Nigeria: Strike - Soldiers Bar Journalists As SGF, Labour Leaders Meet in Abuja

Amidst the biting effect of the nationwide strike by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), Senator George Akume, is currently having a closed-door emergency meeting with labour leaders.

Journalists and other visitors were however barred from assessing the venue of the meeting.

Soldiers and some other security operatives allowed only a few persons access to the venue

Daily Trust reports that the organised labour unions on Monday commended a nationwide strike over the breakdown of negotiations on minimum wage.

The strike led to the shutting of the national grid and electricity blackout, plunging the nation into darkness.

There was also flight disruption and shutting down of federal and state governments offices; also paralysing economic activities.

Virtually all the principal labour leaders, including NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, are at the ongoing meeting.

Previous meetings ended in deadlock, including the one held with the leadership of the National Assembly, on Sunday, to avert the strike.

The outcome of the meeting is expected to determine if labour would call off the ongoing strike or maintain its ground.

It was,.however, learnt that the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, had also invited organised Labour to a meeting on Tuesday.

Spkesman of the SGF, Mr Segun, Imohiosen and other officials were not available for comments as their telephone numbers were switched off.

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