Motorcycle Riders’ Union Seeks Meeting with Wike Over Members’ Ill-Treatment

President of the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), Comrade Julius Oghenevwegba Bobi, has expressed the union’s firm stance against the ill-treatment of its members by various state governments and agencies nationwide. In an official statement personally signed by Comrade Bobi and released to the media on Sunday, the union decried the inhumane treatment endured by its members, emphasizing that such actions would no longer be tolerated. The statement reads, “We wish to bring to your attention the distressing reality faced by MOUN members who operate motorcycles across the country, enduring unwarranted harassment and constant confiscation of motorcycles. This situation is no longer acceptable to our union. As the National President, I am taking the initiative to engage in a dialogue with the government to address these persistent challenges, which have led to the unjust seizure and destruction of our members’ motorcycles, thereby rendering them jobless despite being law-abiding citizens who dutifully pay their taxes.” “We have received reports this week indicating that approximately 700 motorcycles were confiscated by government agencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in addition to similar incidents in various locations across Nigeria. This alarming trend, coupled with harassment by law enforcement agencies for extortion, has become an unbearable burden for motorcyclists in Nigeria,” the statement continued. Comrade Bobi revealed that he has taken steps to correspond with the current Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, with the hope of appealing to him to adopt a more considerate approach in addressing issues concerning motorcycle riders in the Federal Capital Territory. It is noteworthy that the Motorcycle Operators Union recently received its union certificate from the Registrar of Trade Unions, Mr. Amos Faloni. The National President emphasized that this development has empowered them to conduct their operations in compliance with the law, granting them protection from harassment and intimidation. “With this recognition, we are determined to fulfill our mission and vision while upholding our core values and representing the interests of our association,” he concluded.

FG Moves To Avert Planned Strike, Meets Organised Labour In Aso Rock

In an effort to avert a nationwide strike scheduled for October 3, the Federal Government has initiated discussions with organised labour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. This meeting, orchestrated by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has drawn the participation of several ministers. Last Tuesday, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) jointly declared their intent to commence an indefinite strike on October 3. Following a resolution of their internal differences, which led to a two-day warning strike by the NLC without the participation of TUC, the unions also called upon their state chapters to mobilize for protests across the nation. Two days later, during a meeting of the National Executive Council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, a plea was made to the organised labour to reconsider their planned strike action. Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who addressed reporters at the Presidential Villa last Thursday, appealed to the leadership of organised labour to exercise patience and allow more time for dialogue. Mutfwang revealed that the welfare of Nigerian workers would be a focal point in President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural Independence Day address to the nation on Sunday. In response to the plea made by the National Executive Council, the President’s Chief of Staff convened this meeting to resolve the ongoing industrial dispute with organised labour.

Tinubu meets UK Foreign Secretary on economy, security

President Bola Tinubu is expected to meet UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, who is on a 4-day African visit, on Wednesday. Cleverly, who will spend two days in Nigeria, is on a three-country visit where he is prioritising future-focused, mutually-beneficial partnership. A statement from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office disclosed that a number of funding would be unveiled during Cleverly’s visit to make Nigeria’s agriculture sector more resilient to climate change. It said that the funding would help more than four million people develop better farming practices and reduce harmful carbon emissions. Cleverly’s meeting with Tinubu and the National Security Adviser,  Nuhu Ribadu will focus on the UK-Nigeria partnership and key common priorities. ‘’It will also include how to increase bilateral trade and investment, economic development, regional issues, and strengthened security cooperation.’’ Total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Nigeria was 7.6 billion pounds in the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2023. This is an increase of 48.4 percent or 2.5 billion pounds in current prices from the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2022.

West Africa Defence Chiefs meet Wednesday to discuss Niger coup

Defence chiefs from West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS will meet in Nigeria’s capital Abuja for two days beginning Wednesday to discuss last week’s coup in Niger, the bloc said in a statement on Tuesday. On Sunday leaders of the Economic Community of West African States slapped sanctions on Niger and warned they may use force as it gave the junta a week to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. The leaders gave the junta seven days to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held captive. Earlier, the junta warned it would resist any “plan of aggression against Niger” by regional or Western powers. Meanwhile hundreds of coup supporters protested outside the French embassy in the capital Niamey. A statement read out after the Sunday summit in Nigeria said that Ecowas had “zero tolerance” for coups. The regional bloc said it would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order” if its demands were not met within a week. “Such measures may include the use of force,” and military chiefs are to meet “immediately” to plan for an intervention, the statement added. The Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel was at the meeting, and said Ecowas had taken a decisive action because events in Niger were concerning. “Niger is playing a key role in fighting terrorism. If Niger stops playing this role this will give more space and more leeway to terrorists to expand in the region,” Dr Leonardo Santos Simao told BBC’s Newshour programme. He added that “no official negotiations” were taking place between ECOWAS and the country’s military junta. This is the first time ECOWAS has threatened military action to reverse the coups that have taken place in the region in recent years. It last sanctioned military intervention in 2017, when Senegalese troops were deployed to The Gambia to force long-serving ruler Yahya Jammeh to leave office after he refused to accept defeat in elections. Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has gone to Niamey to tell the junta to step down, Chad’s government said. He met junta deputy leader Gen. Salifou Mody. It is unclear whether he will hold talks with Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guards unit who has declared himself Niger’s new ruler. The West African leaders also announced the immediate enforcement of a no-fly zone over Niger for all commercial flights, the closure of all land borders with the country, and the imposition of financial sanctions against the junta. Ahead of their meeting, Gen. Tchiani warned ECOWAS and unnamed Western nations against stepping in. “We once again reiterate to ECOWAS or any other adventurer, our firm determination to defend our fatherland,” the statement, which was read out on TV, said. The coup has prompted concern that Niger, a former French colony, could pivot towards Russia. The ousted president had worked closely with both regional and Western nations to fight militant Islamists. Burkina Faso and Mali moved closer to Russia after their own coups. In Niamey, some of the protesters outside the French embassy chanted “Long live Russia”, “Long live Putin” and “Down with France”, AFP news agency reports. They also set fire to the walls of the embassy compound. France would not tolerate any attack on its interests in Niger, and would respond in an “immediate and intractable manner”, President Emmanuel Macron’s office said in a statement.