The Nigerian Governors’ Forum has called for increased recruitment into security agencies and the adoption of technology-driven solutions to tackle the worsening security situation in the country.

Naija News reports that the forum, led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, made the announcement following their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

The communiqué was read by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

Uzodimma highlighted that the governors have set up a committee to work alongside security agencies in order to implement a joint strategy aimed at addressing the rising tide of killings, particularly in states like Benue, Plateau, and Katsina.

The committee’s primary focus will be to tackle the increasing violence, which has seen an uptick in attacks by suspected herders and armed gunmen.

The call for swift action follows a series of deadly attacks across the country. On March 9, at least 15 people were killed in renewed attacks by suspected herdsmen in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

On April 14, another attack in Zike hamlet, Plateau State, resulted in the deaths of at least 52 individuals, including an entire family of eight, with many properties destroyed.

In response to these brutal incidents, the 36 state governors have urged security agencies to confront these challenges directly, stressing the urgency of restoring peace and stability across the affected regions.

Governor Uzodimma informed journalists that the Forum had received a presentation from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on an innovative security initiative aimed at strengthening both national and subnational security capabilities.

The initiative focuses on early threat detection and coordinated responses, with the phased deployment of advanced technology to improve surveillance, crisis management, and public safety.

“The project envisions the phased deployment of advanced technology and infrastructure to improve surveillance, crisis management, and public safety.

“Governors expressed support for the initiative’s objectives and underscored the importance of technology-driven solutions in addressing evolving security challenges at the state level,” Uzodimma said.

In addition to security matters, the governors also received a presentation from the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, on unlocking the economic potential of land through federal-state partnerships for land reform.

The proposal aims to formalise land ownership, enhance tenure security, and boost internally generated revenue across states. The governors welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to catalyse investment, improve urban planning, and enhance land-based revenue generation.

The forum also discussed a strategic partnership with Powercom Smart Grid Nigeria Limited (PSGN) to revamp the electricity distribution sector by leveraging private sector investment.

The proposed agreement would involve PSGN assuming control of select distribution companies and introducing smart grid technologies to enhance service delivery and energy access.

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani Advocates For State Police
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, also weighed in on the ongoing security issues, emphasizing the need for state police to effectively address security concerns at the subnational level.

Sani highlighted the limited role governors currently have in tackling the problem due to constitutional constraints but expressed optimism that discussions around the creation of state policing would soon gain traction.

“In my opinion, it’s not an indictment. I do agree that we have a limited role to play concerning the Constitution of Nigeria. Don’t forget that even tomorrow, by the grace of God, it’s one of the areas we are going to look at – the possibility of the creation of state policing in Nigeria, which for me would go a long way in addressing insecurity, particularly at the sub-national level,” Sani said.

Sani also spoke about the importance of taking responsibility as a leader, citing his success in mitigating communal and religious clashes in Kaduna during his time in office.

He acknowledged the need for increased security forces but called for a non-kinetic approach to tackling the problem, especially given the limited number of military and police personnel in the country.

The forum’s discussions highlighted the urgent need for a collaborative approach in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.

Governor Sani concluded by emphasizing the importance of working together, stating, “We don’t need to blame each other. We have to look at other areas of addressing the issue of insecurity. That is the reason why I believe we all have to work together.”

The International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, has revealed that at least 664 million workers worldwide do not earn enough to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. 

This figure represents one in every five workers globally.

In light of this, the ITUC has called on all governments and employers to engage in genuine social dialogue and to ensure that living wages become a reality by strengthening minimum wage frameworks and expanding collective bargaining systems.

In a statement, the ITUC expressed support for a new initiative by the International Labour Organisation, ILO, aimed at ending the global crisis of poverty wages. 

The ILO recently launched a programme that prioritizes the principle of a living wage in its support to member countries.

According to the ITUC, this development follows years of persistent advocacy by trade unions. Under the new program, the ILO will provide technical support to governments and social partners to estimate and implement living wages in accordance with tripartite principles.

ITUC General Secretary, Luc Triangle, explained that “this initiative builds upon a landmark agreement reached in February 2024, in which ILO constituents adopted a shared understanding of the living wage concept and the principles guiding its estimation and application.

“This is a major step toward ensuring fair wages and dignified livelihoods for workers worldwide. It is a scandal that hundreds of millions of working people are still earning poverty wages. This new program represents a critical shift from decades of advocacy to tangible action. It’s time for every worker to earn enough to live a decent life.”

Triangle reiterated the ITUC’s call for governments and employers to commit to genuine social dialogue, emphasizing that living wages are fundamental to inclusive and sustainable economic development.

The ITUC highlighted that, by conservative estimates, 664 million workers globally live on wages too low to meet basic needs. The ILO’s new program is expected to expand technical assistance to countries, helping them develop accurate cost-of-living estimates to support evidence-based wage negotiations. It will also strengthen wage-setting institutions, including collective bargaining systems and tripartite minimum wage frameworks.

The ITUC views this initiative as a vital tool in bridging the gap between minimum and living wages and called for strong union participation in its implementation. It also urged governments to ratify and implement ILO Convention 131 on Minimum Wage Fixing.

“This framework—developed with the involvement of workers’ unions—is essential for ensuring that minimum wages reflect the real cost of living and are regularly updated to keep pace with rising living standards,” the ITUC said.

…Begins campaign for platform workers’ rights

Meanwhile, International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, has taken over the struggle for Platform workers’ rights. 

 ITUC is backing the campaign with Time to Deliver: Rights for All Platform Workers.

According to ITUC: “We demand urgent action to stop exploitation, and to deliver fair wages, decent working conditions and the right to organise. 

“The call for all platform workers to receive the same protections as all other workers will take centre stage at the  International Labour Conference, ILC,  in June, where we are pushing for a new ILO Convention and Recommendation to set global standards for fair treatment.  

Join our fight to ensure that platform workers – from care workers, to couriers, to content moderators – are no longer denied the rights they deserve.  

“Also at the ILC:   The  ITUC Global Rights Index  2025  will be launched, revealing the latest trends in workers’ rights violations worldwide. We will take a clear message to the governments and employers at the ILC: workers’ rights must be respected, and unions must be free to organise without fear.  

“We aim to secure a strong and legally-binding standard on biological hazards.  As well as resistance, April is also a month of  remembrance. This International Workers’ Memorial Day will focus on protecting workers’ rights in the age of Artificial Intelligence, AI, because AI is too often being used to control and exploit workers rather than support them.  

May 1, International Workers’ Day, will be time to  Take Back Democracy!  While billionaires profit, workers face low wages and crumbling public services.

Says they’re hobnobbing with enemies of party

Urges Tinubu to tackle insecurity

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olabode George, has advised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to leave the party immediately because of their anti-party activities.

He said the party was being embarrassed by the open display of affinity by the two to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

George, in a statement also advised President Bola Tinubu to create a special fund account where managing directors of banks could deposit, at least, N20 billion each annually to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

On PDP crisis, he wondered why Atiku and Wike should be hobnobbing with opposition elements and still claim to be part of the PDP structure.

He said: “What exactly is going on? Anybody who is tired of PDP should leave and join another party. Enough of this embarrassment. As a founding elder of this party, I will not watch while some people openly disrespect the party. It is impossible.”

George, who queried the reason Atiku visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna with other politicians, said: ‘General Muhammadu Buhari, retd, remains my boss but he is not a member of our party.

“So, why is Atiku hobnobbing with him politically? Is he not guilty of anti-party offence already?

The other day, President Bola Tinubu told Wike that APC must win the council election in FCT and he agreed.

“Wike has been given a direct order to win FCT for APC and he still claims to be a member of PDP. Are people now shameless politically that they cannot be principled? Where is the leadership of our party? Why are they tolerating Atiku and Wike? Why are they allowing the duo to continue to embarrass our party publicly?

“Now, some governors are joining them to endorse Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. I ask again: what exactly is going on in our party? Has discipline gone to the dogs? Has everything broken down completely? Has sanity taken flight in the way we run the party now?

“Nigerians are yearning for change, which only the PDP can offer because ours is the only organised party. Apart from Ganduje, who else do you know in APC NWC? APC is a one-man show being controlled from the Villa.

“This is the time for the national leadership of PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party. As a founding member of our party and an elder statesman, I call on other elders of our party to call Atiku and Wike to order, as the two are not bigger than the PDP.

“They cannot continue hobnobbing with enemies of our party and think I will keep quiet. The truth must be told every time without minding whose ox is gored.

“This is the time to save our party from those undermining PDP from within. If Atiku is strategising on how to form a coalition with others because of 2027, he should do that outside the structure of our party. You cannot be within and be working against the interest of this party. We will never allow that.

“Wike’s case is very clear to everybody. He wants to be in the good books of Tinubu while working against our party. He is an adult and knows what is good for him politically, but you cannot claim to be in the PDP and be working against the interest of the party.

“Many people do not know that what Wike did in Rivers, leading to the emergency rule declaration of March 18 is anti-party activity.

“He organises live interviews across television stations as if he is the president and attacks PDP in the process. If there is any iota of shame left in him, this is the time for him to leave our party.

“His strategy is to continue to work within the party for the President’s reelection. This is the time for our party leadership to wield the big stick because nobody is more powerful than the party.

“The moment we remove the liabilities in our party, we will be in a formidable position, as an opposition party, to take over power from APC at the federal level in 2027.

“Due to the anti-people policies of APC, Nigerians are going through a lot and they are waiting for PDP to alleviate their suffering in 2027.”

On the rising wave of insecurity in the country, the PDP leader said: “Insurrection, insurgency, kidnappings, killings and corruption have taken over the land. As the Commander-in-Chief, what exactly is Tinubu doing to reverse this ugly trend?

“The way people are being killed in Benue and Plateau, does it make sense? The nation is drifting and this is the time for former Presidents and opinion leaders to speak truth to power. We can’t continue this way.”
To the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, bankers are part of the professionals who created economic hardship in the country

George also queried the source of the billions of naira declared by banks as profits yearly.

“There is what is called round-tripping. There is also insider abuse, hidden and fraudulent charges. All these are targeted at Nigerians. You can’t see a bank MD in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, United Arab Emirates etc in private jets every other day.

“Here, our Bank MDs not only charter private jets but own jets. Where are they getting the money from to maintain this type of luxury and lifestyle?

“The government must look into this. Now that Tinubu is trying to lessen the burden of Nigerians, these bank MDs should be made to pay not less than N20 billion each into this special intervention fund account.

“Now that he is back in Nigeria, Tinubu should also be serious about projecting the image of this country.”
“No rat, lizard or cockroach was killed in Rivers yet, you declared emergency rule and suspended an elected governor just because you are the commander-in-chief.

“People don’t use power like that. Nigeria is called the Giant of Africa but economically, constitutionally and politically, are we a Giant in the real sense of the word?

“Nigeria spent billions of dollars to restore peace, security, democracy, economic and political independence in South Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Zimbabwe and others.

“It is an anti-climax that what we gave to others that led to stability, we don’t have at home. Are we now the Giant of Africa only on paper, and not in reality?”

A few days ago, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, received a two-man delegation from the International Monetary Fund, IMF, comprising the IMF Resident Representative for Nigeria, Christian H. Ebeke, and, Axel Schimmelpfennig from Washington, D.C. 

The purpose of the visit was to assess how Nigerian workers and the general populace are being affected by the current socioeconomic environment and the hardship resulting from government policies. 

The IMF delegation , led by Schimmelpfennig also sought insights from the NLC regarding the state of the labour market in Nigeria. According to them, the information gathered would contribute to the IMF’s annual country report for Nigeria.

Vanguard learned that preparations for the meeting had been ongoing since the NLC President’s earlier meeting with officials from the World Bank and the IMF in Washington.

IMF explains reasons for visit

Upon arrival at Labour House, the NLC leadership welcomed the IMF before the team briefed the NLC leadership on their mission, since the meeting was held at the instance of the Fund.

Sources at the meeting disclosed that the IMF team acknowledged that the Nigerian government has been grappling with fiscal challenges since assuming office. They emphasized that the IMF’s recommendations are purely advisory and not mandatory, based on the prevailing realities in each country.

The delegation expressed concern that, often, governments do not follow the IMF’s recommendations to the letter, instead adapting them to align with political objectives. In effect, the IMF attempted to distance itself from the adverse consequences of some recent economic reforms in Nigeria.

Nevertheless, the IMF team requested continued engagement with the NLC going forward.

Ajaero’s response

In response, the NLC President made it clear that governance should prioritize citizens’ welfare over profit-making.

He criticized the austerity measures often recommended by the IMF, noting that they have worsened living conditions for Nigerians.

It was gathered that Ajaero particularly highlighted the removal of fuel subsidies, which he said has led to increased suffering, hunger, and poverty among workers and the general population.

The NLC President argued that t”here was no real subsidy to remove in the first place, as the government was already profiting from crude oil sales.

He described the “subsidy removal” as merely a justification for increasing fuel prices. He equally questioned the use of the revenue purportedly saved from the subsidy removal, especially since the government continues to borrow heavily.

“He pointed out that the cost of essential services—such as education and transportation—has tripled, leading to widespread hardship. He condemned the growing disparity between the worsening living conditions of citizens and the increasing wealth of government officials.”

Ajaero emphasized that “genuine reforms should improve the welfare of the people, not enrich those in power. He also criticized the government for not consulting key stakeholders before implementing the subsidy removal policy.

This exclusion, he said, has exacerbated the country’s economic challenges. “He noted that inclusive dialogue could have produced better strategies and outcomes, lamenting that the government has isolated itself from valuable advice.”

On the national minimum wage, “the NLC President complained that the N70,000 wage is not being implemented sincerely across all levels of government. Instead, the government has continued to impose additional taxes, worsening the financial burden on citizens.”

Ajaero urged “the IMF to advise the government to ease this pressure and allow citizens to breathe. He warned that rising poverty levels could lead to social unrest if left unaddressed.”

He concluded that “the current reforms have only widened the gap between the ruling class and the people, worsening the lives of ordinary Nigerians while enriching those in power.”