The Joint National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, have suspended the ongoing strike over the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, among other pending issues.
The strike was suspended following the intervention of the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA.
However, discussions on the labour demands would continue.
The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia said the visas of Air Peace passengers were cancelled because they did not meet the entry requirements of the country.
The Saudi Embassy disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
It said the applicable rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia were not met, as they submitted incorrect information.
Recall that on Monday, 264 passengers on an Air Peace flight arrived in Jeddah after leaving Nigeria on Sunday, but Saudi authorities cancelled their visas, ordering the airline to take them back to Nigeria.
However, 87 passengers were later allowed to remain in Saudi, while 177 passengers were flown back to Nigeria by Air Peace.
The Saudi embassy said upon the passengers’ arrival in Jeddah, it was discovered that incorrect information was submitted to obtain a category of visa that doesn’t apply to them.
“The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja would like to make a clarification about the media reports and Social Media releases concerning the deportation of Nigerian citizens at the point of entry into the Kingdom,” the embassy said.
“The passengers whom were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, didn’t fulfill the entry conditions and requirements in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Kingdom, as they submitted incorrect information to obtain a category of visa that doesn’t apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival.
“The Royal Embassy would like to stress the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors.
“Furthermore, all passengers should review all the documents to determine their conformity with the conditions prior departing from their countries to the Kingdom.”
The Saudi embassy said the procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only, but rather to citizens of other countries.
By Flowerbudnews
Enugu: The Enugu State Government has successfully introduced Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination into routine immunization in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) facilities within the state.
The government had designated 10 PHCs in each of the state’s 17 council areas as facilities for administering the newly introduced HPV vaccine after a successful statewide campaign on the vaccination that lasted over a week.
The Executive Secretary of ENS-PHCDA, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, told newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday that the introduction as a routine immunisation followed successful conclusion of a comprehensive statewide HPV vaccine introduction campaign.
Ani-Osheku said that the groundbreaking statewide campaign on HPV vaccination, spanning five days with an additional three-day mop-up phase, introduced the life-saving Gardasil vaccine to young girls between the ages of nine and 14 in the state.
According to her, the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Enugu State was marked by a series of high-level pre-implementation activities that brought together various stakeholders, including religious, traditional, media and civil society leaders.
“These collaborative efforts culminated in a spectacular flag-off ceremony at Enugu State Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu on Oct. 24, which was graciously performed by His Excellency the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah through the Deputy Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ossai.
“This historic day set the stage for a groundbreaking initiative that would improve the lives of countless young girls.
“This momentous campaign, which took place from Oct. 24 to Oct. 29, simultaneously covered all 17 Local Government Areas within Enugu State.
“The Gardasil vaccine, which has been in existence for over 17 years, has been scientifically proven to be both safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer.
“The vaccine has also received certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as safe and effective,” she said.
She noted that state government demonstrated its commitment to this vital public health effort by being among the first states to promptly release the required counterpart funds as requested by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The executive secretary said that the state government’s dedication to the programme was further exemplified by seven council chairmen who organised simultaneous flag-off events in their respective areas.
She said: “Enugu State received a total of 244,707 vials of the HPV vaccine and, to date, has successfully vaccinated over 218,651 eligible young girls.
“The programme achieved a remarkable success rate, with over 66 per cent of the target population now protected against cervical cancer.
“In light of this remarkable success, the Gardasil vaccine has been seamlessly integrated into routine immunization services, ensuring easy access at the PHC facilities across the state.
“These facilities can be found in various locations (PHC centres within the 17 council areas) to accommodate every resident, making the vaccine widely accessible to all at no cost and close to their doorstep.”
Ani-Osheku noted that the HPV vaccine remained free, safe and effective, adding: “I strongly urge everyone to dismiss baseless claims/misinformation by individuals who lack scientific evidence to support their allegations regarding the vaccine’s safety”.
She said that parental consent is of paramount importance before administering the vaccine to eligible girls, and therefore encourages all parents and guardians to participate actively in this life-saving endeavor.
“Enugu State has taken a significant step towards protecting the health and future of our young girls, and we remain committed to promoting overall well-being and public health.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to all stakeholders, healthcare workers, and the people of Enugu State for their unwavering support in making this initiative a resounding success,” she added.
The ENS-PHCDA is a government agency dedicated to improving healthcare delivery at the PHC level within Enugu State.
The ENSPHCDA is committed to providing quality and accessible healthcare services to the people of Enugu State and working towards the overall health and well-being of communities in each 17 council areas. (Flowerbudnews)
Abuja: As the strike by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) enters second day, court activities at the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja were going on smoothly.
A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Showed that judges, staff, lawyers and litigants in the high-rise building were going their own businesses without hindrance.
From the 1st floor to the 5th floor that housed the 13 courts in the building, NAN observed that no fewer than eight courts were sitting.
It would also be recalled that court activities went on unchecked yesterday.
However, a notice of congress meeting by the FHC’s chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) signed by its Public Relations Officer, G.A. Maku, said there would be emergency meeting of all staff by 11am today.
It reads: “All members of staff are expected to converge at Ukeje Hall @11am this morning for an emergency meeting.
“This meeting is noteworthy as members will be briefed on the position of the union with regards to the on-going NLC strike action and other important issues please.”(NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews
Patients at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, were on Wednesday left unattended to by doctors and nurses.
This is as staff of the hospital complied with the directives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that workers should embark on an indefinite strike.
On Wednesday, doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory officials, record keepers and other staff of the OOUTH were seen returning home, saying, “we have joined the strike, no work today.”
Patients and other individuals who visited the facility were sent back.
Also, those on admission may need to move to another hospital as doctors and nurses were being chased out of their offices by union leaders.
The union leaders had stormed the hospital with canes, ready to flog out anyone who might want to resume work against the strike action.
As of the time of filing this report, one of the main gates at OOUTH is under lock and key.
One Mrs Abiola Ade, who was at the hospital, said, “I came from Abeokuta this morning to pick the result of a test I did last week, but they told me they have joined strike. So, I will have go to back. This is so annoying.”
Also, one of the nurses, who did not want her name mentioned, stated that the hospital joined the strike on Wednesday and may remain without activities until further notice.
Our correspondent reports that some patients are still sitting within the hospital premises, hoping help could come their way.
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Wednesday, said that some suspected political thugs that brutalized the National president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero have been arrested.
recalls that the NLC president was attacked in Owerri, Imo State capital on November 1 when workers in the state staged a protest over unpaid salary.
The NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, had declared nationwide strike, demanding the arrest of the suspected thugs and their sponsors.
Following the commencement of the strike, which has relatively crippled economic activities in some parts of the country, Ribadu, in a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, urged the organized labour to halt the ongoing nationwide strike.
He confirmed that some arrests had been made regarding the brutalization of the NLC president, pledging that the outcome of the investigation would be made known to the general public.
The statement reads partly, “The NSA is particularly worried about the implications of the strike action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.
The NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
“The Federal Government will never condone such an act.
“As a fallout of the incident, relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits.
Available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard. The outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded
The rapper’s management announced his death on his official Instagram page on Wednesday.
The statement from the management reads: “We are saddened to inform the general public that Oladipupo Olabode Oladimeji aka 0LADIPS has passed away yesterday Nov’14th Tuesday evening, at exactly 10:14 pm. We are still in shock as we speak! For over 2 years he has kept his battles within himself, his body is now with his family & funeral services will be announced as it is concluded!
The family asked that we respect their privacy in this trying time. May God give us all the fortitude to bear this great loss. (amen).- Management.”
APPRECIATION! APPRECIATION!
I, Engr. Dr Man Yahaya Sani, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, profoundly express my deep appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all the staff’s unions of the institution, (ASUP, SSANIP & NASU)for their show of selflessness and commitment to the success of our students.
The resolve of these unions to continue with the ongoing second semester examinations, for 2022/2023 academic session, despite the nationwide strike called by the NLC is a pointer to the exceptional attributes of love and compassion on their part.
Obviously, this great gesture will remain indelible in the minds of the management and the students; as I consider it a privilege to work with noble men and women of this enviable character.
On behalf of the Management, entire staff and students , I say thank you so much to our unionists for their relentless efforts in sustaining smooth and excellent academic activities on our campus.
E-Signed
Engr Dr Man Yahaya Sani
Rector
![[JUST IN]: Ede Poly lecturers finally state position on nationwide strike](https://flowerbudnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Federal-Polytechnic-Ede-1.jpg)
The Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic Ede Chapter have said they would not join the ongoing strike called upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) yet due to the ‘ongoing examination’.
This disclosure was made by the Ede Poly ASUP chairman, Barr Azeez to the PRESS Club during the week.
He, however expressed their readiness to comply with the strike action directed by the organised labour after the completion of the examination.
According to him “The Chapter isn’t joining the strike for the sake of the ongoing examination, but a decision will be made after the conclusion of the semester examination.”