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Here Is What Falana Says About The NLC Planned August 2nd Strike
The Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana says that the Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates can proceed on the 2nd August 2023 strike and protest as planned, saying that the exercise does not translate to contempt of court. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
This is contained in a letter from the Falana Falana Chambers, solicitors to the NLC, by Sam Ogala, titled “Re- NLC in contemt of Court” and addressed to the Permanent Secretary/ Solicitor-General, Federal Ministry of Justice on July 28.
According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the decision of Nigerian workers to participate in peaceful rallies is for the interest of the masses and to protest the worsening economic crisis in the country.
“You were reported to have accused the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress of treating the order of the National Industrial Court with contempt.
“Contrary to your unwarranted allegation, the Nigeria Labour Congress does not intend to disobey the ex parte order of the National Industrial Court.
“And to the effect that “the defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned Industrial Action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice dated June 5.”
Falana added that the National Industrial Court or any other Court had not granted an order of interim, interlocutory or perpetual injunction restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by the NLC.
He argued that it was the constitutional right of Nigerian workers to protest peacefully and cannot by any stretch of imagination be classified as an industrial action or strike of any nature.
“It is pertinent to draw your attention to the case of Inspector- General of Polic vs Nigeria People Party (2008) of where the Court 12 WRN 65, where the Court upheld the fundamental right of Nigerians to protest without police permit in the leading judgment of the Court, Justice Adekeye.
“This includes the right to demonstrate, and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights which are in the public interest and that which individuals must possess, and which they should exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done.
“If as speculated by law enforcement agents, that breach of the peace will occur, our criminal code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order.
“So that the requirement of permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.”
He added that, finally, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are part of democratic rights of every citizen of the country.
“Our legislature must guard these rights jealously as they are part of the foundation upon which the government itself rests.
“Having advised the NLC and its allies to conduct the rallies peacefully, you may wish to advise the Nigeria Police Force to comply with section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020.
“Where a person or organisation notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to.
“The police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilise personnel to provide security to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Industrial Court in Abuja on June 5, restrained the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, from embarking on their planned strike to protest the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice O. Y. Anuwe, barred the two organizations from proceeding with the strike action, pending the determination of a suit that was brought before it by FG.
NAN reports that the court held that the interim order, as well as the substantive suit, should be immediately served on both the NLC and the TUC, which were cited as defendants/respondents in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/158/2023, even it fixed the matter for hearing on June 19.
The court order followed an ex-parte application that FG filed through the Federal Ministry of Justice.
FG’s lawyer, Mrs. Maimuna Lami Shiru, who moved the application, maintained that the proposed strike action was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector and the educational sector.
FG further tendered Exhibits FGN 1, 2 and 3, which were notices from the NLC, TUC and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, to their members, asking them to withdraw their services with effect from Wednesday, June 7.
The court, in its ruling, held that it was empowered by section 7(b) of the NIC Act, 2006, with the exclusive jurisdiction in matters relating to the grant of any order to restrain any person or body from taking part in any strike, lockout or any industrial action.
It held that sections 16 and 19(a) of the NIC Act 2006, also empowered it to grant urgent interim reliefs.
The court held that the affidavit of urgency as well as the submission of FG’s lawyer revealed: “a scenario that may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large”.
NAN also reports that on July 27, the federal government said the planned strike by the NLC over the removal of fuel subsidy and its attendant hardship is in contempt of an order of the national industrial court.
Solicitor-General of the Federation Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, in a statement on the issue, warned the NLC leadership to desist from threatening court orders with disdain.
The NLC, on July 19, issued a notice to begin a nationwide strike on Aug. 2 to protest the removal of fuel subsidy amid an astronomical hike in the pump price of petrol resulting from the policy announced by President Bola Tinubu at his inauguration on May 29.
NAN
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“Stop This Slaughterhouse in Nigeria,” Catholic Secretariat Decries Rising Killings, Demands Urgent Action
By Abah Anthony John
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has strongly condemned the persistent wave of killings and abductions across the country, warning that Nigeria is descending into what it described as a “slaughterhouse” as violence continues unabated and citizens remain exposed to grave insecurity.
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In a statement titled “The Cry of the Innocent: Stop this Slaughterhouse in Nigeria!” dated February 7, 2026, the CSN expressed deep outrage and sorrow over what it called a renewed cycle of mass violence that has turned large parts of the country into “a field of grief.” The statement was signed by the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, and the National Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh.
According to the CSN, years of repeated complaints and assurances from authorities have failed to translate into meaningful protection for citizens, leaving communities devastated and Nigerians weary of condolences that do not guarantee their safety. “Violence persists unchecked,” the Church body said, describing the ongoing assault on human life and dignity as unacceptable and morally indefensible.
The Secretariat drew particular attention to the scale of attacks recorded between late January and February 2026, noting that the recurring carnage has become “a stain on the conscience of our nation.” It questioned how, outside a formal state of war, more than 160 innocent civilians could be killed in a single coordinated attack in Woro, Kwara State. The statement also highlighted repeated killings and abductions in Agwara and Tungan Gero in Niger State, the destruction of entire farming communities in Katsina and Kaduna states, and the persistent violence ravaging parts of Borno State.
“This is not ‘instability’ but a massacre allowed by silence and a betrayal of every Nigerian’s right to live in peace,” the CSN declared.
Beyond the immediate human toll, the Catholic body warned that the continued bloodshed represents a fundamental failure of governance. It reminded Nigeria’s leaders that the Constitution is “not a lofty document of ideals but a binding covenant with the people,” emphasizing that the protection of life is central to the legitimacy of any government.
“When citizens are slaughtered with impunity, and communities live in perpetual fear, the very foundation of governance is undermined,” the statement said, adding that a government unable to safeguard its people “risks diminishing its moral authority to lead.”
The CSN also cautioned against silence and inaction, arguing that failure to respond decisively to violence amounts to complicity. “Every unaddressed attack, every unpunished crime, and every unfulfilled promise deepens the wound of mistrust between the people and those entrusted with their protection,” it said, stressing that Nigeria must not normalize bloodshed or treat mass killings as routine tragedies.
Situating the crisis within a broader human rights framework, the Secretariat recalled that Nigeria is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which affirm the right to life as fundamental and non-negotiable. Despite these commitments, it lamented that “the state continues to treat this right as optional, allowing bloodshed to persist unchecked.”
In response, the Catholic Secretariat renewed its call on the Federal Government to urgently revisit and strengthen its security strategies. Among the measures proposed was the strategic redeployment of security personnel “from ceremonial press centers to the actual frontlines where citizens are under siege,” as well as a willingness to seek assistance “from anywhere it is safely available.”
The CSN further demanded accountability, urging authorities to identify, expose, and prosecute sponsors and enablers of terror regardless of their political, religious, or social status. “Arrest and punish every perpetrator of violence; for impunity is nothing less than a license for further bloodshed,” the statement warned.
The Church body also emphasized the need for compassion and restoration for victims of violence, calling for urgent relief, psychosocial care, and compensation for affected families. It urged the government to protect and rebuild destroyed communities in order to restore hope and dignity to displaced and traumatized residents.
Concluding its message, the Catholic Secretariat warned that Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. “We cannot allow mass graves to define our national story,” it said, adding that “the blood of all innocent Nigerians cry out to heaven and their memory must compel us to act with sincerity, courage and compassion.”
The CSN called on political, religious, and community leaders to rise above divisions and work together to restore peace and dignity across the country, while urging Nigerians to reject hatred and violence and stand in solidarity with one another.
“As a people of faith, we entrust our nation to God’s mercy and pray for healing, justice, and reconciliation,” the statement concluded. “May the sacrifice of the innocent not be in vain, but inspire a renewed commitment to protect life and build a Nigeria where peace and justice reign.”
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Don Advocates Declaration of National Skills Emergency to Tackle Underdevelopment
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A Professor of Political Economy at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Christian Ezeibe, has called on government at all levels to declare a ‘national skills emergency’ as a strategic response to Nigeria’s persistent underdevelopment and widespread poverty.
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Prof. Ezeibe who is also Dean, Student Affairs at UNN made the call while delivering the convocation lecture at the 5th Combined Convocation Ceremony of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
He stressed that Nigeria’s overemphasis on certificates at the expense of practical competence has weakened the country’s productive capacity and stifled sustainable development.
Speaking on the theme, “Skills Over Certificates: Repositioning Technical Education for Sustainable Development,” Prof. Ezeibe said Nigeria must urgently invest in skills acquisition if it hopes to compete with developed nations.
“Nigeria has perfected the ritual of schooling but has lost the essence of learning. We have become a nation that worships certificates while neglecting the competence those certificates are meant to represent,” he said.
Quoting figures from the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Ezeibe noted that Nigeria spends over $10 billion annually on expatriate services and remittances, much of it paid to foreign technical personnel from India, China and the Philippines.
“In the power sector alone, despite billions of naira invested, we still depend on foreign technicians to maintain our turbines and grid infrastructure. This dependence is a clear indictment of our skills deficit,” he added.
The university don explained that while certificates merely certify knowledge, skills empower individuals to create value.
“A certificate is a licence to learn, but a skill is the capacity to do, to create and to solve problems. The global economy today, driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution—robotics, artificial intelligence, IoT and biotechnology—rewards demonstrable skills, not just attested knowledge,” he said.
Drawing lessons from global success stories, Prof. Ezeibe cited Singapore, Taiwan and China as countries that deliberately prioritised technical and vocational education.
“Under Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore made Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) the cornerstone of its economic strategy. The Institute of Technical Education is not for academic failures; it is prestigious and highly sought-after. Today, Singapore tops global skills competitiveness rankings,” he said.
He also noted that Taiwan’s transformation into a global semiconductor hub was driven by a relentless focus on engineering and technical skills aligned with industry needs, while China adopted a large-scale vocational model that produces millions of skilled workers annually.
“These nations understood a simple truth: theory designs the world, but skills build it. They repositioned technical education from a secondary alternative to the primary engine of national development,” Ezeibe stated.
Identifying Nigeria’s major challenges, the don listed decaying infrastructure, poor funding, weak industry–academia collaboration, societal stigma against technical education and brain drain** as factors slowing skills development.
Despite these challenges, he maintained that skills remain the backbone of sustainable development.
“Nigeria’s problems—power failure, poor sanitation, inefficient agriculture, housing deficit and insecurity—are massive markets waiting to be served by skilled and creative minds,” he said.
He urged graduates to see entrepreneurship as a pathway to prosperity.
“The graduate who can design and install affordable solar micro-grids for rural communities is solving the power problem and creating a million-naira business. The one with masonry, plumbing and electrical skills can build a thriving property maintenance company. The billionaire of tomorrow will be a skill magnate, not just an oil importer,” he declared.
Addressing the graduating students directly, Prof. Ezeibe advised:
“Do not go looking for a job where someone else will solve your problems. Use your skills to solve Nigeria’s problems, and you will never be poor.”
He further called on the Federal Government to scrap the HND–BSc dichotomy, insisting that competence, not paper qualification, should determine employability and career progression.
“There must be deliberate industrial collaboration with polytechnics and technical institutions. Without this, skills development will remain a slogan rather than a solution,” he concluded.
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PBAT Felicitates with Entrepreneur Matthew Tonlagha on 50th Birthday
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mr. Matthew Tonlagha, on the occasion of his 50th birthday, describing the milestone as a celebration of impact, service, and commitment to national development.
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In a goodwill message dated February 2, 2026, and personally signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR from the State House, Abuja, and sighted by Informavores, the President joined Tonlagha’s family, friends, and associates in celebrating the golden jubilee, noting that attaining the age of 50 is a significant personal and professional milestone.
President Tinubu commended Tonlagha for marking the occasion with the unveiling of a book, describing the initiative as a reflection of his commitment to knowledge, intellectual growth, and documenting experiences for posterity.
“It is fitting that he is unveiling a book as part of the activities to mark his 50th birthday. I commend him for his pursuit of knowledge and chronicling for posterity,” the President said.
The President also acknowledged Tonlagha’s years of dedication to community development and nation building, particularly through his advocacy for the welfare and advancement of Niger Delta communities.
He praised Tonlagha, founder of Maton Engineering Limited, for his contributions to the protection and security of oil and gas infrastructure across several states in the Niger Delta, noting that such efforts are critical to national economic stability.
President Tinubu further encouraged the entrepreneur to sustain and expand his philanthropic initiatives, including support for education and medical services, the provision of scholarships, funding of skill acquisition programmes, and assistance to vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta.
As Tonlagha celebrates his golden jubilee on February 8, the President wished him good health, renewed strength, and many more years of meaningful service and impact.
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