The National Industrial Court has barred workers under the auspices of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on a planned mass protest against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration (FCTA).

Justice Emmanuel Sibilim issued the interim order on Monday while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Wike and the FCTA.

The motion was brought against the NLC, TUC and their leaders, including Comrades Benson Upah, General N.A. Toro and Stephen Knabayi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the application, dated February 2, arose from a suit marked NICN/ABJ/30/26, filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, James Onoja, on behalf of the minister and the FCTA.

After hearing the applicants, Justice Sibilim granted an interim order restraining the 1st to 5th respondents, their agents or privies, from embarking on any strike or mass protest pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The court also directed the 5th to 9th defendants, who are security agencies, to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in the nation’s capital.

The matter was adjourned to February 10 for the hearing of the motion on notice.

According to the claimants, the Chairman of the FCT Council of the workers’ union had circulated a mobilisation message to union members and affiliates for a mass protest scheduled for February 3.

Onoja told the court that the move violated an earlier court order issued on January 27, which was served on the defendants on the same day.

He said despite the order, the NLC and TUC issued a joint statement directing affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike, citing an appeal filed by their counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, against the interlocutory ruling.

The lawyer further stated that the FCTA workers, operating under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), subsequently issued a circular instructing all employees to continue the industrial action.

“This action is aimed at causing a breakdown of law and order in the nation’s capital,” Onoja submitted.

The claimants told the court that the industrial action began on January 19, when workers locked the entrances to FCTA offices and the secretariat, shut schools and paralysed activities across departments and agencies, effectively bringing government operations to a standstill.

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has inaugurated a high-level committee to develop the Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagements for National Development, marking a major step toward defining a unified framework for the collective aspirations of the Igbo people within Nigeria.

The committee was inaugurated on Saturday in Enugu by the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata.

The body is chaired by renowned economist and public policy expert, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, and comprises prominent Igbo technocrats, clergy, traditional rulers, political leaders, entrepreneurs, academics and opinion leaders.

They are expected to submit the final charter and report to the Ohanaeze President-General within two months.

Inaugurating the committee, Azuta-Mbata charged members to approach the assignment with courage, creativity, wisdom and broad-mindedness, stressing that the charter must go beyond a routine policy document.

According to him, the charter should serve as a compelling blueprint that clearly articulates the political, economic, social and cultural aspirations of the Igbo people, while promoting equity, justice, fairness and inclusiveness in national governance.

He said the initiative reaffirmed Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide’s commitment to securing dignity, security, prosperity and a just future for present and future generations of Ndigbo.

Azuta-Mbata described Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as a widely respected figure with notable contributions to economic reform, leadership development and national discourse.

“With his background in public service and academia, Professor Moghalu brings a wealth of experience that will strengthen this important assignment,” he said.

The Ohanaeze leader also urged Ndigbo at home and in the diaspora to actively support the process by engaging constructively with committee members, noting that the legitimacy and strength of the charter would depend on broad collective input.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Moghalu accepted the responsibility and assured that members would diligently deliver on their mandate within the stipulated timeframe.

He said the committee would work to produce a unifying charter that consolidates the voices and interests of Igbo communities into a single, credible and strategic position for national engagement.

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The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has said that the economic reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu rescued no fewer than 27 states from financial collapse.

Idris made the assertion on Saturday while delivering a lecture at the 34th Convocation and 43rd Founders’ Day ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.

Speaking on the theme, “Youth and Nation Building: Navigating Opportunities in an Era of National Reforms,” the minister said many states were unable to meet basic obligations before the current administration assumed office.

According to him, prior to May 29, 2023, about 27 states could not consistently pay workers’ salaries, a situation that posed a serious threat to governance and social stability.

“President Bola Tinubu traversed the length and breadth of this country during the campaigns with a clear vision to reposition Nigeria.

“Upon assuming office, he introduced reforms that have now saved these states from collapse,” Idris said.

He explained that revenue inflows to states have increased significantly under the new economic framework, enabling them to function more effectively.

“States are now receiving about three times what they used to get. They can pay salaries, execute massive infrastructure projects, and deliver dividends of democracy to their people,” he added.

Idris attributed the improved fiscal capacity of states to Tinubu’s reforms and what he described as a deliberate and effective leadership strategy.

The minister stressed that continuous reforms were essential for sustainable nation-building, noting that stagnation would only compound existing challenges.

“There is no nation building without reforms. It is impossible to build a nation if you do not continue to undertake reforms,” he said.

According to Idris, the reforms not only corrected past economic distortions but also protected the country from deeper structural crises that could have emerged in their absence.

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