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Wike Blasts Labour’s Indifference To Fuel Hike, Insecurity
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has lampooned the labour movement in Nigeria for their indifference to the incessant increment in the pump price of petroleum products, electricity tariffs and the escalating insecurity in the country.
He said labour movement in the country was dead because it has lost its force of engagement with government, adding that the present leadership of organised labour can hardly achieve anything good for the generality of the workforce and Nigerians.
Wike made the assertion at the inauguration of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Secretariat Building, performed by the National President of TUC, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, last Friday in Ozuoba Town, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Rivers State governor observed that the leadership of labour has left substance to pursue shadows, and can hardly speak in a manner that can change or achieve reversal of the many anti-people policies being implemented by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
Wike stated that under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership of labour mobilised Nigerian workers against some of his policies because he was from a minority ethnic group, but has lost its voice under a president from a majority tribe.
“It is unfortunate that labour has abandoned their role in this country. You are chasing things that are personal to you. All over the world, when government is not going the right way, it is labour that comes out to say we cannot allow it. Majority of our people are civil servants and have others to cater for. But since the inception of this government, labour has died.
“Under former President Goodluck Jonathan, labour was alive. They said the country must come down because he is from a minority area. But look at what is happening. There’s increase in fuel pump price, insecurity, and incessant increase of electricity tariffs. Where is labour? Where is TUC? Where is NLC? The only thing I hear is minimum wage”.
He further said, “Let the world hear it, labour has died. Nigerians cannot get anything substantive from you. Labour is like an opposition party. Labour does not work for any ruling government, no. But now, you people are working for the ruling government. Under Jonathan, you mobilised workers to occupy Nigeria. And that is why we say there is so much injustice in this country. Because I come from a place, a minority area, you can treat me anyhow, but when you come from the other side, nobody can touch you. That is not how this country should move forward. Be firm and take decisions and know that what is wrong is wrong. Let Nigerians have confidence in you.”
Speaking on the TUC Building, Wike said his administration has provided the secretariat to strengthen the independence of organised labour so that it can perform its duties effectively.
“Mr President, what we have done here is our own little contribution to make your people independent, and work for the interest of the country, not for the interest of only minimum wage. This minimum wage will come when it will come. No governor is anti-workers. I have brothers and sisters who are civil servants, so, how will I be against them. But we must do things in ways that things are supposed to be done.”
He urged labour to always engage his administration concerning the larger issues that border on workers’ productivity and welfare beyond the demands for check-off dues.
The governor, while reacting to labour’s opposition against National Assembly plan to remove the issue of minimum wage from the Exclusive List to Concurrent List, insisted that workers must realise that the financial capacity of the federating states differ.
“Let us face reality, if we are to operate true federalism, you cannot say that the man who is in Sokoto should earn the same thing with the man who is in Lagos, it is not possible. The house rent in Lagos is more expensive than house rent in Sokoto. You cannot say that the man in Lagos should earn the same thing with the man who is in Rivers. So, people should be very realistic.
“In America, somebody who works in California cannot earn the same with the person working in Chicago. No. You people say Federal Government should fix salary. How can Federal Government fix salary for me? The President did not employ you. I employed you. I sit down with you, we negotiate, and then, you say Federal Government should fix what everybody will earn”.
The governor also agreed to support the Rivers State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress with a take take-off grant of N50million and a vehicle.
Inaugurating the TUC Secretariat, the National President of TUC, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, applauded Wike for completing the project and not abandoning it after the groundbreaking ceremony.
According to Olaleye, the governor’s achievements have made him controversial.
He explained that he was one of those who also castigated Wike for his contributions to the Judiciary but acknowledged that he understands it better now.
Providing a description of the secretariat, the Special Adviser to Governor Wike on Special Projects, Dax George-Kelly, said the two-storey building started two years ago.
“Today, the dream is real. This project is seating on 1,450-square meter of land. The secretariat has 16 offices; it has a 500-capacity auditorium, inclusive of the gallery.
“It has a conference room. It has 14 toilets cut across all the floors. There’s 100KVA generating set, 200KVA transformer already hooked up to the national grid. All offices, conference rooms and auditorium are fully and tastefully furnished”, he added.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.
This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.
The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.
The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.
President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.
The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.
The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.
The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.
Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.
The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.
“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.
“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.
Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.
He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.
“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.
On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.
Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.
He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.
He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.
The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.
Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.
The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.
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