The tripartite committee established by the federal government to review the minimum wage has urged labour unions to reassess their wage demands. 

Speaking with NAN on Sunday, Bukar Aji, the committee’s chairman, asked labour to reconsider their position based on economic factors and the non-monetary incentives provided by the government.

Aji highlighted several incentives of the government, including the N35,000 wage award for all treasury-paid federal workers, N100 billion for gas-fuelled buses and gas kit conversions, a N125 billion conditional grant, financial inclusion for small and medium enterprises, and a N25,000 monthly stipend for 15 million households over three months.

He also listed the N185 billion in palliative loans to states to mitigate the effects of petrol subsidy removal, N200 billion to boost agricultural production, N75 billion to strengthen the manufacturing sector, and N1 trillion for student loans, among other interventions.

Aji called on the labour unions to consider accepting the N62,000 minimum wage offered by the federal government.

He said the committee is trying to avert a situation where the minimum wage would lead to further job losses, especially as many businesses are already struggling.

BACKGROUND

In January 2024, the federal government inaugurated a 37-member tripartite committee on the national minimum wage.

The committee was tasked with the responsibility of recommending a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

Over the past few months, the federal and state governments, organised labour and representatives of the private sector have been deliberating on a mutually acceptable sum.

However, the demand by organised labour is yet to be met.

On June 3, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on a nationwide strike to protest the federal government’s inability to meet their demand.

Twenty-four hours later, the labour unions “relaxed” the strike by one week.

Both unions had earlier proposed N615,500 and N494,000, respectively, as the new minimum wage, which the federal government said was unrealistic.

On June 7, the federal government increased its offer from N60,000 to N62,000, while the labour unions insisted on N250,000.

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the church to question the wealth sources of politicians making donations to support evangelism.

Osinbajo spoke on Saturday at the inaugural lecture in honour of the late senior pastor of Fountain Life Church Taiwo Odukoya.

The lecture titled ‘Strengthening the Christian voice in government or public office’ was held at the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Osinbajo admonished the church to teach good values that Christians can hold on to when they find themselves in public service.

“How often do those who receive money from politicians and from other sources ask the source of the money? the former vice-president asked.

“So the question is not how many Christians are in government, business, or professions? The question is, what are they equipped with?

“What are the relevant principles of the gospel that they know and apply in their daily and professional or public lives?”

Tolu Odukoya, associate senior pastor of the church, said the lecture would carry on the legacy of empowerment of her late father.

“It is with great joy and a sense of gratitude that I welcome you all to the inaugural Daniel Odukoya lecture,” Tolu said.

“Today marks the beginning of a significant tradition in our church, a tribute to my father, our father, the founding father of the Fountain of Life Church.”

Ben Akabueze, director-general (DG) of the budget office of the federation, who delivered the lecture, emphasised the need for Christians in power to uphold good tenets.

“In today’s world, governments operate in a diverse and pluralistic society, thus diversity is reflected not only in the cultural and ethnic background but also in the multiplicities of world views,” Akabueze said

“Christianity co-exists alongside other faiths and circular perspectives, these diversities necessitate a respectful and collaborative approach to governance.

“It is important for Christians to engage with respect and understanding towards other faiths, which should not mean compromising one’s belief but rather, finding ways to express such belief.

He urged Christians in power to ask for forgiveness and retrace their step when they derail.

“I encourage each of you to step into leadership roles, your presence and voice in these spaces can make a profound difference,” he added.

“No one is invaluable and leaders will make mistakes, Christians in public office should demonstrate humility and the willingness to seek forgiveness.”

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to “ensure that his government’s proposed bill on new minimum wage for Nigerian workers is entirely consistent and compatible with Nigeria’s international obligations to promote and advance the right of workers to an adequate living wage.”

The president had in his Democracy Day Speech on June 12 stated that “We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine the new minimum wage as part of our law for the next five years or less.”

In the letter dated 15 June 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “the reportedly proposed level of the minimum wage in the executive bill is grossly inadequate and falls short of the requirements of international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.”

SERAP said, “The executive bill should reflect the international standards that Nigerian workers should be provided, at a minimum, with a living wage, in accordance with costs of living.”

According to SERAP, “As you and your government know, Nigerian workers face many human rights challenges. Most of the people living in poverty work, yet they do not earn a wage sufficient to afford an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families.”

The letter, read in part: “Any proposed minimum wage that fails to guarantee a life in dignity for Nigerian workers and their families would be entirely inconsistent and incompatible with international standards.”

“Successive governments have persistently and systematically violated these guarantees. Millions of Nigerian workers remain poor due mainly to low wages and a lack of social security and social protection.”

“If your government sends to the National Assembly any bill which fails to meet the requirements of international standards, and the bill is then passed into law, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“The proposed recommendations are not unrealistic, as they are based on Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. Human rights are not a matter of charity. Upholding Nigeria’s international obligations regarding the right of workers to an adequate living wage would protect the purchasing power of workers in poverty.”

“The preparation of the executive bill provides you and your government an important opportunity to respect, protect, promote and advance the rights of Nigerian workers to an adequate living wage and fair remuneration.”

“We urge you to take concrete steps to defend the rights of Nigerian workers to an adequate living wage.”

“This would ensure that the proposed executive bill protects not only against absolute poverty but also against relative poverty, as a source of social exclusion.”

“Your government has legal obligations to reflect these guarantees in any executive bill on the new minimum wage to be sent to the National Assembly.”

“The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights imposes clear legal obligations on your government to ensure and uphold the right of Nigerian workers to an adequate living wage that would ensure a decent standard of living for the workers and their families.”

“We urge you to put the country’s resources at the service of human rights, and to advance Nigerian workers’ right to an adequate living wage by immediately cutting the cost of governance and implementing bold transparency and accountability measures in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).”

“We urge you and your government to urgently propose cuts in the huge budgetary allocations to fund security votes, jumbo salaries and allowances paid to members of the National Assembly, and unlawful life pensions to former governors and their deputies.”

“We also urge you and your government to immediately and fully recover missing public funds from MDAs, as documented in the several reports published by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

“These would enable you and your government to effectively comply with Nigeria’s international legal obligations regarding workers’ right to an adequate living wage.”

“Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969, to which Nigeria is a state party provides that ‘[A] party may not invoke the provisions of its internal as justification for its failure to perform a treaty.’”

“The minimum wage setting must take into consideration the relative living standards of other social groups and economic factors, including the requirements of economic development.”

“This means that the level of wages to be proposed in the executive bill takes into account the current cost of living in the country, to ensure that it is sufficient to enable the worker and his or her family to enjoy other rights such as health care, education and an adequate standard of living.”

“SERAP urges you to ensure that the proposed executive bill sets the minimum wage at a level that corresponds to the ‘living wage’, allowing Nigerian workers and their families to achieve an adequate standard of living.”

“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are reflected in the proposed executive bill.”

“According to our information, you stated in your Democracy Day Speech on June 12 2024 that your government is finalising an executive bill on the new minimum wage which is set to be sent to the National Assembly.”

“Under article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 7 (a) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, all Nigerian workers have the right to a remuneration which provides them, as a minimum, with fair wages and a decent living for themselves and their families.”

“In the preamble of its Constitution, ILO calls for ‘an adequate living wage’, and in the Declaration concerning the aims and purposes of the International Labour Organization, ILO affirms its ‘solemn obligation’ to promote ‘policies in regard to wages and earnings, calculated to ensure a minimum living wage to all employed and in need of such protection’.”

“In article 3 of the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131), ILO requires that minimum wage setting take into consideration ‘the needs of workers and their families, taking into account the general level of wages in the country, the cost of living, social security benefits.’”

In a recent interview with Vangurd Newspaper, Chief Iyiola Ajani Omisore, the immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), revealed that the party spent approximately N9 billion on legal fees for 10,000 cases arising from its congresses.

Omisore, who served as a senator between 2003 and 2011 and was the Deputy Governor of Osun State from 1999 to 2003, discussed various issues concerning the party and the nation, including the 2022 APC presidential primary and the challenges faced by the party during its congresses.

Addressing the controversies surrounding the 2022 APC presidential primary, where then-National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu allegedly opposed the emergence of President Bola Tinubu as the candidate, Omisore stated that his mandate was to deliver the South-West for the presidency, which he successfully achieved. He emphasized that politics is about upholding one’s interest and delivering on objectives.

Omisore also shed light on the legal challenges faced by the APC during its congresses, stating that the party secretariat had a deficit of about N9 billion and was dealing with 10,000 court cases related to the congresses alone. He stressed the importance of conducting transparent primaries to minimize legal disputes and ensure the party’s success in the general elections.

Despite the numerous court cases, Omisore said the party had to move forward with its presidential convention, focusing on conducting a democratic process within the limited timeframe available. He noted that the APC’s transparency in its primaries contributed to its victory in the governorship elections.

Regarding the ongoing minimum wage negotiations, Omisore advised the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the government to find a resolution through engagement and negotiation. He emphasized that the government must consider the available resources and inflation trends while striving to provide a reasonable wage for workers.

As the nation grapples with various challenges, Omisore expressed optimism about Nigeria’s progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. He highlighted the president’s efforts to engage with stakeholders, make bold decisions, and address issues such as poverty alleviation and power supply.

The family of the late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Super TV, Mr Usifo Ataga, has raised the alarm that some powerful people were out to compromise the outcome of investigations into the circumstances leading to his death.

It was alleged that those behind the moves might be working surreptitiously to extricate the main suspect in the case, Miss Chidinma Ojukwu from complicity in the murder trial.

Ojukwu and one Adedapo Quadri are currently standing trial for the gruesome murder of Ataga in Lagos on June 15, 2021.

Also docked for the murder is the cousin of Ojukwu, one Chioma Egbuchu, who is accused of stealing Ataga’s iPhone 7 after his (Ataga’s) murder.

A source familiar with the court proceedings stated that the general feeling amongst family and friends is the alleged notion that the trial may be compromised with respect to the autopsy and forensic reports, and the investigation generally.

The source claimed that the family’s suspicion became stronger from the testimony of a former Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor John Obafunwa.

Family members monitoring the trial were said to have alluded to the testimony of Prof. Obafunwa at a sitting of a state High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square that the samples he gave to perform a post-mortem examination on the body of Ataga, were possibly manipulated having been delayed for over a year before it was returned to him, setting off alarm signals to their fears.

According to the source, the family felt that the investigators were tardy, and for a long time, the Lagos State Government kept promising that it would do all that was necessary to ensure the proper investigation of the matter including paying for proper forensic analysis outside the country.

“Apparently and to the dismay of the family, this did not happen as the government kept procrastinating and the case only moved ahead after the family of the late Ataga paid for the forensics to be done overseas”, the source disclosed.

Speaking to reporters after the last hearing date, Counsel from A & J law firm, Ms. J. Ugegbe, holding watching brief on behalf of the Ataga family stated that “the family is urging relevant authorities to ensure that justice prevails at the end of the day for their son and brother, who was gruesomely killed in his prime by some heartless and soulless individuals.

“For the family, it is their firm belief that justice can only be attained through meticulous and diligent prosecution of the case and one of the means for attaining that is through forensic approach and this is the reason why the family is calling for caution by all,” she said.

A 32-year-old man, Olumide Yerokun has been docked in an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court, Ibadan, for allegedly parading himself Ayo Olu (Esq), a lawyer.

Yerokun, whose address was not provided was arraigned in court on Friday.

He was charged with impersonation and obtaining money under false pretence.

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp Sikiru Opaleye told the court that the Yerokun allegedly committed the offence on June 5, at about 6. 25 p.m, at Jericho, Eleyele area, Ibadan.

He alleged that the defendant with intent to defraud falsely represented himself as lawyer Ayo Olu (Esq).

Opaleye alleged that also on June 3, the defendant fraudulently represented himself as a solicitor to PA Opadiran and served quit notice on Mrs Idayat Akapo and two others, while fraudulently presenting himself as a lawyer.

He alleged that the Yerokun represented himself as a legal practitioner by preparing, signing and serving statutory notice.

The Prosecutor further alleged that sometimes in December 2023, at about 12. 30 p.m at Adepoju street, Ibadan, Yerokun did present himself as a legal Practioner to PA Opadiran.

He alleged that the Yerokun fraudulently obtained the sum of N25, 000 from Mrs Akapo as a legal fee for preparation of Tenancy agreement.

He said the offences contravened Sections 484 and 419 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

She thereafter adjourned the case until Aug. 14, for hearing.

Mrs Folasade Aladeniyi, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan chapter, Mrs Folasade Aladeniyi appeared with some members of the branch on the said case.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman, Anti- Touting and Ethics Committee of NBA, Ibadan, Mr Segun Popoola, said the association seriously frowns at such acts.

Popoola warned that the association will not fail to ensure the Prosecution of anyone who is found guilty of such acts. (NAN)

The 5,937 soldiers that recently passed out from the Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria, Kaduna State, will be deployed to fight banditry, cattle rustling and related crimes, Chief of Army of Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has said.

Lagbaja disclosed this during the passing-out parade for the 86 regular recruit intake of the Depot Nigeria Army, in Zaria, yesterday.

The COAS, who was the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer, for the passing out parade, added that the new men would form part of the solution to numerous security challenges bedevilling the country.

“The fresh products passing out today will form part of the solution to the challenge of insurgency in the North-east, banditry and cattle rustling in the North-west.

“They will fight the farmers/herders’ clashes in the North-central, secessionist agitation and cultism in the South-east, militancy, and vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure in the South-south and south-west.”

The COAS noted that the training was a continuous process in the military, adding that the Nigerian Army has put in place post-depot training packages to help the soldiers master the array of weapons and equipment.

This, according to him, will enable the soldiers to become more efficient in the art of war.

He said that the army was improving on the existing welfare packages to enable the soldiers to cater for their medical, recreational, and educational needs to ease career fulfillment.

While congratulating the 5,937 recruits, the COAS said that the life of a soldier was a life of sacrifice to his country, allegiance to defend, and, if need be, sacrifice his life for the people.

“Sacrifice to go wherever you are ordered to, by land, sea or air; sacrifice to relegate personal comfort and assume a duty to the country as a primary concern,’’ he said.

He said that by becoming a soldier, one had accepted the highest call to duty any Nigerian could take up.

He added that as soldiers, they had joined the unique league of exceptional Nigerians who had elected to abide by the requirements of exceptional discipline, loyalty, integrity, and dedication to duty.

Lagbaja, therefore, charged them not to disappoint the Nigerian Army and the country’s expectations of them.

He commended and congratulated the commandant and instructors of Depot NA for the successful training and graduation of the recruits.

The Army boss assured the commandant of the Army headquarters’ support towards realising the training objectives of the institution.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on Saturday vowed to revoke the titles of owners of licensed land that are being used for illegal mining operations.

The government said this in response to development at a mining site located in Shirley Niger State which had swallowed over 50 miners during the collapse.

Weeks after the Shiroro incident was reported, another site Bazakwoi, Adunu Community, in the Paikoro Local Government Area in Niger state was reported to have collapsed on Thursday, June 13, 2024, resulting in the death of three men.

Responding to the frequent occurrences in the state, the Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, said preliminary investigations showed that the collapsed mine was in the area under Exploration Licence 43113 of Jurassic Mines Limited in Adunu Village, Paikoro Local Government Area, Niger State.

He said, “At the time of the visit, work had stopped at the site, and only onlookers were seen. The coordinates of the site were taken, and officials returned to Minna at about 8.30 pm.

“The owners of the company were contacted by phone, but they claimed ignorance of happenings on the site. They were then summoned to the office in the state capital.

“Owners of licenced units of land mined by illegal miners will lose their titles”.

The statement noted that the men killed in the accident had since been buried.

The minister further warned land title owners with mining licenses to desist from illegal operations, as those caught or found guilty would face the law.

Kogi, Ekiti and Kwara states have retained the position of states with the most expensive food items as food inflation rose to 40.66 per cent in May.

This was disclosed on Saturday in the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The statistics hub revealed that Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to 33.95 per cent in May 2024, up from 33.69 per cent reported in April 2024.

This shows a minimal 0.26 per cent point rise, suggesting a slower rate of price increase compared to the previous month which rose by 2.14 per cent.

The report said, “In May 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 33.95 per cent relative to the April 2024 headline inflation rate which was 33.69 per cent. Looking at the movement, the May 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.26 per cent points when compared to the April 2024 headline inflation rate.

“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.54 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023, which was 22.41 per cent. This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in May 2024 when compared to the same month in the preceding year

“On the contrary, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in May 2024 was 2.14 per cent which was 0.15 per cent lower than the rate recorded in April 2024 (2.29th per cent). This means that in May 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level is less than the rate of increase in the average price level in April 2024.”

The major contributing items to headline inflation in May 2024 include food and non-alcoholic beverages by 17.59 per cent, housing, water, and electricity, gas & other fuel contributed 5.68 per cent while clothing and footwear stood at 2.60 per cent.

Revealing the rate of increase in the country’s food inflation, NBS revealed that the May food inflation rate reached 40.66 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

The sharp rise in food prices has been attributed to a range of factors affecting various food categories.

The items contributing most to this inflation include Semovita, Oatflake, Yam flour pre-packaged, Garri, Bean, Irish Potatoes, Yam, and Water Yam, amongst others.

Food inflation on a Year-on-Year basis was highest in Kogi (46.32 per cent), Ekiti (44.94 per cent), Kwara (44.66 per cent), while Adamawa (31.72 per cent), Bauchi (34.35 per cent) and Borno (34.74 per cent), recorded the slowest rise.

Subsequently, on a Month-on-Month basis, food inflation was highest in Gombe (4.88 per cent), Kano (4.68 per cent), and Bayelsa (3.62 per cent), while Ondo (0.02 per cent), Yobe (0.95 per cent) and Adamawa (1.02 per cent) recorded the slowest rise.

The Nigeria Labour Congress said the government must accede to its demands on minimum wage based on practical realities in the country.

The NLC also faulted a statement by President Bola Tinubu during a meeting with some governors and members of the National Assembly on the occasion of the nation’s 25th Democracy Day anniversary.

Tinubu had said that the government would only be able to pay its workers what the country can afford.

“Senate president, deputy senate president, you will get a notice from me if I have changed my mind on minimum wage. We are going to do it — what Nigeria can afford, what you can afford, what I can afford. They ask you to cut your coat according to your size if you have size at all,” Tinubu had said.

But in his reaction, the spokesperson of the NLC, Benson Upah, in an interview with our correspondent, described the president’s statement as a contradiction of his promise to pay a living wage.

“This will be in breach of his promise to pay a living wage which is superior to a minimum wage. Moreover, there is unanimity of opinion that government accede to the demand of Labour based on practical realities,” he stated.

Disagreements between the government, Labour, and the Organised Private Sector have continued to brew over the new minimum wage.

During his nationwide broadcast to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Nigeria’s democracy on Wednesday, June 12, Tinubu announced that a consensus had been reached on the long-debated new minimum wage between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour.

In the national broadcast, the President revealed that an executive bill would soon be sent to the National Assembly to formalise the new minimum wage agreement.

He stated, “In this spirit, we have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with Organised Labour on a new national minimum wage. We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less.”

However, in a swift reaction, the Organised Labour stated that it had not reached any agreement with the Federal Government Tripartite Committee on the new minimum wage as claimed by the President.

In a statement on Wednesday, the acting President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Adewale Adeyanju, said there was no agreement reached by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage when negotiations ended on Friday, June 7, 2024.

Adeyanju stated that at the last meetings, the demand remained N250,000 from the Organised Labour and that anything to the contrary won’t be accepted. He said, “Our demand remains N250,000 only, and we have not been given any compelling reasons to change this position which we consider a great concession by Nigerian workers during the tripartite negotiation process.

“We are, therefore, surprised at the submission of Mr President over a supposed agreement. We believe that he may have been misled into believing that there was an agreement with the NLC and TUC. There was none and we must let the President, Nigerians, and other national stakeholders understand this immediately to avoid a mix-up in the ongoing conversation around the national minimum wage.”

However, the state governors have vehemently opposed the offers and demands so far made by the Federal Government, OPS, and Organised Labour on the new minimum wage.

Speaking under their umbrella forum, the governors had maintained that compelling them to pay the minimum wage proposed by both the Federal Government and Labour would have adverse consequences on their delivery of critical infrastructural projects for their states.