National
Why NLC protest was neither successful nor impactful — Group
The Committee for Patriotic Democrats (CPD) has responded to the failed two-day nationwide protest in Nigeria organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under the leadership of Joe Ajaero.
According to the CPD, it is evident that the protest was neither successful nor impactful due to a myriad of reasons, primarily stemming from the leadership style of Joe Ajaero and the lack of support and participation from key stakeholders and the general public.
CPD Chairman, Musa Hayatu Habu, stated in a Friday statement that one of the key reasons why the NLC protest failed to make a significant impact is the leadership style since the ascension of Joe Ajaero to the leadership position.
He said the NLC has been perceived as a personal empire rather than an organization addressing the broader collective concerns of the working class and the millions of citizens across Nigeria.
“Ajaero’s contentious leadership style has eroded confidence in the NLC and has led to dwindling support for the organization,” he added.
Furthermore, the exclusion of key stakeholders such as students’ groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) from the protest has raised questions about the true intentions of the NLC leadership.
Hayatu said the decision to sideline and neglect these important groups, who have traditionally supported the NLC, has further alienated the general public and eroded trust in the organization.
“The limited turnout at the protest, especially in cities like Kano, reflects the diminishing enthusiasm and support for Ajaero’s leadership.
“The lack of widespread participation indicates a lack of confidence in the NLC’s ability to effectively represent the interests of workers and the broader population.
“The NLC’s involvement in partisan politics, particularly its support for a specific candidate like Peter Obi, has further undermined its credibility and integrity.
“By aligning with a particular politician, the NLC has compromised its core mission of representing workers impartially and has alienated segments of its membership whose ideologies differ from the favored politician.
“In light of these challenges, it is imperative for the NLC to undergo a leadership change to restore faith in the organization and realign with its core objectives of improving the conditions of workers and the masses.
“The new leadership must prioritize transparency, inclusivity, and independence from external influences to regain trust and credibility among workers, employers, and the general public.
To revitalize the NLC and regain the trust of workers and Nigerians, there is an urgent need for new leadership that is transparent, committed to rebuilding trust, and free from external influences.
This new leadership should be focused on aligning with the core objectives of the NLC, centered on improving the conditions of workers and the masses, and avoiding partisan politics that undermine the organization’s credibility and effectiveness.
A total of 92 visually impaired candidates participated in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) at the Kano centre.
Prof. Muhammad Yahuza-Bello, JAMB Coordinator for the Kano centre, made the announcement while monitoring the exercise on Monday.
The examination took place at the School of Continuing Education, Bayero University Kano (BUK), under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) initiative for candidates with special needs.
Yahuza-Bello, a former vice-chancellor of BUK, explained that the 92 candidates were drawn from Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna States.
He added that among the candidates, two had Down syndrome, while two others had autism.
The candidates, both male and female, were provided with specialized gadgets such as typewriters, braille machines, slates, styluses, and paper to facilitate their participation in the exams.
The coordinator also said over 500 candidates with special needs-ranging from visual impairments and albinism to Down syndrome and autism-had registered to take the exam at 11 centres across the country.
He said, unlike regular Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres where candidates interact with screens and keyboards, special needs candidates benefit from adaptive materials to eliminate barriers to education.
Since its introduction in 2017, JEOG has seen positive results, with an increasing number of special needs candidates gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
Yahuza-Bello pointed out that while approximately 25% of regular candidates gain admission, over 33% of special needs candidates are successful in securing placements.
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National
Court Approves Federal Government’s Request to Protect Witness Identities in Nnamdi Kanu Trial
A federal high court in Abuja has authorized the federal government’s request to keep the identities of witnesses in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu confidential.
Kanu, who leads the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony.
On Tuesday, prosecution attorney Adegboyega Awomolo informed the court that he had submitted an ex parte application on April 10 to safeguard the identities of the witnesses. He requested that the court provide screens and masks to ensure their anonymity.
“The purpose of this request is to ensure the safety and security of state officers who will serve as witnesses,” he stated.
Kanu Agabi, the defendant’s counsel, did not contest the application.
The trial is underway, with the first witness, a DSS operative, already called to testify.
Kanu was re-arraigned on March 21 before Judge James Omotosho of the federal high court in Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Aisha Achimugu.
The managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Felak Concept Group was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Achimugu was taken in around 5am on Tuesday after arriving in Nigeria from London.
More to follow…