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NLC, TUC, NUJ, RATTAWU kick against planned demolition of BCOS staff quarters
Labour unions in Oyo State on Tuesday kicked against the planned demolition of staff quarters at Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).
The unions are Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as well as Radio and Television Association of Workers Union (RATTAWU).
The BCOS staff quarters, which consisted 21 flats housing junior staffers and 25 chalets housing the senior workers, was constructed by the military administration of retired Brig.-Gen David Jemibewon.
The leaders of the various unions had joined the BCOS chapters of their unions in protest against the planned demolition which started as early as 7am on Tuesday.
The BCOS workers led by their union leaders, Abiodun Akinkunle of NUJ Chapel and Kola Carew of RATTAWU chapter had mobilised their colleagues to protest the planned demolition.
Mr Emmanuel Ogundiran, the State TUC Chairman and Mr Ademola Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman had led their members into two separate meetings to ensure the state government has a rethink over the matter.
They held one of the meetings with Alhaji Bayo Titilola-Sodo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters and the second with the BCOS management led by its Executive Chairman, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Ogundiran appealed to the governor and BCOS management to consider future development as well as possible expansion of the corporation.
“We are very particular about the critical staff. We wouldn’t want anything that will affect the service been rendered by the BCOS. There have to be room for expansion.
“We are also taking into cognisance the futuristic development of this corporation.
“We have submitted our requests to the BCOS management and hope they would work on them,” he said.
Babalola expressed worry over government’s plan to demolish quarters housing some of their members working with BCOS.
He called on the state government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde to have a rethink on the development.
The NUJ chairman demanded that 50 percent of the Senior Staff Quarters be allocated to BCOS for future expansion, to guide against what befell similar corporation in Ibadan, the FRCN where staffers and visitors are daily being confronted with parking problems because of the lack of focus for the Corporation’s expansion.
“These structure here, were put up by the government of retired Brig.-Gen David Jemibewon. I know there is no government in Nigeria that can afford to build this kind of structure today.
“BCOS has massive undeveloped land that can be used for the proposed estate than ejecting journalists from the quarters. This is a bad development,” he said.
Babalola lauded the union’s branch leaders for their efforts, assuring them of support from all journalists in the state.
In their separate responses, Titilola-Sodo and Oyelade, urged leaders of the union to remain calm, promising their requests would be looked into.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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