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  • Stop parading yourself as our president, NURTW warns Baruwa

    Stop parading yourself as our president, NURTW warns Baruwa

    Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Kayode Agbeyangi, has warned the former president of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa, to desist from parading himself as the president of the union.

    He said his tenure had since expired, saying he should stop blackmailing the Minister of Labour and Employment, Solomon Lalong.

    He was also accused of casting aspersion on the credibility of an ex-president of the union, Alhaji Najeem Yasin.

    Agbeyangi gave the warning in a statement at the weekend, stressing that no amount of blackmail and name-dropping by Baruwa could bring him back as president of the union.

    He was reacting to a media report credited to Baruwa wherein he accused the labour minister of taking side in the union’s crisis.

    He said: “You had better wake up from your slumber and face the reality that no amount of blackmail and name dropping can bring you back as president of NURTW. 

    “With the successful conclusion of our delegate conference on October 25, our people have spoken and moved on. 

    Read Also: NURTW to Ajaero: don’t involve us in your dispute with Fed Govt

    “You are now in the past and the earlier you realise this the better for you.”

    The NURTW secretary also said: “To put the record straight, it was Baruwa that wrote petition to the ministry to look into the issue of NURTW crisis for intervention.

    “But contrary to their expectations, the minister invited the two groups to present their position papers. 

    “So, after the first meeting, Baruwa and his group refused to honour subsequent meetings called by the ministry. And the minister felt one person could not hold the union to ransom, hence a directive was given that we should start the process to elect new leaders. 

    “The minister as a leader, father and lawyer acted based on the provisions and dictate of our union’s constitution.

    “He was fair to both parties, but they thought they could cajole and intimidate him to foist him (Baruwa) on the union.”

  • NURTW to Ajaero: don’t involve us in your dispute with Fed Govt

    NURTW to Ajaero: don’t involve us in your dispute with Fed Govt

    The leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has warned the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joseph Ajaero, not to involve the transport union in the umbrella union’s tussle with the Federal Government over fuel subsidy issues.

    The NURTW said NLC’s internal issues should not be used as a bait to hold the government to ransom.

    The NLC had, in a statement credited to Ajaero, threatened that the labour movement would not attend any meeting called or involving the Labour and Employment Minister Simon Bako Lalong.

    The umbrella union alleged that the minister was plotting to frustrate the agreement it reached with the Federal Government on the resolution of the crisis rocking the NURTW by taking side with a faction of the transport union.

    But reacting to the NLC allegation, NURTW’s Acting General Secretary Kayode Agbeyangi accused the NLC of crying more than the bereaved.

    “We would have ignored the NLC president, but there is need to put the record straight. For record purposes, there are no more factions in the NURTW. We are intact and indivisible. This was demonstrated with various resolutions of our CWC and NEC meeting and with successful hosting of our 10th quadrennial delegate conference on October 25, 2023,” Agbeyangi said.

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    He added: “It has become the stock in trade of the NLC to blackmail everybody trying to find an amicable solution to the union’s problems. They began with President Bola Tinubu, then the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who they accused of providing security cover for the union. Now, it is the turn of the Minister of Labour and Employment to be blackmailed. To Ajaero, it must be Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa by all means…”

    Agbeyangi recalled that in the efforts to resolve the crisis that the then Baruwa faction allegedly caused, Lalong invited all the parties and they presented their position papers to the ministry for review and consultations.

    “But after the first meeting, Baruwa refused to attend subsequent meetings, citing ill-health. And the minister felt that a single individual should not hold the union to ransom, hence he gave a directive that the process of getting new leaders for the union should commence,” he said.

    Agbeyangi warned the NLC leadership not to drag the NURTW into its problem with the Federal Government, adding: “Our union wants the NLC to handle its problems with the Federal Government without necessarily dragging our union into it.

    “NURTW is a registered body with its own constitution and we have been conducting our affairs in conformity with the union’s constitution.

    “We are, therefore, using this medium to appeal to the NLC to desist from using the NURTW as a bait in its dispute with the Federal Government.”

  • NURTW appoints MC Oluomo as Southwest acting chair 

    NURTW appoints MC Oluomo as Southwest acting chair 

    The leadership and members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have unanimously appointed Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya a.k.a. MC Oluomo as the acting chairman of Zone 2 of the union. 

    The union pleaded with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to reinstate the activities of NURTW in their states, which will afford them the opportunity to nominate candidates for the national president of the union zoned to Southwest. 

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    The union during the Zonal Conference held yesterday at Zone 2 Council Secretariat, Plot 12/13, Dagbolu Layout, Ikirun Road, Osogbo, announced Akinsanya as acting chairman of the zone pending the time when election would be held later this month. 

  • ‘Don’t blackmail govt with NURTW crisis’

    ‘Don’t blackmail govt with NURTW crisis’

    Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against using the union’s crisis at the federal level to blackmail the Federal Government.

    Oluomo insisted the crisis shouldn’t have come up during negotiations with the government, on whether or not to embark on strike due to fuel subsidy removal.

    NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) tabled the NURTW and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) crisis, among other issues, during negotiations with government’s representatives. The meeting later agreed that ‘the matters be handled in line with relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and Nigerian Labour Acts’.

    Akinsanya faulted the inclusion of the NURTW crisis among the issues raised by the labour leaders, describing it as a ploy to blackmail the government. He enjoined the labour leaders to allow the transport unions organise themselves in line with their constitution.

    According to him, NLC cannot impose the erstwhile president of NURTW, Ibikunle Baruwa, whose tenure elapsed on August 28. He condemned the undue interference and biased disposition of NLC, saying such ‘negates the ideals and principles of the Trade Union Act’.

    Akinsanya explained: “As I’ve rightly postulated that Baruwa’s tenure has elapsed. For there not to be any form of lacuna, the union’s Board of Trustees inaugurated a 24-man Caretaker Committee to steer the ship and conduct a generally acceptable Zonal and National Delegate Conferences to usher in a new leadership at the National level.

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    “According to our union constitution, all elective posts are zoned to each of the six zones making up the NURTW. For instance, Zone 2, which comprises the Southwest states, has three elective positions – National President, Vice President and Trustee – zoned to it. Before anyone can aspire for national position, such a person must make recourse to his zone for endorsement or election. After the tenure of Alhaji Usman Yasin, Baruwa and Tajudeen Agbede showed interest in the presidency of the union and Baruwa won the election at zonal level, hence became the National President. Since his (Baruwa’s) tenure expired on August 28, he needs to be re-elected or endorsed by Zone 2 to return to the office. Let him pick a form. As I speak, four persons have indicated interest and purchased forms to contest for the office. They are my humble self, Alhaji Agbede; Alhaji Akeem Adeosun Jango and Ekiti State Council Chairman Omotayo Falope.

    “The purported kangaroo election held by Baruwa in Nasarawa is dead on arrival because virtually all states of the federation have aligned with the 24–Man Caretaker Committee to conduct Zonal and National Delegate Conferences slated for October 5 and 25. The door of the union is still open to all prospective members to seek and aspire for elective positions. So, Baruwa is free to come down to the zone to contest. The zone can as well endorse those to represent them as President, Vice President and Trustee at the Zonal Delegate Congress.”

    Akinsanya appealed to the NLC to allow the union go through peaceful transition without any interference.

    This, he said, would enthrone a popular candidate who will serve the interests and aspirations of the members.

  • NURTW blames NLC leadership for crisis

    NURTW blames NLC leadership for crisis

    National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has cautioned Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to stop blackmailing the Police for detaining the former president of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa.

    Acting General Secretary, Kayode Agbeyangi, blamed the NLC leadership for the union crisis.

     Agbeyangi said it was disappointed with NLC for blaming the police for trying to restore peace in the union.

     He said: “When the NURTW crisis started about two years ago, aggrieved members wrote letters to NLC to intervene, but they were ignored. Some aggrieved members were expelled by the Baruwa-led administration. Our people complained to NLC, but nothing was done. When they could not get NLC’s attention, they went to court. The court adjourned the matter till October with an order parties should maintain status quo, but Baruwa ignored the order. We brought these illegalities toNLC, but they turned deaf ear.

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     “I want to challenge NLC to tell the world which body supervised Baruwa’s delegate conference? Is it proper to hold such event  in the dead of night?

    “It is unfortunate NLC’s support for Baruwa  has blindfolded its sense of justice and fairness. They succeeded in ensuring police vacate the union environment. Last week, Baruwa came out with threats, some hired thugs stormed our secretariat and in the process, a member was killed and some injured.

    The police invited some people, and those suspected to be involved in the violence were detained. Unfortunately, NLC is condemning the police for doing their job. The questions is: Does NLC expect the police to watch hoodlums disturbing the peace of the area?”

    Agbeyangi said majority of union members aligned with the leadership under Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede.

    “l want to inform NLC that our people in NURTW have moved past Baruwa issue. What we doing now is to organise a proper delegate conference that NLC will be proud of, and not a kangaroo one organised in the dead of night,” he said.

  • NURTW chides NLC leadership over union crisis

    NURTW chides NLC leadership over union crisis

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to stop blackmailing the Police for detaining former president of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa.

    Acting General Secretary of the union, Comrade Kayode Agbeyangi, blamed the NLC leadership for the union crisis.

    Agbeyangi expressed disappointment with the leadership of NLC for blaming the police that were trying to restore peace in the union.

    He said: “When the NURTW crisis started about two years ago, the aggrieved members wrote letters to the NLC to intervene but they were ignored.

    “Some of these aggrieved members were expelled by Baruwa-led administration. Our people complained to NLC, but nothing was done. When the aggrieved could not get attention of the NLC, they went to court to seek justice.

    “The court adjourned hearing on the matter till October with an order that all the parties in the case should maintain status quo, but Baruwa ignored the order and started organising kangaroo delegate conference. We brought all these illegalities to the attention of the NLC, but they turned deaf hear.

    “I want to challenge the NLC to tell the whole world which body supervised the Baruwa’s so-called delegate conference? Is it proper to hold such event at dead of the night?

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    “It is unfortunate that the NLC has taken their support for Baruwa to another lever that has blindfolded their sense of justice and fairness. They succeeded in ensuring that police vacate the union environment Last week, Baruwa came out with threaten message and true to his threats, some hired thugs bombarded our Secretariat and in the process, a member was killed and some were wounded.

    “And the police after investigation invited some people and those suspected to be involved in the violence were detained with the possibility of charging them to court. Unfortunate the NLC is condemning the police for doing their jobs. The questions is: Does NLC expect the police to fold their arm and watch hoodlums disturbing the peace of the area?”

    Agbeyangi said the majority of union members aligned with the current leadership of the union under Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede.

    “l want to inform the NLC that our people in NURTW have moved past Baruwa issue. What we doing now is to organise a proper delegate conference that even the NLC will be proud of, and not a kangaroo one organised in the dead of the night,” he said.

  • One dies in NURTW factions’ clash in Abuja

    One dies in NURTW factions’ clash in Abuja

    One person died yesterday as two factions of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)  clashed on Sapele Crescent, off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard in Abuja.

    Sources said supporters of NURTW President, Tajudeen Baruwa, marched to the union’s secretariat, occupied by Lagos Park Management Committee, led by Tajudeen Agbede.

    “As you may be aware, members of Lagos Park Management Committee, led by Agbede, forcefully occupied the secretariat a few weeks ago, displacing the president and other executives,

      “Therefore, supporters of the president mobilised to forcibly remove Agbede and his group.

     “However, they were met by a police blockade, resulting in a violent confrontation. Shots were fired,” an eyewitness said.

    Read Also: One dies as NURTW’s factions clash in Abuja

     Baruwa had been seeking intervention from the police and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to resolve the situation.

    “We shall not hesitate to defend our mandate,” Baruwa vowed, accusing former NURTW leaders of illegally occupying the secretariat.

     He accused former union President, Najeem Yasin, and Agbede, former national vice president, of holding illegal meetings with past leaders.

     Baruwa alleged the police seem to favour Lagos Park Management Committee.

    He called on Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and Director General of Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, to intervene in the matter.

    Baruwa  noted only a court of competent jurisdiction can invalidate their mandate, and encouraged aggrieved members to follow due process and seek legal redress.

  • One dies as NURTW’s factions clash in Abuja

    One dies as NURTW’s factions clash in Abuja

    Chaos erupted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as two rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed on Sapele Crescent, off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard in Garki II, causing pandemonium in the area.

    Gunshots were reported during the conflict, which heightened the tension in the area and resulted in the death of one person.

    This conflict underlines the escalating tension within the NURTW, a development that observers said requires urgent intervention to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    According to sources, a clash broke out when supporters of NURTW President, Prof. Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, marched towards the union’s national headquarters, which is currently occupied by the Lagos Park Management Committee led by Tajudeen Badru Agbede.

    The source was quoted to have said: “As you may be aware, members of the Lagos Park Management Committee, led by Agbede, forcefully occupied the Secretariat a few weeks ago, displacing the president and other executives

    “Therefore, supporters of the current president mobilized themselves in an effort to forcibly remove Agbede and his group.

    “However, they were met by a police blockade which resulted in a violent confrontation. Shots were fired, intensifying the gravity of the crisis.”

    Baruwa had been seeking intervention from the police and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to resolve the situation, without success.

    “We shall henceforth not hesitate to defend our mandate with the last drop of our blood,” Baruwa had earlier vowed, accusing former NURTW leaders of illegally occupying the National Secretariat of the union.

    Read Also: NURTW back in Lagos as LASG brokers peace between national, state body

    He accused the former president of the union, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, and Agbede, the former National Vice President, of holding illegal meetings with selected past leaders of the union.

    In a further development, Baruwa alleged that the police seem to favour the Lagos Park Management Committee.

    Therefore, he called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, to intervene in the matter.

    He stressed that only a court of competent jurisdiction can invalidate their mandate, and encouraged aggrieved members to follow due process and seek legal redress, warning that anything short of this could lead to anarchy.

  • NURTW back in Lagos as LASG brokers peace between national, state body

    NURTW back in Lagos as LASG brokers peace between national, state body

    Following a recent mediation between the National Committee and the Lagos State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) by the Lagos State Government, the State and National bodies of the union have reconciled with a resolution for a peaceful co-existence.

    Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Transportation by the Union Leaders, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, said the State Government has done the needful to ensure further peaceful resolution between the National Chapter and State Chapter of the Union by lifting the suspension placed on the Union over a year ago.

    The Permanent Secretary also lauded the executives of the Lagos State Parks and Garages Committee for holding forth while urging the Union to maintain peace and operate within the ambit of their constitution as they commence the transition back to NURTW.

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    Lauding the Lagos State Government, a former National President of the Union and Chairman Transition Committee, Alhaji Najeem Yasin, applauded the efforts of the State Government and the Ministry in the resolution process. He assured the State Government that the union will continue to be in support of the law and the development of the State.

    The reinstated Chairman, Alhaji Musliu Akinsanya, thanked the State Government and the National EXCO of the NURTW for their support and assured the State of the Lagos Chapter’s cooperation.

    The members of the National body present include; Comrade Aliyu Issa Ore, Alhaji Hassan Haruna, and Comrade Kayode Adeyanju while others from the Lagos State Parks and Garages include Alh. Sulaimon Ojora, Comrade Olayiwola, Comrade Ibrahim Yusuf, Shittu Ganiyu, Yinka Hassan, Moshood Omojuwa, Agoro Ismaila, and Akeem Tijani Salami.

  • NURTW faults Ajaero’s stance on crisis

    NURTW faults Ajaero’s stance on crisis

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) has chided President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero over his stand on the union’s crisis.

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    At a briefing yesterday after an emergency Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held at the National Secretariat, the National Caretaker Committee Chairman Tajudeen Agbede and Ag. General Secretary Comrade Kayode Agbeyangi, said the NLC had failed to recognised the internal conflicts that led to the union crisis and “prevail on Tajudeen Baruwa to clear the backlog of unpaid salaries to union staff, pay the accumulated leave bonuses, arbitrary suspension of staff for no just cause, abuse of power, overlapping staff duties, indiscriminate transfer of secretariat workers thereby rendering them redundant, and outstanding allowances due to many leaders.”

    The duo said: “The recent threat by Ajaero to embark on a nationwide action to protest lawful deployment of police personnel to contain the possible outbreak of violence at the Abuja Headquarters of the NURTW, is at the detriment of the staff and members of the union who continued to suffer the anti-workers policies, of their ex-President while the NLC looked the other way.

    “One would have thought that the Ajaero-led NLC, would be wise enough to arbitrate in quelling the crisis engulfing the NURTW without bias and sentiments… It was absurd and reckless of the NLC to threaten to ground the entire economy just to protect their personal interest, over the internal crisis of the NURTW which the police were trying to prevent from snowballing into violence.

    “The NLC was duly notified, through the union’s lawyers, that Baruwa was flagrantly violating trade union rules and trampling on the rights of members without regards to the NURTW constitution, to the extent of announcing himself as being re-elected without going through an election which required him to be properly elected at the South West Zonal Council before emerging at the national stage.”

    Agbede and Agbeyangi advised the Ajaero-led NLC to discard their vested interests and refrain from blackmailing the entire nation in their desperate bid to authenticate illegality.

    They urged the Minister of Labour and Employment to investigate the issues surrounding the crises with a view to ensuring industrial harmony among members of the union.

    “We appeal to the police to sustain the deployment of personnel; their prompt intervention had ensured the temporary peace prevailing at the national headquarters of the NURTW and consequently across the state councils and branches nation-wide,” the duo said.