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Wike Canvasses Minimum Wage On States’ Ability To Pay

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that Nigerian workers would be better off when states are allowed to fix their separate minimum wages in line with their financial capacity to pay.
Speaking during a public hearing on the new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers for the South-South geo-political zone in Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike said that states vary in financial capacity, thereby making a uniform minimum wage unrealistic.
The governor said: “And for us, therefore, the single national minimum wage system is yet another lie that betrays the distortions in our federation and the structured dislocation of the states in the power equation between the Federal Government and the federating states.
“It is our view that the country and its workers would be better off, if states are allowed to fix and pay their own minimum wages indexed to the prevailing cost of living and ability to pay.
“When this happens, it is possible that some states may go beyond the minimum threshold to pay a living wage, which is what our workers truly need”, he argued.
Wike said that the previous review exercise failed to give maximum weight to the existing disparity in economic potential and capabilities among the 36 states of the federation, adding that it has been difficult for most of the states to implement the existing N18, 000.00 minimum wage.
He noted that majority of the states were within the fringes of financial viability, and cannot meet their salary obligations to civil servants without bailouts from the Federal Government.
The governor said that enhanced wages can only be possible when the Federal Government improves the economy of the federation.
He said: “Here in Rivers State, we value our workers; we invest in their welfare in different ways, and we want them to earn living wages that can keep them and their families as comfortable as possible.
“The Rivers State Government, therefore, supports the ongoing consultations by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage for arriving at a new national minimum wage floor for the country.”
In his contribution, Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom called for a review of the revenue sharing formula.
Represented by the state Head of Service (HOS), Mrs Ekerebong Akpan, the governor said the present minimum wage was not adequate for today’s workers.
“Today, workers’ wage cannot take them home. There is the need to note what each state can pay.” he said.
According to Udom, government would be able to “absolve” the difference between the present N18, 000 minimum wage and the proposed N66, 500.
He said that the Federal Government could increase workers’ salary without publicity, adding that it could be done without announcing it.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige said the exercise has been held across the six geo-political zones to ascertain the needs of Nigerian workers and employers to reach an acceptable and implementable wage.
The minister said: “It is hoped that at the end of the exercise, we will be able to have women and men who will be engaged in productive work in equitable conditions of freedom to associate and bargain collectively with equality and human dignity”.
Ngige, who is also the chairman of Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, said the aim was to ensure that the nation adopts a national minimum wage that would assure the attainment of social protection floor for Nigerian citizens.
“The Federal Government wants a minimum wage that could secure goods (food) and services for Nigerian workers.
“At the end of the public hearing, we will collate contributions and arrive at an acceptable wage for Nigerian workers,” Ngige said.
Presenting the position of Nigerian Labour Congress in the South-South, Comrade Beatrice Itubo called for a living wage for workers, emphasising that the organised labour in Rivers State was insisting on N66,500 as national minimum wage for the workers in the country.
Itubo argued that the existing N18, 000 minimum wage was of no economic significance in the present economic situation.
“It is not a take home because of deductions, among others tax,’’ Itubo added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Austine Jonathan, said the proposed N66, 500 was not “a take home due to deductions – tax, and compulsory pension contributions.
Jonathan, who represented the TUC in the South-South, noted that part of the proposed N66, 500 would go to healthcare, saying the menacing black soot was killing Rivers workers (residents).
He pleaded that pensioners should be considered in the new wage regime, arguing that some pensioners received below N10, 000 per month.
Both labour leaders also demanded upward review of workers’ salary every five years as well as building of social infrastructure to check high cost of living.
The public hearing attracted the representatives of the governors of Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Delta states.
Also present at the meeting were labour leaders from the six states of the geo-political zone.

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May Day: Labour Seeks Inclusiveness In Policy-making 

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The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.

The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.

The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.

Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.

He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights  of workers by some agents

According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.

Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.

“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.

“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.

“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said

Ajaero, therefore,  urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.

He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to  demand better conditions is non-negotiable.

“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”

Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.

He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.

 

 

 

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2025 UTME: JAMB Disowns Site Requesting Payment From Candidates

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.

The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.

“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.

“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.

“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.

” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.

“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.

Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.

According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.

He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.

He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.

He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”

“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.

“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.

“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.

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NDDC Seeks UN’s Support To Accelerate Niger Delta Development

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.

Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.

According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.

He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.

“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.

Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.

He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.

“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.

“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.

The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.

Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.

In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.

He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.

“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.

“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.

He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.

 

 

 

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