BREAKING: Ondo NLC gets New Chairman

The Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has elected Comrade Olapade Ademola as the Chairman of the Congress. Comrade (Prince) Ademola is equally the State Chairman of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU). Members of the State Executive Council (SEC) of the Congress spreading across 22 affiliate unions took the decision at a special meeting held at the State NLC Secretariat at Alagbaka Akure today Thursday 11th July, 2024. The position of the NLC Chairman became vacant last month following the retirement of the former occupant, Comrade Victor Oladele Amoko. During the meeting presided over by the NLC Vice Chairperson, Comrade (Mrs) Busola Adewumi, the SEC members numbering 41, unanimously empowered Comrade Ademola to henceforth act as the Chairman of the NLC in the state in line with Article 11 of the Congress’ Constitution. The SEC-in-Session also approved Comrade Akin Sunday as the substantive State Secretary of NLC. In an acceptance speech, Comrade Ademola Olapade who appreciated the determination and doggedness of the SEC members in enthroning leadership for the Congress, vowed that he would work for enhanced welfare packages for workers in Ondo State. The NLC Acting Chairman who commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s commitment towards improving welfare of the state workers and pensioners since he assumed, described the recent payment of gratuities to primary school teachers and local government workers who retired since 2012 as heart warming. Ademola said “I want to appreciate the SEC members of Ondo state Nigeria Labor Congress for giving me the privilege and power to pilot the leadership of the Congress, I’m very happy about it and it is a big task and i pray that Almighty God should help me to do the needful. “Workers should be expecting something better in terms of improved salary, pension, promotion and training. For that reason, I want to appreciate the state Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the area of wage award to the tertiary institutions, government should not relent, they should continue the payment and then should please review upwardly that of the workers of Ondo state too because base on the economic factor.” Ademola also called on government to approve labour demand on the new minimum wage for better welfare of Nigerian workers.

Ondo Residents Protest EFCC Night Raids On Clubs, Arrest Of Bridegroom

Scores of residents, particularly youths in Ondo State, have protested the sting operation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at some night clubs in Akure, the state capital. Over the weekend reported, operatives of the EFCC stormed the popular Alba Royale Club and Signatures Club located in the Alagbaka area of Akure, raiding the fun-seekers. The anti-graft agency also arrested a groom-to-be and his friends who were at one of the clubs for a bachelors’ eve, confiscated mobile phones and seized vehicles belonging to those arrested. However, in a swift reaction, the EFCC Ibadan Zonal Directorate said it arrested 127 persons who are suspected to be internet fraudsters.  In a statement, Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, claimed that the suspects were arrested in an early morning sting operation at a “Yahoo Party” held simultaneously at the clubs. “Credible intelligence showed that the alleged party was initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, 2024, but was later moved to Saturday to beat security and intelligence networks of the EFCC,” Mr Oyewale said. But the invasion of the operatives of the EFCC did not go down well with residents of the state, who have been protesting the action of the anti-graft agency. Protesting against the EFCC invasion, Mr Olawale Odeyemi said the midnight raids on the clubs, the arrest and assaults of the youths were illegal and unacceptable. A renowned youth advocate in the state, Oluyemi Fashipe, condemned the action of the operatives of the anti-graft agency, describing the invasion as an abuse of citizen’s rights. Another protestor, Ewatomilola Emiola explained that the raid by the anti-graft agency was in defiance of its ban on night operation. She demanded that those arrested and profiled as internet fraudsters in the Akure clubs should be released unconditionally. Meanwhile, Abiola Makinde, the federal lawmaker representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency, has condemned the raid on the nightclubs and lounges in the state. Hon Makinde, who also is the Chairman, the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, described the raid as an invasion of privacy of innocent citizens of Nigeria. In a statement signed by his media aide, Moshood Alli, and made available in Akure, Makinde urged the residents of the state to remain calm while the invasion is investigated and resolved. He specifically noted that the EFCC as Nigeria’s premier anti-graft agency, has a critical role in combating financial crimes. “However, it is imperative that in the pursuit of justice, the EFCC adheres strictly to the principles of human rights. “Reports of raids leading to violations of personal dignity and privacy, such as the incident involving a former Big Brother Naija housemate, highlights the need for the EFCC to conduct operations with respect for the law and human decency. “Please note that the agency’s mandate to investigate financial crimes does not exempt it from the obligation to respect human rights, which includes ensuring that raids are conducted legally, with proper warrants, and without undue harm to individuals. “The concerns raised by various incidents underscore the importance of accountability and the adherence to human rights standards to maintain public trust in law enforcement agencies. “I’ll activate the State Director of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Sunday Oyewole, to look into the matter. Any violations will be addressed between the two federal agencies,” he said.