Oduduwa News

Pandemonium broke out in the Oba Akran, Ikeja area of Lagos on Tuesday afternoon when an unidentified helicopter crashed into a building, immediately igniting into flames.

The incident occurred near the AP Filling Station and United Bank For Africa on Oba Akran Street in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital.

According to eyewitness, the incident happened at about 3.30pm. At the time of this report, it was uncertain whether the helicopter pilots survived the crash or not.

Additionally, there was no clarity on other casualties, as first emergency responders were still conducting ongoing rescue operations.

The Lagos Fire and Rescue Service was being awaited for further emergency operations to salvage the situation.

Details Later…

Scores of Oyo State workers were again stranded outside the Oyo State Secretariat as they turned up to resume work on Tuesday. The workers were milling around the Secretariat gates as the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, and other affiliate bodies took charge of the gates.

Recall that ODUDUWA NEWS, had yesterday published that Oyo state workers shutdown Agodi secretariat over some of their demands yet to be met by the governor.

One of the workers, who was among those stranded at one of the gates that leads into the secretariat and spoke to Oduduwa News, pleaded anonymity as she expressed her displeasure over her inability to resume at the office.

She noted that although the country has been hard hit since the removal of subsidy from petrol, which was followed by a massive increase in petrol pump prices, she is hopeful that Governor Seyi Makinde, who has always given priority to workers’ welfare, would come to their rescue.

Governor Makinde had, through his biweekly newsletter On July 27 intimated his plans to roll out more sustainable actions to cushion the effects of subsidy removal, which has made life difficult for Nigerians. He said, “We have heard our people’s call for palliatives due to the prevailing economic situation in the country. We have already taken some measures in terms of expanding the routes of our Omituntun Bus service and ensuring that transport costs are not increased. But we know there is more to be done, and in the coming weeks, we will be rolling out more sustainable actions for the benefit of our people.”

However, the leadership of the NLC insisted on going on strike unless Governor Makinde addressed them directly. Some inscriptions on their placards read: “We want to meet with the Governor and not his representative” and “Our full salary is not enough for our transportation to our place of work.”

Some of the Oyo State workers had arrived early to work to beat the NLC gate closure and were seen at their desks trying to work. The NLC had unsuccessfully tried to chase everyone out of the Secretariat earlier.

The NLC claims that the protest is to express dissatisfaction with the current situation in the country and also to demand the harmonisation of salaries for pensioners, palliatives for civil servants as well as payment of outstanding dues.

Speaking on this, the Special Adviser on Labour Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Adebayo Titilola-Sodo, said Governor Seyi Makinde remains committed to workers’ welfare. He said the protests were unnecessary as the government was already meeting the demands of labour.

You will recall that Governor Makinde had in 2020 provided free bus service for civil servants and the busses are still in use.

As of the time of filing this report, the five entrances that lead into the Oyo State Secretariat were still being manned by NLC comrades while security operatives are on standby to ensure tensions do not escalate

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D has raised concern about the recent developments regarding planned nationwide protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The IGP made this known today in a statement made available by the Force Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi to newsmen as read in part:

“While being mindful of the right to peaceful protest, as enshrined in our Constitution, the IGP urges all parties involved to ensure that the planned demonstrations are conducted in a peaceful manner to prevent being hijacked by miscreants, owing to the previous ugly experiences of such protests in most major cosmopolitan cities in the country. The IGP, however, acknowledges the grievances raised by the labour unions and the importance of constructive dialogue, which is sine qua none, in addressing these issues.

“In light of this, the IGP orders the Commissioners of Police in charge of various commands, and supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, to engage in fruitful discussions with the NLC/TUC leadership to foster understanding and reach common grounds on the planned protests. A peaceful and coordinated approach is crucial to achieving meaningful solutions and preventing any form of violence or disruptions to public order, should the protests persist.

“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens during the period of the planned protests as all necessary measures to facilitate the peaceful conduct of these demonstrations have been emplaced. However, it is hereby reaffirmed that any attempt by miscreants to exploit the situation for violent purposes viz-a-viz vandalism, gangsterism, and extortion will be met with firm, professional and commensurate lawful approach. The Police will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and well-being of our country.

“In light of the potential challenges posed by the planned protests, the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to deploy all available resources to maintain law and order and to protect the lives and property of our citizens. The IGP therefore calls on all officers to be vigilant, professional, and uphold the highest standards of conduct during this period.

“The Police boss urges all stakeholders, including the NLC, TUC, and other civil society groups, to embrace peaceful dialogue as the most effective means of resolving grievances, while also reemphasizing that the Police is committed to ensuring a secure and conducive environment for open dialogue, constructive engagement and mutual understanding for a seamless exercise of civil rights”.

Yoruba movie star, Musiliu Ajikanle a.k.a. Buffalo died in the care of charity pastor, Agbala Gabriel, this afternoon.

Agbala Gabriel came to his aid when he got no help from his richer and more connected colleagues.

His major movie productions include ‘Olokiki Oru’, ‘Mufu Oloosha Oko’, which brought to the world stage acting expertise of film star, Odunlade Adekola, and more. He had been down with stroke and other illnesses since 2016, thirty years after he began acting.

The Oyo State Government has rallied the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to a roundtable discussion on the issue of salary deductions, stating that it owes three months deductions not six months claimed by the labour unions.

The statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Dotun Oyelade comes in the heels of Monday’s protest at the State Secretariat by the labour centres.

Oyelade in the statement argued that every state in the country owes workers salary deductions, describing the three months owed by Oyo State as the least.
Rather than protest, Oyelade argued that the present government deserved a pat on the back having even paid July salaries while some states had arrears of salaries.

While noting workers’ right to access their wages, Oyelade said it was expedient for the labour centres to come to the negotiating table and together with the government chart a realistic path in balancing attending to the welfare of workers.

He further enjoined workers to resume at their duty posts.

The Students’ Union of University of Ibadan has today confirmed that the Management has perfected plan to increase the fees for the returning students and fresh students.

The confirmation was made known today in a press release made available by the Students’ Union as read in part:

1. “We extend our warmest greetings to you and we do believe this pleasant greetings meet you well. We equally believe that you are making the best use of this holiday period.
2. We are all aware of the wave of school fees increment which has been spreading across institutions of learning in Nigeria. As a union, we have been monitoring development in other tertiary institutions, while also making consultations on our campus to verify the rumour of possible increment in fees.
3. As a result of the efforts of the Union leadership, there was a meeting between the representatives of the University of Ibadan Students Leaders, and the University management on Friday, 28th July 2023.
4. The student leaders team was led by the President of the Students Union, Samuel Samson Tobiloba (HOST) and other executives of the Union. The meeting also had the Speaker of the Student Representative Council (SRC), representatives of the Council of Faculty Presidents and Hall Chairpersons, Union of Campus Journalist (UCJ) President, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Amir, Association of Union of Christian Students Fellowship (AUCSF) representative, and President of Special Persons Club in attendance.
5. The management team was led by the Vice-Chancellor Prof Kayode Adebowale, other principal officers at the meeting include the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Deputy Vice-Chancrllor Academics, The Registrar, the University Librarian, and the Dean of Students.
6. The management notified us of the plan to increase school fees for both fresh and returning students. There is also plan for increment in accommodation and studio/practical fees. The reasons given for this decision include the dwindling subvention from the Federal Government, and the rising cost of running the university due to inflation.
7. Though the approximate value of the proposed charge for returning students was made known, the proposed amount for fresh students, accommodation, and others were however not disclosed.
8. In the remark by the Union President, he commended the administration’s innovative management of the University’s scarce resources over the years that have made the University the envy of her equals. He equally noted that we are in terms with the new economic reality of the country. However, we requested for the proposed amount for the freshers and details about other fees (hostel fee, professional fees amongst others) which the management did not make available as the Vice-Chancellor mentioned that it has not been approved by the university senate. The union leaders resolved that there is a need for clearer picture of the proposed fee increment for all categories of students for proper further discussion.
9. The meeting ended without conclusion, as the Vice-Chancellor restated the management’s openness for further deliberations with the Students’ Union on the planned increment in fees.
10. As a Union, we have started consultation with the relevant stakeholders on the next line of action for a peaceful resolution.
11. Please note that this release is not to create panic but to assure you of our commitment to you, and ensure that all UITEs are aware of the new development; hence there should be no space for rumours”.