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Tag: NURTW

  • Trade unions’ registrar seeks end to NURTW leadership dispute

    Trade unions’ registrar seeks end to NURTW leadership dispute

    The Registrar of Trade Unions, Amos Falonipe, has urged leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to close rank and work on ways to end the leadership dispute in the union.

    Falonipe said the federal government, through the Ministry of Labour, was interested in seeing members of the NURTW conduct their affairs peacefully and without rancour given the importance of the transportation sector to the nation’s economy.

    He spoke at an emergency meeting of zonal chairmen, secretaries, and treasurers with members of the National Administrative Council of the NURTW, held on Wednesday at the union’s headquarters in Abuja.

    Falonipe said the federal government would be very happy to see the crisis resolved on time.

    He added: “We are all members of the same family and the two feuding parties should keep hope alive and work for peace.  

    “We, at the Ministry of Labour, are like a father to all the unions, we are for the interest of this union (NURTW) and hope that at the end of the day, the union will come out stronger.”

    Earlier, the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the NURTW, Najeem Usman Yasin cautioned the union’s former president, Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa to stop confusing misleading the people about the state affairs of the union

    Yasin, who said his intervention was to put the records straight about some misinformation allegedly being peddled by Baruwa and those around him, said the ex-President has been going about misleading the people that he is the authentic leader of the union.

    He said since the National Industrial Court has handed off a case filed by Baruwa to await the outcome of the appeal against an earlier judgment by Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi of the Industrial Court, the ex-Chairman should await the outcome of the appeal.

    Yasin added: “When he (Baruwa) got a judgment from the National Industrial Court, we quickly appealed against and the court struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction, but to our surprise, Baruwa has been going about sending wrong messages to our people that he is the authentic President.

    “I want to tell you today that, as of today, we only have an interim arrangement, headed by Alhaji Aliyu Issa Ore, and that the only recognized headquarters of the union is the one at Sapele Street, Garki Abuja.”

    Read Also: NURTW sets up caretaker panel to pilot affairs of FCT chapter

    Yasin implored members of the union to disregard any further propaganda from Baruwa, adding: “Baruwa should wait for the outcome of the Court of Appeal before making any noise.

    “He destroyed the union and now he wants to use the power of incumbency to manipulate everybody and we say no to his manipulation”

    Also speaking, the acting president, Alhaji Aliyu Ore appealed to members not to ignore further misinformation from Baruwa and his allies.

    Ore alleged that Baruwa and his supporters were only out to confuse the union.

  • NURTW sets up caretaker panel to pilot affairs of FCT chapter

    NURTW sets up caretaker panel to pilot affairs of FCT chapter

    The leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has constituted a 16-man caretaker committee to run the affairs of the FCT Chapter of the union.

    This followed a recent judgement of the National Industrial Court Abuja in favour of Tajudeen Baruwa and his exco. 

    The national leadership of the union charged the committee to reposition the chapter for the benefit of its members.

    It expressed unwavering commitment to upholding rule of law in its activities and utilising peaceful processes in resolving all issues arising among its members.

    Acting General Secretary of NURTW, Comrade Suleiman Musa, who conducted the inauguration of the newly constituted caretaker committee in Abuja yesterday, said the unity of the union was the major focus of the national leadership under Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa watch. 

    He noted that the leadership was very strict in upholding the rule of law, even as it is working very hard to ensure that peace reigns in the union across the federation.

    The NICN Abuja had in a judgment delivered by Justice O.O. Oyewumi, in a suit No/NICN/ABJ/263/2023, described Najeem Usman Yasin-led group as interlopers and forceful takeover of the National Secretariat of NURTW was unlawful.

    Addressing journalists during the inauguration of the 16 man caretaker committee to pilot FCT affairs, the Acting General Secretary, said: “As a result of the illegal takeover of our Secretariat here in Abuja, a court action was instituted. The court has finally taken a decision. And the decision is in our favour. We want to officially inform the general public, particularly the entire membership of NURTW in the FCT Council and all our members throughout the Federation that the Caretaker Committee that was appointed illegally by Alhaji Usman Najeen Yasim faction is hereby dissolved.

    “The dissolution of the FCT Executive Council is sequel to the judgment of the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja and presided by Honorable Justice O.O Oyewumi which on the 11th March 2024 annulled the Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin constituted caretaker committee under the leadership of Comrade Umar Abubakar in FCT. The national and State executives put in place by Yasim was also declared unlawful, illegally and unconstitutional.

    “The court also confirmed Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the legitimate and duly elected president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. In view of the fact that nature abhors vacuum, a caretaker committee comprising 16 members have been constituted in place of the dissolved executive.

    “The members of the newly constituted caretaker committee are: Comrade Ajibola Ashimolowo, Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkarim Shuibu, Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Saidu Musa, Treasurer, Ahmed Scatter, Yusuf Danbaba, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Jaru, Taiwo Osobu, Bomber to Bomber, Mohammed Abdullahi, Saidu Sulaiman, Baba Lokoja, Comrade Anthony Eya, Angola Abaji, Omo Iyage, Comrade Lawrence Fadepe,members and Abdullahi Sani Galadima, Secretary.

    Read Also: NURTW gives relief to container truck drivers, others

    “The committee is hereby mandated to take over day to day administration of the FCT Council of the Union. The committee is to coordinate the activities of all Branches in FCT. Must ensure that all revenue accruable to FCT Council from members check off due is accurately recorded for proper accountability. Carry out any other assignment which in the position of the Committee will help in ensuring peace in the FCT Council of the Union.”

    Responding to questions from journalists, Comrade Suleiman Abdulkadir Musa, said: “We want to assure you that the leadership of the union and entire members are law abiding citizens. Despite the provocations, we have remained calm since August 2023. We have been following the matter religiously and by the grace of God justice prevailed on the 11th of March 2024. We will continue to follow the process of law in resolving issues and we make sure that peace reigns in the entire structure of our union.

    “We had the other faction said they would appeal the judgment on which we dissolved the existing Executive and constituted this new caretaker committee. But as I am speaking to you now, we have not been served any notice of appeal.”

  • NURTW gives relief to container truck drivers, others

    NURTW gives relief to container truck drivers, others

    Chair of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Amuwo Odofin Branch C, Ajele Abayomi, has given over 1,000 bags of rice to container truck drivers and bus drivers on Mile 2/ Apapa road.

    Abayomi, executive director of A.A Motors & Logistics Services, said the gesture would run for three days.

    He noted it was aimed at giving back to drivers and to ensure they have a great Sallah celebration with their families.

    Read Also: Mass burial for 15 victims of suspected herdsmen killing in Benue

     “By the grace of God we are giving over a thousand bags of rice to truck drivers on the Mile 2 ,Apapa road. We are doing this because President Bola Tinubu has started it by giving palliatives…

    “We also want to give to container truck drivers and bus drivers for three days,” he said.

    Abayomi said the economic situation will be addressed by the President.

     “Renewed Hope Agenda will bear fruits. There is light at the end of the tunnel…” 

  • I’m not Lagos’ new NURTW chairman — Olohunwa

    I’m not Lagos’ new NURTW chairman — Olohunwa

    Alhaji Rafiu Olohunwa, a former Lagos State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has distanced himself from a malicious publication declaring him as the Union’s newly appointed Lagos State Chairman.

    In a statement signed and issued by him on Thursday in Lagos, Olohunwa described the purported publication as misleading and an attempt by mischievous elements to cause uproar in the NURTW.

    He said: “Let me state emphatically that under no circumstance did I, Comrade Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa, authorise, approve or partake in such misleading publication.

    Read Also: NURTW chief urges members to remain calm

    “As a law abiding comrade of NURTW who understands the extant law, due process and has respect for constituted authority of the union under the leadership of our National President, Professor Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa, I can never be part of such a publication.

    “This is obviously a cheap attempt to cause controversy and chaos in the NURTW with the use of social media and other forms to spread and promote unsubstantiated propaganda by detractors.”

    The former NURTW boss then urged the public to disregard any information that was not personally signed by him or made available through his official social media handles.

    (NAN)

  • NURTW chief urges members to remain calm

    NURTW chief urges members to remain calm

    The Acting President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Issa Ore, has appealed to members and officers of the union throughout the country to remain calm and be peaceful over the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) ruling.

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Abuja on Monday affirmed Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa, as the validly elected President of the NURTW, for the second term.

    Justice Otebola Oyewumi, in a judgment of the court, sacked the Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede’s led Chairman Caretaker Committee and also restrained forthwith the former President of the union, Comrade Najeem Usman Yasin, who was also the Chairman Board of Trustees from interfering in the day-to-day running of the union.

    Read Also: Tinubu approves appointment of FCTA Head of Service, Perm Sec, others

    Alhaji Ore said the national headquarters of the union is working to appeal the judgment of the industrial court

    Reacting to the judgment, the Acting president stated that there is no cause for alarm.

    He said: “Our lawyers are studying the judgment and we shall proceed to Court of Appeal. The Nigerian judicial system allows aggrieved party to take their cases from National Industrial Court to Court of Appeal and even to Supreme Court. We shall use every available means to get Justice,” he said

    Alhaji Ore appealed to members to remain calm and continue going about their normal day to day business without any hindrance.

  • ‘I’ll be sworn-in as Lagos NURTW chairman’

    ‘I’ll be sworn-in as Lagos NURTW chairman’

    Leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle (Sego) has said he would soon be sworn-in as the Chairman of the union in Lagos State soon.

    Adekunle said the sworn-in would be done after the National Delegate Conference which Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) is expected to be crown as the National President.

    Adekunle said that was the agreement reached at meetings with the national body and the Lagos state government.

    Read Also: ‘MC Oluomo still NURTW head in Lagos’

    He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former union president Alhaji Najeem Yasin, Commissioner of Police Adegoke Fayoade, and other stakeholders for their timely intervention during the disagreement over the leadership tussle.

    “I’m the Coordinator of MC Oluomo for President and by the grace of God, we shall ensure his emergence. After his (MC Oluomo) swearing-in as National President in Abuja, I will be sworn-in as the Lagos State Chairman while Adekunle Ojora (Kudeti) will take over the position of Treasurer. I hereby solicit support for him. It is normal to have disagreement and that has been settled amicably. I urge everyone to close ranks and continue to live as one big family,” he said.

    He promised to look into the welfare of the members once swear-in as the state council chairman.

    Secretary of the union Comrade Olayiwola Lemboye called on members to maintain peace and go about their normal activities.

  • Edo NURTW to Obaseki: call your Chief of Staff to order

    Edo NURTW to Obaseki: call your Chief of Staff to order

    The lingering leadership crisis rocking Edo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has taken a new dimension, as the union’s caretaker committee accused Osaigbovo Iyoha, Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, of sabotaging his peace efforts.

    The peace process already put in place by Governor Obaseki to resolve all issues was allegedly being scuttled by the governor’s chief of staff through a letter that Iyoha personally signed and addressed to the NURTW National President in Abuja, recognising the ‘disbanded’ Odion Olaye-led executive of the Edo NURTW, which is being investigated by the state government.

    The letter titled “Re: Notification of Recognised Leadership of National Union of Road Transport Workers-Edo State Chapter”, from the office of the governor is with reference number OG.51/Vol.4/387.

    The letter dated December 1, 2023 and distributed to reporters is said to be generating crisis and controversy in the state.

    The letter said: “Pursuant to the correspondence received from the General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), dated October 11, 2023, I am directed to inform you that Comrade Odion Olaye is the recognised chairman of NURTW, Edo State chapter.

    “Consequently, Edo State Government will only associate with executive of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Edo State chapter, led by Chief Comrade Odion Olaye. This is for your information and necessary attention.”

    Reacting to the letter, the state Caretaker Committee Chairman of NURTW, Saturday Ohame, on behalf of the committee, condemned it.

    Read Also: Obaseki launches construction of 9.7km Uwelu road, others

    A statement signed by Ohame accused the governor’s chief of staff of sabotaging the peace efforts of the governor, which resulted in the inauguration of an investigation panel to look into petitions against Olaye’s former executive.

    It said: “The Chief of Staff, Iyoha Osaigbovo, is using his office to sabotage the genuine effort of Governor Godwin Obaseki by signing a memo recognising Odion Olaye as the chairman of NURTW even after spending 20 years on the seat.  

    “Osaigbovo is using the office of the Chief of Staff to sabotage a due process that the governor has initiated, thereby denigrating the directive of Obaseki’s transparent procedure of getting things done. It pains my heart to know that despite the governor’s genuine effort to solve the NURTW crisis in the state, the Chief of Staff is already sabotaging the outcome of the findings by circulating a signed document that Edo State Government backs Odion Olaye 20 years leadership. It will be important to categorically state that the Industrial Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State has long given judgment against Odion Olaye and also an Appeal Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State has ruled in favour of Comrade Saturday Oamen’s suit against Olaye.

  • Our family dying of hardship, allow us to operate in Osun – NURTW begs Adeleke

    Our family dying of hardship, allow us to operate in Osun – NURTW begs Adeleke

    The Osun state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke to return the operation of motor parks and garages to its union.

    The union through its chieftain, Kazeem Oyewale on Friday, December 22, appealed to Adeleke, lamenting that since the governor handed over garages to Park Managers in November 2022, things have been tough for their family members.

    Oyewale urged the governor to forgive whatever he might perceived as the wrongdoing of the union which made him take such a tough decision.

    Read Also: NURTW vehicles begin 50% slash in interstate transport fares

    He said: “We use this medium to thank Almighty God on behalf of Osun state government. We want to plead with the government to please have mercy on our union.

    “It’s been over a year since we operated last in Osun state. Everyone present today has a family to feed, the government should please forgive and forget in any way we offend them they should not let.

    “We are seeking the support of our acting zonal chairman in Osun state because all the union members are suffering in the state. He should look into the Osun state situation because we’ve been suffering for over a year now.”

  • NURTW vehicles begin 50% slash in interstate transport fares

    NURTW vehicles begin 50% slash in interstate transport fares

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) says its vehicles have commenced the 50 percent slash in the price of interstate transport fares for Nigerians travelling during this Yuletide.

    The Nation reports that President Tinubu on Wednesday, December 20, approved a 50% rebate for inter-state travels and 100% for train travels for Nigerians wishing to embark on travels to other parts of the country for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

    Read Also: Stop distorting facts about businesses leaving Nigeria, Reno Omokri warns Peter Obi

    This was contained in a statement by the NURTW Oshodi branch on Friday, December 22.

    The statement noted that transport fares can be reviewed upwards without notice due to an increase in passenger travel because of the yuletide season.

    It also said that transport operators can increase their number of buses frequency without notice due to an increase in passenger demand

    Below is the analysis of NURTW Transport Operators for Akure and Ilorin Destinations and Transport Fares DEC 22 2023.

  • Ex-NURTW president urges moderation

    Ex-NURTW president urges moderation

    The former president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, has advised Nigerians, especially the motoring public, to be moderate in everything they do while celebrating during the Yuletide holidays.

    He said this as part of his end of the year goodwill message to Nigerians, especially members of the union.

    Yasin, a former deputy president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said: “Moderation is the key word in everything we do. Excess of everything is bad. Hence I implore Nigerians to embrace moderation in everything they undertake.

    “As drivers on the wheel, be moderate in your speed. Over speeding kills. Our drivers should always be cautious and obey traffic rules and regulations so as to arrive safely.”

    Read Also: Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

    He also cautioned drivers, especially those on interstate routes, to ensure that their vehicles are in good conditions, to avoid unpleasant situation.

    Yasin hailed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration for its efforts in revamping the economy

    “Considering what the government is doing, there hope that the economy will return to normalcy. I appeal to Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government.”