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  • New Minimum wage not ready – NLC President

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has said that the National Minimum Wage Committee was yet to submit its report to the President because it was yet to agree on a figure and the failure of the federal government to come up with a figure to be agreed upon.

    Wabba said in a interview in his office that while the committee has concluded its deliberation, the Minister of Labour told the Committee that the federal government needed to consult before coming up with its own figure, a position he said negates the earlier agreement to work within its timeline.

    The Minister had told newsmen in Anambra that state governors were frustrating the work of the committee, but Wabba said 21 states actually made presentation to the committee with many of quoting figures while some other said they would abide by whatever decision was arrived at.

    He said organised Labour has called a meeting all its organs with a view to informing them of the development, pointing out that a definite position will be announced after the meeting as the minimum wage is already two years behind the scheduled date.

    Wabba said “if you recall, the minimum wage committee was inaugurated in November 2017, but started its assignment in March 2018 due to logistics reasons. At its inaugural meeting, all parties produced a work plan which spelt out the modus oparandi and duration of the work of the committee.

    “By the work plan, we were supposed to end our work and submit our report by the 21st of August. Unfortunately, that date fell on a public holiday and so, it was agreed that the 4th and 5th September be used to complete the work of the committee. All members were committed to the completion of the work of the committee and forwarding it to the appropriate quarters.

    “At that meeting, we were able to complete the entire report. But just before we conclude, the Minister of Labour spoke at that occasion as representative of the federal government, saying they needed to go and consult before arriving at a figure.

    “The federal government came and said they have not finished their consultations and that they need time to consult. But it was all of us that took the decision to have a work plan.

    “We felt that since this committee was inaugurated in November, we thought that everybody was aware that all stakeholders needed to tidy up whatever consultations they needed to do and make sure that we are able to work within that time line.

    “Clearly speaking, they were not prepared to produce a figure by that date. But our report has been completed. What is left is just to agree on a particular figure. All the parameters to be used to arrive at a figure are there.

    “I can say clearly that states have sent in memorandum. Infact, 21 states sent in memorandum, with about 12 quoting figures, NECA has submitted a figure, organized labour has submitted a figure. What we thought was that we should be able to complete that assignment by the 5th of September.

    “With the new development and they saying that they want to consult, we could say that it is not a fair process if somebody is saying at this point that he has not consulted.

    “On our part as organsied labour, we will meet formally and issue a formal statement and see how we can make sure that the interest of Nigerian worker is not in any way undermined. This is where we are and we think that is proper that we put the fact before our members.

    “We have already called for our organ meetings where we will brief them because it is ion public domain that both government and labour agreed that the time line must be respected when they were saying that September is not feasible.

    “We are committed to respecting the timeline and that is why we left everything we are doing to do the needful to be able to do a good job. All the parameters you can think of have been considered and the report is ready. But the only thing missing is the issue of figure and we know that at this point in time, Nigerian workers will like such news.

    “That is the position they took and we have said that we will appropriately communicate this to our people and agree on our next line of action. This is where we are and we have already scheduled those meetings and we all will issue a statement on this. It is very important to organized labour, both those in the public and private sector and we will let them know where we are.”

    Speaking on the statement credited to the Minister that states were frustrating the work of the committee, Wabba said “Individual states quoted figures and every state was given the opportunity to make presentation. A letter was written to every state by the secretariat to send in their memo, making their inputs and 21 of them actually made inputs.

    “You are aware of the figures quoted by organized labour. We have enough data to do justice to the work and we have actually done justice to the work. I am telling you that this is what has happened. But a particular figure which should be agreed upon is not, but we have actually started agreeing on that.

    “There were proposals and counter proposals before this information came directly from the Minister of Labour that there is a committee of the federal government led by the Minister of Budget and National Planning who were supposed to have sent in their input, but did not.

    “There was enough time for everybody to make input. Now that the report should have been consummated, some people are saying they need time for consultation. We thought that should not have been the situation because of the importance of the issue to Nigerian workers and the workers can also not continue to be patient.

    “We are already about two years behind schedule. The 2011 minimum wage collective agreement by all parties agreed that a review will be due after five years and we all know when that period is due. Started behind schedule and I must say that the committee did a lot of work to reach where we are presently. All parties have been very committed and despite all distractions, we have been to drive the process.

    “They are at liberty to quote figures and we are at liberty to also quote what we think is right. It is a process of dialogue and consultation and at the end of the day, we have to agree on something. We are satisfied that they came up with something they want us to consider. What is important is that they are committed to reviewing the minimum wage. That is why they came up with the options.

    “Every state should answer their own name and the workers of that state will engage them. I don’t want us to hide under the omnibus name. Every governor must first answer their names.

    “What we have agreed is that if a governor is not willing to comply, let him go back to his own state, call the workers and tell them he will not pay the minimum wage and we will take it from there.

    “Let the minister not speak form the governors. He should speak on behalf of the federal government. Even the last one we had, the governors forum never made any submission. It was individual states that sent in memo because what is recognized by law is individual states.

    “If we do the needful and prioritise our needs, states will be able to pay. As we speak there are states that are doing extremely well in the payment of the N18,000 minimum wage. The issue is not about resources, but management of those resources”.

  • NLC: we won’t accept further delay in minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will not accept further delay in approving workers’demand of a new national minimum wage.

    Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige, said the September date set for the  take off of the new minimum wage was not feasible because of the inability of the governors to come up with an agreed figure.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba, said the labour union would not accept any further delays.

    Ngige had said though the committee saddled  with working out the modalities for the new wage had been up and doing, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum had not come up with any figure as the minimum they could pay.

    Describing the governors as critical partners in wage determination, Ngige said as an insider and a realist, he would not want to give any date or month when the minimum wage would be implemented.

    Wabba told The Nation that its been close to eight years since the last review of the national minimum wage took place, adding that workers are demanding a change in the humiliating culture of forcing them to bargain and wait for too long for insignificant increase in their wages.

    He said: “Workers are shocked by statements credited to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and reported by many national media organisations that the state governors are the ones delaying it.

    “We used the word ‘shocked’ because it was the same minister that in February 2018, without prompting or pressure, announced to the whole world that by September, 2018, the Federal Government would start paying the new national minimum wage.

    “The attitude of those in leadership is not only provocative it is also insensitive, especially in the face of the excruciating suffering being endured by Nigerian workers, particularly as occasioned by the increase in the cost of living.

    He said workers who are not privileged to earn fat salaries, allowances, estacodes and other perks of political appointments, are looking forward to enjoying minimal relief in the form of the new national minimum wage.

    Wabba said at the last May Day, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, promised workers that the government was committed to ensuring that the discussions  on the new minimum wage were concluded.

    He said: “Our position was that we would expedite actions at the level of the tripartite committee on the minimum wage and ensure that discussions and negotiations are concluded by August 2018 so that Nigerian workers can start benefitting as quickly as possible from the new national minimum wage.

    “I want to remind them that the review of the national minimum wage is long overdue. The 2011 Belgore Tripartite Committee set up by government agreed that the review of the minimum wage should happen every five years. It is now close to eight years that the last review of the national minimum wage took place,” Wabba stated.

    The labour leader noted that for many families, the wage review was the difference between survival and extinction. “We, therefore, categorically reject the continued delay in approving our demand of N66,500 as the new national minimum wage.”

  • Minimum wage: NLC optimistic of payment before end of 2018

    Mr Peter Ozo-Esan, General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) has assured Nigerians workers of the payment of the reviewed minimum wage before the end of 2018.

    Ozo-Esan gave this assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to him, in spite of the delay caused by the Sallah break, the tripartite committee involved with the review of the wage will conclude its work on Sept. 4th and 5th.

    “We believe that the initial expectation that by September a new minimum wage should come on board, we think that the government still should be able to deliver that to Nigerians.

    “Nigerian workers will continue to demand that from the government and as soon as this report is submitted government should do the needful before the National Assembly, because that is the process.

    “We expect that the National Assembly will play its part in speedily considering the bill that will be placed before it and do everything possible for Nigerian workers to have a new minimum wage.’’

    On the concerns raised by state governors, Ozo-Esan stressed that it was not for them to determine what to pay, but that as employers they must comply with the minimum wage as approved by law.

    Read Also: Ekiti NLC, TUC bans two labour leaders for 10 years

    “ Minimum wage is not fixed for government, it is fixed for employers across the economy whether government or private employer, the law will require you to pay the minimum wage.

    “ What state governments want does not matter, because this is not a political matter; the minimum wage is the barest minimum that any worker must earn and no employer can go below that.’’ he added.

    The NLC secretary general stressed that state governments mismanaging their funds have no excuse not to pay salaries, adding that Nigerian must start demanding for dividends of democracy from their leaders.

    “We urge our members to get their voter cards and vote out governors who have shown incapacity to govern,” he added.

  • Demolition of Fresh FM: Impunity taken too far – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) has said that demolition of Music house owned by Yinka Ayefele by the Oyo state government is impunity taken too far which is not acceptable and cannot be tolerated in any civilized society.

    President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the action of the government shows a lack of capacity to manage public outrage for which the governor will bury his head in shame.

    The Congress said further that the conduct of the Oyo State Government represents an audacious affront to the Court that earlier gave a restraining order and an assault on public morality.

    The statement reads “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress join other well-meaning Nigerians in condemning the demolition of Music House by the Oyo State Government, the building belonging to Yinka Ayefele, the physically challenged music maestro.

    “The conduct of the Oyo State Government represents an audacious affront to the Court that gave a restraining order and an assault on public morality. This level of impunity is not acceptable to us and cannot be tolerated in any civilised society.
    “We believe the government acted maliciously, premeditatively, and with clear intent to cause grievous injury and hurt, the motive of which it is yet to make public.

    “Smarting from the round condemnation of the state’s criminal conduct, the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in a remorseless outburst gloated that curses placed on him in respect of this matter would not affect him.

    “We consider this as another level of impunity and pettiness unbecoming of a Governor and a clear demonstration of lack of capacity to manage public outrage. He should bury his head in shame.

    “We hope and pray Governor Ajimobi experiences a rebirth, rediscovers his humanity as well as reconnects with his people in service and humility instead of opening a new war front every other day.

    Read Also: SERAP to Ajimobi: Repair Ayefele’s building or face legal action

    “In our view, the Yinka Ayefele building, other than providing multiple sources of livelihood to many, represented a strong message to our youth that disability is not a barrier to industry or self-actualisation. It is a shame that the government is killing this dream in a state with a reputation for individual industry and commerce.

    “In light of the foregoing, we call on the government to tender an unreserved apology to Mr Yinka Ayefele, compensate him for his losses as well as promise to be of good behaviour to its citizens.

    “We similarly call on the court entertaining this matter to act appropriately against the Oyo State Government for its willful disobedience to its clear and unambiguous order. The court needs to do this to protect it’s authority as well as reassure the citizenry that truly no one is above the law.”

  • NLC to Nigerians: resist those who seek power at all costs

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to resist the manipulations of a selfish few, who seek power at all costs for selfish reason.

    It wanted citizens to challenge those who polarised the country, stressing that “as Nigerians, we have no country other than this; we can have no better freedom than in our country.”

    In its Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslims and other Nigerians, signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, NLC said Nigerians, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, must imbibe the spirit of give and take, the spirit of love of God and love for their neighbours.

    It said there was no other time than now to strengthen the bond of unity “that holds us together and the shared values that stand us on the high pedestal in the community of nations.”

    The statement reads: “On behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we wish to congratulate and celebrate with our Muslim brethren on the occasion of this Eid-el-Kabir. The occasion symbolises sacrifice, discipline, faith, the spirit of give and take, love of God and love for our neighbours, obedience to and total submission to God our creator.

    “In the light of this, we take this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians, not only Muslims, to imbibe the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir.

    “No time is more auspicious than now for us to imbibe these qualities, especially now that we have challenges in the polity, including frightening political disputations, loss of lives due to conflicts across the country, resurgence of suspicions, sectarian/hate tendencies,  violence and threat to our oneness and sovereignty.

    “This moment avails us a great opportunity to strengthen the bonds that hold us together and the shared values that stand us on the high pedestal in the community of nations.

    “We ordinary Nigerians should not lend ourselves to the machinations of a selfish few, who seek power at all costs, not for the benefit of Nigerians, but for themselves.

    “We should rise with a common resolve to challenge those people and those things that polarise us. We have no other country than this. We can have no better freedom than in our country.

    “Let us unite to fight those things that keep us down. Eid-el-Kabir offers an opportunity for reflection. Once again, we wish all of us, especially our Muslim brethren, a happy celebration.”

  • NLC: casualisation rising despite labour laws

    THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said despite labour laws, the menace of casual employment or contract staffing in Nigeria is on the rise.

    Its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said casualisation contravenes Section 7 (1) of the Labour Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, adding that the Act provides that, not later than three months after the beginning of a worker’s period of employment with an employer, the employer shall give to the worker a written statement specifying the terms and conditions of employment, which include the nature of the employment and if the contract is for a fixed term, the date when the contract expires.

    He said the development is assuming a worrisome dimension because of the saturated labour market and quest to maximise profits by multinationals and other corporate entities.

    He alleged that some multinationals on a regular basis import ‘expatriates’ into the country to take full time employment, leaving qualified Nigerians as ‘casuals or contract’ workers with no legal status or employment benefits.

    Wabba lamented that Nigerian workers can no longer offer their labour to slave drivers whose only interest is profit maximization and capital mobility.

    “Our laws allow all workers to exercise their freedom of association to belong to unions of their choice in line with the provision of ILO (International Labour Organisation) convention 87 and section 40 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

  • NLC decries gale of defections

    THE Bayelsa State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wants politicians to stop the ongoing   gale of defections, and play politics by the rules to safeguard democracy in the country.

    Mr. John Ndiomu, the state Chairman of NLC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa,the state capital, yesterday that political actors should, instead,  focus on issues that  would drive Nigeria’s development.

    The chairman cautioned against repeating mistakes of the past, stressing that defection would not impact on national development in any form like job creation and provision of basic amenities.

    He said: “I will not say that our democracy is under threat or that we are going backward; my concern is that our politicians are yet to learn their lessons because the current issue of defection is indicating that they are going to repeat the old mistakes in the forthcoming elections.

    “My question here is: are the defectors defecting for the good interest of Nigerians or for their selfish interest?

    “It`s high time we learned  from the past in order not to repeat the old mistakes.

    “In the forthcoming elections, we want politicians who have the interest of Nigerians at heart. “The electorate should be mindful not to vote for politicians that have failed the people.”

  • NLC, others laud Kaseem’s role in labour law

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has honoured the late Chief Gani Adetola-Kaseem (SAN), who died last January.

    It was an event tagged: “A Day of Tribute”which attracted an array of labour leaders, legal luminaries, Islamic clerics and worshippers.

    NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the late lawyer, contributed immensely to labour law, adding that he knew him for decades.

    Speaking on how he would confront the anti-corruption war, Wabba reiterated the Congress’s commitment to the fight against corruption in Nigeria and, by extension,  on the continent, describing the menace as a direct threat to its progress, stability, and well-being.

    He said: “We would want to identify and collaborate with the AU as it marks this year’s anti-corruption day.  In our view, corruption remains the most pressing governance and development challenges confronting Africa today, Nigeria inclusive.

    “Corruption in several ways continues to arrest growth and development, creating in the process situations of unacceptable unemployment, infrastructural decay, collapsed energy systems and capacities, massive production deficits and near absence of social justice.”

    He said the NLC would not rest on its oars in confronting the menace which he said has robbed African citizens the right to basic infrastructure, employment and other socio-economic securities in the continent, adding that corruption is a monster that must be confronted head-long if Africa is to make any headway or be taken seriously in the comity of nations.

    “For us this fight, however, must go beyond the symbolism of marking the day to a demonstrable commitment by leaders of African countries and other office holders that corruption is a reprehensible crime that should be stamped out,” he  noted.

    Prof. Hakeem Olaniyan, the lead speaker, who spoke on the topic, “The development of the Nigerian Labour Jurisprudence: The role of Chief Gani Adetola-Kaseem, SAN (1948-2018” described the late SAN as a good professional who contributed to Nigerian law and jurisprudence in many of the cases he handled.

    The event was chaired by the President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, while panellists were drawn from the Nigeria Labour Congress, National Industrial Court, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Nigerian Bar Association, and the Joint Health Sector Unions.

     

    Adetola-Kaseem, who died at the age of 69, was commended  by virtually all the panellists that graced the occasion for leaving an outstanding legacy in the landmark case of  Amasa Firdaus, the Law graduate who sparked controversy after challenging the restriction on the use of hijab during call-to-bar ceremony, as she has eventually been called to bar few days ago.

     

     

  • Picketing: MTN takes case to United Nation-ILO

    MTN Nigeria said its assets worth millions of dollars have been vandalised following the three-day picketing by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at some of the telecommunication company’s offices across Nigerian states.

    The mobile communication company may have however considered to approach the United Nation – International Labour Organisation(ILO) to make case for an alleged display of violence, disregard for the ILO code of conduct, and vandalising of its assets in the name of picketing.

     MTN said in a statement that, NLC contravenes ILO principles concerning the right to strike section 8.1 which focuses on picketing which states;

     “Taking part in picketing and firmly but peacefully inciting other workers to keep away from their workplace cannot be considered unlawful. The case is different, however, when picketing is accompanied by violence or coercion of non-strikers in an attempt to interfere with their freedom to work; such acts constitute criminal offences in many countries.

     The requirement that strike pickets can only be set up near an enterprise does not infringe the principles of freedom of association (ibid., paras. 586 and 587).”

    The MTN statement read further that, “officials of the NLC were at the MTN offices to picket however, the protest became violent and disorganised as property within MTN premises were vandalised.

    Damaged gate at MTN office

    “Doors and gates were destroyed, several staff of the company were manhandled and in the Ikoyi head office, the MTN flag was lowered and the NLC flag hoisted in its place.

     “Critical national infrastructure across the country were breached and attempts were made to seriously compromise them like turning off the independent power plants at the Ojota switch station, Lagos.”

    Founded in 1919, the ILO’s main goal is to bring together governments, employers and workers of its member states to set labour standards, develop policies and design programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.

    Meanwhile, renowned UK based accountant and social commentator, Feyi Fawehinmi and veteran radio presenter, Jimi Disu have openely condemn the picketing.

    In his words: “As far as I am concerned, they went on a fund-raising exercise. Now it didn’t just end there, if you are going to picket a company let’s just say for all intents and purposes, does it then mean that you must go on a destroying mission?

    Broken entrance door at MTN office

    “You went in there and destroyed their properties. Here we are, our existence economically is somewhat premised on what we call foreign investment, now is this how you are going to treat companies that come?”

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as well as the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has also learnt their voices.

    ALTON advised MTN Nigeria to consider preventive shutdown of network if telecoms facilities are damaged.

    Tony Ojobo, the spokesman of the NCC in a statement confirmed that on Monday night the NCC activated the MOU with NSCDC to protect the switch stations and BTSs belonging to MTN and other telecom operators.

    Tony also added that, “NCC has also briefed the security agencies on developments particularly the implications of the attempt to shut down the Ojota switch station. A collapse of the telecommunications grid is likely if these attacks on MTN and other telecom facilities are not abated.”

    Tobechukwu Okigbo, Corporate Relations Executive, MTN Nigeria reiterated that MTN has a credible position on unionism.

    He said, “We do not prevent our employees from associating amongst themselves as they deem fit and owe our employees the obligation to ensure they are not compelled to join associations. MTN supports the freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.”

    All workers have rights that should be protected. We work hard to not only ensure that this is done but also to ensure that our company is a Great Place to Work. We will continue to champion our peoples’ rights, whether they are part of a union or not and work hard to minimise disruptions in service to our customers.

  • Why we picketed MTN, by NLC

    •Telco shuts Abuja office

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday said it decided to picket all MTN offices nationwide because of the unfriendly labour practices of the company, saying no amount of blackmail will deter the union from continuing with the action.

    The MTN office in the Maitama District of Abuja, yesterday was under lock and key following the nationwide picketing of the company by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    A security man, who pleaded anonymity, said there was a directive from MTN headquarters in Lagos that all staff of the organisation should not come to work until further notice.

    NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said all its efforts and those brokered by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) to address the issues of unfriendly labour practices and disallowing its workers to unionise failed as the company fail to return to the negotiating table.

    He said even though the company makes 60 per cent of its profit from Nigeria, it is only in Nigeria that MTN workers are not unionised and are subjected to casualisation in total violation of the labour laws in the country and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.

    “Today marks the second day of the picketing of MTN offices nationwide by the NLC and its civil society allies. This press statement is intended to explain the reasons for this action as well as debunk the false information being fed to the public by MTN that our members have been unruly in prosecuting this action which is intended to divert attention from the real issues

    “MTN Nigeria, since it commenced operations in Nigeria and in clear violation of extant national and international labour laws, especially ILO Conventions 87 and 98 has denied its workers the fundamental principles of the rights at work.

    “It similarly indulges in other anti-labour practices such as casualisation for nearly all types of work, fixed- term contract work for Nigerian workers, worst forms of precarious work, etc.

    “It is on record that the NLC, on several occasions protested to the MTN and government about these unwholesome practices,” Wabba said.

    The World Decent Work Day marked on October 7, last year marked a watershed in these protests as NLC briefly picketed the telco’s Maitama office in Abuja.

    “In response to this action of NLC, MTN reached out to NECA which brokered a meeting. However, due to inexplicable reasons, MTN opted out of the negotiations to the chagrin and embarrassment of NECA.

    “Thereafter every effort by NECA and NLC to get MTN to the negotiating table failed. Frustrated, NECA pulled out of the negotiations. Subsequent efforts by NLC yielded no response either. Left with no other choice, NLC served MTN notice of a picket in line with the provisions of the law. This action commenced across the country yesterday, Monday, July 9, 2018. And in prosecuting this picket, our members have been peaceful and orderly,” he added.

    We have not destroyed the property of MTN and we do not intend to do so as that is not our objective anyway. There is no doubt that we are clear about our objectives and we shall not allow anything to distract us.  We are responsible workers and we are alive to our duties and responsibilities.

    “Even when MTN sponsored members of a private security company (with which it works) to attack and injure some of our members, we resisted the option of a proportionate response.

    “The Falomo police have in their custody one of the attackers and an ID card of one of the assailants.

    “MTN therefore, instead of resorting to cheap blackmail and propaganda should do the needful, give to Nigerian workers in their employ, their rights to freely associate, and hold an opinion as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution,  the Labour Laws and Conventions 87 and 98 of the ILO.

    “It is equally important to explain that Nigeria is the only country MTN refuses to allow workers to unionise. In South Africa where the company comes from, workers are unionised. Indeed, our counterparts in South Africa are worried that we have allowed this matter to linger for so long as MTN may choose to try to impose similar conditions on them.

    “In Ghana, workers are unionised as in every other country MTN carries on business. It is important to point out that MTN makes over 60 per cent of its global money in Nigeria. Why then must it be so disdainful of our laws and people.

    “However, it’s acts of impunity are not entirely new. Nigerians may recall it was the same MTN in clear breach of national security that imperiled the lives of our security personnel in the Northeast over which it was fined.

    “We insist that companies, no matter how rich or powerful must obey the laws of the land. We insist they must treat Nigerians fairly and decently. No one should be above the law.  Let all Nigerians know we are committed to this operation. We have the will and the means to sustain it.

    “Finally, we commend the Nigeria Police so far for their exemplary conduct. We single out for special commendation the police in and around Falomo, Lagos.”