Mohammed Shosanya

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED),has expressed disappointment with the statement made by Comrade Isa Tijjani, the former Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), accusing the current President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, of “alleged moves to plunge Nigeria into economic and political crisis using his excessive strike actions”.

The group in a statement on Monday,said it finds the statement disturbing, unkind and lacking compassion, especially coming from a former labor official.

It appears to be an attempt to discredit a courageous leader who has dedicated his life to fighting for the suffering masses of Nigeria,it added in the statement signed by its Executive Director,Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi

The statement quoted that,in addition to labeling Comrade Ajaero, Isa Tijjani failed to provide any concrete evidence of positive steps taken by the government of President Tinubu to alleviate the hardships faced by the Nigerian people.

The statement asks rhetorically:” Where was Comrade Isa when the price of petrol was raised from N180 per litre to N650 per litre? Where was he when the value of the Naira suddenly plummeted from N650/$ to N1,700? Does Isa Tijjani realize that people are dying every day due to lack of food, medicine, water, electricity, and other basic necessities, all caused by the poor and confused economic policies of the Tinubu administration?

“Where was Isa Tijjani when President Tinubu allocated over N68 billion for the purchase of SUV cars for members of the National Assembly, N1.6 billion for his wife’s cars, and several additional billions for the renovation of the president and vice president’s residences?”

“The former leader of the NLC must be living on a different planet to make baseless accusations against Comrade Ajaero and the NLC leadership for demanding a minimum wage of N450,000, which is equivalent to $270.

“It is astonishing that someone who has never spoken out against the rampant corruption, excessive government spending, and oppressive economic policies would suddenly wake up and accuse the NLC president of attempting to destabilize Nigeria through strike actions. In fact, Nigerians require more strikes and protests as that seems to be the only language this stubborn and inhumane administration understands”.

The group urged Comrade Joe Ajaero and his team at the NLC not to succumb to what it calls “the senseless ramblings of a few renegades and government apologists”, but to continue their struggle for the emancipation of the suffering masses of Nigeria.

It further advised the NLC leadership to be focused by building supporting robust civil society networks and grassroots organizations across the country to fortify their efforts in championing the economic rights of the people.

Mohammed Shosanya

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS,has expressed concerns about misconduct in Ajaokuta Steel Company and urged President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough investigation into reported mismanagement.

“If there are individuals or group of individuals protecting the corrupt managers of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and hereby shielding them from any form of probe and judgement, it simply means that they are beneficiaries of the ill-gotten proceeds of the mismanagement or they have other personal interests that are not people-friendly and that are tantamount to water down or nullify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fight against corruption. These set of people should also be probed. They may even be part of those used by these selfish leaders to loot the treasury of the steel company dry.”

The student body implored the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices & Other related Offences Commission (ICPC) to stand their ground against every form of intimidation or shielding, as they probe and investigate mismanagement in Ajaokuta Steel Company.

“While the revamping of this company is going on, the probing of these culprits should aggressively continue. Both can go concurrently, and one will not affect another. As a matter of fact, the probing is an essential part of the revamping because investigators and other Stakeholders may discover in the course of probing that some bad eggs are still on the management and staff of this Steel Company. With these probes, many unveilings will take place, giving way to a holistic revitalization and resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.”

The umbrella body in a press release said those involved in the mismanagement of this company must be brought to book immediately:

“This is simply because if these offenders are brought to book, it will serve as a deterrent to others who are aspiring to steal from the company as soon as it starts operation again. Bringing them to book will help the company grow in the sense that the money recovered from these offenders would be pumped back into the company and it will give it a higher lift in every sense.”

In the release signed by NANS Universal President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, GCNS, the association vowed not to back down on fights of this peculiarity, especially one that is against the tenets of financial accountability and transparency.

“Power intoxicates, and absolute power intoxicates absolutely. Having a Sole Administrator for the past 12 years to oversee a public and national company like Ajaokuta Steel is not good enough. This gives room to corruption in the sense that there will be no one else to check the excesses of the Sole Administrator and this may give him/her an ample chance to misuse the trust and powers given to him/her.

” Hence, power in this institution should be broken down to the Managing Director, Executive Director Technical Services, Executive Director Finance and other directorates for more effectiveness, accountability and productivity that will culminate in efficacious checking and balancing.”

The association emphasized the import of addressing concerns raised by Nigerians and ensuring that no single tribe, out of the over 200 tribes in Nigeria has the right to lay claim of sole ownership to this government project built from the nation’s taxpayers’ money.

“In as much as this company is Federal Government owned, one particular group should never claim ownership and control of it because it’s built on their land. Just the way no single tribe is laying claims to the oil in the Niger Delta and the Hydroelectric dams in Kanji and its environs.

” This company should be a haven of massive employment opportunities for us Nigerian Students upon graduation and it should also be a technology site where our potential engineering students all over the country could come and experience technological innovations at its peak as they aspire for greatness in the field of engineering. So, no single tribe, out of the over 200 tribes in Nigeria has the right to lay claim of sole ownership to this government project built from the nation’s taxpayers’ money. This must be checkmated.”

The association underlined Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the development of the country.

“We want to sincerely appreciate H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the humongous effort he has put into the development of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, since he assumed office. From history, apart from the Shehu Shagari era, this will be the first time that this company would be having this kind of unusual support from the Federal Government.

“This is highly commendable. We also want to appreciate the office of the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio for his huge and tireless efforts in making sure that this company comes back on its feet and deliver the purpose with which it was founded. All his efforts are seen, and they won’t go unappreciated.”

It commended members of the National Assembly, especially Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who raised one issue or the other in support of the growth and development of the company.

“We believe that their efforts shall not go unrewarded and their wishes towards the progress of Ajaokuta Steel Company will come to materialization in no distant time.”

The association highlighted the dedication of the government and the stakeholders.

“Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company have remained in operational, but resuscitation plans of the projects are near with the attraction of investors in topmost gear. The government and the stakeholders alike are working assiduously to see that the company comes back to life. This is a good omen for the Renewed Hope Agenda to continue to flourish amidst the global economic crisis that has engulfed the world right about now.”

It pointed out that individuals who brought the Ajaokuta Steel Company to this comatose are still walking the street un-investigated and unpunished.

“These people who have been indicted to the tune of several millions of US dollars further siphoned $496m in September 2022 through Buhari’s administration. They have neither been probed nor punished. This is not a good precedent at all and if unchecked would create an avenue for dabbling into President Tinubu’s efforts of resuscitating the steel plant.”