Category: Politics

Tinubu’s first anniversary: APC chieftain urges Nigerians to be hopeful for better years ahead

Commendation
By Precious Akutamadu
Port Harcourt, June, 4, 2024 (NAN) The Chairman, Caretaker Committe for Rivers APC, Chief Tony Okocha, has encouraged Nigerians to have hope, be patient and support President Bola Tinubu’s administration to achieve the renewed hope agenda.

Okocha, who is also the state Representative in the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), gave the advise on Tuesday at a news briefing in Port Harcourt.

Okocha said that the president during his account of stewardship ordered all the ministers to showcase what they had done to  deliver good governance to the people.

He said that by that gesture, he merely subjected the ministers to public scrutiny to ensure that the people reaped the dividend of democracy.

Okocha also commended the president for the reforms and strategic policies put in place to improve the nation’s economy.

“A lot of reforms and policies that would enhance the economy and human capital development of the country are ongoing,” he said.

He cited the N50,000 intervention scheme for the minimally advantaged in the country to cushion the effect of inflation in the country.

Okocha also listed some reforms introduced by the administration through the Central Bank to strengthen the banking sector.

He also spoke on the successes so far recorded by the current board and management of NDDC within the one year in office of the president.

Okocha commended the board and management for revolutionising the commission within the first year of their inception.

“The present management and governing board of the commission have done a lot in terms of developmental projects and human capital development in the region.

“We have changed the narrative of NDDC from what people thought  about the commission to what it is today.

“We can attest to the developmental strides achieved within our few months in office.

“In education we have been able to give scholarships to students as well as provided learning materials, relief materials to communities to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, built roads and installed solar lights in communities, among others,” Okocha said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

PA/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

Registration

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Abuja, June 4, 2024(NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo earlier scheduled to end on June 6 to June 9.

Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Olumekun added that the daily duration of the exercise was also extended from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“Furthermore, the number of registration centres has been increased beyond the 397 wards and the state offices in Benin City and Akure to include all the 36 Local Government offices of INEC in the two states.

“More machines will also be deployed to areas identified to have peculiar needs such as difficult terrain,” he said.

He added that detailed information on the names and location of the LGA offices have been uploaded to INEC website and social media platforms to guide prospective voters in the two states.

Olumekun said that the decision was taken after a review of the exercise, stakeholders’ appeal, and other matters, to enable more eligible voters in the two states to register.

He disclosed that as at June 3, eight days after the commencement of the CVR, a total of 120,458 new voters had been registered.

He said that out of the figure, 55,861, representing 46.4 per cent were males, while 64,597, representing 53.6 per cent were female.

He added that 82,003 of the voters, representing 68.8 per cent, were youths between the ages of 18 and 34 years, thereby constituting the majority of the newly registered voters.

“In terms of occupation, 43,419m representing 36.8 per cent are students, while 812, representing 0.67 per cent are Persons with Disability (PWDs),” he said.

He explained that the final figures would be published on a state-by-state basis after a data clean up, indicating all categories of newly registered voters at the end of the exercise.

Olumekun said that the data would be clean using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

He appealed to eligible voters to seize the opportunity of the extension to register, transfer or correct personal information on their PVCs as provided by law, adding that there would be no further extension. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OBE/EBI/FDY

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Edited by Benson Iziama and Philip Yatai

Nigerian workers deserve living wage-ZLP
Wage
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) says Nigerian workers deserve living wage in order to cope with prevailing  economic realities and render quality service to the nation.

The Lagos State Chairman of ZLP, Mr Adekunle Mode-Adenipebi, said  this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

Mode-Adenipebi, who was also the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Lagos in the 2023 elections , said that the government must go beyond minimum wage to  living wage for workers.

He was reacting to impasse between the organised labour and the Federal Government on the new minimum wage for workers, which led to the strike declared by labour unions on Monday.

“There is nothing wrong for the Federal Government to provide workers living wage far above the much talked-about minimum wage, given  the inflation rate at the moment.

“The Organised Labour is right by not agreeing with the N60,000 new minimum wage proposed by the government.

“What can N60,000 buy in the market today for a young couple not to talk of a family of five?

“We plead with the government  to listen to workers  and meet the  demands of labour .This is the way to go for workers to breathe,” he said.

The chairman noted that there is hardship in the land  and that  the per capital income had dropped drastically.

Mode-Adenipebi added: “The government must step up its game and make sure that the standard of living is elevated.

“We want to plead with the government  to consider not only the workers in the organiser sector  by increasing their salaries, but those who are not workers.

The chairman, however, urged  labour  to also fight for the welfare of workers not in the organised sector.

“The Nigerian workers should go beyond the organised sector. What is the labour doing to make sure that workers in this sector also live well?

“We still have many teachers with good degree certificates collecting N40,000 and below in private schools, factories and others.

“It is high time the NLC and TUC considered the highly oppressed workers out of the organised sector and defend them,” he said.

He urged the government to come up with policies to alleviate the hardships faced  by  workers out of the organised sector.

NAN reports that despite earlier pleas by the government  for consideration, the organised labour on Monday declared an indefinite strike to push for a new national minimum wage for workers.

The industrial action followed a series of unsuccessful negotiations involving the the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and government’s representatives .

Representatives of labour had on May 28 walked out of the Tripartite Committee meeting on minimum wage after the government increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000.

The government and the Organised Private Sector had initially proposed ₦48,000, then ₦54,000 and N57,000, which were all rejected by labour.

The organised labour had also proposed ₦615,000 as new minimum wage, but later came down to ₦497,000 and then to ₦494,000, to reflect the current rising cost of living.
Meanwhile, following the Federal Government expression of commitment to raising the proposed minimum wage of N60,000 at a meeting with labour leaders on Monday evening, the organised has just announced suspension of the industrial action for a week. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Schools

By Thompson Yamput

Lokoja, June 3, 2024 (NAN)
Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi) on Monday, flagged off construction of new schools in Osara for the Hausa/Fulani communities.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that new schools projects comprised of administrative buildings, libraries and laboratories, staff quarters, a clinic, sports facilities, and boreholes.

She also inaugurated that the reconstruction and remodeling of Abdul Azeez Atta Memorial College, Okene (AAAMCO), with new facilities such as  Biology, Agronomy and  Mechatronics laboratories.

Others include a Computer Base Test (CBT) centre, an amphitheatre, music studio, art and craft studio, staff quarters, a sport centre as well as furniture and equipment for all the new facilities.

Also to be provided are road network within the school premises, perimeter fencing, streetlights, water supply and total rehabilitation of the hostels.

The senator promised to upgrade the school  to a smart school with digital learning devices for students.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, explained that the reconstruction and remodeling of AAAMCO was aimed at transforming the school to become one of most advanced secondary schools in Nigeria.

She said that the school was established in 1927 as Central School Okene, then changed to Provincial Secondary School Okene, became Government Secondary School Okene and later AAAMCO.

“This institution was attended by former Head of State, Retired  Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Prof. Jerry Gana, Prof. Lai Mohammed, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe amongst many notable alumni.

“This is just the beginning because similar attention will be given to other schools in the senatorial district in a bid to turn  them into smart schools.

“Education is extremely important. I wouldn’t have been here if there was no school for my father to acquire an education and give me the best education I have,” she said.

According to her, the building of primary and secondary schools in Osara for Hausa/Fulani community is a fulfilment of her campaign promises to them.

Speaking on behalf of Hausa/Fulani community, Dr Nuhu Abubakar-Jalido, the Youth leader, Miyetti Allah, Kogi Chapter, thanked the senator for the gesture.

“This is an opportunity for Hausa/Fulani children in this community to have access to quality education at their doorstep.

“This is the first time a senator in Kogi is building primary and secondary schools with the necessary facilities in an Hausa/Fulani camp.

“This will change our people’s ideology and enable them to acquire quality education and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
TYC/CHOM/IU

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma / Isaac Ukpoju

Strike: Labour unions shut down NASS

Strike

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 3, 2024(NAN) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterparts on Monday, shutdown the National Assembly following the on-going indefinite strike.

Scores of workers were prevented from gaining access to the national assembly complex, leaving most of them stranded.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions blocked the main gate to the entrance of assembly.

Some of the workers who came as early as 6:00 a.m. were shocked to discover that the union members were already on ground to prevent possible entrance by workers.

NAN reports that some aides to the lawmakers made fruitless efforts to explain to the members of the union that they were not part of the strike.

Some of the Aides explained to the union that they could not have joined the strike, and therefore should not be prevented from doing their job.

However, one of the members of the union who refused to disclose his name said the strike affected everybody and insisted.

A contractor who works inside the assembly complex was also prevented along with his co-workers.

The union members out of anger told the contractor that they were fighting in the interest of all workers, while urging them to show understanding of workers’ predicament.

NAN reports that bank officials had a hectic moment explaining to the union why they should be allowed into the complex, but their explanation fell on deaf ears.

The labour unions vowed that they would not be allowed into the complex until their demands were met.

NAN reports that the unions had issued a June 3 ultimatum to the government if it failed to meet its demand for a new minimum wage.

As at the time of filing this report, both the government and the unions had not agreed on an acceptable minimum wage.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ODF/GOM/JPE

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

Strike not an option, ll exacerbate hardship — LP tells labour

Strike
By Adeyemi Adeleye

Lagos, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria has urged workers’ unions to  re-negotiate with the government  on new minimum wage rather than embarking on industrial action.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr Obiora Ifoh, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

He was reacting to the strike declared nationwide  by the organised labour over its demand for a new minimum wage .

Ifoh said that strike was not an option because it would cause more hardship and sufferings.

“Our immediate reaction is that the organised labour should not throw Nigerians into more hardship.

“Nigerians are already grappling with a lot of challenges and we do not need to exacerbate the situation.

“I think the demand for N494,000 minimum wage is unrealistic. It is really unrealistic.

“It is a figure that cannot be sustained because it will imply that Nigeria will take all that money it has to pay the civil servants,” Ifoh said.

Ifoh said that the labour union should continue to engage  the Federal Government on a figure that would be acceptable to both parties.

“Negotiation should continue until they get something better.

“Asking Nigerian workers to stay at home will affect everything ,including the cost of living and Nigerians cannot afford that now.

“Negotiation is not a one-off thing.

“If the Federal Government is not willing to go above N60,000 minimum wage , I think that the Organised Labour should work with what is available while it continues to negotiate.

“We know this government has not gotten it right. It is still trying to test the waters,” the LP spokesman said.

He said that the party would not want any action  that could further cause hardship.

NAN reports that despite earlier pleas by the Federal Government for consideration, the organised labour on Monday commenced an indefinite strike  to push for a new national minimum wage for workers.

The industrial action followed a series of unsuccessful negotiations involving both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and  government’s  representatives .

Representatives of labour had  on May 28 walked out of the Tripartite Committee meeting on minimum wage after the government increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000.

Recall that the government and the Organised Private Sector  had initially proposed ₦48,000, then  ₦54,000 and N57,000, which were all rejected by  labour.

The organised labour had also proposed  ₦615,000 as new minimum wage, but later came down to  ₦497,000 and then to ₦494,000, to reflect the current rising cost of living. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Wage

Kingsley Okoye

Abuja,June 2,2024(NAN) Senate has urged the Federal Government to continue the payment of N35,000 wage award to workers, following the yet to be concluded negotiations on minimum wage.

President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio said this at the end of a four hour closed door meeting with leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and some Ministers over planned industrial action by the union.

Akpabio also appealed to the union to shelve the proposed strike action in the interest of Nigerians and the nation.

“We have been making appeal and asked the NLC and TUC to shelve the proposed strike and return to the negotiating table to resolve the issue.

“I appeal that the strike be suspended for negotiations to continue in the interest of Nigerians and the nation.”

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said that government’s position on the wage award was that it should continue the payment until the negotiations for the minimum wage is concluded.

“The position of Government is that the Federal Government will continue to pay its workers the wage award of N35,000 that was started in Oct 2023 until a new wage regime is instituted.”

He said he was optimistic that labour would suspend the proposed strike, following the lengthy conversation with the leadership of the National Assembly, organised labour and the federal government delegation.

He said that Nigeria could not afford strike at this moment given the challenges faced on the economy.

Idris said all hands must be on deck to ensure prosperity of the nation as strike was not the best option at this point.

“And we have pleaded with labour to see reasons with the Federal Government and everybody while the strike cannot continue in the interest of every body.”

The minister said that government was sensitive to the demand of labour and called on the unions to see reasons to heed to the request of government.

He said that Nigeria could not afford the payment of N9.5 trillion additional financial burden based on labours” demand of N494,000 demand made by labour as minimum wage for workers.

However, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Festus Osifo said both parties were aware of what the issues were.

He said the leadership of the union did do have power to call off the strike, saying that there were processes involved in suspension of an industrial action.

“We have listened to them, we will take the request of the National Assembly leadership to our organs, because we don’t have power to call off strike.

“The power to call off strikes lies with our organs, who would sit to decide.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting had in attendance, Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Others are Ministers of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji.

Others were Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Joe Ajaero. (NAN).www nannews.ng

KC/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu