News

JAC Protest Non-Payment Of Salary Arrears

By Web News 663

Joint Action Committee of Research Institutes Ibadan axis has staged a rally to drive home their demands from the federal government.

The unions comprise the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes, Non-academic staff Union and Senior Staff Association of Teaching Hospital and Associated Institutions.

Their demands include payment of 2009 twelve months salary arrears and establishment of the National Research Commission, a body that would oversee research activities in the country.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, Chairman, National centre for genetic resources and Biotechnology, Sunday Abiodun who said research work was backsliding in the country appealed to the government to accord more priority to the demands of research Institutes.

On his part, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes, Dr Aina Kehinde said the demand of the unions included advocacy for sixty-five years of retirement age.

Recall that Research Institutes have embarked on nationwide industrial action.

Adedayo Adelowo

Economy News

Police Retirees Protest Over Poor Pensions

By Web News 651

No fewer than one hundred retired police officers under the contributory pension scheme have staged a peaceful protest to Radio Nigeria Ibadan over their poor pension.

The police pensioners, who carried placards with different inscription, bemoaned the contributory pension scheme demanding their removal from the retirement payment system due to lack of increase in the monthly emolnument.

In an interview, the retired assistant commissioner of police, who is also the Chairman, retired police officers under pension commission, Mrs Victoria Ladigbolu and two other leaders of the association, Mr Benjamin Akande and Alhaji Moshood Balogun, said retirees from other security agencies of the federal government had been removed from the contributory pension scheme.

Lamenting his ordeal to Radio Nigeria, one of the 2019 retirees, who until retirement was an assistant Supretendent of Police, Mr Augustine Yussuf said nothing had been paid to him since his retirement.

Mr Yusuff said his children had been withdrawn from school and surviving had remained difficult.

The retired police officers said several efforts made to ensure their demands were met were abortive due to evasive response from the pension regulatory authority.

The protesters were retirees from 2007 to 2009, 2011, 2018 and 2019.

Rotimi Famakin

News

Oduduwa Nation Agitators Declare Support For Sunday Igboho

By Web News 680

The Yoruba Nation agitators have protested to Agodi Secretariat Ibadan to declare support for Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Igboho whose house was recently invaded by men of DSS.

The protesters in their hundreds who were on a peaceful protest were received on behalf of the State Government by the  Executive Assistant to Governor Makinde on Security Matters, Mr Sunday Odukoya .

Speaking with journalists shortly after their departure, Mr Odukoya said the agitators were the Oduduwa nation agitators groups who demanded that they wanted those people arrested in Igboho’s house to be free within seven days.

Mr Odukoya added that they also demanded for justice of the two people that were killed during the DSS raid in his house.

The Executive Assiatant urged the agitators to maintain peace saying there was no good thing about rascality, hooliganism and asked the agitators to put their demands in writing for necessary actions.

The protesters were seeing with various placards requesting the release of those arrested at Igboho house.

They were also shouting Sunday Igboho is not a criminal, and should not be treated as such. 

The  protesters had earlier visited  Palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji  to seek his interventions  in facilitating the release of some arrested self determination agitators arrested during the DSS raid on Sunday Adeyemo ,Igboho’s residence.

Radio Nigeria reports that, the protest caused gridlock around secretariat as they arrived during the closing hours of workers.

The entrance gates to the Secretariat were locked and manned with heavy presence of security operatives to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

Iyabo Adebisi

Security

Security Alert: We Are Not Part Of Monday Protest – Oyo ACOMORAN

By Web News 827

The Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairers and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Oyo State Chapter has alerted the State government about a planned protest by some groups in the State.

Oyo ACOMORAN not only dissociated itself from such protest but stressed that such protest can cause disturbance of public peace in the state.

Oyo State ACOMORAN in a press conference dissociated itself from the planned protest scheduled for Monday July 5th, stressing that the aims of the planned protest is to either soil the good name of the current administration.

Addressing journalists on the development on Saturday evening at ACOMORAN State Headquarters Total Garden Area of Ibadan, Comrade Solomon Olugbode said the Association which is the umbrella body of all commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators got wind of a planned move by some people who have perfected plans to stage a protest in Ibadan on Monday under the guise of its umbrella body noting that neither the association nor any of its member is party to such planned move to cause what it called disturbance of public peace in the state.

Comrade Olugbode stressed that Governor Seyi Makinde had on many occasions made himself available to personally address issues affecting the body in the state.

Olugbode further said that in the absence of the Governor, the Governor’s aides were always on ground to treat burning issues requiring attention of the state government which is evident in the peaceful conduct of its members since the advent of the present administration.

He said, protest is often the last tool in any communicational engagement or dialogue after all other avenues must have been exhausted fruitlessly stressing that the state government has given the association needed attention and commitment which indicates that there is cordial relationship between the state government and the association.

“Today’s meeting necessitated us to call for a press briefing as our society is facing a lot of challenges ranging from economy, security, and political, which has affected our moral value.

“We all know transportation plays a major role in our daily lives both positive and negative.

“Our brand of transport, riding tricycle and motorcycle is becoming a threat to security because of unruly behavior of some riders who were acting individually or as a group which has resulted to ban in some states denying thousands of of innocent riders their means of livelihood.

independent.ng

Energy

Oko Residents allege IBEDC of Marginalisation

By Web News 1068

Some residents of Oko Surulere local government areas of Oyo state have protested an alleged attempt to marginalize them by Ibadan Electricity Distribution company,Ibedc, Osogbo.

The protesters who stormed the premises of Radio Nigeria in Oko carried placards with inscriptions such as Our breaker must not be given to Ede water works, enough of crazy and estimated bills among others.

They alleged that in a bid to move their supply from Iwo to Osogbo, the communities involved had spent up to seven million naira to clear bush and demolish buildings under 33kva line.

One of the protesters, Evangelist Adebayo Adebunmi said the town and it’s neighbors had suffered epileptic power supply for too long.

He alleged that the communities were informed that IBEDC was planning to unlawfully allocate a “Breaker” the communities purchased to Ede water works,a development which they vowed to oppose .

Evangelist Adebunmi also noted that the inability of IBEDC to have shifted the power supply from Iwo to Osogbo after the communities had perfected all that was required of them was suspicious.

Earlier, another set of youths from Ola,Osun state under the same power supply jurisdiction had protested the blackout which they claimed had lasted over a month.

Responding , Regional Communication Officer, IBEDC Osun Region Kike Owoeye debunked the allegation that IBEDC was being mischievous.

“There is an ongoing project whereby Ejigbo will be fed from Osogbo TCN and disengaged from Iwo. 

As regards to the claims they are mere rumours which is not a reflection of the present situation. 

Meanwhile, the project is almost completed and the affected towns will be energised.

We hereby appeal to our customers to exercise patience as all our efforts are to ensure that they have an improved quality power supply in the areas. 

We urge our customers to contact our officials to get clarification on issues that bothers them for quick resolution” Owoeye said.

Adedayo Adelowo

Security

FUNAAB Students Protest Abduction of Colleague

By Web News 570

Protesting students of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta have been advised to be calm and peaceful to allow security agencies discharge their professional duties of rescuing the abducted student of the institution, Toyinbo Olayinka was kidnapped in a private farm at Abule Itoko, Odeda.

Kidnapped Student Tiyinbo Olayinka

The management of the institution in a statement in Abeokuta on the protest by the students said efforts are being intensified towards assisting the security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abducted student.

The statement said the institution has reinforced its commitment by securing the support of other relevant stakeholders in a bid to strengthen the search and release of the kidnapped student. 

Also, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kolawole Salako while addressing the protesting students advised the students Union leading the peaceful protest to remain calm.

The Vice Chancellor said the management would not relent in the efforts to ensure the safe return of their abducted colleague.

Wale Oluokun

Politics

Protest Rocks Oyo Assembly

By Web News 945

Parliamentary activities were on Tuesday paralysed at the Oyo State House of Assembly as the State Chapter of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria blocked the entrance to the Assembly. 

The development is in protest against continued denial of financial autonomy to legislative arm of the government.

Radio Nigeria correspondent who was at the Assembly complex reports that members of the Association trooped out enmasse and shut the gate to complex.

The protesters dressed in red T shirt were seen carrying placards with various inscription like “we say no to Executive slavery”, “AGF implement order 10, 2020, give us financial Autonomy” “enough is enough” among others. 

Chairman Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Mr Yemi Alade said the union embarked on indefinite strike to pursue the implementation of Executive order 10 signed by the president last year.

Mr. Alade said for the nation to witness true democracy there must be financial autonomy for all arms of government.

Mr. Alade said the strike would continue till their requests were granted.

Sunday Ogunyemi

Security

Ibarapa Youths Storm Oyo Secretariat, Protest Insecurity

By Web News 657

Youths from Ibarapa area of Oyo State, on Monday, stormed the State Secretariat at Agodi, Ibadan, to register their displeasure against the incessant killings of their people and destruction of their farms by criminal herdsmen.

The youths are also protesting the arrest and remand of three members of the Oodua Peoples Congress who arrested alleged Fulani ‘warlord,’ Iskilu Wakili.

It was gathered that the protesters, armed with placards with various inscriptions denouncing killings, kidnappings, rape and massive destruction of farms and other atrocities, stormed the Governor’s Office around 10:40am to register their displeasure about security issue in the area.

One of the organisers of the protest, Oladiran Oladokun, who is also the Convener of Igangan Development Advocates, told newsmen on the sidelines of the protest that the arraignment and remand of the three OPC members was a signal to many Nigerians that security agencies cannot be trusted.

He said Wakili terrorised the people for so long, adding that despite their refusal to arrest him, the OPC members and others risked their lives to arrest the septuagenarian herder but they were detained by the police on the same day.

“We are here to protest the arrest and remand of the three OPC members in prison. These men are heroes, they risked their lives to arrest Wakili who has terrorised the people of Kajola, Ayete and other villages.

“They went to Wakili’s place and arrested him but the police turned against them and detained them. This is a bad signal to Nigerians on security issues,” Oladokun said.

Recall that there is growing insecurity in Ibarapa area where suspected Fulani herdsmen have killed, raped and kidnapped farmers and other residents.

Newspeak

Economy

Protests Rock Shoprite Supermarkets Over Change Of Management

By Web News 781 Post a comment

Some staffs of a Multinational Supermarket in Ibadan, Shoprite, have staged a peaceful protest over the decision of the management to handover the affairs of the shop to a new company without arrangement for staff. 

While Some of them carried placards with different inscription such as “5-10 years without promotion and you want to abandon us” “No handover till pay off” and “we must be settled by Shoprite before they run”, others sang solidarity songs. 

Speaking with Premier FM Correspondent, Branch Chairman, National Union of Shops and Distributing Employee, Coco-Mall, Dugbe, Mr. Silvanus Obisha said the protest is happening simultaneously in all Shoprite outlets across Nigeria. 

Mr. Obisha said the union has sealed all the Shoprite outlets in Ibadan and other states to press home their demands. 

He explained that all effort to meet the Management of Shoprite has not yielded result, alleging that members of the management team were not ready to dialogue.

Our correspondent could not reach the Shoprite Management for reaction as at the time of filling this report. 

According to report, management of the Supermarket are due to handover to a new investor by first of April. 

Mosope Kehinde

Economy

Traders Protest Alleged Extortion by Shop Developer in Ibadan

By Web News 1054

Traders at Ogunpa Oyo and Onireke Ajumose International markets have protested to the Broadcasting House of Radio Nigeria, Dugbe Ibadan.

The traders numbering about 500 were protesting against alleged extortion and domineering attitude of a shop developer in the area who they identified as Mr. Kamilu Orotoye

They alleged that Mr. Orotoye was planning to convert the space earlier earmarked for small scale shop is being converted to parking space.

The traders who also said Mr. Orotoye was allegedly attempting to erect raw materials processing factory in the market chanted solidarity song demanding the evacuation of the shop developer

In an interview the president, Ogunpa Oyo Onireke Ajumose International Market , Mr. Isaac Folorunso said the shop developer had inflated the shop rent he built saying the high rent imposed on them had influenced others landlords in the market to inflate their rents.

Mr. Folorunso appealed to Oyo State Government to intervene by disengaging Mr. Orotoye from the market said they would not rest in their agitations until their demands were met.

Effort to get the reaction of Mr. Orotoye was unsuccessful as calls put through were not answered

Famakin /Obagbayegun 

Lifestyle

Peaceful Protest: Police Allegedly Arrest Journalists in Lagos, Damage Cameras

By Web News 720

Police have arrested some protesters and journalists during a peaceful demonstration this morning in Lagos.

The Joint Action Front, JAF made this known in a statement by the Secretary of the Association, Mr. Abiodun Bamigboye

The protests organized by the Socialists Party of Nigeria over hike in prices of petrol, electricity and deregistration of SPN by INEC was repressed by the security operatives of the Area ‘C’ Command.

Eighteen members of the SPN and four journalists, who were covering the demonstration were carried away by the police.

According to the statement, the group condemned the brutalization of journalists, who went about their official duties, and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to obey the judgment of the Appeal Court by relisting SPN and other political parties.

The journalists arrested, who were reporters from Galaxy TV, Sahara TV, Premium Times and Object TV, had their cameras destroyed.

PR/Blessing Okareh

Economy

Residents of Ibadan protest hike in petrol and Electricity tariff.

By Web News 756

Students, workers, and civil society groups hit the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday, to express displeasure at the hike in the price of petrol as well as the increase of electricity tariff.

The protesters, who carried placards with different inscriptions to convey their disapproval, while chanting anti-government songs, gathered at the Awolowo Junction area of the state capital.

The protesters condemned some of the policies of the administration of the President Muhammadu Buhari describing the recent increment in the prices of electricity and fuel as wicked and one that lacked sound judgment.

The Chairman, Joint Campus Committee of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Mayowa Opakunle, told The PUNCH that students in the state totally reject the increases.

Opakunle said, “We are out on the streets to register our grievances and show our displeasure at the wicked policies and unjust treatment of Nigerians by the Federal Government.

“We say no to fuel price hike and electricity tariff increment at this period when many people have lost their jobs, many have not even been paid salaries for the past six months.

“Prices of food, other goods and services have continued to increase while salaries are either being slashed into half for so many while others don’t even get at all

Culled from Punch

Foreign

Beirut Explosion: Angry Protesters Set to Take to Streets

By Web News 602

Thousands of Lebanese furious with their political leaders will later take to Beirut’s streets, four days after a huge explosion left at least 154 dead.

Tuesday’s blast at the port devastated parts of the city and has reignited deep-seated anger at what many see as an inept and corrupt political class.

The explosion was caused by a huge stock of ammonium nitrate that had been seized from a ship but never moved.

The government has promised to find those responsible.

But there is a huge level of mistrust in Lebanon, where an anti-government protest movement erupted last October, fuelled by an economic crisis and a collapsing currency.

Two ministers who attempted to visit badly damaged neighbourhoods in recent days were chased out.

“After three days of cleaning, removing rubble and licking our wounds… it is time to let our anger explode and punish them,” Fares Halabi, a 28-year-old activist, told the AFP news agency ahead of Saturday’s protests.

A march will travel from one of the most devastated areas near the port to Martyrs’ Square, the heart of the anti-government uprising that began last year.

Apart from showing the city’s anger, it is also meant to remember victims of the explosion, which injured 5,000 and left some 300,00 homeless.

BBC