Category: Nigerian Tribune

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has said he wants Nigeria to ‘keep happening’ to him.

This is in response to online conversations around the phrase ‘Nigeria happened,’ which resurfaced after late ARISE News correspondent Somtochukwu Maduagwu used it in a post before her death in a robbery attack at her Abuja home.

In a post made on X on Tuesday, Omokri said the phrase is often used to describe the country negatively.

‘May Nigeria happen to me and keep happening to me as long as I live! When bad things happen, enemies of this country are quick to say that ‘Nigeria has happened’ to them. But they take the good that occurs to them in Nigeria personally, without attributing it to our great nation,’ he wrote.

Omokri noted that unpleasant events occur everywhere in the world but argued that Nigeria’s progress is often ignored.

He added, ‘Good and bad are as universal as day and night and are part of the ying yang of human existence. This is Earth. This is not heaven! Earth is an imperfect place, which is why unpleasant things can sometimes happen.’

‘Please fact-check me: Every year in America, 20,000 people are murdered. That is more than twice the murder rate in Nigeria. Have you ever heard Americans badmouthing their country as a result of this?’

He cited the rollout of federal government student loans, improvements in electricity generation, a drop in inflation, and the country’s emergence as a net exporter of petrol as examples of positive changes.

He also listed recent government actions adding, ‘600,000 Nigerians have gotten student loans from the Federal Government to attend universities under Tinubu. Is that not also Nigeria happening to Nigerians positively?’

‘Food prices have dropped nationwide. In 1975, inflation was above 40%. Today, it is 20.12%, a 1.76% drop from July’s 21.88%. How many countries on Earth today are moving inflation behind? Look at Argentina, which Peter Obi praised. Today, their economy is ‘in shambles,’ to borrow from Davido!’

‘The electricity situation has vastly improved, and Nigeria broke its power generation record with a peak generation of 5,801.84MW and maximum daily energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), the highest ever attained in the history of the electricity industry in Nigeria. Is that not Nigeria happening?’

‘Nigeria is now a net exporter of petrol. Please fact-check me: When President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, Nigeria was Africa’s largest petrol importer.

‘Today, South Africa is Africa’s largest fuel importer. Nigeria’s fuel imports have drastically reduced. Not only that, according to the International Energy Agency, Nigeria has now emerged as the largest exporter of refined petroleum products in West Africa. This has seen fuel prices drop.

‘Only three civilian governments have achieved that. Yar’adua, Jonathan and now Tinubu. That is also Nigeria happening to us!’

‘Nigeria is a great country, but it is not perfect because perfection is divine. There is no ideal country on Earth. We can choose to look at the negatives, but there are many positive things happening in Nigeria that we refuse to project because we love bad news!’ he concluded.

Toncoin (TON) is under heavy pressure after sliding to $2.82, breaking below the key $2.90 support. Meanwhile, Stellar (XLM) is showing more resilience, holding near $0.386 with neutral momentum as traders track a potential breakout toward $0.50 if support around $0.36 holds.

While these tokens fight to stabilize, BlockDAG (BDAG) is stealing the spotlight. The project’s presale has already raised nearly $415M, sold 26.5B coins, and locked a batch 30 price of $0.0013, far below its confirmed $0.05 listing. Backed by a headline BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team partnership, BlockDAG is rewriting the emerging crypto coins with record-breaking momentum and viral investor demand.

TON Slides Below $2.90 as Sellers Target Deeper Losses

Toncoin has broken below the critical $2.90 support, falling to $2.82 with a sharp 7.9% daily loss. Multiple failed attempts to hold the $3.16 resistance opened the door for bears to take control, leaving traders focused on the next key levels. Immediate resistance now sits at $3.00, while the next major support zone is between $2.60 and $2.70.

Market weakness and risk-off sentiment are adding pressure, pushing traders to exit high-volatility assets. Toncoin’s recent adoption news offers little protection as technical indicators signal more downside. A recovery above $3.00 is needed to shift momentum back to the bulls. Without it, sellers are likely to extend losses toward the $2.60 floor, making this a high-risk but potential buy zone for investors.

XLM Slips Below $0.39 but Traders See a Path to $0.50

Stellar (XLM) is trading near $0.386, down about 2.3% this week. Market cap sits at roughly $12.3 billion, with daily trading volume dropping to $150 million, signalling reduced activity. Technical charts show strong support between $0.36 and $0.37, while resistance remains near $0.45. If buyers defend these levels, analysts see a potential move toward the critical $0.50 mark.

The Relative Strength Index hovers around 50, showing a neutral market where neither bulls nor bears dominate. A clean breakout above $0.45 could spark renewed momentum, while failure to hold $0.36 may trigger a slide toward $0.30. Investors tracking mid-cap crypto trends may view this range as an opportunity to accumulate ahead of a push toward $0.50.

BlockDAG’s $415M Presale Explodes With BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team Deal

BlockDAG is turning into a market event as its BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team partnership floods X, Telegram, and Discord with nonstop buzz. The project’s presale has nearly raised $415 million, sold 26.5 billion coins, and locked a Batch 30 price of $0.0013, creating one of the most watched early-stage crypto launches of 2025. This isn’t a quiet presale anymore, BlockDAG is now trending across social channels, and that visibility is driving a new wave of retail buying.

The hype isn’t just noise. Whales have already pooled more than $10 million, signalling institutional-scale interest before the official launch. With each batch pushing the price higher, traders are rushing to lock in the current rate before the gap to the confirmed $0.05 listing price narrows further.

This viral momentum is reshaping investor psychology. BlockDAG’s presale is no longer about speculation but about securing entry before October’s next price move. The combination of hard adoption numbers and a global BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team partnership gives this project a rare mix of credibility and excitement. At $0.0013, the window for an early position is shrinking by the day.

Final Take

Toncoin’s recent price crash signals growing uncertainty, while Stellar’s steady climb remains tied to cautious accumulation and key technical levels. Both offer trading setups but lack a defining catalyst strong enough to pull capital away from safer market trends.

BlockDAG, on the other hand, is building an entirely different story. Its nearly $415M presale, confirmed $0.05 listing target, and viral BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team partnership give it the kind of institutional credibility rarely seen in early crypto launches. With each batch pushing prices higher, the current $0.0013 entry stands out as one of the most asymmetric opportunities in emerging crypto coins analysis. For investors, BlockDAG offers a chance to buy into momentum before it turns into the next headline rally.

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo has released the sum of N1. 5 billion as bursary awards for students of tertiary institutions for the 2025/26 academic session.

With the bursary, successful students will be paid the sum of #30,000 each while law students across the seven Law schools across the country will be paid N300,000.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones while unveiling the portal for the commencement of registration process for the 2025 bursary allowance at press conference in Lokoja, declared the exercise open said the bursary was meant for indigenes of the state in tertiary institutions across the country.

He disclosed that the registration portal will be opened to students as from September 29 and will close on October 31, 2025 and urged eligible students to register via the official website https://scholarshipboard.kogistate.gov.ng

While urging students to take advantage of what he described as an improved and transparent registration process,the commissioner reaffirmed governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to making Kogi State a positive reference point for educational development in Nigeria.

He noted that this year’s exercise, described as ‘Season Two’ of the bursary scheme, was designed to consolidate on the successes recorded during the previous phase.

‘His Excellency, Governor Ododo, is determined to build on the foundation already laid to ensure more students benefit from this bursary award.

‘We expect the number of beneficiaries to surpass that of last year, and I assure you that the funds are already set aside for disbursement,’ Jones said.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, Afolabi Joseph-Raji, praised governor Ododo for setting aside the sum of N1.5 billion for the scholarship scheme saying no fewer than 8,750 students benefited from the bursary in first phase where students of higher institutions who are of Kogi State origin received ?30,000 and those in law school got ?300,000 respectively.

He commended Governor Ododo for revitalizing the bursary process and ensuring it is now more accessible to students.

‘Unlike last year where students had to undergo pre-qualification, this year’s registration is straightforward. Students simply need to visit the portal, create an account, and upload the required documents and information.

‘Over 44,000 students registered last year but only 11,000 uploaded their documents for verification, out of the 11,000, only 8,750 qualified for the bursary. So, it is not enough to just register, you have to upload some required documents too.

‘As an improvement, the board has made the process more direct whereby submission of required documents like admission letter, school identity card and other information are done before registration is completed,’ Afolabi explained.

Two of the students who benefited from the bursary award last year testified to how the money helped them to solve some of their academic challenges.

Responding the President of NAKOSS, Comrade Sunday Adeola, commended Governor Ododo for sustaining and expanding the bursary initiative and promised that the students’ body will carry out a wide sensitization exercise across all tertiary institutions in the state to inform the students to register for the bursary award.

The dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Group has escalated as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all its affiliates and members nationwide to immediately mobilise for what it described as a ‘full-scale, decisive engagement’ against the conglomerate’s alleged anti-worker practices.

NLC’s directive, contained in an internal memo signed by its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, follows months of industrial unrest led by PENGASSAN and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

The two unions have accused the Dangote Group of union-busting, unfair labour practices, and victimisation of workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other subsidiaries.

According to the NLC, the conflict has now moved beyond the individual struggles of PENGASSAN and NUPENG, and has become a broader fight for workers’ rights across the country.

‘This letter serves as a formal and urgent request in response to the protracted and deliberate anti-worker crusade being waged by the Dangote Group against the Nigerian working class,’ Ajaero wrote in the memo.

‘The ongoing battle with PENGASSAN and NUPENG is merely a symptom of a deeper sickness, a capitalist pathology of union-busting, worker enslavement, and gross impunity that defines the Group’s industrial relations strategy.’

The NLC further accused the Dangote Group of behaving like ‘a state within a state,’ alleging that the company had repeatedly violated Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, flouted International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, and treated national labour laws with ‘utter disdain.’

Ajaero described the company’s operations as sites of exploitation rather than legitimate workplaces.

‘Their facilities are not workplaces but plantations of exploitation, where the dignity of the worker is systematically crushed to maximise profit for the few,’ he declared.

‘The time for pleading and endless, fruitless dialogue is over. The moment for decisive, collective action is now,’ he said.

Declaring the start of a new phase of confrontation, the NLC placed all its affiliates on immediate and full alert. Ajaero instructed unions to launch a comprehensive unionisation drive targeting every Dangote facility in the country, calling it a ‘strategic priority.’

‘You are requested to commence, with immediate effect, preparation for a vigorous and comprehensive unionisation of all workers within every Dangote Group facility falling under your jurisdiction,’ the memo read.

The congress further ordered the establishment of Action Mobilisation Committees in every affiliate union. These committees are to engage directly with the NLC National Secretariat within 72 hours to harmonise strategy, logistics, and communications.

Ajaero emphasised that the ultimate goal of the campaign is to force the conglomerate to respect workers’ fundamental rights.

‘This action aims to compel the Dangote Group to unconditionally respect the right of every worker to freely join a union of their choice, cease all forms of intimidation and union-busting activities, and submit to the authority of our nation’s labour laws and institutions,’ he said.

NLC also accused the Dangote Group of leveraging its economic power to escape regulatory oversight and accountability, alleging that key government agencies have been compromised.

‘The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with the resistance of organised labour,’ Ajaero asserted.

‘No amount of media propaganda or paid hirelings will stop us from fighting for our liberty in the face of apparent regulatory capture, where the state seems to have abdicated its responsibility to hold this behemoth accountable.’

Court stops PENGASSAN, others from cutting gas supply to Dangote Refinery

This was just as Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim of the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja on Monday restrained PENGASSAN from embarking on its planned industrial action against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

Justice Subilim, in a ruling on an ex-parte application filed by Dangote Refinery on Monday, specifically restrained the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum, and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, who are defendants in the suit, from cutting crude and gas supply to Dangote Refinery.

George Ibrahim, SAN, from Ogwu James Onoja law firm in Abuja, argued the application on behalf of the plaintiff and secured the order against the defendants.

The senior lawyer in the ex-parte motion applied for an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendant, its members, agents, servants, privies, representatives, assigns or whatsoever and howsoever called from calling or directing the halt of crude and gas supply to the claimant under any guise and/or embarking on any industrial action against the claimant with a view to crippling, blocking roads, or obstructing the flow of vehicular movement, shutting down operations of the claimant or licensees of the 2nd to 4th defendants named in the 1st defendant directives dated September 26, 2025, or by any means frustrating the businesses/activities of the claimant/applicant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

He applied for ‘an order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd-4th defendants, their employees, members, agents, servants, privies, representatives, licensees, assigns or whatsoever and howsoever called from giving effect to the directives of the 1st defendant to halt the supply of crude and gas to the claimant or joining, continuing, embarking on, or in any manner participating in the planned industrial action of the 1st defendant and its affiliates and cronies or any other strike whatsoever against the claimant/applicant with a view to frustrating her businesses and operations pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.’

Ibrahim argued that the applicant is a petroleum production and/or distribution company licensed to own, operate and produce petroleum and petrochemical products for the general consumption of the Nigerian public, and whose business provides essential services to the Nigerian economy and the general public.

He said, in recent times, there have been incidents of sabotage by some employees of the claimant at the claimant’s plant which sprang up issues of grave health concern and safety of human lives.

According to him, the management of the claimant came to an irresistible conclusion that there should be reorganisation in the plant which led to relieving some of its staff of their employment, and same was communicated to all staff by a memo or circular dated 25th September, 2025.

The senior lawyer said, in the early hours of Friday, the 26th day of September 2025, the claimant received online reports that Nigerian workers were laid off by the claimant because they joined the 1st defendant’s union.

According to him, the management of the claimant by a press statement refuted the said report and explained in clear terms that the claimant was not averse to its members unionising as that is their constitutional right. However, he clarified that the claimant has over 3,000 Nigerians in its workforce and that only a negligible number of staff were affected by the reorganisation of the plant as a result of sabotage and safety concerns.

The lawyer asserted that by a letter dated September 26, 2025 and circulated online, the 1st defendant, through its General Secretary, Comrade Lamumbalghotemu Okugbawa, wrote to the Hon. Minister of Petroleum, Gas and warned that the 1st defendant and its members were going to take action that would force the claimant to its knees if the claimant failed to recall the affected staff, which was described in the said letter as over 800.

‘The 1st defendant issued a press statement on the 26th day of September, 2025 wherein it erroneously referred to the laying off of the workers by the claimant as anti-labour practices, alleging that the workers were being victimised because they joined the 1st defendant as members of the union, which is not correct.

‘Irrespective of the explanation offered by the claimant in Exhibit DR3, the 1st defendant became more provoked and directed its Executives and Members in the licensees of the 2nd-4th defendants through whom the claimant accesses crude and gas for its plant to stop supplying gas to the claimant.

‘The 2nd-4th defendants are on standby to carry out the directives of the 1st defendant through their agents and licensees as mentioned in Exhibit DR6 with a view to stopping the supply of gas and crude oil to the claimant in order to halt its business and operation as threatened unless the Honourable Court intervenes.’

‘The 1st Defendant is going to make good its threat to shut down operations of the Claimant knowing the strength of its membership across the country unless the Honourable Court intervenes.

‘The 1st Defendant, its members and protegees in the services of the 2nd to 4th Defendants have perfected plans to embark on an industrial action which will cripple the operations and services of the Claimant to the Nigerian public as well as the economy.

‘The 1st Defendant has not engaged the Claimant with respect to a dispute, if any, before championing and calling for an industrial action against the Claimant contrary to the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

In his brief ruling on the ex-parte application, Justice Subilim held that the balance of convenience is in favour of the Applicants as the continuation of the strike would irreparably damage its business and cripple the provision of essential services to the Nigerian public.

The judge held that it was in the interest of justice for the Court to restrain the Respondents to preserve industrial peace and further aid the continuous provision of essential services to the Nigerian public pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Subilim, while granting the restraining order, directed that same be served on the defendants immediately along with motion on notice, adding that the restraining order shall last for seven days only and subsequently fixed October 13 for hearing of the motion on notice.

Meanwhile, the conciliation meeting at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, to resolve the faceoff was still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour and Employment conference room in Abuja, was chaired by the minister.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Dr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; top officials from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Engineering Matters; and senior representatives of key oil and gas regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Speaking at the opening of the talks, Dingyadi underscored the gravity of the situation, describing the strike by PENGASSAN as one of significant national concern.

He admitted that the government initially underestimated the scale of the industrial action until it became clear that the strike had spread beyond Dangote Refinery to affect other critical oil and gas operations, including those of the NNPC.

‘What is happening today is very dear to this country, very dear to our economy, and very dear to the security of our nation,’ Dingyadi said. ‘We didn’t know the magnitude of this strike. Initially, we thought it was just about Dangote Refinery, but we have now been informed that it has extended to affect NNPC and other subsidiaries in the oil and gas industry.’

The minister commended PENGASSAN for its longstanding record as a constructive and peaceful union, emphasizing that the group has historically demonstrated deep commitment to the growth and stability of Nigeria’s economy.

‘PENGASSAN has always been very peaceful, and we know for a very long time they have never done this kind of thing,’ he stated. ‘We consider them as friends and as people who wish this country well. Their action must be understood as a reflection of deep concerns that deserve urgent and sincere attention.’

Dingyadi assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is closely monitoring the situation and is deeply concerned about its potential impact on citizens.

He stressed that the government’s intervention is focused on preventing the crisis from escalating into a national emergency, particularly in ways that would negatively affect ordinary people.

‘We want to make sure that this face-off is not extended to the ordinary citizens of the country,’ Dingyadi added. ‘That is why we are taking urgent steps to act as conciliators, to resolve this issue amicably for the good of our workers, our economy, and the spirit of our nation.’

Built environment professionals under the auspices of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Iru – Victoria Island Cell have raised the alarm over what they described as ‘imperfect’ sub-soil investigations in the coastal region of Lagos State.

The professionals pointed out that investigations have shown that substandard sub-soil test was fuelling building collapse in Lagos State, expressing worry that lack of effective regulatory monitoring of geotechnical practice in the metropolis portends future incidents in Iru – Victoria Island LCDA.

They emphasised that Iru – Victoria Island Local Council Development Area is surrounded by the Five Cowrie Creek and Atlantic Ocean, arguing that conducting comprehensive sub-soil investigations in order to determine the mechanical properties and the shear strength of the soil that could bear the loading exerted by the building foundation is inevitable.

They reiterated that ensuring the integrity of sub-soil investigations is critical to safeguarding lives, properties, and investments in the coastal region of Lagos State.

The professionals called for collaborative engagement between government agencies, professional bodies, and industry stakeholders to build capacity, enforce standards, and foster transparency in soil testing operations.

In a statement signed by the Coordinator, BCPG Iru – Victoria Island Cell, Adefemi Afolabi, an architect; General Secretary,Taiwo Ayanboade, a quantity surveyor; and Public Relations Officer, Wale Oyetayo, a civil/ geotechnical engineer, the trio said that soil test remained an important exercise for building development, especially in the coastal region, in order to prevent building collapse due to foundation failure.

‘Geotechnical sub-soil investigation report, if correctly done, enables the civil/structural engineer to determine and design the most suitable foundation type for the proposed building development,’ the group said in the statement.

However, the group said that investigations have revealed that the underlying factor of execution’s cost being at variance with contract sum/budget has paved way for most of the substandard soil tests that are being conducted around.

The group also raised doubt about the integrity of the sub-soil investigation report being attached as part of building plan approval requirements.

It said that through investigations, it has identified paucity of competent drillers,strenuous process of soil text, insufficient drilling accessories, and high drilling accessories’ cost, among others as challenges being faced in the sub-soil soil text segment.

‘On the submission of application for planning permit or building plan approval, Section 4, Sub-section 3 (V) of the revised Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority Regulations, 2019 specifies that, ‘Sub-soil investigation report in the case of structures in excess of two (2) floors and all developments in areas with low bearing capacity soil where required. ‘

‘This regulation has created exponential demand for sub-soil investigations, thereby exposing the unpreparedness and limitations of geotechnical firms. Although the challenges are being endured silently by practitioners in order to protect the business from low patronage, the need to avert future disastrous consequence of downplaying the challenges necessitates bringing into the open constraints in the geotechnical field.

‘Doubts being exhibited by piling contractors, who nowadays demand for confirmatory sub-soil investigations, making clients spend double for the same exercise, are the indication that all is not well in the geotechnical sector. There is a limit to pretentiousness,’ the statement by BCPG read.

To enhance credibility of sub- soil investigations, BCPG urged that the building plan approval system should incorporate procedures capable of verifying soil test reports and minimizing the risk of copied or falsified submissions.

It stressed the establishment of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory by law in 2006 was considered a solution to inferior geotechnical practices, but that the agency that was supposed to play the role of the disciplinarian umpire, entered into the business of soil testing, thereby competing with the firms it was established to regulate.

‘The revenue generation drive of the agency is counter-productive as standards became compromised.

‘It is high time LSMTL stopped playing the dual role of soil test monitoring and revenue generating agency through soil testing business.

‘LSMTL should now wield the big stick to sanitise the geotechnical sector. Any firm that wants to practise geotechnical investigations in the state must undergo scrutiny for possessing appropriate plants, equipment, accessories, experienced drillers, and analytical competent supervisors,’ the group said.

As way out of the woods, the BCPG Iru-Victoria Island Cell is making a case for the establishment of training school for drillers by the Lagos State Government, in conjunction with the Nigerian Institution of Geotechnical Engineers; Nigerian Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment; and other relevant bodies.

‘For a result oriented approach, field work monitoring with enforcement teams is inevitable in the aspirations for the satisfactory sub-soil investigations,’ it said.

The group reiterated that ensuring the integrity of sub-soil investigations is critical to safeguarding lives, properties, and investments in the coastal region of Lagos State.

While commendable efforts have been made in strengthening building control processes, the group said that more work remains to be done in the area of geotechnical practice.

‘By addressing the identified challenges and prioritizing professionalism above expediency, Lagos State can significantly reduce the risks of building collapse and set a sustainable example for other coastal cities in Nigeria and beyond,’ BCPG said.

Niger Police Command has successfully neutralised three suspected kidnappers in Niger and recovered two AK-47 rifles along with 49 rounds of live ammunition during a clearance operation in Kokolo Forest, located in Nasko village, Magama Local Government Area of the state.

According to a press statement issued and made available to Journalists on Monday in Minna by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the operation was carried out by the Command’s Special Task Team (STT) in collaboration with local vigilantes.

The operation against the kidnappers in Niger resulted in a gun duel with the suspects, who fled into the forest, leaving behind one rescued victim.

In a separate operation, police have arrested two individuals linked to criminal activities in the Sabon-Titi (New Road) area of the Tunga Community in Minna, further addressing the issue of kidnappers in Niger.

Eighteen-year-old Murtala Abbas was apprehended allegedly with two dangerous curved weapons, while twenty-year-old Hassan Ibrahim was allegedly found in possession of two locally fabricated guns, a police T-shirt, and damaged walkie-talkies, potentially linked to kidnappers in Niger.

Both suspects are now in Police custody, and investigations are ongoing to trace their accomplices, including vigilante members who are allegedly involved in providing them with weapons.

The State Police Command, however, urged members of the public to report any suspicious individuals, especially those with gunshot injuries, as part of their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the state.

In this exclusive interview with CHRISTIAN APPOLOS, Comrade Benson Upah, the Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), explains what led to the ongoing face-off between Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and why the right of workers to unionise must never be compromised.

Talking about the Dangote Refinery/NUPENG ongoing face-off, what actually ignited the crisis?

The crux of the matter is that Dangote Refinery refused to allow its employees to join existing trade unions. Initially, NUPENG had begun discussions with the refinery’s management about its intention to unionise workers. There was some engagement at first, but along the line, the process was abruptly halted because Dangote Refinery began taking steps to set up its own union for the workers.

The labour law is very clear: an employer cannot establish a union for workers. At that point, relations between the refinery’s management and NUPENG broke down, and NUPENG threatened to embark on strike action. The matter was later apprehended by the Minister of Labour and Employment. That, in summary, is what led to this current dispute.

At what point, if any, did NUPENG exceed its rights in this dispute?

I was privileged to lead the labour team that met with the Ministers of Labour and Employment, Dangote Refinery representatives, industry regulators, and other stakeholders. From what transpired at that meeting on September 8, it was very clear that NUPENG acted entirely within its legal rights to unionize employees of the refinery.

Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended) guarantees every citizen the right to form or join associations and unions. The Labour Act also explicitly protects the right of workers to freely join unions. Beyond our national laws, international instruments such as ILO Conventions 87 and 98, as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, provide robust protections for workers’ right to unionise and engage in collective bargaining.

There are also precedents. All four state-owned refineries and virtually every oil company operating in Nigeria have unions. Why should Dangote Refinery be treated differently? The law even recognizes the right of unions to take industrial action as a legitimate bargaining tool. In essence, NUPENG did not, at any point, go beyond its constitutional and legal mandate.

During the meeting with Dangote Refinery management, what reasons were given for refusing to allow workers to join NUPENG or any other union?

The management of Dangote Refinery was very direct during the meeting, which lasted several hours. They insisted that NUPENG would not be allowed to unionize their workers for two main reasons.

First, they claimed they already provide excellent welfare for their employees:good pay, pension schemes, health insurance, and other benefits, and therefore saw no need for union representation. We made it clear to them that NUPENG is not an employer of labour. Its role is to unionize workers and collectively defend their rights and interests, not to replace management functions.

Second, they argued that the refinery is located in an Export Processing Zone (EPZ). In fact, they bluntly stated that the refinery is ‘not on Nigerian territory,’ suggesting that Nigerian labour laws do not fully apply there. We challenged this position by asking whether the law that created EPZs suspended the Nigerian Constitution or Labour Act in those zones. If they truly believe national laws do not apply, then they must accept that international labour laws take precedence, and those laws also guarantee workers’ right to unionize.

In the end, Dangote Refinery could not provide any proof that the Nigerian Constitution or labour laws are suspended in EPZs. Their argument simply fell flat.

Does an employer have the right to stop employees from joining a union or form a union on their behalf? Can a union freely approach a company to organize its workers?

As I pointed out earlier, the law is very clear on this matter. Employers have no right whatsoever to seduce, coerce, or manipulate workers into joining or not joining a union. They also cannot form or dictate the creation of a union for workers.

If an employer, for example, tells workers, ‘If you don’t join a union, I will pay you N80,000, but if you do, I’ll reduce your pay or sack you,’ that is outright coercion and illegal. Workers must be free to decide voluntarily whether to belong to a union, without threats or inducements.

Likewise, employers cannot create obstacles to prevent union officials from accessing workplaces to interact with workers. That would constitute a direct violation of labour laws. To put it plainly, NUPENG was fully within its legal rights to engage Dangote Refinery in an effort to unionize its workers. Dangote Refinery, on the other hand, has no right to stop this process or to establish a parallel union for its employees. Doing so is a clear breach of the law.

What would happen if employers were allowed to stop workers from joining unions or form their own unions for workers?

It would result in the highest level of impunity. It would turn the Nigerian Constitution on its head, lead to widespread injustice, and open the door to systematic manipulation and abuse of workers’ rights.

During the meeting with the Ministers of Labour, a member of the Dangote delegation even argued that trade unions should not exist in the refinery because the project was ‘birthed by reforms.’ He went further to claim that unions were responsible for the collapse of Nigeria’s existing refineries and would harm the Dangote Refinery.

We made it clear that such arguments were completely false and historically inaccurate. Reforms, whether moderate, liberal, or radical, do not erase workers’ rights or unions. In fact, unions are vital in market economies. Look at advanced economies like the United States, the UK, France, Japan, and Canada. Unions exist in every sector, from manufacturing to domestic services.

As for Nigeria’s refineries, workers were not responsible for their collapse. The real culprits were those behind fraudulent turnaround maintenance scams and destructive policies. Even now, during the ongoing probe of the NNPC, how many workers have been summoned to testify? None. Regarding the textile industry, it collapsed due to three main factors: dumping of foreign products, rising energy costs, and lack of innovation, none of which were caused by workers. In fact, unions fought against these very policies.

It is completely unfair to demonize unions or workers just to keep them out of the Dangote Refinery. We reminded Dangote’s team that unions even supported him in the past when he faced obstacles. We advocated for the government to assist him so the refinery could succeed and help make petroleum products available to Nigerians at affordable costs. Our goal has never been to undermine his business but to see it grow in line with the law.

Why do unions exist in the first place? What role do they play for workers?

Unions exist to protect the interests of workers through collective bargaining and social dialogue. This goes beyond wages to include pensions, health and safety, job security, and dignity in the workplace.

Historically, unions have been central to the development of capitalism. Social welfare policies such as unemployment benefits and subsidies, which unions fight for, are what keep economies stable. Without these protections, public anger would boil over into unrest or revolutions. That’s why countries like the US and the UK maintain welfare systems, even though they often advise countries like Nigeria to remove subsidies. These measures are not acts of charity; they are designed to maintain stability.

Why is it important for the government to protect unions’ right to organize workers?

The government has a constitutional duty to protect its citizens and their rights. It must also ensure that national laws are enforced and that institutions function effectively. When the government fails in this duty, chaos and self-help will take over.

Unfortunately, we often see governments prioritize foreign investors over the rights of their citizens, as though investment must come at any cost. This is both wrong and dangerous. Foreign investment, like any investment, must operate under the laws of the host country. Ironically, the very countries these investors come from have vibrant unions and frequent protests. If the capital is not afraid of unions there, it should not be afraid of unions here.

The government must therefore defend the constitutional rights of its citizens, ensure the rule of law is upheld, and never trade away those rights under the guise of attracting foreign investment.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has empowered a total of 58,933 Corps members with different digital skills in its entrepreneurship drive towards youth empowerment within the last two years.

NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made this known in his goodwill message at a retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, with the theme, ‘Achieving the youth-focused Presidential Priorities And Deliverables’, held in Abuja.

The DG said for more than two years of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NYSC has been drawing strength from the support of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and, by extension, the Federal Government.

He stated further that the Scheme has remained committed to the success of the sixth priority area, which is focused on education, health and social investment as essential pillars of development.

Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said while congratulating the Minister for his accomplishments since assuming office, General Nafiu added that Olawande’s passion has been a source of inspiration for the Nigerian youths.

‘As at the second quarter 2025, fifty-six thousand and thirteen Corps members had been exposed to digital skills through ICT training at NYSC orientation camps nationwide.

‘Our partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre has yielded digital skills training for two thousand, nine hundred and twenty female Corps members’, he said.

General Nafiu noted that NYSC has contributed to one of the key deliverables of the sixth priority area, which is galvanising the internal and external economies of scale for youth entrepreneurial sharpening through inter-agency engagements and collaboration.

The NYSC Chief Executive stated further that the Scheme would strengthen its existing partnership to drive empowerment initiatives and youth support systems through enhanced collaboration with Access Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, NNPC Foundation/Kudimata and Activate Success on its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.

He said NYSC’s partnerships, together with other initiatives, gave rise to the Scheme’s contributions to the second deliverable, namely, improvement of employability and access of youth to business and income-generating opportunities.

General Nafiu also said the number of Corps members supported in mentorship, internship, apprenticeship and career development opportunities also keeps rising, as 385,461 Corps members had participated in the SAED programme from June 2023 to the second quarter of 2025.

‘Through our public and private sector partners, one thousand, one hundred and eighteen Corps members were given financial support to start their businesses over the last two years.

‘NYSC has made great contributions in the area of education with five hundred and seventy-four thousand Corps members posted on teaching assignments, especially in rural schools, from June 2023 to date.

‘In the area of health, 38,112 Corps members were posted to health facilities across the country, also with priority given to rural deployment, resulting in enhanced access to quality health care services for the citizenry.

‘Moreover, as part of the Scheme’s contributions to the achievement of universal health coverage, 49839 Nigerians had benefitted from medical outreaches under the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers within the period’, he added.

General Nafiu also said the foregoing achievements were products of shared vision and commitment to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

He reiterated NYSC’s continued partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and other stakeholders in its determination to drive initiatives that would accelerate national development.

In his address at the event, the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, called on the youths to make effective use of the youth help desk domiciled at the Ministry.

He said President Tinubu had earlier charged the Ministry to become a true place of hope and empowerment for the Nigerian youths.

He added that the Youth Ministry has trained a total of fifteen thousand, five hundred and nine youths on digital skills instead of the targeted figure of ten thousand.

‘We planned to support Eighty Thousand youths in mentorship and career development, but we recorded Ninety-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and twelve beneficiaries.

‘In crime reduction and peace building, we trained a total of five thousand and twenty-three. The Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) has recorded over two hundred and fifty thousand Nigerian youths,’ Olawande said.

He also said there was a need to speed up operations on the National Youth Investment Fund so as to fast-track other initiatives and laudable achievements for the Ministry.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, on Tuesday converged in Sokoto with a common message: Nigeria must urgently invest in education, skills, and unity to avert future instability.

The key to this, they suggest, lies in significant investment in education.

They spoke at the commissioning of the Bakhita ICT Centre, a facility equipped with 250 laptops and 50 digital tablets to provide training in ICT and vocational skills for young people, including children. Such facilities represent a tangible investment in education and vocational training.

Obasanjo warned that Nigeria’s 24 million out-of-school children constitute ‘a ticking time bomb’ that could worsen insecurity if not urgently addressed. Prioritising investment in education is essential to mitigate these risks.

‘You don’t need an oracle to know they will become the recruiting ground for Boko Haram of tomorrow,’ he said, cautioning that with the population projected to hit 400 million by 2050, failure to plan would make current security challenges appear mild.

He also highlighted the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and lamented Nigeria’s dependence on food imports despite vast agricultural potential. ‘If farmers cannot make profit, they will stop planting,’ he said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, in his remarks, urged Nigerians to reject divisive narratives, describing the country’s diversity as its greatest asset. He dismissed foreign reports alleging religious genocide in Nigeria as ‘false and exaggerated,’ citing the interfaith harmony reflected at the event itself.

‘If we can sit here in Sokoto, just five minutes from the Sultan’s palace, with Christians and Muslims praying side by side, why does nobody talk about that?’ he queried.

He stressed that insecurity has lingered for over 15 years because it has become ‘a business,’ urging leaders to confront the root causes with sincerity.

Bishop Kukah, who initiated the project with the support of legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola, said the centre was his contribution to tackling poverty and unemployment in Northern Nigeria. This further exemplifies how targeted investment in education can change lives.

‘Among the almajiri on our streets, there could be an Albert Einstein. Geography must not define destiny,’ he said, adding that the facility would provide free Wi-Fi and affordable digital resources to ensure access for all.

Kukah, who described Obasanjo as ‘a man whose energy and service remain unmatched,’ also thanked the Sultan for his consistent support in promoting harmony.

The event, attended by traditional rulers, clerics, political leaders, and youths, featured cultural displays and underscored the call for interfaith collaboration as a pathway to peace and development.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed grief over the murder of Ms Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a rising television anchor with Arise News during a robbery incident at her Katampe residence in Abuja.

He has accordingly ordered security agencies to track down the killers of the promising journalist, while describing the crime as ‘shocking, wicked, and unacceptable’.

The President said Maduagwu’s death had robbed Nigeria of a bright young talent and a promising journalist cut down in her prime.

‘Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner,’ Tinubu, recognising the loss of the Arise TV anchor, said in a Tuesday statement.

He directed security and law enforcement agencies to launch an immediate manhunt, stressing that the perpetrators must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay.

The President also conveyed his condolences to Maduagwu’s family, the management and staff of Arise News, highlighting the untimely demise of the Arise TV anchor, and the wider media community, noting that her passing was a painful blow to journalism and to the nation.

He further assured Nigerians that his administration will continue to strengthen security measures to safeguard lives and property.

Similarly, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed deep grief over the young journalist’s death, calling it ‘painful and most unfortunate.’

‘I woke up to the sad news of the untimely death of one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an Arise TV anchor. Her death is painful and quite unfortunate. She has been cut down in her prime,’ she said.

The First Lady extended condolences to the Chairman of Arise Media Group, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, as well as to the bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

She prayed that God grants them the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss and expressed hope that justice will be swift.

‘May her soul rest in peace, and may God comfort her family and all who mourn her,’ she added.