Two individuals were pronounced dead following an explosion involving a suspected Liquefied Natural Gas tanker at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover on the outskirts of Port Harcourt in Rivers state.
The explosion occurred around 9:25 am when the tanker overturned while attempting to navigate the bypass at the flyover.
Almost immediately, it burst into flames, tragically engulfing a salon car with two individuals inside.
This unfortunate incident comes just a month after another devastating explosion caused by a fuel-laden tanker along the Eleme axis of the East-West Road.
The previous accident resulted in the loss of approximately five lives and the destruction of over 60 vehicles.
On the recent occurrence, the PUNCH quoted an eyewitness to have revealed that the two occupants of the car were unable to escape and were tragically burned to death.
“My office is just close by here. It was a terrible sight. Two persons inside a salon car parked nearby were burnt beyond recognition.
“The tanker was trying to negotiate through the flyover when it fell and the explosion occurred,” the eyewitness said.
Rivers Tanker Explosion
It is worth noting that the Obiri-Kwere flyover leads to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in the Ikwerre local government area of the state.
Another eyewitness, who identified himself as Lucky, said the sound of the explosion spread to residential areas near the flyover and caused panic.
He stated, ‘It was about past 9 am that I was driving towards the University of Port Harcourt that I saw the flames.
“I quickly made a u-turn because I was driving. Many vehicles started making a detour to avoid the scene of the fire, somewhere even videoing the fire with their phones”.
Confirming the explosion, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, “Yes, I can confirm that two persons died in the tanker fire. Myself and the Commissioner of Police, are on the ground as I speak to you.
“The fire has been put out but the area is still dangerous because the gas is still licking.
“So motorists are advised to take alternative routes to avoid any further casualty. The investigation is ongoing. “
The Senate on Tuesday promised to fast track its consideration and passage of a new Minimum Wage Bill for the country.
This is even as the Red Chamber commended the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress for suspending its indefinite strike for one week.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made these remarks during plenary in Abuja.
Akpabio’s comments followed a motion calling on the NLC and TUC to suspend the strike.
The motion was sponsored by Senator Diket Plang (PDP – Plateau Central), who chairs the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment.
However, during debate on the motion, information got to the chamber that the NLC and TUC have suspended their strike action for one week to allow for further negotiations with the Federal Government.
Following the information, the Senate stepped down the motion.
Akpabio said: “Taking it (motion) will mean that we are jumping the gun and we are trying to settle the issues for them.
“There are many variables that they will look at – capacity to pay and the ability of states, local governments and private sector to even pay.
“They will also be looking at the fact that if the minimum wage is too high, then the possibility of retrenchment of workers will occur and I think they will do comparative analysis to know that the last minimum wage which was fixed at N30,000.00 by this parliament as an Act of the National Assembly, how many states were able to pay? How many local governments were able to pay? How many employers were able to pay?
“We’ll be looking at those things because it’s important that holistic approach be looked at and I have taken the suggestion that we should not rest until we arrive at an amicable resolution of the issue and that the National Assembly should also continue to make its own contributions towards the ongoing negotiations.
“On that note, I want to thank the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress for listening to the voice of Nigerians and the international community by calling off the strike to enable negotiations to continue and we wish them well in the negotiations.
“On our part, we will continue to do our best by making contributions and at the same time awaiting the incoming Bill on Minimum Wage for us to enact for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
This was confirmed by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, in a statement.
The statement, which was released on Tuesday, stated further that Prof. Kalilu is to serve as substantive vice chancellor for a single term of five years, with effect from June 12, 2024.
Recall that the governing council of the institution forwarded the name of the VC to Governor Makinde last week.
He said that the government looks forward to his hard work, diligence, and professionalism in realizing its mission for the institution.
Prof Kalilu is a well-established figure in the world of art and art history.
He joined the service of LAUTECH on September 1, 1992, and was pronounced a Professor of Arts and Arts History in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, twenty-four years ago on October 1, 1999, and was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor on June 12, 2023.
Kalilu, an alumnus of the prestigious University of Ife and the University of Ibadan, is a polymath and specialist in form and material technology. His administrative skills and leadership experiences are intense, integrous and ambidextrous.
He was the Head of Department of Fine and Applied Arts from 1998 to 2003; Dean of Faculty of Environmental Sciences from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2012 to 2016; Chairman, Committee of Deans in 2004; and from 2004 to 2006 the Chairman, Committee of Deans and Provosts; he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH between 2006 and 2008.
Professor Kalilu is a recipient of many national and international prizes and awards, which include: the Gold Medal in the 1978–1979 All Africa Painting Contest; Elected Membership of the New York Academy of Sciences in recognition of his contributions to Science and Technology; Merit Prize in International Postage Stamp Design Contest in 1997; the Outstanding People of the 20th Century Outstanding Achievement Medal in 2000; and the Twentieth Century Achievement Award in 2001.
His other prizes and awards include his selection as one of the 1000 Leaders of World Influence for the 21st century in year 2000 and the distinguished and exceptional Universal Award of Accomplishment in 2000. Furthermore, he received the Development in Nigeria Merit Award in 2006.
Professor Rom Kalilu is a member of several academic and intellectual organisations, which include the Australian Ceramic Society, and the International Association of Astronomical Artists. and is a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists.
Fifty miners have been reportedly feared trapped at a mining site in Niger state. The incident occurred after a torrential rainfall on Sunday in Galkogo community in Shiroro local government area of the state.
Our Correspondent reliably gathered that the site belongs to “African Minerals and Logistics Limited.”
An impeccable source told our Correspondent that one person has already been confirmed dead while six others are also confirmed to have heard various degrees of injuries.
Meanwhile, an excavator has already been sent to the area for rescue operations.
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu said yesterday that the completion of critical infrastructure projects across Nigeria by his administration was a clear example of what the country was capable of achieving when its leaders decide to work together towards a common goal, irrespective of political divide and personal interest.
Accordingly, he noted that the commissioning of the expanded outer southern expressway, OSEX, completed by the FCT administration, was a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership that goes beyond political and other affiliations.
The President stated this at the presidential commissioning ceremony of the full-scope development of OSEX from Villa roundabout to Ring road 1 (RR1) in Abuja.
Tinubu, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that the expanded outer southern expressway held profound significance for the FCT, its residents and visitors.
“The completion of this project is not only a piece of engineering but a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership.
‘’It is a shining example of what we can accomplish when we work together towards a common goal, transcending political divide and personal interest for the greater good of our nation,” he declared.
“I thank the Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and his team for quickening development and giving the residents of Abuja renewed hope,” he stated, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians,” he added.
Airline activities have fully resumed at the Murtala Muhammad Airport’s local wing in Lagos.
Naija News reports that this follows the suspension of the nationwide industrial strike by the organized labour group.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced on Tuesday (today) the suspension of the strike that began on Monday.
The strike resulted in the halt of all flight activities throughout the nation as the aviation unions participated in the walkout.
Nonetheless, airlines have begun to resume their services after losing a full day by grounding their planes.
According to Daily Trust, reporters who visited the MMA2 on Tuesday by 11:00 am, observed that numerous passengers were waiting at the entrance for the Labor Union to cancel the strike.
However, with the strike put on hold for a week, flight operations are slowly picking up.
As of the moment this report was written, a ValueJet flight to Abuja was preparing to take off, and another was scheduled for Port Harcourt.
It was further observed that the airport was relatively quiet after the strike was called off, but there are signs that operations are starting to get back to normal.
In a separate statement, the General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Ocheme Aba, confirmed the end of the labour strike, saying all members have been mobilized back to their offices.
“Due to the agreement with the presidency, the strike will be relaxed for one week starting from now to enable the tripartite committee concluded deliberations on the minimum wage negotiation so, flight operations will resume now, have resumed actually because all the blockages have been removed,” he said.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has acknowledged Muhammadu Sanusi II as the rightful ruler of the Kano emirate amidst the ongoing power struggle for the throne.
Besides the recognition from all district heads in Kano’s 44 local government areas, council chairmen, commissioners, and prominent Kano and Nigerian citizens, the NBA has also affirmed Sanusi’s status as the 16th Emir of Kano by inviting him to their ongoing annual conference in Kano.
The conference, held at Amani Event Centre in Kano, was attended by notable figures including the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Aboki, and other legal luminaries.
This event marks the first annual NBA conference for the entire northern region.
In light of the event’s significance, the NBA extended an official invitation to Emir Sanusi, requesting his presence, royal blessing, and an address to the attendees.
Emir Sanusi, speaking at the NBA conference through his representative Mahe Bashir Wali (the Walin Kano), warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted Kano’s long, enviable history as a cultural and commercial nerve center of the northern region.
The monarch stated that the conference’s theme, ‘Administration of Justice in Nigeria: Challenges and Reforms,’ was apt, emphasizing that peace, a prerequisite for progress and development, can only be achieved through justice in the land.
State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf saw the conference as a good opportunity to challenge NBA members on the conflicting court orders regarding the Kano emirate tussle, emphasizing that the case is purely a state affair.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Bappa Bichi, the governor urged legal practitioners at the conference to tell their clients the truth about bad cases, even if it is bitter, rather than satisfying them by pursuing actions outside the ambit of the law.
To tackle the challenges facing the administration of justice in Nigeria, the Governor emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and implementing comprehensive judicial reforms.
Barrister O.M. Femi, speaking on the emirate tussle, noted that while the NBA is aware of the situation, it’s crucial for the court to decide to prevent further grievances among involved parties, setting a precedent for future cases.
He emphasized that the current Emir of Kano is His Royal Majesty Muhammadu Sanusi II, evident from his representation at the ongoing NBA annual conference, which signifies the recognition accorded to him by legal practitioners.
Barr Femi said “The NBA is not unaware of what is happening, but it is good that the court is to decide, so that non of the parties involved would be aggrieved again. The ruling will set a precedence for lawyers and judges on such matters.
“However, you don’t need to be told or to wear binoculars to see that His Royal Majesty Muhammadu Sanusi II is the current Emir of Kano.
“Nothing explains this fact more than what could be deduced from the ongoing NBA’s annual conference attended by Muhammadu Sanusi II by proxy. The recognition accorded him by the legal practitioners of our land tells it all.”
The Organised Labour has suspended its nationwide strike for five days to allow uninterrupted meetings with the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage.
This new development was disclosed to Vanguard by a top source among the labour union leaders under the condition of anonymity.
Previously reported on the new resolutions regarding the minimum wage after Labour leaders met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and other government officials on Monday night. During the meeting, Akume confirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to paying more than N60,000 as the minimum wage.
He also assured that no worker would face repercussions for participating in the strike and that the tripartite committee would convene daily for the next week to finalize the new minimum wage.
Following the scheduled 10 a.m. meeting with the FG Tripartite Committee today (Tuesday), Labour decided to suspend the strike. Consequently, all government and private offices are expected to reopen and operate as usual.
This development marks a critical step towards resolving the minimum wage issue, ensuring that the tripartite committee can work towards an agreeable National Minimum Wage without further disruptions.
Petrol Hits 176.02% Per Litre Price Increase As Nigeria Quietly Resume Payment Of Fuel Subsidy – Experts Reveal
Admin
The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate that the average national petrol price has risen by 176.02 per cent year over year (YoY), from N701.24 per litre in April 2024 to N254.06 per litre in the same month of 2023.
On a month-to-month, or MoM, comparison, there was a 0.64 per cent increase from N696.79 per litre in March 2024.
Naija News reports that in the last few months, the price of foodstuffs and other commodities has skyrocketed due to the high cost of fuel across the country.
This development has further worsened the country’s economic challenges, as some businesses find it difficult to cope with the price changes, though recently, the price of petrol dropped.
However, there are indications that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, has increased significantly year-on-year. In May 2024, the landing cost of PMS rose by 46.8% to N1,026.71 per litre, compared to N545.83 per litre in the same period of 2023.
It is important to note that the landing cost does not include additional expenses such as depot-related charges, transportation logistics, and marketers’ margins.
When these costs are taken into account, the total cost of delivering petrol to filling stations is estimated to be nearly N1,052.39 per litre, assuming an exchange rate of N1,510 to a dollar (resulting in a differential of N458.71 per litre).
These findings contradict the federal government’s claim that petrol subsidies have been eliminated under the Bola Tinubu administration.
Sources within the oil marketing industry have informed Energy Vanguard that the landing cost for June is expected to increase further due to worsening factors that contributed to the rise in May.
Furthermore, foreign exchange scarcity and a deteriorating exchange rate have been highlighted as major concerns. Additionally, the cost of fuel imports has risen in response to recent increases in international crude oil prices.
According to Vanguard, a transactional analysis conducted recently by a major operator revealed that marketers are currently paying a total direct cost of N1,052.39 per litre.
The breakdown reveals that the product cost per litre is N1,026.71, with additional costs such as freight (Lome-Lagos) at N10.37, port charges at N7.37, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) levy of N4.47, storage cost at N2.58, Marine insurance cost at N0.47, fendering cost at N0.36, and miscellaneous expenses at N0.06, along with a finance cost totalling N28.04.
The detailed analysis indicates that the landing cost of 28,000 metric tons of imported petrol exceeds $25 million, encompassing the total product cost, total direct cost, and total finance cost.
This could potentially yield sales revenue of over N39 billion, highlighting a loss of more than N19 billion.
In light of these findings, marketers have expressed concerns about the lack of profitability in importing at the current pump price, especially with the absence of a guaranteed free float of pump prices by the government.
Consequently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) remains the sole importer of the product.
The situation is further exacerbated as Nigerians grapple with the rising cost of living due to increased transportation expenses, leading to higher prices of goods and services nationwide.
Nigeria Still Paying Fuel Subsidy
In a recent chat with journalists, the Managing Director/CEO of Pinnacle Oil, Robert Dickerman, mentioned that Nigeria is currently spending approximately N1 trillion each month on petrol subsidies.
He highlighted the significant subsidy that is still in place, which results in the product being sold at a lower price and leads to smuggling activities to neighbouring countries.
He added: “The consequences of this subsidy are: the cost of gasoline in Nigeria is the lowest in Africa by far, which encourages smuggling out, further depriving Nigeria of value. Smuggling causes Nigeria to subsidize neighbouring countries even while our economy struggles. The cost is hurting the entire budget, federal and state, as critical programs cannot be funded to pay this subsidy. It is currently calculated to be about 1 trillion Naira/month.”
In the meantime, the Nigerian government has quietly reinstated the payment of subsidies on petrol, also known as premium motor spirit (PMS), as reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF recently released its Post Financing Assessment report on Nigeria, highlighting its concerns over the government’s decision to set price limits for fuel at retail stations.
To ensure efficient governance, the global financial institution advised President Tinubu’s administration to cease all subsidies on petrol, emphasizing that this practice disproportionately benefits the wealthy at the expense of the less privileged.
Indigenous people of Lagos State have said they will never be part of the Western Region or Province, should a purported Bill seeking Nigeria’s return to the regional government system turn out to be true.
The natives, under the aegis of the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, said this in a statement released by Prince Adelani Adeniji-Adele.
The statement was reacting to a proposed Bill seeking approval of the National Assembly to return Nigeria to an already defunct regional system, which it said is set to be considered by the House of Representatives.
Although the National Assembly has distanced itself from such a Bill, the group insisted that Lagos State people will not go with the Western Region.
The purported Bill which went viral on social media was titled: “A bill for an act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
According to the group, the purported Bill was said to have been drafted by an individual, who is reportedly not a federal lawmaker and from whose mouth it slipped that “if Nigeria could return to the old national anthem, why should it not also return to the regional state system of government?”
But De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, unconvinced by the denial, insisted on its position informed by the experience of its leaders in the character of South West people who are now finding it difficult to own up to their plans after they were exposed and what they planned to do with the bill, for reasons best known to them, has been revealed before the plan is hatched.
The group said, “This bill that is being proposed or suggested spells an ominous sign to us from Lagos State. It is a further attempt to subsume our aspiration into a larger group that is antithetical to whatever we believe in as indigenes of the state. The first and most important is that vast consultations were not held on the matter to find out if being submerged into another subgroup is a thing we desire. It cannot be generally assumed. Generally, and since Lagos and its environs became a colony, we have always maintained that we prefer a stand-alone status and not be part of any Western Region or Province.”
[Leadership]
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The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Adewale Bashir Adeniyi has raised an alarm over alleged moves by some people he described as “faceless individuals” to distract him from his duties by attempting to spread misleading information about his record of service.
Adeniyi made the allegation while reacting to an enquiry by the Daily Trust on his record of public service since leaving school, based on some documents made available to this newspaper, including his academic qualifications, and records of his days at the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) before joining the NCS.
Asked whether there were some irregularities in his records as alleged by some individuals, he said that he had nothing to hide, saying that he was aware that certain individuals (not named) were out to distract him from carrying out his lawful duties.
He said that he rose to the pinnacle of his career through hard work, dedication and sacrifice, with unblemished record of service, adding that “when you set out to fight corruption in a clime like ours, corruption will always fight back”.
The Customs CG said together with his team, he is dedicating his energy and expertise to helping to actualise President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of building a stronger and more virile economy for the country.
“I want to assure you that I will not be distracted at all,” he said.
One of the documents made available to Daily Trust indicated that in documenting for the Customs job, Adeniyi did not carry forward his years of service in the NRC.
Those who made available the documents alleged that he ought to have eased himself from the public service, as he had attained the retirement ceiling both by age and his years in service.
According to the documents, the Customs CG was born on January 19, 1964, and he reached 60 years of age on January 19, 2024, by which time he should have retired based on public service rules.
Another document showed that after graduating from the Modakeke High School, in 1979, when he wrote the West African School Certificate, he was employed into the service of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in 1981.
It indicated that he was with the NRC as a casual worker up till 1990, when he was employed into the service of the NCS as an officer.
Daily Trust confirmed from some sources that it was midway into his engagement with the NRC as a casual worker that Adeniyi applied and secured permission to pursue further studies to foster his chances of upward mobility in public service.
He was admitted into the Obafemi Awolowo University, where he read International Relations from 1984 to 1988, after which he returned to continue work until his employment in the Nigeria Customs Service in 1990.
Thereafter, he bagged a Master of Arts Degree in Communication Science at the Universitaire Svizzera D’Italiana (USI) – Lugano-Switzerland, in November 2013.
A summary of his career profile showed that he was a deputy comptroller-general with cognate experience in Customs administration covering strategic and operational responsibilities.
“He possesses a deep understanding of the complex and constantly evolving international trade landscape. He has a strong command of customs regulations, laws, and procedures as well as the ability to navigate and adapt to changing policies and regulations.
“He has demonstrated excellent communication and leadership skills responsible for leading teams of customs officials, working closely with stakeholders across a variety of industries,” it said.
His record of service showed that he won former President Muhammadu Buhari’s admiration for bursting an attempt to smuggle $8.07 million out of the country sometime in February, 2020, through the E-Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s tarmac, while he was Comptroller at the airport.
President Tinubu, on Monday, 19 June 2023, appointed Adeniyi as the new Acting Comptroller General of the NCS.
He was appointed alongside other service chiefs. He succeeded Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd).
In a statement issued by the then Director of Information, Mr Willie Bassey, on behalf of the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, the appointed service chiefs including that of the CGC, were in acting capacity pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It said Adeniyi joined the Customs Service over three decades ago, and had served in different capacities, including being the longest-serving National Public Relations Officer from June 2003 to May 2011; he also served as Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja,” the statement had said.
Subsequently, on October 20, 2023, President Tinubu confirmed Adeniyi as the substantive Comptroller General of Customs.
[DailyTrust]
The Organised Labour has called on its members to remind them that the strike which commenced yesterday will continue today pending the outcome of a meeting with the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage by 10am.
Labour whose leaders had a successful meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, and other government officials on Monday reached a resolution that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to a new minimum wage higher than N60,000.
Vanguard had reported how Organised Labour negotiators had walked out of the meeting for a third time, over the refusal by the government to make a new offer beyond N60,000.
It was gathered that the negotiations hit a brick wall when the government and the organized private sector, OPS, remained adamant on the N60,000 offer they made earlier on last week.
In view of the above, FG through SGF resolved that it would offer a new minimum wage higher than 60,000 proposed earlier.
However, reminding its members that the strike continues today, Labour via its X Platform, said: “Until we hear from Our Organs at our Meeting scheduled for today 4th June , We are still on Strike”.
Recall that banks, schools, markets and other business activities across the country were grounded yesterday due to the nationwide strike declared by the Organised Labour.
Like the Portuguese phrase “A luta continua; vitória é certa”, meaning “The struggle continues; victory is certain”, Labour hopes to be victorious in its quest for a living minimum wage for all Nigerians.
[Vanguard]
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says the strike which began on June 3 and paralysed government and commercial activities nationwide will enter its second day today.
Labour had declared the strike over a new minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariff for Band A customers.
On Monday night, the federal government and organised labour reached an agreement on a new minimum wage that will be “above N60,000”.
The statement from the meeting was however silent on the duration of the strike and electricity tariff hike.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000,” the statement from the meeting reads.
“II. Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage;
“III. Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment;
“IV. No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action.”
The agreement was signed by representatives of government and leaders of organised labour.
On Tuesday, the NLC announced on X that the strike was still on.
“Until we hear from Our Organs at our Meeting scheduled for today 4th June, We are still on Strike,” the post reads.
“Until we get Consent from our NEC meeting, We are still on strike.”
The strike by labour has affected health services, the power sector, the national assembly and airport operations.
[TheCable]
Minimum Wage: Resolutions Reached As FG, NLC, TUC Sign Agreement, Details Of Meeting Emerges
AFOLABI
The tripartite meeting of the National Minimum Wage Committee, which started at about 5pm on Monday, concerning a potential increase in the minimum wage, has concluded at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The meeting had delegations from the federal government and the organized labour in attendance.
At the end of the meeting, which lasted for about five hours, the federal government and the labour unions – Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), reached some agreements which were documented and signed by all parties.
At the end of the meeting, SGF George Akume, who briefed newsmen on the outcome of discussions, revealed that President Bola Tinubu is committed to a minimum wage higher than ₦60,000.
Below are highlights of resolutions reached at the meeting.
1. PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU IS COMMITTED TO MORE THAN ₦60,000 MINIMUM WAGE.
2. NO WORKER WILL BE VICTIMISED AS A RESULT OF THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION.
3. WE HAVE HAD A REALISTIC AND PRODUCTIVE MEETING.
4. TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE TO MEET DAILY FOR ONE WEEK.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on behalf of the federal government, while the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, signed on behalf of organized labour.
NLC, TUC Give Update On Strike After Meeting
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) are set to convene on Tuesday to consult their members and make a decision regarding the ongoing nationwide strike.
This follows the conclusion of the meeting between the labour leaders and the federal government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, on Monday.
The labour unions had embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday over the dispute with the federal government on the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
However, Akume summoned the labour leaders to a meeting during which resolutions were reached on fast-tracking the process of arriving at a conclusion on a new minimum wage.
Organized labour will meet their organs on Tuesday and decide on the strike.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has called on Organised Labour to halt its ongoing nationwide strike, which has significantly disrupted economic activities across Nigeria.
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, Onyejeocha emphasized the extensive economic losses incurred since the strike’s onset, affecting businesses, airports, universities, hospitals, and the power sector.
During her appearance, she highlighted the complexities in determining a new minimum wage, noting that it involves not only the Federal Government but also state governments and the Organised Private Sector.
She pointed out that the aftermath of the strike’s first 24 hours had brought considerable hardship to Nigerians, urging the labour unions to return to the negotiating table.
The minister stressed the impracticality of the ₦494,000 wage demand by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), indicating that several state governments are still struggling to meet the ₦30,000 minimum wage set in 2019.
She argued that any new wage agreement must reflect the economic realities, including the productivity and financial capabilities of employers.
Onyejeocha urged the unions to consider the ₦60,000 offer proposed by the government and the private sector, cautioning that the higher demand could exacerbate the already high inflation rate, which stands at 33.69%.