NEWS
Subsidy Removal: Protesters Breakdown National Assembly Gate, Force Way into Complex
….Protesters at National Assembly
The protest by the Organised Labour against the “anti-people” policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration is getting intense as protesters, on Wednesday, morning broke down the first gate of the National Assembly (NASS) complex and forced their way into the premises, reports Channels TV.
The protesters subsequently moved to the second gate of the Assembly Complex even as Senators immediately entered a closed-door session.
The Organised Labour including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliate unions, today, kicked off a protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and other states of the Federation including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.
The protesters in their hundreds convened at the Unity Fountain from where they marched to the NASS Complex.
Read Also: Subsidy Removal: Fintiri Pledges Measures to Cushion Hardship
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is expected to address the protesters ahead of today’s screening of ministerial nominees.
Earlier, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, told Channels Television at the Unity Fountain that there is “nothing stopping the protest, not even an overture from the government.”
He said that the Organised Labour won’t shelve the protest until there is a desired response from the government.
Ajaero said the response from the states will determine “whether the protest will be from today, or tomorrow or next or till thy kingdom come, it is not by using force.”
“We are here for the protest and to make a statement that since we started negotiation, that there is nothing we have in our hands,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, warned against “violent mass protests” across the country.
Tinubu had removed subsidy on petrol during his epic inauguration speech on May 29, 2023, with a litre of the petrol jumping from N184 to over N620 and food prices and general inflation galloping at an unprecedented rate.
Last week, the NLC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and demanded “the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government including the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salary of university lecturers and workers”.
The union also demanded an upward review of the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000, saying that since the President’s “subsidy is gone” inauguration speech of May 29, 2023, the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone.
Several meetings between the Presidency and the unions on palliatives for Nigerians suffering hardship in the wake of the petrol subsidy removal proved abortive.
Also, the intervention of the Senate and the House of Representatives achieved no success as the unions insisted that the government’s palliatives’ package was out of touch with the economic realities that Nigerians face.
In a last-minute move to placate the aggrieved unions, Tinubu, in a broadcast to Nigerians on Monday night, promised to review workers’ salaries and minimum wage.
He also announced a N75 billion palliative for the manufacturing sector, saying 75 businesses would benefit within a nine-month period spanning the third quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of next year. Tinubu went on to declare a N125 billion fund to energise “this very important sector”.
According to him, provision has been made “to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses”.
However, the NLC immediately faulted the palliative measures announced by the President to cushion the biting effect of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians, saying the programmes to be rolled out by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government are totally out of touch with economic realities and hardship currently being faced by poor citizens.
The union said “the promises and assurances made by President Tinubu is not the silver bullet that Nigerians expected”.
The NLC said the President was expected to tell Nigerians his plans to resuscitate public refineries which have been lying comatose for so many years but he was completely silent on the issue.
“Do not threaten Israel with sanctions” as it will continue to build a “Jewish state” on the ground,” Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, warned on Friday.He also rebuffed a call by French President Emmanuel Macron for establishing a Palestinian State.In open defiance of international law, Katz claimed that world powers may recognize a Palestinian state “on paper.
”Katz made the remarks during a visit to Sa-Nur, an illegal outpost in the northern West Bank that the Tel Aviv government recently decided to officially designate as a settlement for illegal Israeli settlers. In a direct message, Defense Minister Israel Katz targets French President Macron and European allies.He also dismissed the potential international consequences.He said: “They will recognise a Palestinian state on paper, while we will build the Jewish Israeli state on the ground.“Don’t threaten us with sanctions. You will not make us bow.“The State of Israel will not kneel before threats.”His comments came hours after President Macron stated that recognising the State of Palestine was a “moral duty”.Macron also reiterated that France may move toward official recognition during an upcoming international conference focused on the two-state solution.Earlier this week, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli Security Cabinet had secretly approved the establishment of 22 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.In response, the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now issued a statement Thursday, revealing that 12 of the newly approved settlements were previously unauthorised outposts and farming sites established in recent years.According to Peace Now, there are currently 156 illegal settlements and 224 outposts across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with over 736,000 illegal Israeli settlers living on occupied Palestinian land.The international community, including the UN, considers the Israeli settlements illegal under international law.The UN has repeatedly warned that continued settlement expansion threatens the viability of a two-state solution, a framework seen as key to resolving the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian land illegal and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.(AA/NAN)
The stock market on Friday closed the week on a bearish note, as key performance indicators dipped by 0.07 per cent.Specifically, the market capitalisation declined by N48 billion, or 0.07 per cent, to N70.462 trillion from N70.510 trillion recorded on Thursday.The All-Share Index also dropped by 0.
07 per cent or 76.07 points to close at 111,742. 01 down from 111,818.08 posted on Thursday. The decline was largely attributed to sell-offs in heavyweight stocks like Beta Glass, NCR Nigeria, Conoil, Legend Internet and 33 others.Also, the market breadth closed negative with 37 stocks declining against 28 gainers.On the flip side, Beta Glass declined by 10 per cent, closing at N232.65 while NCR Nigeria also lost by 10 per cent, finishing at N6.57 per share.Conoil dropped by 9.99 per cent, settling at N298.10 and Legend Internet fell by 9.94 per cent, closing at N6.16 per shareAlso, Industrial Medical Gases shed by 9.91 per cent, ending the session at N33.65 per share.On the gainers’ chart, Omatek grew by 9.86 per cent, settling at 78k while Red Star Express climbed by 9.62 per cent, closing at N8.32 per share.Deap Capital Management rose by 9.38 per cent, finishing at N1.05 and Sovereign Trust Insurance soared by 9.09 per cent, ending the session at N1.08 per share.May and Baker also increased by 8.26 per cent, closing at N11.80 per share.A total of 1.90 billion shares valued at N64.14 billion were traded across 18,653 transactions, in contrast to the 556.45 million shares worth N17.17 billion exchanged across 18,505 deals on Thursday.Transactions in the shares of United Bank for Africa topped the activity chart with 1.41 billion shares worth N49.02 billion.United Capital followed with 66.84 million shares valued at N1.32 billion while Access Corporation sold 53.97 million shares worth N1.19 billion.Fidelity Bank traded 31.38 million shares valued at N606.09 million and Zenith Bank transacted 29.93 million shares worth N1.46 billion. (NAN)
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, said Operation Whirlwind intercepted 39,425 litres of petrol worth ₦39.4 million within Lagos-Ogun axis. Mr Adeniyi disclosed this on Friday at a news conference in Lagos, organised following recent petroleum product seizures by Operation Whirlwind at the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja.
Represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Asst. Comptroller-General Hussein Ejibunu, Adeniyi said it marked another milestone by operatives in the Lagos-Ogun axis. He attributed the success to officers’ dedication, commitment and resilience over the past year within the zone. Adeniyi said the Office of the National Security Adviser, NMDPRA, and Attorney General’s office all commended Customs’ efforts in intercepting smuggled petroleum products. He said, “On May 23, we were in Yola for a similar exercise where over 46,000 litres of seized PMS were auctioned. “Today, we are conducting another auction following seizures made at Laro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, Ajilete, and other flashpoints.” He added that investigations confirmed the petrol was intended for smuggling into Benin Republic. A total of 1,577 jerrycans of 25 litres each — amounting to 39,425 litres — were seized, along with eight vehicles used for transportation. Adeniyi stated that the seized petrol had a duty paid value of ₦39.4 million, and the vehicles were valued at ₦24 million, totalling ₦63.4 million. He reiterated that there was no safe haven for smugglers, and Customs would continue disrupting illegal activities to the barest minimum. The CGC directed that the seized petrol be auctioned immediately to Nigerians in 25-litre jerrycans at ₦10,000 each. He thanked strategic partners—ONSA, the Attorney General’s office and NMDPRA—for their unwavering support and cooperation. Adeniyi added that the success of Operation Whirlwind was due to strong collaboration with these agencies. “Since Operation Whirlwind began in 2025, Customs officers have not fired a single shot, and four suspects are currently facing trial,” he said. Comptroller Charles Orbih, Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’ of NCS, reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protect Nigeria’s economy and ensure policy benefits reach all citizens. He noted that every litre smuggled across the borders causes revenue loss, scarcity, market instability and weakens energy security. “Operation Whirlwind, launched by the National Security Adviser’s office, proves Nigeria Customs is capable of defending and securing the nation’s borders,” Orbih stated. Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu, FOU Zone ‘A’, commended Customs Management for the success achieved during Operation Whirlwind. He said the seizure was a joint effort by officers committed to combating smuggling and protecting the nation’s borders. He added that the seizure would help revive the economy, and Customs would maintain its focus on revenue generation and supporting legitimate trade. Mr Patrick Musa, of the NSA’s Lagos Zonal office (NMDPRA), said the operation proved Customs’ competence in border protection. He noted that NMDPRA, mandated with petroleum distribution, would continue collaborating with Customs and other agencies to stop petrol smuggling. Mrs Abidemi Aluko, representing the Attorney General’s office, appreciated the CGC, Customs officers and partner agencies for curbing petrol smuggling. “This is not business as usual. Suspects are currently under investigation for illegal petroleum dealings and will face trial,” she said. Quoting relevant laws, she stated the offence carries a sentence of life imprisonment or a fine, including forfeiture of transport means. “The Federal Government remains committed to prosecuting and bringing to justice those involved in petrol smuggling,” Aluko added. She called on sister agencies and stakeholders to strengthen collaboration to fight economic sabotage. In his closing remarks, ACG Kola Oladeji thanked the CGC for his leadership and enabling environment that contributed to the operation’s success. Oladeji urged officers to stay committed and intensify efforts to enhance national security. (NAN)
Israel Vows to Build Jewish Settlements, Rejects Macron’s Call for Palestinian State
Share “Do not threaten Israel with sanctions” as it will continue to build a “Jewish state” on the ground,” Israeli...
Stock Market Sheds N48bn Amid Sell-offs
Share The stock market on Friday closed the week on a bearish note, as key performance indicators dipped by 0.07...
Judiciary Workers Threaten Strike from June 2
Share The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has directed its members in all federal courts nationwide and other judicial...
Customs Intercepts 39,425 Litres of Smuggled Petrol
ShareThe Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, said Operation Whirlwind intercepted 39,425 litres of petrol worth ₦39.4 million...
Enugu Govt. Says Suspected Ritualist, Obieze, will Face Wrath of Law
Share The Enugu State Government says the arrested suspected ritualist and kidnap kingpin, Obi-Levi Obieze, will face the full weight...
Zamfara Gov., Residents Celebrate Return of Peace
ShareGov. Dauda Lawal has expressed joy over the return of peace and security in Zamfara, saying that the State Government...
WHO Seeks Urgent Action to Ban Flavoured Tobacco, Nicotine Products
ShareThe World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday launched a new publication and called on governments to urgently ban all flavours...
Anniversary Celebration: C’River Govt. Showcases Otu’s Landmark Projects
Share The Cross River Government, on Friday, conducted newsmen round some of the completed and ongoing landmark projects undertaken by...
Police Crack Down on Armed Robbery, Vehicle Theft in Kaduna
ShareThe Police Command in Kaduna State, said it has has made significant strides in combating crime, arresting suspects and recovering...
New NSCC D-G Assumes Office, Promises Inclusion of Nigeria’s Senior Citizens
ShareThe newly appointed Director-General, National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Mrs Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe, has pledged to lead a renaissance in the...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish