The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the federal government to urgently approve emergency palliatives and wage awards to workers nationwide, declaring that
nothing is wrong with the government subsidising the needs of citizens.

The Congress called on the government to introduce measures to cushion the impact of the rising price of petrol and ensure immediate sale of crude oil to local refineries in naira.

Checks showed that petrol now sells for about N1,430 per litre in major cities, with prices reportedly higher in less accessible locations.

President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, in a statement on Wednesday, warned that the rising cost of petrol would further worsen the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

The labour leader noted that increases in transportation costs typically trigger higher prices of food, rent, school fees and other essential goods and services across the country.

Ajaero maintained that the latest increase came at a time when government pressure on oil marketers to reduce pump prices in response to lower international crude prices was beginning to produce results.

“As a nation, and as a people endowed with enormous fossil resources, we are deserving of a certain level of protection or buffer against the gales from the Gulf, and indeed, other gales,” he said.

Ajaero argued that Nigeria’s status as an oil-producing country means it should be able to provide some protection against international oil market shocks regarding the latest surge that has been linked to the resurgence of conflict in the Gulf.

The NLC President urged the federal government to immediately introduce measures to shield households and businesses from the impact of the higher fuel prices.

“There is nothing wrong with the government subsidising the needs of citizens, especially in emergencies like this,” Ajaero argued.

He added that oil-producing countries were introducing different forms of intervention or palliatives to protect their citizens from the effects of the current global energy crisis.

Former First Lady and Wife of the Late President, Aisha Buhari has visited the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar.

The visit was disclosed by the former Vice President in a post on his social media platforms.

Atiku used the visit to lament the hardship Nigerians are going through, saying across the country, “families are being stretched by the rising cost of food, transport, education, healthcare and other basic necessities.”

The Presidential candidate also promised to build an economy that rewards hard work, restores opportunity and allows every family to live with dignity and hope.

Atiku said, “Today, I was delighted to receive former First Lady, Aisha Buhari. Her visit was warm and deeply appreciated. Beyond the courtesies of the occasion, it was also a reminder of the urgent responsibility before all who seek a better Nigeria: to put the welfare, dignity and future of our people first.”

He said, “across our country, families are being stretched by the rising cost of food, transport, education, healthcare and other basic necessities.

“Nigerians deserve an economy that rewards hard work, restores opportunity and allows every family to live with dignity and hope. That is the Nigeria we must build together, a country that works for its people again.”

Atiku promised that he is committed to easing the burden of Nigerians and “restore hope and Make Nigeria Affordable Again.”

The former First Lady, who is a strong supporter of President Bola Tinubu, was accompanied by one of her daughters and some associates.

The death toll from the suspected consumption of toxic alcoholic drinks and locally produced drink known as ‘Monkey Tail’ in Ondo State has risen to 49.

The latest figure represents an increase from the 38 deaths initially recorded in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr Banji Ajaka, who disclosed this on Wednesday night, said the number of affected persons has now climbed to 170.

He explained that the latest deaths were recorded in Irele Local Government Area of the state, where eight persons have died from suspected poisoning.

Ajaka disclosed that health authorities had deployed response teams to Irele LGA and other affected communities to conduct surveillance, manage cases and trace the source of the suspected toxic substance.

The Commissioner said the government was yet to establish whether the suspected poisoning came from one source or multiple sources.

He said, “So, all the people that have been affected altogether now is about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died.

“We are always fast about it wherever and whenever we hear reports of the issue. Our teams are already in Irele as I’m talking to you now.”

Ajaka revealed that the government was working with various agencies including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as part of the investigation.

According to him, the outbreak had also been discussed at a national meeting involving state health commissioners and officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The Commissioner said the investigation would continue until the source of the suspected poisonous substance was identified.

Mr Ajaka had previously attributed the deaths to the consumption of locally produced alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal substances.

The latest figures follow an earlier outbreak reported in Odigbo LGA of the state, where 29 deaths had initially been recorded.

The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga.

The state government had subsequently banned the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal drinks in Odigbo as a precautionary measure.