Category: General News

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed United Labour Congress (ULC) to consider the weak economy of the country in its decision to commence the proposed indefinite nationwide strike on Thursday.

The leadership of the three unions, ULC, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress had harmonised their separate demands and agreed to peg the minimum wage at N65, 000.

They had also informed government and private sector employers about their decision through the tripartite minimum wage negotiating committee.

NANS’ National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Bestman Okereafor, made the plea in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday.

The students’ body said that its appeal was predicated on the fact that the ailing nation’s economy, which only recently came out of recession, could further be worsened by the strike.

Okereafor, however, urged the Federal Government to seriously dialogue and meet workers’ demands as much as possible.

“The attention of the national leadership of all Nigerian students under the auspices of NANS has been drawn to the proposed nationwide industrial action to be embarked upon by some organised unions.

“NANS has no doubt that if the planned strike should hold, it will greatly affect all sectors of the nation’s economy negatively, especially the students’ constituency.

“Especially, considering the fact that Nigerians are just gradually moving out of the pain of the recent recession of the economy had on them,” Okereafor said.

NANS said that it was passionately appealing to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency to look into the plights of workers and meet their demands.

NAN recalls that the workers unions have jointly given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum which expires on Thursday, to press for the N65,000 being demanded as minimum wage. (NAN)

Some Nigerians have decried the latest postponement of the resumption date for the National Assembly from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9, saying it would delay INEC’s budget for 2019 general elections.

They expressed their displeasure while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Mohammed Omolori, had on Sunday announced that the National Assembly rescheduled resumption from its annual recess from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9.

Omolori explained that the postponement was due to the activities of primary elections by political parties.

Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Women Arise for Change Initiative (WA), said the shift in date for NASS resumption might affect the preparation for the forthcoming general elections by the electoral body.

She urged the Executive arm and NASS to ensure speedy approval of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposed budget for 2019 general elections by burying their differences in the over all interest of the nation.

“The postponement of the resumption, without doubt, will have its negative effects on the preparations by INEC towards the 2019 elections.

“And I can confidently say, that this will begin to unveil itself in the next few days.

“We must all understand clearly that most of the items captured by the INEC’s budget has to do with procurement of election materials, many of which are items not produced within our country, which may therefore experience some serious delays.

“This is why I want to restate the need for the executive to work closely with the National Assembly, in order to sort out areas of conflicts, and ensure a speedy approval of INEC’s budget as well as passage and assent to the pending Electoral Act, ” she said.

Okei-Odumakin urged the lawmakers  to prioritise national interest while performing their statutory duties.

“As valid as the reason for the postponement of the National Assembly resumption may sound, the members must understand that the collective interest of Nigerians, majority of whom are not members of the political parties, must always take precedence over the partisan interests of our elected public officials.

“There should be limit to how far they must go in abandoning their job as servants to the citizens for their pursuit of ambitions.

“It is not too pleasant and the leadership of the National Assembly should urgently review this.

“There is nothing that prevents members of the National Assembly from participating in their political parties affairs, while at the same time performing their statutory duties,” she said.

Also, Dr Abimbola Oyedokun, Lagos State Chairman of KOWA Party, told NAN that with six months to the general elections, INEC might no be able to prepare adequately without the approval of its proposed budget.

Oyedokun urged the National Assembly to ensure that pressing national issues take precedence over their personal political ambitions .

“It’s unfortunate that critical issues such as the funding of the general elections have been left unattended to up till this time.

“The National Assembly is within its rights to postpone resumption of plenary, whether because of party primaries or any other reason.

“It is, however, surprising that a government which controls both the executive and legislative arms of government has been unable to pass such critical legislation less than six months to the general elections.

“It is time for Nigerians to vote in capable legislators into the National Assembly instead of merely endorsing the options provided by the so-called large parties,” he said. (NAN)

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday insisted organised labour would commence strike from early hours of Thursday, Sept. 27, following Federal Government’s failure to honour its ultimatum on the new minimum wage.

A statement signed by Mr Musa-Lawal Ozigi, TUC, Secretary General in Abuja stated that the decision to embark on strike was sequel to the resolve of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of TUC on September 24.

Ozigi said that following the mandate of the CWC, TUC leadership would take all necessary action to effect the ultimatum on the new minimum wage in collaboration with other stakeholders.

“Strike is hereby declared to commence from early hours of Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018,” the Secretary General said.

He noted that as a result of the TUC’s decision to embark on strike, mobilisation of members would commence immediately.

According to him, all workers, civil society organisations and the masses are hereby put on notice to stockpile their houses for all necessary provisions and food items.

Ozigi, however, called on state councils to form joint state strike implementation committee that would comprise the TUC, NLC and other stakeholders in the state to ensure effectiveness.

He further called on union members to be alert for further directive on or before Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the labour leaders had on September 12 cautioned the Federal Government against foot-dragging on the new minimum wage and allow the tripartite committee to conclude its job to avoid action.

The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, had said that the committee was not pleased with the comments allegedly made by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.

The Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige had earlier told the committee to adjourn indefinitely to give room for further consultations with the government on the new minimum wage.

The Federal Government had assured the organised Labour that the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage would conclude its negotiation before the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum.

Ms Amal Pepple, Chairman, Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen on recently in Abuja.

According to Pepple, we do not want strike and I am sure that even the Federal Government does not want strike, and also Nigerians.

“So, we pray that everything will be resolved before then so labour do not have to embark on any strike,” she said.

Ngige said that the organised labour’s 14-day ultimatum was “a subtle blackmail” to stampede the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage.

According to him, it is not true that the Federal Government is trying to stall negotiations. (NAN)

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned leaders of political parties, especially the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, against unguided statements and conduct that could heat up the polity.

Mr Yekini Nabena, the APC National Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, particularly cautioned Secondus on his political language and conduct

“The national chairman of a political party is expected to exhibit the highest sense of patriotism, decency and decorum in public conduct and discourse.

“Regrettably, the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has not lived up to these basic expectations,“ Nabena said.

He noted that the PDP national chairman weeks ago, took the internal matters of the country’s politics to the international scene by writing letters to various international organisations.

Nabena further noted that soon after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared last Saturday`s Osun governorship election inconclusive, the PDP national chairman accused it of conspiring with the APC to declare the election inconclusive.

This, the APC spokesman said , the PDP national chairman did without basis.

He maintained that the APC would as a rule, ignore irresponsible and baseless utterances and actions as exhibited by opposition political parties, especially the PDP national chairman.

He, however, said that as the nation prepared for the forthcoming 2019 general elections, it was necessary to give word of caution on expected behaviour required of all political sides.

Nabena said Secondus’ “unfounded allegation on the inconclusive Osun governorship election is not expected from such highly placed party official. Accusing the APC of conspiring with INEC, without proof, is taking mudslinging too far”.

“We advise Secondus not to descend to the level unexpected of his office, less he enters the boxing ring with its attendant mud and dirt,“ Nabena said.

The APC spokesman stressed that Secondus` action would only bring him personal attacks and ridicule, adding that a word was enough for the wise.(NAN)

Following the presidential directive to reform the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) now known as FSARS to give it a human face, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Idris Abubakar, has put up measures to refine the outfit. (more…)

All Progressives Congress (APC) of Bauchi state chapter has described the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon.  Yakubu Dogara, as an ingrate saying he used the party as a ladder to achieve greatness and later dumped APC. (more…)

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and INEC Director of Operations, Mrs. Amina Zakari, following the fallout of the inconclusive governorship election in Osun State. (more…)

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garba, has advised  an All Progressives  Congress (APC) aspirant, Ahaji Idrisa Mamman Durkwa  to take youths unemployment with all seriousness it deserved by creating Jobs to the youths and take education as his priority if elected. (more…)