By Becky Usman

In response to the brutal attack on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State last week, the organized labour unions have declared a nationwide strike. As a result, unions within the aviation industry have directed the suspension of all flights to Owerri, Imo State, from airports across the country.

The aviation unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), jointly issued a statement on Wednesday, announcing the suspension of flights to Imo. The statement, signed by the General Secretaries of the unions, declared Governor Hope Uzodimma persona non grata in all airports.

The unions cited the Imo State Government’s brutality against workers and the government’s insensitivity to the matter as reasons for their decision. In compliance with the directive from the joint session of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the aviation workers, both public and private, have been instructed to cease all services to Owerri flights, both inwards and outwards, from any airport in Nigeria, starting from midnight on 08/11/2023.