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Petrol Price/Electricity Tariff Hikes: TUC Gives Buhari 7 Days Ultimatum [Letter Attached]

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The Trade Union Congress has given President Muhammadu Buhari a seven days ultimatum to tackle issues affecting Nigerians or have workers to contend with.

The union stated its position in a letter to President Buhari on Monday by its President, Quadri Olaleye, and Secretary-General, Musa Lawal. M. Ozigi.

The TUC listed the issues for resolution within seven days as including the increase in the pump price of petrol and tariff increase for electricity.

The letter reads:

14th September 2020

His Excellency
President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Nigerian Presidential Complex
Aso Rock Presidential Villa
Abuja

Your Excellency,

WE CANNOT BEAR THE BURDEN ANY LONGER, ISSUANCE OF SEVEN DAYS ULTIMATUM!!!

We bring you warm greetings from the National Executive Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and write this letter to draw your Excellency’s attention once again to earlier communication on the following SALIENT issues.

We have observed the gradual and steady annihilation of Nigeria and Nigerians in the light of government actions for the umpteenth time. Some of the issues that have become worrisome to the working class, their families, and the masses include:

I. Sudden Increase in petroleum Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) Products pump price without any definitive and concrete efforts to make our refineries functional, which has a devastating multiplier effect on the working people and their families.

II. Increase in Electricity TARIFFS without proper consultation and consideration of the effect of COVID– 19, commensurate electricity supply, non-provision of prepaid meters, and other biting economic realities.

III. Non-implementation of the negotiated National Minimum Wage by most of the state governments, and the federal government’s inability to create and sustain salary date and calendar to ensure transparency.

IV. Corruption in government agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Federal Ministry of Health over failure to explain and lack of transparency on how funds received in the fight against COVID-19 was spent among others.

V. Loss of jobs across the industries, high cost of living and, businesses not moving in the light of the effects of Covid-19.

VI. Palliative that never got to those that needed them etc.
The TUC at the just-concluded meeting of its organs have thus resolved as follows:

The government should take immediate steps to:

a) Reverse the hike in prices as it affects Electricity, Petrol, and all other social services in the country to status quo ante (prior to increase) within (7) SEVEN DAYS.

b) Provide adequate and quality healthcare and education for all to save the poor and the vulnerable at all levels.

YOUR EXCELLENCY, WE CAN NO LONGER BEAR THE BURDEN OF THESE AVOIDABLE PROBLEMS

These demands are made in good faith, and to save the dying masses and the vulnerable in our society. In the event of not showing empathy for this class of people by adhering to the above demands, we shall, together with our Civil Societies and allies, sympathetic to the suffering masses of our people commence an indefinite industrial action and national protest from Wednesday 23rd September 2020.

BIG STORY

BREAKING: President Tinubu Renames University Of Maiduguri After Buhari

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President Bola Tinubu has given approval to rename the University of Maiduguri in Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.

May we now adopt the University of the Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University, Tinubu announced at the end of a special Federal Executive Council session held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

Earlier, the President offered a heartfelt tribute to Buhari, portraying him as a good man, a decent man, an honourable man, whose legacy of discipline, patriotism, and strong moral values would be remembered for generations.

Tinubu acknowledged that although Buhari had imperfections, his steadfast dedication to serving the nation distinguished him.

President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.

His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.

His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God, he added.

Looking back at Buhari’s leadership and long career in both military and civil service, Tinubu highlighted his humility, modesty, and resistance to the temptations of power.

He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.

His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism was lived more in action than in words.

Tinubu also reflected on their political partnership, which led to the historic 2015 elections, marking Nigeria’s first peaceful transition of power between political parties.

We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint, he said.

The President admired Buhari’s life after leaving office, saying he chose to live quietly in Daura rather than influence politics from behind the scenes.

When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.

Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns, he added.

Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for putting together a state funeral in less than 48 hours, calling it a profound honour to lead the burial ceremony in Daura.

He ended his tribute with a final message: Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.

Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.

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CPC Bloc And Buharists Reaffirm Commitment To APC And President Tinubu, Call For Party Chairmanship

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In a live interview earlier today on AIT, political analyst and committed Buharist Chief Okoi Obono-Obla —former member of the National Executive Committee and Secretary of the defunct CPC Merger Committee—addressed recent speculation regarding the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc and Buharists within the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the transition of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Responding to reports that certain former government officials are considering a move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or aligning with a so-called coalition, Okoi stated firmly:

“These individuals do not represent the leadership or the collective will of the CPC bloc. As a Buharist and one who participated in the foundational merger, I can confirm that the CPC bloc remains solidly within the APC and stands fully behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He emphasized that suggestions to defect run contrary to President Muhammadu Buhari’s legacy and enduring support for the APC:

“If those advocating a move to the ADC were genuine followers of President Buhari, they would respect his clear position. Our leader has declared he remains a member of the APC and deeply appreciates the platform the party provided for his presidency from 2015 to 2023.”

Okoi also conveyed a strong demand from the CPC bloc regarding the future leadership of the APC:

> “The CPC bloc is earnestly calling for the position of the next APC National Chairman to be conceded to our bloc. We are united in our clamour for Senator Tanko Umaru Al-Makura—our respected leader and a committed party stalwart—to assume this vital role.”

This reaffirmation not only signals loyalty to President Tinubu and the APC, but also outlines the CPC bloc’s expectations for inclusive party leadership, rooted in shared history and trust.

 

@ Okoi Obono-Obla#

PresidentialVillaUpdate

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NELFUND To Launch Job Portal Linking Student Loan Beneficiaries To Employers By 2026

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has revealed plans to introduce a centralized job portal by 2026 aimed at helping student loan recipients secure employment opportunities both locally and abroad.

This initiative forms part of broader strategies to strengthen the effectiveness of the student loan program and guide graduates toward financial stability.

While speaking at a media briefing in Abuja to commemorate one year since the loan scheme’s inception, NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, clarified that although the agency does not promise jobs, the planned job portal is intended to ease graduates’ entry into the workforce.

Sawyerr mentioned that the portal will compile job listings from government bodies, private companies, and foreign employers interested in hiring Nigerians.

We don’t just give a loan and leave students on their own. This job portal is our way of supporting their journey towards economic stability, he said

No repayment without employment

Sawyerr reaffirmed that repayment of student loans will only begin when beneficiaries secure employment and have completed their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

If you don’t have a job, you don’t pay. And when you eventually get a job, your repayment starts fresh.

Once employed, 10 per cent of the beneficiary’s monthly income is deducted automatically by the employer and remitted to NELFUND, following verification through the NELFUND employment register.

If an employee is laid off or resigns, the deductions stop. And in the event of death, the loan is written off. The family is not harassed, he said.

Institutions must refund duplicate payments

On the matter of students who made fee payments before NELFUND disbursed funds to their schools, Sawyerr urged institutions to fulfill their obligation and refund the affected students.

We’ve received multiple petitions from students who paid under duress, only to find their fees had also been paid by NELFUND.

Institutions must refund this money. It’s disappointing that some schools have ignored this responsibility, he said.

He further explained that anti-graft agencies have begun investigating: Investigative bodies like the ICPC and EFCC have stepped in to question certain institutions over delays or refusals to refund.

To ensure the right return of funds, he recommended: If an institution cannot refund directly to the student, they can pay the money back to us and we will ensure it gets to the rightful student.

Over 3.2 million student records in system

Mustapha Iyal, the Executive Director of Operations, shared that the Fund currently oversees over 3.2 million student records and anticipates receiving around one million additional applications by the end of 2025.

Basically, our projection right now, we have about 3.2 million students in our system.

What we’re looking at this year, from now to the end of the year, we’re looking at about one million applications. We’re not pushing. We’re not saying that it’s compulsory.

But we’re looking at how we can support one million applications to make sure that no one is dropping out of school, he stated.

What you should know

NELFUND has broadened its scope by launching a loan program that also funds vocational and technical education to empower Nigerian youth seeking practical trade skills. The pilot phase of this scheme will start in Enugu between late June and mid-July 2025.

According to Executive Director of Operations, Iyal Mustapha, the initiative will offer interest-free loans to cover tuition, transportation for attending full-time technical schools, stipends for living expenses, and even tools upon training completion.

Applications will be submitted via NELFUND’s portal, and once the system is active, applicants will be matched with certified vocational training centers in their region.

 

Credit: Nairametrics

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