Blog

Strike: Activities paralysed at federal, state secretariats in Ibadan
Strike
By Olatunde Ajayi and Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Activities were on Monday paralysed at the federal and state secretariats in Ibadan, in compliance with the directives of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the labour unions called for a nationwide strike over the breakdown in the minimum wage negotiations by a tripartite committee constituted by the Federal Government in January.
The leadership of the labour unions had, on May 1, given the federal government up till May 31 to complete negotiations on the new minimum wage, failure of which they might not be able to guarantee industrial peace in the country.
NAN also reports that the main gate of the federal secretariat in Ibadan was under lock and key, while security patrol from the Nigeria Police Force were seen stationed close to the entrance of the secretariat to maintain peace and order.
A private security guard, who preferred anonymity, said that no worker was permitted to enter the secretariat premises, as the few ones who came early in the morning were asked to return home by union leaders.
NAN reports that the strike had affected normal business activities in and around the secretariat, as some food vendors were seen lamenting that they had already prepared food to sell, thinking that the strike might not be effective.
At the state secretariat, the entrance was manned by men of the Nigeria Police Force and Amotekun, with their vehicles positioned strategically.
The main gate was, however, open for anyone to access the secretariat, while the access road from the flyover was under lock and key.
NAN reports that the strike was partially observed, as some workers were seen doing skeletal duties in their offices.
Some of the workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were on ground to do one or two things, though they acknowledged that the strike was still on.
NAN observed that some Amotekun personnel were strategically stationed in front of the state House of Assembly, with their vehicles on ground. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
TUN/IBK/KOLE/WAS
Edited by Remi Koleoso and ‘Wale Sadeeq
June 3, 2024
Analysis of food inflation in the last one year, experts views, FG’s intervention

Analysis of food inflation in the last one year, experts views, FG’s intervention

By Okeoghene Akubuike, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
There has been a continuous increase in food prices in the last one year, making it difficult for many Nigerians to afford basic staples, leading to hunger and malnourishment.
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation report for April 2024 released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed food inflation increased to 40.53 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
The NBS said the April figure indicated a 15.92 per cent increase compared to the rate recorded in April 2023 at 24.61 per cent.
The bureau said the rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of food items such as Garri, Millet, Yam Tuber, and Water Yam, CocoYam.
Others are dried fish sadine, Dried Catfish, Mudfish Dried, Palm Oil, Vegetable Oil, Coconut Oil, Beef Feet, Beef Head, Liver, Frozen Chicken, Mango, Banana, Grapefruit, Coconut, Water Melon, Lipton, etc.
The NBS latest Selected Food Price report for April also confirmed the increases in various food items across the country.
An analysis of the report showed that several food items had increased by over a 100 per cent in the last one year such as garri, rice, beans, maize, sweet potato, yams, tomatoes, onions, etc.
The report said that the average price of 1kg of white garri increased by 134.98 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N362.50 recorded in April 2023 to N851.81 in April 2024 .
Also it said the price of 1kg of local rice increased by 155.93 per cent from N546.76 recorded in April 2023 to N1, 399.34 in April 2024.
The average price of 1kg of brown beans rose by 125.43 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N615.65 in April 2023 to N1387.90 in April 2024.
Also, the average price of 1kg of white maize grain increased by 130.08 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N346.67 recorded in April 2023 to N797.61 in April 2024.
The report revealed that the average price of 1kg of sweet potato increased by 182.04 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N286.26 recorded in April 2023 to N807.35 in April 2024.
The average price of 1kg of yam tuber rose by 154.19 per cent on a year-on-year basis from the N444.69 recorded in April 2023 to N1,130.37 in April 2024.
In addition, the average price of 1kg of tomatoes increased by 131.58 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N485.10 in April 2023 to N1,123.41 in April 2024.
It showed that the average price of 1kg of onions increased by 128.04 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N446.79 in April 2023 to N1,018.83 in April 2024.
The NBS said that the National Average Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) per adult a day stood at N1,035 in April 2024 from its latest CoHD report.
The bureau said CoHD had steadily increased since the first CoHD report by the bureau in October 2023.
“The CoHD in April 2024 is 40 per cent higher than what was recorded in October 2023 at N703 and five per cent higher than CoHD in March 2024, which was N982.”
The report said the food groups that had driven the increases in CoHD the most were vegetables, starchy staples, and fruits.
The NBS also said that in April, the average CoHD was highest in the South-West at N1,406 per adult per day, while the lowest average CoHD was recorded in the North-West at N781 per adult per day.
The bureau further said that at the state level, Ekiti, Ogun and Osun recorded the highest CoHD at N1,483, N1,447, and N1,417, respectively, while Kogi and Katsina recorded the lowest CoHD at N709, followed by Kaduna and Nasarawa at N756 and N769, respectively.
According to the World Bank’s most recent Nigeria Development Update report, The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned that no fewer than 26.5 million Nigerians living in the states of Borno, Sokoto, and Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), may face a food crisis between June and August.
Also, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said over the last decade, limited reforms, security challenges, weak growth and now high inflation had worsened poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria.
The IMF said at the conclusion of its Executive Board’s 2024 Article IV Consultation with Nigeria that food insecurity could worsen with further adverse shocks to agriculture or global food prices.
Economists have attributed the food inflation to several factors such as insecurity, exchange rate instability, and supply side shortages, as they proffered some solutions to addressing them.
Paul Alaje, the Chief Economist, SPM Professionals, said there was a need to boost the supply side by coming up with a National Agricultural Development Programme.
“In key local governments that have arable land, let us plant crops there, like cashew nuts in Kogi, cassava in the South-East, rice in Kebbi and potatoes in Jos and so on. We are blessed everywhere in Nigeria.
But when we leave it in the hands of the private sector alone or local farmers to farm, there will be a big problem.”
Alaje also recommended that the government should look at having corps members trained and participate in agro planting and harvesting, saying as we have an orientation camp for corps members we can have an orientation camp for farming.
“I remember in the 1st Republic we had something like farming hubs developed by the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, we can repeat the same thing so we have increased output on the supply side for agro allied.
He said the government would also need to be very deliberate in stamping out insecurity in the country, especially in the farm areas.
“I know the government is trying and I respect and appreciate the efforts of security agencies but concerted effort must be given to farm areas.
“Those are our food production centres, we can’t afford to ignore them even if it means getting support to protect those farm areas.”
Alaje also said that the government must dedicate some regions as food regions.
“If we do this and are able to boost our output, food inflation will come down. We are seeing demand and there is no supply that is why prices are going high.”
He also said that the government needed to address the issue of logistics, which is the movement of goods from one place to another in the country.
“Diesel has increased to an average of N1,400 per litre, petrol has also increased to an average of N700 per litre, this will have an implication of moving the goods and on the cost of food.
Alaje said villages and urban centres should be connected by train, adding that a unique transport model should be in place where the roads are good and safe for people and goods to pass.
“Nobody wants to produce food that nobody is buying. If they can boost the supply side I am very confident and statistics have proved it all over the world that prices can come down especially for food,” he said.
Dr Ayo Anthony, an Economist said the factors responsible for food inflation were high exchange rates, and insecurity which had led to a drop in food supply.
Anthony said that most of the food produced in Nigeria, especially manufactured or processed food, or prepackaged food had an import element.
“When food produced has an import element, definitely the exchange rate will be a factor.
“You don’t expect an economy with an exchange rate of about N1,500 per dollar to have stable food prices compared to the N700 per dollar in the preceding year.
“So an increase in exchange rate is an increase in the cost of production which will be transferred to final consumers in the form of an increase in prices.’’
Anthony said the government needs to boost the supply of forex through quality exportable goods and increases in Nigeria’s export base and export varieties.
“Also, we can reduce the demand pressure on forex. Unnecessary imports should be reduced, health tourism should be reduced, let us patronise our health care facilities in Nigeria.
“We should ration our limited forex to only more important items. Items that can be produced domestically, services that can be rendered domestically should not be purchased from outside.
“This will reduce the pressure on forex and the forex should be channeled to more productive activities like production of food and other goods and services,” he said.
A foodstuff trader, Mr Peter Okpara, said in the last one year, the prices of commodities had recorded an unprecedented increase, especially food items.
Okpara attributed the continuous food inflation to the removal of fuel subsidy, insecurity, low supply and inadequate storage facilities.
“Some of the economic policies of this administration, like the removal of fuel subsidy have caused a lot of problems. It has led to an increase in transportation cost.
“Also, many farmers cannot even farm anymore because their farms are not secured.
“Take cassava for example, the output of cassava this year cannot be compared to the output of last year.
“So because there is high demand for cassava and the supply is low, we are witnessing an increase in the price of Garri almost on a daily basis.’’
He said the government should give the “real local farmers” incentives, provide them with mechanised farming tools and provide adequate storage facilities, as they also address the insecurity in the country.
In addressing the rising food inflation, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security and rolled out interventions to boost food supply in the near term and reduce the suffering faced by vulnerable households.
Tinubu had on Feb. 8, 2024, directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release 42,000 metric tons of assorted grains to farmers and households from the Federal Government’s Strategic Food Reserve.
Also, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) donated 2.15 million bags of fertilisers valued at more than N100 billion to Nigerian farmers which it handed over to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari in March.
The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cadoso, said the contribution was aimed at amplifying food production capabilities and foster price stabilisation within the agricultural sector.
Also, following the removal of fuel subsidy, the Federal Government approved N5 billion for each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enable them to procure food items for distribution to the poor in their respective states.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said the ministry had procured and distributed 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice to dampen escalating food prices in the country.
Kyari said this during his presentation at the ministerial sectoral update in commemoration of President Bola Tinubu’s first anniversary.
“We inaugurated the dry season farming with cultivation of 118,657 hectares of wheat in 15 states of the country in acceleration of all year- round farming.
“We supported 107,429 wheat farmers with inputs resulting in output of 474, 628 metric tonnes.” (NANFeatures)

****If used please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

June 3, 2024
Police to build 100 hectares shooting range in Jigawa
Range
By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Dutse, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Jigawa says it will build a 100-hectare shooting range to enhance training of its personnel in the state.
The spokesman of the command, DSP Shiisu Lawan stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Monday.
He said the Jigawa government had allocated 100 hectres of land in Birninkudu Local Government Area for the project.
“The Jigawa government has allocated 100 hectares of land to the Police Command to build a standard shooting range in Birnin Kudu LGA,” he said.
According to Shiisu, the facility will fasttrack training of police personnel in musketry and weapon handling, adding that it would also be utilise for Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, and Katsina commands.
“This is also an opportunity for training institutions like as Police Training School (PTS) Bauchi, Police Academy (POLCOM), Wudil in Kano State, and other sister security agencies to expose their cadets/trainees to weapon handling.
“The Birninkudu area of Jigawa is characterised by the activities of fraudsters, where innocent people within and outside the state are lured with counterfeit foreign currencies, particularly U.S. dollars.
“Having a shooting range there will terrify or disrupt their heinous actions and the area will be more secure,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
MNB/RSA
=========
Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali
June 3, 2024
Bicycle Day: Keep yourself fit by riding, FRSC advises citizens
Bicycle
By Thompson Yamput
Lokoja, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Kogi Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander Samuel Oyedeji has called on the public to engage in cycling to keep fit and deal with minor ailments.
Oyedeji made the remarks while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the celebration of the World Bicycle Day in Kogi.
The sector commander, who led a team of officers and men of the corp and members of the cycling association to a ride on some streets of Lokoja metropolis, described the experience as “very good encouraging.”
He also described the topic of the year — “Promoting Health, Equity and Sustainability through cycling — as apt.
Oyedeji noted that cyclists were one of the unprotected road users that must be adequately cared for while on the road.
“For centuries, bicycle has been a simple, affordable, reliable, clean, environmentally fit and sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health.
“What some people don’t know is that through bicycle usage many health challenges could be avoided.
“Today, we the staff members of FRSC Kogi Sector Command and the cyclist association in the state are riding round the town.
“It is to showcase the usefulness and advantages derived from riding bicycle to commemorate the world Bicycle Day in Kogi, ” he said
On safety, the sector commander said that as much as cycling should be encouraged, safety must be paramount to all citizens..
He recommended safety measures such as wearing helmets, strict compliance with road traffic rules, regulations and observing lane discipline while cycling.
According to him, there is need for government at all levels to construct roads designed with bicycle lanes to enhance the safety of cyclists given the recklessness of some motorists on the roads.
He, however, warned that every cyclists must be careful while on the road to avoid any attitude that could lead to road traffic crash.
Oyedeji, however, warned all participants and drivers travelling through the state to obey traffic rules and regulations, be patient and safety conscious on highways.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
TYC/KAY
=======
Edited by Kayode Olaitan
June 3, 2024
Strike: Banks, schools, civil servants comply with NLC directive in Ondo, Osun
Strike: Banks, schools, civil servants comply with NLC directive in Ondo, Osun
By Reporters
Akure, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Banks, public schools and government ofices were closed in Osun and Ondo states as workers complied with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress to commence a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NLC, had ordered workers to begin an indefinite nationwide strike following the May 31 deadline for the Federal Government to approve and implement a new National Minimum Wage.
NAN also reports that last minute intervention on Sunday night by the National Assembly to prevent the nationwide strike was futile as the meeting with government representatives and labour leaders ended in a deadlock.
The Federal Government had insisted on N60,000 as the new minimum wage, while labour demanded N495,000 as what was acceptable to the unions.
NAN correspondents, who monitored the level of compliance in Akure and Osogbo, in Ondo and Osun states respectively, reports that most banks did not open their doors to customers.
Also, the federal and state secretariats and other government establishments in the two states were closed and offices deserted as workers complied with the directives of the labour unions.
Pupils of public primary and secondary schools, who went to school early, were seen returning home after they were turned back at their various school gates by teachers.
At the governor’s office in Alagbaka, Akure, there was low key activities as only few workers were seen in the premises
In one of the commercial banks in Akure, a staff, who did not want his name published, told NAN that the closure was in compliance with the labour unions’ directives.
“We are not open for service today and we can not actually say the day we are going to open until directives come from above,” he said.
Also, speaking with NAN in Ikare-Akoko, a local government staff of Akoko North-East Local Government, Mr Muriana Balogun, called on the Federal Government to do the needful concerning Labour’s demand so that the strike would not have much impact on the nation’s economy.
Balogun, who said that he could not blame the labour union for the commencement of the strike, noted that there was enough time for government to avoid the strike if it was serious about workers welfare.
According to him, now that all the public schools are closed, government workers are at home, even none of the banks opened for services.
“If care is not taken, it will affect the economy. Here in Ikare-Akoko, the only people you can see working today is INEC officials for registration of PVC ahead of governorship election coming up in November.
“So, I will appeal to government and the labour unions to have a rethink and return to the negotiation table and arrive at a consensus to move the nation forward,” he said.
At the Osun State Government Secretariat in Abere, Osogbo, the gates to the secretariat were locked, even as security men were stationed at the gates to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Speaking with NAN, Mr Christopher Arapasopo, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Osun Chapter, said the directive was for all workers to stay at home and away from their offices.
Arapasopo said there would be no form of protest or rally, as the instruction was just for workers to stay in their homes.
He disclosed that a monitoring and enforcement committee had been set up to go round to ensure that the directive was fully complied with.
Mr Taiwo Olapade, Chairman of the state labour monitoring and enforcement committee, told NAN that they were at the state secretariat gate, to ensure that workers comply with the strike directive.
“We are at the Abere First Gate (Osun Government Secretariat main gate) ensuring people do not have access into the secretariat.
“We are sending people back home that there is a nationwide indefinite strike. No worker is going into the secretariat now.” he said
He said all the local government secretariats too had been shut down and there were enforcers too to ensure full compliance with the strike directive. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
REPORTERS/DC/KOLE/AOS
=========================
Edited by Deborah Coker/ Remi Koleoso/Bayo Sekoni

June 3, 2024
Judiciary workers lock out judges, lawyers, others as NLC, TUC begin strike
Judiciary workers lock out judges, lawyers, others as NLC, TUC begin strike
Strike
By Taiye Agbaje
The Federal High Court, Abuja gate under lock as a result of NLC and TUC strike on Monday
Abuja, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), on Monday, locked out judges, lawyers, staff and litigants from accessing courts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in compliance with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)’s directive.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)’s check at the FCT High Court, Maitama; Federal High Court (FHC); Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, showed that court activities were totally paralysed as JUSUN members positioned themselves outside the heavily locked gates.
At Federal High Court, Abuja
Private security guards and few police officers were also sighted around the court gates as lawyers, litigants, visitors, including journalists, were not allowed entry into the courts’ premises.
Comrade Samuel Ikpatt, Chairman of the FHC Chapter of JUSUN, in an interview with NAN, said the union was in total compliance with the directive of the NLC that workers should down tool beginning from today.
“We are the affiliate of NLC. So we are in total compliance with the strike action, including all our divisions,” he said.
According to him, no court is sitting.
When asked if lawyers are being allowed to gain access into the high-rise building, he said: “There is nobody inside the courts because we are in total compliance with the directive.”
On when the gate would be opened, Ikpatt said: “Until when we get directive from our parent body, which is tye NLC.”
Also speaking, Comrade Mohammed Danjuma-Yusuf, who is the Treasurer of JUSUN Chapter of Court of Appeal, told NAN that they were complying with the NLC’s directive.
“So Court of Appeal is in total shutdown; 100 per cent compliance. All the 20 branches of Court of Appeal is in total shutdown.
“Nobody is allowed in, even judges,” he said.
Danjuma-Yusuf said the gate would be opened when the union received a directive from the national headquarters of NLC.
NAN reports that the NLC and TUC had, on May 31, declared an indefinite strike, beginning from today, June 3.
The organised labour decided to embark on industrial action after the negotiations between them and the government over the minimum wage of workers was deadlock.(NAN)(mannews.ng)
TOA/SH
=======
edited by Sadiya Hamza
June 3, 2024
Tinubu’s horse wins Bida horse racing tournament
Racing
By Mohammed Baba Busu
Bida, (Niger) June 3, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu’s horse, named “Renewed Hope”, retained its title of the fastest horse in Africa after winning the 2024 edition of the horse racing tournament in Bida.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament was organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria.
The same horse that topped the winners’ list at the 2022 and 2023 editions of the competition, had been the defending champion in the last three years.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the event, Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger, congratulated the president’s horse for taking the first position at the competition
Bago said he was elated with the unity of purpose that the federation had brought through the organisation of the event that ended on Sunday in the state.
The governor also commended the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Coordinator and National Coordinator of the federation (Sarkin Dawaki Nupe), for their support in sustaining the annual horse racing in Bida.
In his remarks, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, said efforts would be intensified to strengthen the cultural norms and values of the people through sports.
According to the Etsu Nupe, who is also the Chairman, Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, it is necessary to prevent the cultures and traditions from going extinct.
”The race, which is traditional in nature, further provided an opportunity for the display of cultures as various cultural activities were on display,” the Etsu Nupe added.
Abubakar, who described horse racing as a historic event, expressed joy that it was fast gaining acceptance in the emirate.
He called on the residents to take full advantage of the economic opportunities of horse racing, especially as the riders from other states and countries participated.
He explained that the sport was not only unique but portrayed that animals could be controlled.
The Etsu Nupe acknowledged the diligent planning and execution of the event, saying, ”it encourages sportsmanship and bolsters unity of the country, Africa and the world.
He said, ”This event also boosts the socio-economic development of Bida, Niger and Nigeria as a whole. We will sustain this enviable feat.
”We are happy that this is the fourth edition of this event and it has been successful. The next edition holds in Kaduna on June 26, In sha Allahu.”
Also, the Emir of Lafiagi Kwara, Alhaji Mohammed Kudu-Kawu, described the event as a veritable tool for uniting various traditional institutions.
He described horse racing as one of the age-long pastimes and rich cultural heritages of the people, commending the Etsu Nupe and the Sarkin Dawakin for a successful outing.
The emir also acknowledged the increasing acceptability of horse racing in the country and the world, saying that it was also becoming more profitable for the investors.
A traditional ruler from Umuahia, Abia, Eze Sheikh Abdulfatai Chima-Eze, the Emetoma III, emphasised that the tournament was promoting national unity and excitement.
The Coordinator, National Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, Sarkin Dawaki Nupe, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha-Bida, said that more measures were being taken to domesticate the competition in all parts of Nigeria.
Mustapha-Bida, who is also the Chairman, New Niger Development Project, said that the event was organised as part of the commemoration of the one year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the event had ”Renewed Hope’ as its theme.
Mustapha-Bida stated that they had introduced the ”division system” in the event to be on par with the extant global best practices in horse racing.
”Nigeria is taking a led in the horse racing in the committee of nations in Africa, we are very happy to be part of history and to have pushed to ensure that these has become a reality.
”We have five countries participating, they are Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
”These are our national partners during racing events in Nigeria, it is like an exchange programme.
”They come to race with us and then we go there to race with them in their different countries,” Sarkin Dawaki Nupe added.
He said that the Renewed Hope was also expected to defend the title in subsequent races in Kaduna and Kano in June and July respectively.
Six Toyota vehicles were presented to the winners of various categories of race.
The winner of the second positions got N700,000 each winners of the third and fourth positions received N500,000 and N300,000 respectively.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
BAB/DOE
=======
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong
June 3, 2024
Indefinite strike: JUAC shuts FCTA Secretariat
Strike
By Philip Yatai
Abuja, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday, locked the entrance of the secretariat in compliance with infinite industrial action embarked by the labour union.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had on May 31 directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike from June 3.
The action, according to the unions, was over the failure of the Federal Government to increase the N60,000 minimum wage it offered to workers and its refusal to reverse the recent increase in electricity tariff.
The President of JUAC, Mrs Rifkatu Iortyer, told NAN in Abuja, that the committee’s decision to deny workers access to the Secretariat was in compliance with the NLC and TUC directive.
Lortyer explained that JUAC, being part of the labour unions, has no choice but to fully enforce the strike.
“My advice to FCTA workers is simple: stay at home and be the obedient workers you’ve always been.
“The strike action is for the interest of the Nigerian workers,” she said.
The labour unions had during the May Day celebration issued the Federal Government an ultimatum to ensure that negotiation on a new national minimum wage was concluded by May 31.
The President of TUC, Festus Osifo, told newsmen that the strike had become necessary as the government declined to increase the N60,000 wage it offered on Friday during the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.
Osifo also said that the strike was imperative due to the refusal of the government to reverse the hike in electricity tariff.
NAN reports that the NLC confirmed the nationwide strike after a failed meeting with National Assembly leaders.
Inspite of appeals to call off the strike, labour leaders insist on proceeding due to unresolved minimum wage disputes.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed that the nationwide strike set for June 3 will proceed, following a failed meeting with National Assembly leaders.
The meeting, which aimed to resolve the minimum wage dispute, ended without an agreement.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajuddeen Abbas presided over the discussions, which also included high-ranking government officials such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
FDY/SH
========
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
June 3, 2024
NLC strike: KADCIMA urges FG to expedite action on minimum wage
NLC strike: KADCIMA urges FG to expedite action on minimum wage
Strike
By Aisha Gambo
Kaduna, June 3,2024(NAN) The President of Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) , Mr Ishaya Idi, on Monday urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the minimum wage.
The president also called on the government to provide other palliatives and accompanying measures including downward review of electricity tariffs .
This, he said, was to effectively alleviate the suffering of ordinary Nigerians in view of the current economic hardship.
Idi ,who made this known in a statement, said that the indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) would cause negative repercussions on the overall economy.
“While the arguments put forward by NLC and TUC on their decision to embark on the indefinite strike are well noted, there is the need to tread with caution on account of negative repercussions on the overall economy.
“As a matter of fact, abandoning negotiations and shutting down the country will have untold hardship on all segments of the economy.
” This hard stance will also fatally impact on the survival, resilience, productive capacity and competitive advantage of the more than 39 million-strong MSMEs ecosystem,” he said.
Idi explained that the MSMEs significantly contribute to economic stability through job and wealth creation as they account for 48 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and 84 per cent of employment.
He called on the organised labour to sheath its sword and go back to the negotiation table while urging the three-tiers of government to implement a cost-cutting regime .
According to him, the regime should condemn, ban and severely punish any display of an inflated sense of personal importance and substantially reduce the overall cost of governance.
He advised that the regime should start with a downward review of emoluments and allowances of public office holders, cabinet officers and all Parliamentarians.
“This regime should also consider a downward review of all perks of office such as official vehicles, foreign trips and attendant estacodes among others,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AMG/BRM
================
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 3, 2024
Strike: Workers in Delta comply with directive

Strike: Workers in Delta comply with directive
Delta
By Ifeanyi Olannye
Asaba, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Civil servants in Delta, on Monday, complied with the directives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to begin an indefinite strike.
The labour unions had handed down the order over the Federal Government’s failure to approve and implement a new minimum wage for workers after the May 31 deadline.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored workers compliance at the federal and state secretariats in Asaba at 9.00 a.m., reports that most government offices were not opened.
Also, the State House of Assembly and the State High Court complex were closed and officials of the labour unions were seen enforcing compliance with the directive.
At the state secretariat, a security official, who did not want his name published, said that the gates to the premises were locked by officials of the unions on Sunday night.
He said that the labour enforcement team led by the TUC Chairman, Martin Bolum, returned this morning to check the situation at the secretariat.
Also, students of public primary and secondary schools in the state, who had gone early to school, were seen returning home due to their teachers’ compliance with the strike.
In a telephone interview, Bolum told NAN that the unions’ enforcement team had in the early hours of Monday picket some banks, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, schools and other establishments in the state capital to ensure total compliance.
NAN reports that police personnel were deployed in strategic locations in Asaba metropolis including the Federal Medical Centre to prevent breakdown of law and order. (NAN) (www.nannews.com.ng).
IO/AOS
===========
Edited by Bayo Sekoni
June 3, 2024