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2023: A’Ibom NLC To Support Candidates That Accept Workers’ Demands
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom Council, has said that the labour union and all workers in the state will only support governorship candidates that will agree to implement their demands as contained in a five-point charter.
The Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Sunny James, stated this in his address on Sunday during the 2022 Workers’ Day celebration in Uyo.
Our correspondent reports that the 2022 International Workers’ Day was commemorated with the theme ”Labour, Politics, and Quest for Good Governance and Development in Nigeria.”
James said the union would invite all governorship candidates to Labour House after their primaries to deliberate on issues that would bring good governance to Akwa Ibom people.
He said that the union’s congress has agreed that workers and their families would only support candidates that would improve the living wages and prioritise workers’ welfare come 2023.
He listed the items on the charter to include; living wage and prioritisation of workers’ welfare, education and healthcare; industrialisation of the state economy; physical security; social protection and good governance.
“A few days ago, as part of the activities to mark 2022 Workers’ Day, the organised labour in the state held a workers’ political conference with a major agenda of unveiling the Charter of Demands to the public as our expectations from the upcoming or would-be leaders in our state.
“The conference resolved to invite all flag bearers of political parties after the primaries to Labour House for adequate engagement on our charter, in order to deliberate and exchange their manifestoes and establish timelines on all items which will bring the needed good governance to our people.
“It was also agreed that only the candidates that honour our invitations and agree with workers to resolve issues as contained in our five-point charter, shall be supported together with our families during the elections of 2023. No longer shall workers sit on the fence,” James said.
He urged Gov. Udom Emmanuel to assent to all pending and sensitive bills that had been passed by the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, without further delay.
According to him, the bills include the Youths Development Fund Bill and the Bill Establishing Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology.
The union called on the state governor to liaise with relevant agencies and commence the full implementation of financial autonomy of the local government, judiciary, and the state legislature.
The governor in his remarks commended labour for their support and resilience to enhance the development of the state.
Emmanuel, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, said that without the collaboration of workers, the state government would not have achieved giant strides.
He said that the state government would continue to place issues concerning workers’ welfare as important for continuous harmony in the state.
“On behalf of the government, I commend Nigeria Labour Congress and workers for the industrial harmony in the state.
“The giant strides we have recorded would not have been possible without you,” Emmanuel said.
In his goodwill message, Sen. Ita Enang urged workers to support the candidate that would take workers’ welfare as a priority.
Enang urged Akwa Ibom workers to support his governorship ambition as someone who has the interest of the down-trodden at heart.
“I have come to tell you that the time of workers’ lamentation is over. I treasure the workers because they are the greatest resource of production,” Enang said.
In his goodwill message, Mr Onofiok Luke, a member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the National Assembly thanked the workers for their resilience in these trying times.
Luke called on workers to join hands with him to ensure victory come 2023 to build and grow Akwa Ibom state, stressing that he was the best for the workers.
The high point of the 2022 International Workers’ Day was the march pass by different workers’ unions in the state.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.