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Minimum Wage:Labour Gives Buhari, FG Dec 31 Date For Report Submission …SSANIP Issues 3-Week Ultimatum, Plans National Strike …As Aggrieved NASS Workers Suspend Strike

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The organised labour, yesterday, said that the Federal Government has before or on December 31 to send the tripartite committee report on N30,000 minimum wage to the National Assembly. Ayuba Wabba, NLC President Minimum Wage:
The three labour centres, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC) took the decision after a joint meeting in Lagos.
The organised labour gave the ultimatum following President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that a “high powered technical committee” would be set up to device ways to ensure that its implementation did not lead to an increase in the level of borrowing.
Buhari spoke at the presentation of 2019 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday.
The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, who addressed newsmen after the meeting, said that setting up a technical committee could not be a condition for passing the minimum wage report to the National Assembly.
Accoridng to Wabba, the organised labour cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony in the country if the wage report was not passed for implementation on or before Dec. 31.
“We reject in its entirety the plan to set up another `high powered technical committee’ on the minimum wage. It is diversionary and a delay tactics.
“The national minimum wage committee was both technical and all-encompassing in its compositions and plan. To set up another technical committee is alien to the tripartite process.
“It is also alien to the International Labour Organisations’ conventions on national minimum wage setting mechanism,’’ he said.
The labour leader said that issues on payment of minimum wage was a law that was universal, citing that other African countries like, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa had increased their minimum wage this year.
“If you increase minimum wage, you are increasing the purchasing power of the economy which will help to reduce inflation rather than increase it,’’ Wabba said.
He urged workers to be vigilant and prepare to campaign and vote against candidates and politicians who are not willing to implement the new minimum wage.
Mr Joe Ajaero, President of ULC, also called on the government to send the report to lawmakers so that the implementation of the new minimum wage report would begin without delay.
Ajaero said that all affiliate members of the organised labour had been informed to be alert ahead of the Dec. 31 notice if the government failed to submit the report.
The organised labour had planned to go on a nationwide strike on Nov. 6, following the Federal Government’s delay to accept the N30,000 minimum wage agreement.
Meanwhile, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has given the Federal Government a three-week ultimatum within which to resume “re-negotiation” with its national executive to avert a nationwide industrial action by its members.
SSANIP, according to a release made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Adebanjo Ogunsipe, said the resolution was made at its 58th National Executive Councils/General Executive meeting held at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi State.
Ogunsipe said the Association frowned at the apathy and continued delay of the re-negotiation of the 2010 agreement the Federal government had with all unions in the polytechnic sector.
In a similar vein, the senior polytechnic administrators called on the National Assembly to expedite actions on the bill for the review of polytechnic Act, noting that the challenges confronting the polytechnic sector would abate if the bill is passed.
SSANIP expressed great displeasure over what it described as gross inadequate funding of state polytechnics and similar institutions by some state governors.
It urged state governors to live up to their responsibilities by adequately funding their respective polytechnics.
The polytechnics senior workers lamented the state of insecurity in the country with particular reference to the kidnap and death of its members at Oshun State College of Technology, Esa Oke and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and called on the Federal government to check the spate of insecurity across the nation.
On discrimination against HND holders, SSANIP’s apex body condemned in strong terms, the continued discrimination and marginalization of HND holders in the labour market, especially, by public and private organizations despite the abolition of the HND/B.SCdichotomy by the federal government.
It urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the federal government policy on the abolition of HND/BSC dichotomy.
In related development, the four-day warning strike called by aggrieved workers of the National Assembly has been suspended, our correspondent report.
The workers had under the auspices of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), last Monday commenced the action in protest of their unpaid 28 percent consolidated legislative salary structure (CONLESS), approved since 2010, as well as other issues bordering on poor conditions of service.
ýAddressing news men in Abuja to update the public about on the warning strike, the Chairman of PASAN Comrade Musa Muhammed Bature and other union leaders disclosed that the strike action had been suspended as some of their demands were being addressed by the management.
According to him, the management had agreed to implement 28 percent increment in the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) after lengthy discussions with the workers and that its payment would start from January next year.
He further disclosed that on the review of condition of service, the management had confirmed that both the two Chambers of the National Assembly had passed the document and that the process of harmonisation had commenced and would be formalised as soon as the document was endorsed.
The union leader explained that on the issue of promotions, the management vigorously agreed that outstanding letters of promotion would be released as soon as work resumes while on the issue of no vacancy, a committee was set up with the union to identify available vacancies before the end of the year 2018.
Speaking on the constitution of the Commissioners of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), he said that the names of the nominees had been forwarded to the President for appointment.
The Union said that they continue negotiations with the management on those issues and thanked the workers for their commitment to ensure the success of the strike.
They had issued a notice of strike to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Secretariat of National Assembly Service Commission on Friday December 14, 2018.

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Independence Anniversary:  Nigeria Is A Failed Grandfather – Monarch 

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A first class traditional ruler in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Ikuru, has described Nigeria at 65 as a grandfather who cannot provide leadership to other African Countries.

The monarch  stated this in an interview at his palace in Ikuru Town, yesterday.

According to him, Nigeria would have been a  developed country to set the pace in the whole of Africa, considering its numerous resources.

“Nigeria is a grandfather but not behaving as a grandfather. Our country, Nigeria, before and from the era of Independence was in the state of becoming a great country, but unfortunately is not becoming anything.

“We should be far ahead with what we have in the country. God blessed us, we have almost what it takes in terms of mineral resources, manpower amongst others that can drive speedy development in the country.

“If we’re able to harness all the things we have, even America by now would have respected us”, he  said.

While blaming the past leaders of the country, the monarch called on the current leadership of the country to redouble efforts in order to narrow the differences in terms of development, exchange rate between naira and foreign currencies.

King Ikuru, who is also the Chairman of Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council, however, lauded the efforts of the founding fathers, past leaders of the country for the achievements so  far.

He also expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great, calling on the opinion leaders to shun tribalism and political intolerance in the country.

 

“If Nigeria should experience rapid development in all sectors, it means we must shun tribalism and political intolerance, the interest of our country must be our priority.

“We need to fight corruption vigorously, and leaders must show good example of discipline and integrity”, he said.

The monarch used the opportunity to wish Nigeria happy independence anniversary.

By: Enoch Epelle 

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FG begins payment of N32,000 pension increment to retirees – PTAD

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The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has announced the start of implementation of the new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, saying the adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.

In a statement signed by Management and posted on its X handle, PTAD said the increase package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, which will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under its management.

Recall that PTAD in August announced President Bola Tinubu approved a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under DBS.

The approval follows a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, seeking an emergency budgetary allocation to implement pension reforms and welfare benefits for the scheme’s retirees.

The measures include a N32,000 pension increment, percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies, pension harmonisation for all DBS pensioners, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.

In a statement yesterday, PTAD said the partial release of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency funding has made it possible for pensioners to begin receiving the enhanced payments immediately.

The statement read, “Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.

“This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government.

“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The directorate thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation.

It also acknowledged the role of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation and key presidential aides and parliamentary committees for their “timely interventions” and support.

The statement also expressed appreciation to organised pension groups, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their cooperation during negotiations and implementation planning.

“We further assure all our DBS Pensioners and Stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,” the statement added.

The DBS covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.

Over the years, many have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access, challenges that the new reforms are expected to address.

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Nigeria At 65: NOA urges citizens to foster unity, progress

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The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigeria. citizens to remain united, peaceful to enhance development of the  nation  as it celebrates 65th independence anniversary.

Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, Director of NOA in Akwa Ibom,  gave the charge in Uyo yesterday while addressing newsmen and stakeholders to mark the anniversary.

Mkpoutom said it was essential to recognise that the strength of Nigeria lay  in its diversity

“With over 250 ethnic groups and an array of languages, the nation embodies a unique blend of heritage.

“This diversity should be seen not as a dividing line but as a unifying force that propels the country toward progress.

“As Akwa Ibom embarks on another year,  it is crucial for all citizens to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose.

“Embrace dialogue, understanding and collaborate with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu in its efforts to addressing pressing challenges like poverty, security, education, and healthcare, thereby paving  way for a brighter future for all.”

The state director, however, appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to renew their commitment to a more prosperous, peaceful, and equitable nation.

“Let this anniversary serve as a reminder of the collective strength that lies in every citizen,” he said.

He urged everyone to contribute positively to the development of a better society.

Mkpoutom urged the people and all citizens to honour the labours of heroes past, as they celebrated the present, while working diligently toward a future filled with hope and opportunities for generations to come.

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