Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), has stated that the formation of the Labour Party from the NLC does not imply that the party holds any authoritative control over their actions.

NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had on Monday reached agreements with the federal government to suspend the planned strike scheduled for Wednesday.

During an interview on Channels TV, Ajaero authenticated the affiliation between the party and the NLC, but disputed that the party sponsors the union.

He said, “Well, I wouldn’t know whether these issues are informed issues, it clear to everybody in Nigerian that Labour Party is owned by the NLC and no leader of NLC can deny that.

“But even when this issue of subsidy was analyzed by various presidential candidates, the NLC was clear and I could remember I stated that if the Labour Party candidate went into that, he would even have double punishments from the Labour Movement because that counters our demands that was given to him and the ideology for which the Labour Party was formed.

“The fact that we formed Labour Party does not mean that if it does anything wrong, and is an insult to say that Labour Party is now dictating for NLC that formed it? That is the worst insult anybody can say.

“If people are going into blackmail, it should not be such, we determine what happens in Labour Party to a large extent. Who is Labour Party and their candidate to tell NLC what to do? What we are doing now, has it not consistent with what we have been doing on fuel subsidy?”

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday said he was not bothered that the 9th National Assembly under his leadership was tagged rubber stamp assembly.

He stated this at an interactive session Senate Press Corps at the National Assembly, Abuja.

Lawan said despite misgivings by some Nigerians over the cordial relationship with the executive, 112 bills out of those passed by the 9th parliament were assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the unity of purpose and understanding of the two arms of government made it possible for the National Assembly to achieve so much.

Lawan said, “The relationship between us and the executive has been described in so many ways. But everything has a price. If you don’t do well, it has a price but this National Assembly, no matter what anybody will call it, we did what we could to help the executive.

“We changed the budget cycle and to the glory of God we passed the budget before the end of December. It makes us feel proud. Former President Buhari assented to 112 bills. Some have come to reform our economy, the petroleum industry and the electoral process.

“We have done so many things in good ways and make our people happy, but as humans we must have done somethings that Nigerians don’t like, but on the whole, we did our work well. I am not bothered that the Senate under my watch was called rubber stamp.”

Lawan also decried the high level of turnover of the members of the National Assembly after every election cycle, saying it is not good for institutional memory.

“If wishes were horses, I would have loved that the turn over of lawmakers will be minimal. Each time, 70% are dropped, capacity development would start all over again, but that’s the choice of Nigerians,” he added.

Former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has pleaded with his successor, the former Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, to forgive him for any pain he may have caused him (Oyetola).

Aregbesola has been at loggerhead with Oyetola, who served as his Chief of Staff before becoming governor, vowing that he will work against his reelection bid because he reversed his policies.

After losing to Governor Ademola Adeleke in 2022, Oyetola accused Aregbesola of teaming up with Adeleke of the then opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost the election.

Aregbesola arrived Osogbo, the capital of Osun State from Abuja where he served in the cabinet of former President Buhari on Wednesday.

He visited the palace of Owa Obokun, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran and Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, before addressing his supporters at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park via Old Garage.

While addressing his supporters in Yoruba language, he said, “I have not returned to Osun because of animosity or acrimony but reconciliation of our party, APC. I have come here today to beg for forgiveness from anybody who is offended towards me. The reason why people are applauding me over my successes in Osun today was because of the great work I did when I was in government and those who turned themselves into enemies today, we worked together.

“I thank God who showcased me from Lagos through the help of President Bola Tinubu, he is the architect of my success. I spent 8 years as commissioner in Lagos. In 2004, we had a meeting in Badagry where we talked about how we will take over our states from the opposition party. President Tinubu and other Yoruba elders directed me to come and take over Osun State from the opposition.

“With the help of God and the support of Asiwaju, I was able to excel as a Governor for 8 years even though it was not easy with the help of those that turned to my enemy for four years.”

He added that, “In 2019, after the Supreme Court judgment, I came to this venue with the person I handed over power to. I counseled that I have played my own part and handed over to the person I loved. But I said, the person must do it right by ensuring unity within the party. If that is done I will now be the godfather. But unfortunately, Satan took over them in interpreting what I said. I never begged for anything from them when he was in power.

“I am saying it today and I am begging for forgiveness. After this, we are not going to beg anybody again. We didn’t offend anyone and we don’t believe anyone offended us but it’s possible that they believe we offended them, that’s why we are apologising to them.“

No fewer than 34 outgoing, returning, and sitting governors are leaving a huge burden of unpaid gratuities, while 27 of them are being choked by unpaid multi-billion pension arrears.

Similarly, 13 states are burdened with a backlog of salary arrears and other unpaid benefits to their employees.
Investigations by Vanguard revealed that four states in the South-East, four in the South-West, and five Northern states owe workers salaries.

On pensions, five states in the South-West, five in the South-East, 15 in the North, and two in the South-South owe their retirees a backlog of accumulated pensions.

In the same vein, only about three states nationwide are believed not to owe gratuity to their pensioners.

Akeredolu’s intervention in Ondo

In Ondo State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who will finish his second term, next year, met a backlog of seven months’ salary arrears and has paid six, remaining of January 2017 and two months for local government workers.

Ondo State workers are owed N27 billion as gratuities while local government workers are owed N36 billion.

The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Victor Amoko, told Vanguard that “a special intervention by the governor was extended to address the huge outstanding arrears of gratuities being owed retirees from 2011 to 2023 with the release of N300 million to pay the gratuities on monthly basis.

Amoko said the gratuities had been paid up till 2014.

Oyebanji inherits N40bn unpaid gratuities in Ekiti

Similarly, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who began his first term last year, in Ekiti State, inherited from his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, three months’ salary arrears for state civil servants, and four months’ salary arrears for local government workers.

Retirees were owed seven months’ pensions and unpaid N40 billion in gratuities.

However, Oyebanji has defrayed the arrears to one month for state civil servants and two months for the local government workers and paid three months’ arrears of pensions.

The State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Joel Akinola, put the total gratuities at over N40 billion since August 13, 2013, noting that the Governor released N500 million for state pensioners, and N138 million for local government pensioners, which are being disbursed to the beneficiaries.

Akinola said that “Governor Oyebanji has approved a tranche of N700 million to offset part of the gratuities for state pensioners and N250 million to offset part of the local government pensioners.

Ogun owes 18 months’ salary deductions

In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun owes civil servants 18 months’ salary deductions such as Union dues, cooperative deductions, and pension (Contributory Pension Scheme).

The State Secretary of NUP, Mr Bola Lawal, said out of N68 billion that Governor Abiodun inherited from Ibikunle Amosun’s government, he has paid N3.6 billion.

Adeleke battles N76bn arrears in Osun

The accumulated salary arrears and pensions that Governor Ademola Adeleke, who took over from Gboyega Oyetola, in Osun, last November, is owing serving and retired workers are put at N76billion.

However, the gratuity owed to non-contributory pensioners is not clear yet as the Ministry in charge has not made the amount public.

Pensions, gratuities last paid in 2015 in Oyo

Returning Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State does not owe workers in both the state and local governments services.

However, the state NLC chairman, Kayode Matins, said pensions and gratuities were last paid by the state government in 2015.

According to him, “l would have loved to give you the details, but I don’t have access to the files now to give the accurate figure of the outstanding pensions and gratuities.”

Lagos workers demand pension entitlements since 2020

In Lagos, while officials of the state government said the government owes no salary, pension, or gratuity, the chairman of Lagos State Council of NLC, Funmi Sessi, last May Day, said: “We wish to acknowledge and appreciate the improvement you (Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu) brought about in the monthly bond allocation since the inception of your administration in 2019 and the April 2023 for payment of N5 Billion to 1,800 retirees in Lagos State.

“We also demand immediate payment of all the backlog of pensions entitlement (bond) from 2020 till date.”

Gratuities, pension burden in S/South

All the six state governments in the South-South zone have been consistent in the payment of monthly salaries to workers but none is up to date in the payment of gratuities and pensions to retired workers, except Akwa-Ibom which also pays pensions monthly.

Government officials were, however, hesitant to reveal the total figure, especially gratuities the different states owe workers, which had piled up over the years.

N7bn gratuities unpaid in Akwa Ibom

In Akwa Ibom State, the immediate past Governor, Udom Emmanuel, did not owe workers monthly salaries and pensions.

He inherited N18 billion in unpaid gratuities and cleared N11 billion, leaving N7 billion, which his successor will deal with.

In Bayelsa, Governor Douye Diri, who is seeking a second term on November 11, 2023, pays workers their salaries and pensioners monthly.

However, there is a backlog of unpaid gratuities from the time of Timipre Sylva and Senator Seriake Dickson’s administrations. Dickson, now a Senator, promised to pay gratuities before a worker disengages from service but only released between N250 million to N300 million for three months before he left office.

Things only changed with Diri, who promised to release N200 million monthly for payment of gratuities, and recently, increased it to N1 billion to clear the backlog dating back to 2007/2008.

As of date, his administration has reportedly cleared up to 2013.

Obaseki moves to clear the burden in Edo

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who leaves office next year, pays workers their salaries monthly. He inherited a huge backlog of pensions and gratuities from the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s administration.

The Chairman of Edo NUP, C. Pullen Noruwa, revealed: “He approved in 2022 May Day celebration the payment of gratuities to state pensioners from 2012 until date and the local government pensioners from 2008 until date. There is going to be a monthly release of N200 million and the payment will start from July 1, this year.

“The Head of Service will set up a committee to ensure that they pay according to the year of retirement. If they pay this gratuity, it will only remain a consequential change, which is because of the N30,000 minimum wage for workers. The governor has actually tried.”

Gratuity burden remains in Rivers

Payment of salaries to workers in Rivers State has been regular under the immediate past governor, Nyesom Wike, but contrary to gratuities and pensions which he allegedly committed N3 billion monthly.

Chairman of the NLC, Alex Agwanwor, declined comments on the matter.

However, a top civil servant, who just retired, said: “Salaries have been regular but they staggered pension payment in the guise of biometric capture of pensioners. So those not yet captured have not benefited. However, it is on gratuities that Governor Wike has not done well. Many retirees have not received gratuities years after retirement, some even before the governor came into office.”

Gratuity yoke persists in C- River

Cross River State’s immediate past governor, Senator Ben Ayade, has been paying salaries and pensions to both civil servants and political appointees.

Sometimes, workers and appointees receive their salary alerts twice a month. This is during the Christmas season and May Day.
What, however, has been an issue of concern is the payment of gratuities running into billions of naira. Workers that retired since 2014 are yet to get their terminal benefits.

The workers’ unions, particularly the NLC, have been fighting a spirited battle with the governor over the outstanding payments.

Okowa leaves N24.9b pension in Delta

In Delta State, the departed administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa paid workers’ salary promptly on a monthly basis.
As for pensions and gratuity, his government is indebted to workers but has attempted to reduce its burden by spending N1.5 billion monthly on servicing pension liabilities.

Sometime last year, the state government disbursed N10 billion in two tranches to pay state and local government pensioners. The summary of outstanding accrued rights and harmonisation difference as of April 31, 2023, is N24.9 billion.

Enugu owes 3yrs of minimum wage arrears

In Enugu, as the eight years administration of the immediate past Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, left the civil servants in the state, particularly those in the state parastatals, with no less than three years arrears of minimum wage which its implementation in the state commenced three years after the Federal Government and other states began its implementation.

National Vice Chairman of Trade Union Congress and the Enugu State chairman of Senior Civil Service Union, Chuks Igbokwe told Vanguard that whereas the backlog of the minimum wage arrears has been foreclosed, the state government is also owing pensioners of local government and primary school teachers pension arrears of no less than three years.

Tales of woes in Abia

In Abia State, workers will remember the administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the worst so far in the history of the state in terms of salary arrears as doctors in the State University Teaching Hospital Aba, ABSUTH, are owed 24 months; their counterparts at Hospital Management Board, HMB, are owed 13 months; secondary school teachers are owed 11 months while primary school teachers are owed three months.

Others, according to a recent statement by the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, include 29 months for workers in Abia State College of Education; workers of Abia College of Health Sciences not paid five months arrears; Abia pensioners have not been paid their gratuity for the past 15 years while their pension arrears are over 48 months.

Lamenting the situation, Secretary, of Concerned Abia Pensioners, Chief C. U Okezie, said retirees no longer talk of gratuities but their monthly pension to at least buy drugs and stay alive.

Soludo owes N14bn pension in Anambra

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State owes N14 billion for pensions and gratuity. However, he has pledged to liquidate them gradually.

Since he assumed office, he has consistently been paying gratuity to all those who retire during his regime, while also picking from the backlog of those who retired before he became governor.

Imo owes arrears from 2020

In Imo State, the NLC Chairman Caretaker Committee, George Ofoegbu, informed that the Imo State government owes salaries, pensions, and gratuities from 2020.

Most affected, according to him, are members of the Imo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE.

However, Basil Iwu, leader of NLC, backed by Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is standing for re-election on November 11, 2023, is of a different view, as he commended the governor for prompt payment of salaries, and pensions.

However, spokesman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, in Imo State, Sam Iheakanwa, said, “Not all pensioners have been captured into the payment system. Some are still owed. But we are still waiting for all of them to be captured before we talk of arrears owed.”

Umahi leaves a backlog of pensions, gratuities in Ebonyi

The Chairman of NLC in Ebonyi State, Oguguo Egwu, said the immediate past government of Engr Dave Umahi left a huge backlog of unpaid pension, gratuities, and salary arrears for the incoming administration in the state.

“I do not have specific details but there is a backlog of pensions, gratuities, and salary arrears which the outgoing regime is trying to address.”

Chairman of SSANU, Ebonyi State, Mr. Odigbo N. said: “The government owes pension and gratuities in EBSU. Workers are being owed. For salaries, we have been paid till March 2023. “

Benue owes 74 months of pensions

In Benue, as Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration exited on May 29, the state government is owing pensioners 34 months of entitlements at the state level, and 74 months at the local government level, which were accumulated by successive governments over the years.

The government might also be leaving behind between four and five months of unpaid wages accumulated during the 2017 economic recession. Though workers have not been paid for about four months in the year 2023 due to supposed garnishee orders by the courts, the government may remedy the situation before its terminal date.

Niger owing N16bn gratuities

In Niger State, the immediate past Governor Abubakar Bello is not owing civil servants both at the state and local government areas of salaries.

But he left a backlog of unpaid gratuities for the incoming government to settle.

It was gathered that the government will leave between N14 billion and N16 billion.

Last year, the state chairman of NLC who is now the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, declared at the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, State Executive meeting that the state government was owing pensioners in the state N50 billion and vowed to fight through “constitutional means” for the payment to be effected.

Huge backlog in Bauchi

In Bauchi State, the government of re-elected Bala Mohammed has implemented the consequential adjustment on the minimum wage of N30,000 for civil servants across all cadres and pensioners since December 2020.

However, workers and pensioners have complained about the staggered salary and pension payments after a screening exercise by the government to weed out ghost workers in 2019.

Furthermore, there is a backlog of unpaid gratuities and death benefits that had lingered since 2011.
In December 2020 the governor released about N400 million to offset part of the gratuity and death benefits.

Adamawa owes N3bn in gratuities, pension

Adamawa State is indebted to pensioners to the tune N3billion in terms of gratuity and pensions
But, the government of re-elected Ahmadu Fintiri, was quick to clear the air that the backlog of the indebtedness was incurred by successive governments since 2012.

This is even as the State Pensioners Association claimed that the unpaid pensions and gratuity, including retired local government staff run into N4 billion.

The association added that no fewer than 20 of its members die as a result of their inability to bear the economic crunch.

Katsina owes N10bn in gratuities

In Katsina, the immediate past Governor Aminu Bello Masari’s government left a backlog of unpaid gratuities for the incoming government.
According to the Katsina NLC Chairman, Hussaini Hamisu, the backlog of gratuities includes those of retirees from 2019 to date.

It was gathered that the unpaid gratuities are not less than N10 billion.

Ganduje leaves N40bn gratuities in Kano

As Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led administration came to an end on May 29, the state government left behind a backlog of over N40 billion in unpaid gratuities for the incoming government.

The unpaid gratuities from 2006 to date comprise the tenures of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the present administration of Dr. Ganduje.

Ishaku leaves unpaid six months’ salaries in Taraba

In Taraba State, the immediate past government of Governor Darius Ishaku is leaving six months and five months of local government workers and primary school teachers’ salaries

The state NLC Chairman, Peter Jediel, said the N30,000 minimum wage is also yet to be implemented.

He also lamented that gratuities are still being owed while some retirees are yet to be included in the state pension scheme.
“Also, there is a backlog of gratuities for retirees in the state from 2015 and inability to capture over 1000 retirees into the monthly pension,” he added.

Zulum’s intervention in Borno

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno inherited a backlog of salaries, pensions, and gratuities running into billions of Naira upon assumption of office.

Worried by the situation, Zulum, in 2020, obtained a N12 billion loan to settle some of these gratuities owed to 4,862 retirees who left the state and local government civil service from 2013 to 2017.

This was a follow-up to the N3 Billion earlier released by the government in September 2019, to clear the gratuities of 1,684 retirees who left the civil service between 2013 to 2019.

But the Chairman of NLC in the state, Yusuf Inuwa, lamented that the staggered mode of gratuity payments has resulted in the non-payment of gratuities to some beneficiaries from 2012 to 2017 and beyond.

Huge backlog on the Plateau

The immediate past government in Plateau State is leaving a backlog of unpaid salaries and gratuities for the incoming government.
The February 2023 salaries were paid to some staff just over a week ago while others are yet to be paid theirs.

Gratuities have not been paid since 2010, the State Chairman of Pensioner, Mr. Ben Bello, confirmed.

Governor Simon Lalong, who completed his second term on May 29, had on May Day, promised that the backlog of salaries would be cleared before he exits office.

Again, the State Head of Service, Sunday Hyat, told Vanguard: “The government defaulted in the payment of some months’ salaries but efforts are on to address that.

The March and April salaries will be paid as promised.

For the gratuities, there was an agreement with the United Capital but it was delayed because the House of Assembly had not signed the necessary documents.

Sokoto saddled with 7 years of gratuities

Immediate past Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State is leaving among others not less than seven years of unpaid gratuities for the incoming government that runs into billions of Naira.

The present administration only paid civil servants that retired in 2015 the amount it inherited as a liability.

Retirees complained that the governor has been paying his political associates who either retire or withdraw their services after his party the PDP was defeated in the last general election leaving behind the accumulated gratuity of civil servants who retired seven years ago.

Yobe accumulates gratuities

In Yobe State, Vanguard gathered that the government of Mai Mala Buni, who just won his re-election, is up to date with salary and pension payments.

But the governor has accumulated unpaid gratuities for not less than five months weighing his government down.

Outstanding backlogs in Zamfara

The Zamfara State Government, according to the state NLC, “has only partially implemented the N30,000 minimum wage for core civil servants without implementation for local government employees.

“Similarly, the government owes two months’ salary arrears to state workers. That is March and April.

“For pension, the payment has been staggered with several pensioners owed many months of arrears. The worst of all is gratuities which the government (of Bello Mattawale, who lost his re-election bid in the last poll), has not paid since assumption of office.”

Nasarawa owes N42bn gratuities

In Nasarawa State, the government of Governor Abdullahi Sule, who just won a second term, has unpaid gratuities of about N42billion.
The government, however, pays salary and pensions regularly.

Backlog of unpaid gratuity in Kwara

Similarly, returning Governor AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman of Kwara State is up to date in salary and pensions but has a backlog of gratuities.

His Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, informed that “the government is releasing an average of N100 million monthly to offset arrears of gratuities that date back to 2010/2011.”

However, the state chairman of NUP, Saidu Oladimeji differed, saying: “I can tell you for free that from 2012 till, date some categories of pensioners are still being owed gratuity.”

The Jigawa example

While it was gathered that the Jigawa State government paid pensioners their pensions on May 5, 2023, and workers’ salaries are up to date, there is, however, no information about gratuities.

No backlog in Kaduna

In Kaduna, where Governor Nasir el-Rufai will finish his second term on May 29, the state government is not owing pensioners and workers their pensions and salaries as it pays as when due.

Special Adviser to the Kaduna State Governor on Media and Publicity, Muyiwa Adekeye, stated that the “Kaduna State Government consistently discharges its obligations to its workers and retirees. It does not owe salaries or pensions.”

Backlog of gratuities choking Gombe

In Gombe, returning Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State is said to be up to date with salary and pension payments.
The leadership of NLC in the state said the governor has been grappling with accumulated gratuity arrears that date back to 2014. It was gathered that the governor has cleared up to 2017 backlog of unpaid gratuities.

Kogi battling inherited unpaid gratuities

According to the state chairman of NLC in Kogi State, Amari Gabriel, “Governor Yahaya Bello does not owe salary or pension to workers or pensioners in the state.

“For gratuities, you know every state government across the country is battling with a backlog and accumulated gratuity arrears. It is not different in Kogi State. I know the governor has been making a frantic effort to clear the backlog of inherited gratuities. I do not have the actual figure now which can only be gotten from the Pension bureau”.

Bagudu leaves on a clean slate in Kebbi

The immediate past Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State will go down in the history of the state as the only governor who never owed workers salaries and offset the backlog of gratuities he inherited from his predecessor.

This was disclosed by his special adviser on media Malam Yahya Sarkin, who said that even during the COVID-19 lockdown when some governors were paying civil servants half salaries Bagudu paid full salaries.

The only pending payment is a few who retired at the tail end of Bagudu’s government which is still being compiled and undergoing verifications

Organised Labour said it has not reached an agreement with the Federal Government on its demands following the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

The Labour Centre said all its demands have been harmonised and presented to the government for deliberation.

President of the Trade Union Congress(TUC) Festus Osifo said this when he appeared on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television.

He was joined on the show by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero on Tuesday.

Osifo said the items would be addressed at the June 19 meeting between the labour and government team.

The TUC President said: “We have not reached any agreement with the government. We have presented our demands to them and we expect that by our next meeting, we will harmonise, the government will tell us what they can do and we will also bring our own data to the table during the meeting.

“When we meet we are going to define each of those items and a timeline will be put on them. After the meeting on June 19, the timelines of each items are going to be revealed.

Some of the demands of labour included reversal to the old pump price of N195 per litre; the increase of minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000; tax holiday for employees in the private and public sector that earn less than N200 000; introduction of premium motor spirit allowance for those earning less than N200, 000; provision of mass transit for all categories of the populace and provision of subsidy for food items among others.

The NLC served a strike notice, the day after President Bola Tinubu, in his inauguration address, declared that “fuel subsidy is gone.”

The presidential announcement led to a knee-jerk reaction from petrol marketers, who immediately shut down filling stations and hiked product prices.

But after a meeting with the government, the NLC and TUC shelved its planned strike.

The acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola on Tuesday, said the lack of synergy among law enforcement agencies and state actors was hindering the effort of the service to curb the smuggling of migrants in and out of the country.

Adepoju said this at the African International Conference on transnational organised crimes, held at the African Center of Excellence, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Adepoju who was represented by the deputy acting Comptroller General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, said the activities of organised criminal groups posed a great risk to the lives and safety of the smuggled migrants if not curbed.

The NIS boss urged the stakeholders to come together and fight the menace of irregular migrants.

“Despite the constant effort made by different countries to curb smuggling of migrants, the problem persists due to factors like differences in the legal system, language barrier, lack of accurate and relevant data and lack of synergy and sufficient information exchange among law enforcement agencies or state actors.

“Lack of synergy between the state actors is a very painful one because it should be avoidable. If we all want to achieve the same goal, we should be able to work together, cooperate and collaborate.

“There is, therefore, the exigency to strengthen the exchange of information. It is relevant for us to share data and essential for us to promote International cooperation among ourselves.”

Speaking on the theme; ‘Multi-Dimensional Threats of Himan Trafficking: Child Labor; Forced Labour; Baby Factory; Organ Harvesting’, the Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, harped on the need for the need to recognise the enormity of human trafficking in Nigeria, calling on parents to dissuade their children from embarking on irregular migration.

“Recognising the enormity of human trafficking in Nigeria and the ability to tackle same is very important. The internet has no geographical boundary. Traffickers are now able to access a wider pull of potential victims through it.

“The family, community and society should also dissuade their children from embarking on irregular migrating from Nigeria to other parts of the world.”

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Simeon Bamire who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administrative, Prof. O.M.A Daramola while declaring the conference open, promised that the University was going to establish a liaison office for the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The Chairman, Independent and Corrupt Practices and Other related Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, has described corruption as a dream killer that must be fought to a standstill by the youth.

The Chairman, represented by Alhaji Alli Goni Gujba, Board Member, ICPC, said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the maiden edition of the Commission’s inter-schools debate for tertiary institutions in the FCT and Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institutions participated in the debate included Veritas University, Baze University, Bingham University, University of Abuja, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa and College of Education, Zuba

The ICPC boss described the youth as the leaders of tomorrow, who needed to fight corruption with great rigour for them to achieve the desired goal.

He said that, “for this to effectively happen, both the older generation and the youth themselves must take steps to provide an enabling environment, both physically and intellectually, to encourage this progressive ideal.

“You must realise that corruption is a dream killer and if you do not fight it to a standstill at your level, it will kill your future dreams.

“Corruption is often erroneously viewed as an adult problem, yet the seeds of this societal virus are planted in the early stages of a person’s life.

“One of the holy books admonishes us to train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he shall not depart from it.

“I therefore urge you to determine in your heart that you will not give the evil seeds of corruption and value degeneration a conducive environment to germinate.”

He said that the youth had the capacity to shape the future of the country with determination by deliberately shunning corrupt practices.

According to him, “it is indeed a truism that no nation can grow and develop faster than its level and standards of education.”

Owasanoye noted that the deficiencies of the society were magnified by the fact that the youth are starved of the appropriate ethical and cultural values necessary to become model citizens.

He urged the youth to take the advantage of the debate platform to reshape the society

“This inter-schools debate is one of the several platforms ICPC created to encourage capacity building, ethical reorientation, behavioural change and positive value rejuvenation, especially amongst the youth,” he said.

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, charged the youth to contribute their quota towards a Nigeria free of economic and financial crimes, urging them to “Do the Right Thing Always”.

Bawa, represented by Chidinma Amanambu, Assistant Commander, EFCC, Head Media Academy, Karu, charged them to contribute their quota towards a Nigeria free of economic and financial crimes.

“The youths are the future of our country and any opportunity to engage their minds in activities that will be beneficial to nation building is a welcome one,” Bawa said.

He expressed concern over the prevalence of cyber crimes among students of tertiary institutions, adding that “this is an illegal activity and not a good narrative as it affects the image of our country.”

He urged the youth, especially students, to shun the act and use the advantages provided for them by the institution of learning positively

“Institutions of learning are the fertile ground where students nurture and imbibe the virtues of integrity, honesty, punctuality and decency as future leaders,” he said.

Paulinus Okwelle, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), in his remarks, called for concerted effort to build a culture of integrity and rid the education system of corruption.

“We commend you for your efforts to tackle corruption in our educational institutions. By addressing this topic, you have demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges we face and the critical need for change.

“Tertiary institutions are important in shaping the future of our country. They should be indicators of knowledge, innovation and integrity, but corruption threatens to undermine the foundations on which these institutions are built,” he said.

Deputy Programme Director, Step Up Nigeria, Feranmi Iyanda, said that the event was a testament to the unwavering commitment of the youth to create a better and corruption-free future for Nigeria.

Iyanda urged the students to have the responsibility to champion anti-corruption efforts, not only within their educational institutions but also in all facets of our society.

“I believe wholeheartedly in the power of our youth to shape the future of our nation, and this is what drives the work we do at ‘Step Up Nigeria’.

“Your passion, energy and innovative ideas hold the key to transforming our society into one that is characterized by integrity, transparency, and good governance.”

Spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has described the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket as a fraud which has destroyed the country's political system.

Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Baba-Ahmed lamented that Nigerians have allowed politicians to poison their faith using religion.

Baba-Ahmed said, “We had a Muslim president for eight years in this country. The North has never been as bad as it. It did nothing to the North.

“What did El-Rufai do for the Muslims? He demolished their houses on the very last day he was leaving, 95 percent of the houses he demolished belonged to Muslims. So of what value has the Muslim-Muslim ticket been to them?

“Muslim-Muslim ticket is a fraud; politicians have poisoned our faith; the earlier we open our eyes the better. They are destroying our political system by bringing faith into it.

“They are deceiving the people into believing that the faith of the people into thinking that the faith of a politician represents a plus or minus to you, it doesn’t.

“For all you know, you could be a Muslim and not pray five times a day, you could be a Christian and have horrible habits.”

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Economic Council (NEC) led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to begin the process of working on interventions to ameliorate the impact of subsidy removal on Nigerians.

Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, stated this after leading some major oil marketers on a courtesy call on President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

Addressing correspondents after the meeting, he said the marketers were in the presidential villa to express solidarity with the president for his bold decision to end subsidy payment.

He noted that Tinubu’s action showed his determination and courage to remove the hemorrhage that had bedeviled the country for decades.

The governor said that while there would be some discomfort on the part of the people, the move would eventually pay off as there can be no gains without pain.

The marketers announced their intention to donate 50 to 100 mass transit buses as a way to help the success of the initiative, hoping that other well meaning corporate bodies can do the same.

State Governors on Wednesday expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidy payments in the country and other early policy initiatives of the administration.

The governors, under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, expressed their support to President Tinubu during the first meeting the President was having with them at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The state chief executives, who took turns to speak at the meeting were led by the NGF Chairman and governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who expressed happiness with the President’s subsidy-removal decision, all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship.

President Tinubu had earlier called on the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling the menace of poverty in the country, saying the level of impoverishment was unacceptable.

The President advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.

“We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary, it is from the society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics, we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building,’’ he said.

President Tinubu stated that the nation should be seen as one big family.

“We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results,’’ he added.

The President said good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.

“Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.

“We are in a democracy and we have to nurture the democracy. It is a hard-earned system and not easy to manage. If anyone thinks it is easy, look at other nations that are over a hundred years in democracy.

“We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people,’’ President Tinubu told the governors while assuring them that he would maintain an open-door policy.

The President said he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

“What do we do in the face of crushing poverty? What do we do with our development goals? We took the bull by the horns by removing the elephant in the room before the nation sinks.

“We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanize the economy, and put resources in place? We must think and perform.

“After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,’’ he noted.

President Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury:

“How do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you.’’

The President also drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonishing the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation, without thinking it’s only for those facing it.

The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRasaq, thanked the President for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors would support the Federal Government in meeting the targets of human development.

“The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,’’ he said.

The meeting, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and new Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, had 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger States, in attendance.

The governors made suggestions highlighting the plight of citizens in their states, assuring the President of their support in proffering solutions through the National Economic Council.