News
‘Selfish Politicians’ Delay Passage Of FOI Bill –Rep
A member of the House of Representatives, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa (AC-Lagos), has blamed those she describes as “selfish individuals” in the National Assembly for the delay in the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI)Bill.
She said in a lecture delivered at the 2010 Press Week of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ibadan on Monday that such individuals were working against the passage of the law because of their selfish interests.
Dabiri-Erewa, represented by her Personal Assistant, Mr Lekan Sanni, urged the National Assembly to reconsider its stand and work diligently to facilitate the passage of the bill, which she said would strengthen the country’s democracy.
She also said that it was a sad commentary on the country’s national integrity that 11 years of practicing democracy, Nigeria was still searching for how to conduct credible elections.
Dabiri-Erewa commended the media for their relentless efforts at ensuring the survival of democracy by adequately informing the public about happenings in government.
She noted that poor remunerations had made journalists to become vulnerable to “money bag politicians,” and urged practitioners to work in concert to discourage the trend.
The lawmaker appealed to employers of journalists to work out better welfare package for them to enhance their potential in the task of nation-building.
The NUJ National President, Malam Garba Mohammed, had earlier promised that the proposed enhanced salary package for the union was receiving attention from the Federal Government.
He said that if approved, the package would be the bench mark for negotiations with the private employers of journalists in the country.
Mohammed announced that a new insurance policy that would provide adequate coverage for members of the union while in service was being worked out.
He commended the Oyo State chapter of the union for its support, and urged members not to succumb to the intimidation of corrupt politicians who were out to destroy the nation.
Mohammed appealed to journalists to preserve democracy by reporting events accurately for the benefit of the generality of Nigerians.
The Chairman of Oyo State NUJ, Mr Ayoade Solomon, decried the killing of innocent members of the union by hired assassins nationwide.
He said that such trend was not good for the nation’s cherished democracy, and urged security agencies to be more vigilant in the performance of their duties.
Solomon also urged the National Assembly to urgently pass the FOI Bill to reduce corrupt tendencies among Nigerians and enhance the flow of information without hindrance.
He appealed to the state government to assist the union in the provision of essential facilities at the NUJ House in Ibadan.
In his message at the occasion, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Odulana Odugade I, represented by High Chief Emiola Adesina, commended journalists for their efforts at ensuring good governance in the country.
He assured the union of his royal support, and advised journalists to always stay on the path of truth at all times.
Meanwhile, union leaders on Monday urged the National Assembly to pass the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) without further delay.
The leaders told the newsmen in Lagos that the passage of the bill would ensure a free flow of information and also protect journalists in the country.
Their comment came against the backdrop of a report that 59 journalists were killed across the world between January and June this year.
Mr Wahab Oba, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, said the passage of the bill would enhance the performance of journalists.
“It will ensure a better performance by journalists and give them access to information,’’ he said.
According to Oba, the non-passage of the bill has further endangered the lives of media professionals and their news sources.
“It is very unfortunate and frightening that many journalists had been killed in the performance of their constitutional duties.
“The incident poses serious danger to the profession as well as the lives of practising journalists in Nigeria,’’ the union leader stressed.
Oba deplored the killing of journalists particularly in Nigeria, saying “it is a bad omen for democracy and the country’s future’’.
He called on media organisations to provide insurance scheme and security for their workers.
Mr Raphael Akinyanju, General Secretary, Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NUR), reiterated that FOI bill would help with the risks associated with journalists’ job.
He urged the government to ensure an enabling environment for media professionals to practice their trade.
Our correspondent recalls several Nigerian journalists were killed in the last 10 years including Guardian’s Bayo Ohu and Tunde Oladepo and Thisday’s Godwin Agbroko and Abayomi Ogundeji, as well as Omololu Falobi, formerly of Punch Newspaper.
Countries which have the highest figures of journalists killed are Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Iraq, Nepal, Columbia and The Philippines.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”
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