Politics

Reps Task FG On Living Wage For Nigerian Workers

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2024

Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday tasked the Federal Government on the need to accede to clarion call by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) by providing living wage for workers across the country.
This is as the lawmakers warned that, “unless very immediate and pragmatic steps are taken to improve the income of Nigerians, more Nigerians will go down the economic line, with the poor population increasing. This in effect, would lead to desperation and a loss of faith in the government.”
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Bamidele Salam and 36 other lawmakers, who affirmed that “presently, no labourer can live in Nigeria with a wage of less than N100,000.”
Leading the debate, Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Aliyu Madaki expressed grave concern over the rising rate of inflation in the country, which has made it difficult for the average Nigerian to afford basic needs such as food, water, housing, education, healthcare, transportation and clothing.
“The House also notes that the rising inflationary rate in the country has also had a negative effect on the cost of living, with the cost of food, accommodation, education, and transportation skyrocketing.
“The House is aware that Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Article 23 of the Declaration states that ‘every individual who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration to ensure such a person and his or her family exist in dignity’.
“The House is also aware that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have a 2030 achievement deadline, and eight out of the 17 SDGs of the United Nations require the payment of a living wage to be achieved.
“The House recalls that when the fuel subsidy was removed in May 2023, the federal government offered palliatives to cushion its effects. However, the ameliorative effect of this measure has been overtaken by the continued nse in the cost of goods and services.
“The House is further aware that the minimum wage (in Nigeria) was increased by the President recently, but the purchasing power is low owing to the continued rise in the cost of living in the country and the fall of the Naira.
“The House is again aware that Trade Economics in 2018 reported the living wage for an individual Nigerian and a Nigerian family to be N43.200 per month and N137,600 per month, respectively. This is a pre-subsidy removal report:
“The House further notes that presently no labourer can live in Nigeria with a wage of less than one hundred thousand Naira.
“The House is concerned that according to the World Bunk report, low purchasing power in the country occasioned by a huge inflationary rate, thus led to an increase in poverty across the country.
“The House also recalls that the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives had on September 29, 2023, at the State Banquet in Abuja, opined that it is only a living wage that can ameliorate the insecurity and corruption pervading the country.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

18 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

6 days ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

King Onunwor

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

2 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.

The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.