BREAKING: Nationwide Blacklisting of Imo Flights and Persona Non-Grata Declaration of Uzodimma

Unions in the aviation industry have issued a directive to halt all flights to Owerri, Imo State, from all airports in Nigeria. This action is in response to the brutalization of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri last week. The aviation unions involved, including the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), made this announcement in a joint statement.

The statement, issued by their General-Secretaries, namely Ocheme Aba (NUATE), Frances Akinjole (ATSSSAN), Abdul Rasaq Saidu (ANAP), and Umoh Ofonime (NAAPE), also declared Governor Hope Uzodimma persona non grata in all airports. The unions cited the escalation of the conflict caused by the violence inflicted on workers by the Imo State Government of Hope Uzodimma and the government's continued insensitivity to the matter as reasons for their action. They further stated that this directive is in compliance with the instructions given by the joint national executive council (NEC) session of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

According to the statement, all aviation workers, both public and private, are directed to cease all services to all Owerri flights (inwards and outwards) originating from any airport in Nigeria starting from midnight on November 8, 2023. Additionally, Governor Hope Uzodimma is considered unwelcome in all airports in Nigeria until he demonstrates a change in behavior.

The unions also announced their intention to take further action by using their international affiliations to blacklist Governor Hope Uzodimma globally. They instructed all aviation workers at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri to stay home, effective from midnight on November 8, 2023, as directed by the NLC and TUC.

To discuss the implementation of this directive, the state councils and all branches of the unions will hold meetings today at 5 pm in Lagos and Abuja. The Lagos meeting will take place at the NUATE Secretariat, while the Abuja meeting will be held at the GAT (pilgrims' terminal).

The strike action is considered indefinite until otherwise directed by the NLC and TUC. The airports' management, airlines operating to and from Owerri, individuals planning to travel to and from Owerri, and the general public are advised to take note of this situation.