls Empowered in Ketti Community, FCT
By: Michael Mike
Over 500 girls have been empowered in Ketti Community in the Federal Capital Territory to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.
The event organized by the Caleb Danladi Foundation to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, brought hundreds of young girls, women, traditional rulers, and community leaders together.
The celebration, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls at the Frontiers of Crisis”, focused on promoting girls’ education, leadership, and menstrual health awareness. It brought together stakeholders from different walks of life committed to supporting the development and empowerment of the girl child in rural communities.
In his opening address, the Founder and President of the Caleb Danladi Foundation, Capt. Caleb Danladi, emphasized the urgent need to address the rising number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly girls in underserved communities.
He said educating girls remains one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty, promote gender equality, and drive sustainable community development.
Danladi said: “We cannot build a strong and inclusive society when our girls are left behind. Every girl deserves access to quality education, safety, and equal opportunity to fulfill her dreams.”
He used the platform to donate over 1,500 sanitary pads to the participants, highlighting the Foundation’s commitment to promoting menstrual hygiene and ensuring that girls are not deprived of education due to lack of access to sanitary products.
The keynote speaker, Barrister Saratu Bissala Alao, spoke passionately about the importance of menstrual hygiene and breaking the silence around menstruation. She educated the girls on proper sanitary practices and encouraged parents and community leaders to support girls’ health and dignity.
Other speakers at the event included the District Head of Ketti and his wife, the Women Leader, Youth Leader, and several children and community advocates, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives that advance girl child education and well-being.
In his remarks, the District Head of Ketti commended the Caleb Danladi Foundation for choosing Ketti Community as part of its outreach, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.
He called for continued collaboration between traditional institutions, government, and civil society organizations to tackle the barriers preventing girls from accessing education.
The event featured interactive sessions, motivational talks, cultural presentations, and question-and-answer sessions that inspired the girls to dream big and take pride in their identities.
The 2025 International Day of the Girl Child celebration in Ketti ended on a hopeful note, with participants expressing gratitude for the life-changing messages and support received. The Caleb Danladi Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to continue advocating for girls’ rights, education, and empowerment across communities in Nigeria.
Over 500 Girls Empowered in Ketti Community, FCT
Gunmen kill eight in Nasarawa village attack
By: Zagazola Makama
At least eight persons have been confirmed dead following an armed attack on Nindama village in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Sources said that the attack occurred in the early hours of Oct. 10.
The sources said that unknown gunmen invaded the village around 3:30 a.m., shooting sporadically and killing eight residents.
“Two other persons sustained critical injuries and are currently receiving treatment, while six others are still missing,” the sources said.
He said that at about 3:30 p.m., a combined team of security agencies including army, police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) visited the scene along with the Executive Chairman of Kokona LGA, Hon. Agbawu M. Agbawu.
According to the sources, the corpses have been evacuated to the mortuary, while efforts are ongoing to locate the missing persons and apprehend the attackers.
Preliminary investigation, sources said, indicated that the attack may have been connected to a lingering land dispute in the area.
The security forces assured residents of intensified security patrols and urged anyone with useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.
Gunmen kill eight in Nasarawa village attack
News
Bandit abduct road construction worker in Katsina as security forces intensify search and rescue
Bandit abduct road construction worker in Katsina as security forces intensify search and rescue
By: Zagazola Makama
A search-and-rescue operation has been launched to secure the release of a road construction worker abducted by gunmen in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred at about 7:14 p.m. on Thursday along the Kunduru–Kadanya feeder road, when unknown assailants reportedly laid an ambush and kidnapped one Kabiru Bature, a 35-year-old driver attached to Stantech Road Construction Company.
The sources said that security forces were immediately mobilised to the area, blocked all potential escape routes, and initiated a cordon-and-search operation aimed at rescuing the victim and apprehending the perpetrators.
The troops have been deployed to track the movements of the kidnappers, believed to have fled into the surrounding forest.
Efforts were ongoing as of the time of filing this report to rescue the victim safely and bring the abductors to justice.
Bandit abduct road construction worker in Katsina as security forces intensify search and rescue
Businessman excretes 127 cocaine wraps at Kano Airport
Over 500 Girls Empowered in Ketti Community, FCT
Harassment of Muslim Women in Maiduguri Hospitals: An Assertion Amidst an Alarming Increase in Terrorist Activities in Nigeria’s Northeastern Region.
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