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NURTW Crisis : Power Shift As Baruwa Reclaims Secretariat

Published

7 months ago

March 23, 2026

Mariam Sanni

The President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa has taking over the leadership mantle in union secretariat on the order of the verdicts handed down by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) and the Court of Appeal in Abuja respectively.

It could be recalled that the crisis, which statted in August 2023 from leadership tussle, led to forceful takeover of the union National secretariat at some point before it degenerated into legal brawl between two factions of the union.

Baruwa while speaking to pressmen at the secretariat in Abuja, said his action was based on the judgements of the court .

He explained that the union had written the Nigerian police with copies of the judgments so that they can take back our secretariat.

Responses from them he noted had not be encouraging, a situation which made the union wrote another notification a few days ago, informing them of its resolve to takeover the secretariat to continue his work as directed by the two courts.

“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to forment any trouble as we are a law abiding union whose only mission is to get back what belonged to them.

“But today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner, and it is not also a forceful takeover but just carrying out the courts orders.

“Again, please be aware that our coming here after two years is to occupy our office having obtained judgments at both the lower court and the Appeal Court but they refused to obey court orders after waiting for about two years, we decided to resume back at the office today without causing any violence and here we are.

“Although the other faction matcheted one of our members, who is now in the hospital, but the situation is under control. We are still open to reconciliation as we are a lawful organization and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law.” Baruwa stated.

The General Secretary, Comrade Suleiman Abdulkadir Musa, said despite repeated appeals, the illegal occupants were adamant and refused to leave.

“We have notified the police that on the order of the court, we are coming back to our office today and we are glad that journalists are here to witness it so that the world will know what is going on here,” he said .

Baruwa, a claimant to the NURTW seat, had kicked against the inauguration of Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo as the new President of the union.

Earlier, too, the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal had prohibited interference in the operations of the Baruwa-led NURTW executive.

The NICN in his ruling in suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, delivered by Hon. O.O. Oyewumi, affirmed Baruwa as duly elected President of the Union.

In the same vein, the appellate court in Abuja also in a judgment, delivered on November 8 on the appeal marked:CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024, with a certified true copy (CTC) confirmed Baruwa as the legitimate president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

The decision upholds an earlier judgment of the lower court, which was delivered on March 11, 2024, where Baruwa was recognized as the union’s president.

A three-member panel comprising Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi dismissed the appeal filed by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and others, ruling that the appeal lacked merit. It, therefore, upheld the industrial court’s decision, which validated Baruwa’s presidency.

The appellate court further awarded N100,000 in costs against the appellants, who are known loyalists of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.

Appellants in the appeal (who were defendants before the NICN) are Yasin, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, Alhaji Aliyu Ore, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alhaji Alhassan Haruna 313, Aliyu Tanimu and Alhaji Hakeem Adeosun.

Respondents in the appeal (who were claimants before the NICN) are Baruwa, Bello Adamu, Eugene Job, Danjuma Saidu, Prince Isah Usman, Suleiman Adamu and Odion Olaye JP.
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DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development

Published

1 day ago

October 21, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Samania

The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.

Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.

He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.

According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.

He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.

Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.

Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.

According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.

He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.

Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.

He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.

Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.

He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.

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