The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has issued an ultimatum to the management of Dangote Refinery to recall more than 800 Nigerian workers allegedly sacked and replaced with foreign nationals. The union made this known in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Lumumba Okugbawa, and made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja. PENGASSAN had earlier alleged that Nigerian workers who joined the union at the refinery were denied entry into the facility, forced to pay for transport after staff buses were withdrawn, and later issued termination letters en masse. The association condemned…
Author: Newsdesk
The Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, has said that adopting green technology and digital tools is key to securing Nigeria’s energy and industrial future. Speaking in Abuja on Friday at the third Technology Ecosystem Dialogue organized by Young Innovators Nigeria (YIN), Olawande — represented by his Senior Adviser, Mr. Obinna Ebirim — stressed the need to invest in young talent and innovation. The event, themed “Green Tech and Energy Revolution: Transforming Business and Society”, brought together innovators, government officials, and stakeholders to discuss sustainable digital and energy solutions for Nigeria’s growth. Olawande said it was important to carry…
Two major electricity workers’ unions have called off their planned nationwide strike after the Federal Government stepped in. The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) had earlier threatened to go on strike because of unresolved problems in the power sector. The workers were planning to stop work to push for their demands, including the implementation of the national minimum wage and other issues with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). However, after long discussions with representatives from the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, and labour unions, the strike…
The Abia State Government says it will train at least 250 therapists across its 17 local government areas to support children with intellectual and learning disabilities. Chairman of the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, Mr. David Anyaele, disclosed this on Friday at a sensitisation workshop for stakeholders and caregivers in Umuahia. The workshop brought together government agencies, teachers, health workers, parents, and caregivers to discuss the role of stakeholders in promoting inclusive education, healthcare, and community participation for children with special needs. Anyaele explained that the therapists would help identify affected children and their families, addressing…
The management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has defended its recent disengagement of some employees, insisting the decision was taken to protect the facility from repeated acts of sabotage that raised safety concerns and hampered operations. This clarification comes amid concerns raised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which accused the refinery of carrying out a mass sack and intimidating workers who joined the union. In a statement issued on Friday, the refinery dismissed insinuations of arbitrary dismissals, stressing that only a very small number of staff were affected in the ongoing reorganisation. “The…
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused the Dangote Petroleum Refinery of sacking workers and intimidating union members after they joined the association. In a letter to its Lagos Zonal Chairman, the union’s Caretaker Committee (CTC) alleged that staff received a mass termination email around 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, just hours after affirming membership during a verification exercise. The CTC further claimed management withdrew staff buses, denied workers entry into the refinery, and targeted union leaders for arrest. It described the action as a violation of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees…
A European group representing drug companies warned that putting taxes on medicines would be very harmful. This came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced high import taxes on the pharmaceutical industry. On Thursday, Trump said there would be new taxes on many industries. One of them was a 100% tax on any branded or patented medicine, unless the company is building a factory in the U.S. In July, the European Union and the U.S. had made a trade deal. This deal limited taxes on medicines and other goods to 15%. It’s not yet clear if Trump’s new plan changes the…
The Sokoto State High Court has ordered the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to immediately release the withheld results of 47 students of Global Kids Academy, Sokoto. The order was contained in a ruling signed by Umma Abubakar Said, Director of Litigation, High Court of Justice, Sokoto, and delivered by Justice (Prof.) Muawiya Dahiru Mahmud. The judgment followed submissions by counsel for the plaintiff, F.E. Okotete Esq., and counsel for the defendant, Kabiru Yusuf Esq. WAEC’s legal team was led by Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN). Justice Mahmud held that WAEC’s publications, including letters dated October 20, 2023, to the Sokoto…
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), says the donation of a modern canine facility to the Agency by the German government will significantly enhance Nigeria’s war against illicit drugs. Speaking at the commissioning of the new complex in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, Marwa described the facility as a milestone in NDLEA’s history. “May I assure all stakeholders that the provision of this facility will significantly drive our fight against illicit drugs, fulfil our core mandate and secure the future of our nation,” he said, commending Germany’s consistent support to the…
The Movement, promoters of the proposed Access Party (AP), has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to halt its registration over an alleged logo clash with the Democratic Leadership Party. AP insists the two logos are distinct and that DLP is not a registered party. The group has demanded dialogue within seven days or vowed to head to court. INEC, in a letter dated September 12 and received on September 19, said AP’s logo was “not suitable” and allegedly similar to that of the Democratic Leadership Party (DLP). But in a statement signed by Barrister Bulama Bukarti, Chief…