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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has directed its members to join the Nigeria Labour Congress’ (NLC) directive to its affiliated unions to mobilise for a complete shutdown of economic activities across the country on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
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The strike is for the Federal Government to reverse the recently fixed fuel pump price by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The Central Working Committee (CWC) of the NUJ, after deliberating on the matter, found the NLC’s position and proposed strike a worthy action, as it is in the best interests of Nigerian citizens.
NUJ National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja that journalists in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would join the NLC in the strike.
The NUJ directive reads in part: “An emergency Central Working Committee meeting of the Union (NUJ) was convened online today (yesterday).
“It discussed issues surrounding the decision by the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy and the position taken by the NLC.”
The National President, Chris Isiguzo, and the National Treasurer, Bamidele Atunbi, said members unanimously adopted the NLC’s position on the issue.
CWC said that although the removal of fuel subsidy would free allocations, which could be channelled to the provisions of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs, the sudden removal could, however, lead to social unrests and protests, as people perceive the government as being insensitive to their plight.
CWC also noted that already there was an astronomical increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation, which had drastically reduced the purchasing power of citizens.
Accordingly, the CWC directed all state councils to mobilise members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the oil sector.
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