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In compliance with an earlier directive of an indefinite nationwide strike by organised Labour, the aviation unions have directed members to withdraw services across airports in Nigeria.
THE WHISTLER had earlier reported that NLC and its counterpart, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), declared an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024.
The unions confirmed the strike in a joint statement signed by the General Secretaries National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) Ocheme Aba; Air Transport Services Senior Staff Aassociation of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) Frances Akinjole; Secretary General Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) Olayinka Abioye and General Secretary the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAPE) Olayinka Abioye.
The statement reads, “In compliance with the directive from our labour leaders, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria-we hereby inform the general public, aviation service providers, airline operators, aviation businesses and all aviation workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.
“Being not oblivious of the fact that many international flights to Nigeria are already airborne, the strike action will commence at international terminals on 4th of June, 2024.
“All aviation workers should recognize the seriousness of this struggle and comply unfailingly. All Branch officers of our unions shall ensure full compliance at all airports.”
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said that military coups cannot take place without the assistance of politicians and civilians.
Abdulsalami stated this in an interview with Sun Newspaper on Sunday. He noted that it is the political field that allows any military man to take over power.
In his words: “You see, whatever happens, it must be the political field that allows any military man to take over. When you are in government and there is no equity and justice, certainly this brings problem.
MAY DAY: Labour gives FG May 31 deadline on Minimum Wage0:00 / 1:00
“You have a political party and even in the political party one belongs to, there is no democracy. So, certainly, you will expect some quivers, some quarrels to come out and if they are not handled amicably, certainly, this will result to military takeover.
“Remember there is no military man that takes over without the connivance and assistance of politicians and civilians”.
The Kogi State Government has announced the rescue of the remaining eight kidnapped students of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara (CUSTECH) Bringing the numbers of rescued students to 30.
Recall 32 students were abducted inside the school premises early last month while preparing for the commencement of their exams. Four of the abducted students were first rescued, followed by another 16, and two students who escaped on his own, before the latest 8 that were rescued.
MAY DAY: Labour gives FG May 31 deadline on Minimum Wage
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Two of the abducted students were however killed last week by the abductors following the state government decision not to pay ransom for the victims, but rather embarked on ‘kinetic and non kinetic” onslaught against the kidnappers.
This latest development was revealed on Sunday in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo.
“The Kogi State Government has announced the rescue of the remaining eight kidnapped students of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara.
“The Governor has directed full support towards the recovery of the students and their parents, while modalities are being put in place to make Kogi safer for all.
“The Government of Kogi State expresses profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the mobilization of resources to ensure the rescue of the kidnapped students.
“We also thank the National Security Adviser immensely for his commitment to the release of the students and the general security of the State.
“The Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Director General of DSS, the Inspector General of Police and all the officers and men of the Armed Forces that put in their best as well as the Pilots, did a wonderful job to support us in reuniting the kidnapped students with their families.
“The Kogi State Command of all the security agencies, Police, DSS, NSCDC and our local hunters are also highly appreciated for their efforts towards this feat.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo also expresses immense gratitude to his Kwara State counterpart, Governor AbdulRahmam AbdulRazak for his personal commitment, cooperation and support towards the success of the operation that led to the rescue of the remaining kidnapped students.
“The Kwara State Governor showed the reason he is effectively leading the Nigerian Governors Forum. His actions have also reinforced the Kogi/Kwara cooperation and unity of purpose.
“Now that the remaining students have been rescued, our administration will continue the drive to recalibrate our security architecture and pay an uncompromising attention to the Safe School Initiative.
“As the State with the lowest out of school children in the North, we have put structures in place to keep our schools safe to ensure every child is not deprived of his or her right to education.
“Kogi has domesticated the Child Rights Act and we will defend the right of our children to quality education. In Kogi State, education is free up to the Secondary School level.
“We also pay the registration fees for our students to write all internal and external examinations with a budgetary allocation that is way above the UNESCO benchmark for education. We do all of these to educate our children and make them responsible contributors to the economy of Nigeria.
“We urge our citizens to always volunteer intelligence to security agencies to enable them to prevent crime. This is safer, cheaper and better for us all.
“All of us must come together to defeat banditry, kidnapping and any form of criminality in our society.”
Minimum Wage: Federal Workers Forum Backs Planned Indefinite Strike By Organised Labour, Calls For Shutdown Of Secretariats
AFOLABI
The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has announced its complete endorsement of the indefinite nationwide industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), set to begin on Monday.
The NLC and TUC have vowed to commence an indefinite strike Monday to protest against the government’s failure to conclude and pass into law a new National Minimum Wage Act and reverse the hike in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.
The workers’ forum gave its full backing to the industrial action in a communique issued at the end of an online meeting of federal workers nationwide on Saturday and released to the media on Sunday.
Titled ‘President Tinubu: pay up three months wage award arrears, federal workers will ensure full compliance with the indefinite national strike, resign now if you cannot pay a living wage, don't plunge Nigeria into chaos,’ the communique was signed by its National Coordinator (FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze.
Describing the disposition of the government towards the workers as very disappointing, the forum said: "It is obvious government is playing games on the new national minimum wage, this is truly very mindless and most insensitive."
The communique reads in part "We the federal workers are particularly surprised that the federal government is treating us this way. As the federal workforce and the engine room of governance, if truly government cares; federal workers should not be passing through the hardship and ordeal we are currently subjected to.
"As patriotic citizens, the federal workers have tried coping with the situation but it has been very difficult surviving the harsh economy orchestrated by the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Prices of goods and services have increased by over 300%. Our national currency has been badly devalued. Federal workers now find it very difficult to feed and survive in Nigeria.
"Most unfortunately, government has stopped the payment of the ₦35,000 wage award in the month of February to the federal workers. It is shameful that government now owes the federal government workers three months’ wage award. Government is also owing several arrears of allowances, promotion arrears and several other monies owed the federal workers.”
The forum, however, declared that federal workers “cannot continue suffering unnecessarily, we have endured this hardship enough”.
It said, "The federal government should pay up three months wage award and other arrears of payment owed the federal workers.
"That the federal government is not permitted to borrow any amount from our contributory pension fund.
"We are in total support of the indefinite national strike action called by labour. Federal workers should ensure full compliance and complete shutdown of all federal government secretariats nationwide.
"That Mr President and any state governor who cannot pay a living wage should resign.
"That if after five working days from the commencement of the indefinite strike, and government is not bulging, labour should lead the workers to occupy the three arms zone and state government houses nationwide.
"We call for solidarity and support from the Nigerian people."
Nigerian Judicial Workers Union To Shut Down All Courts By Monday In Line With NLC Nationwide Protests
AFOLABI
Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have initiated the mobilization of their members in preparation for the nationwide protest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
This was contained in a press statement issued on Saturday by Comrade M. J Akwashiki, JUSUN General Secretary and obtained by SaharaReporters.
The statement reads: “Following a declaration of industrial action by NLC and TUC, beginning from Monday 3rd June 2024 due to the inability of government to conclude the negotiation of the new National Minimum Wage and refusal to reverse the increase in electricity tariff, I am directed to inform you to commence mobilisation ahead of the action.
“The action will start midnight on Sunday nationwide, so all branches /chapters chairmen and secretaries of JUSUN are expected to ensure strict compliance to this directive.
“All vice presidents of our great unions are to monitor their respective zones to ensure compliance with the total shut down of all Courts and Judicial Institutes across Nigeria.
“NOTE that the nationwide action is to ensure governments (a) Agree on a new national minimum wage and subsequently pass it into law before the end of this month as they were notified (b). Reverse the hike in electricity tariff without consulting the stakeholders as required by the Law to N225/kwh back to N66/kwh. (C) Stop the apartheid categorization of Nigerian electricity consumers into bands.”
SaharaReporters had reported how the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared a nationwide strike beginning from Monday, June 3, 2024 over the tripartite committee’s inability to agree on a new minimum wage.
The President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, had announced the strike at a joint news conference with the leadership of the NLC in Abuja on Friday.
According to the labour leaders, the decision follows the expiration of an earlier request to the Federal Government to conclude all negotiations for a new minimum wage before the end of May.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has once again warned Nigerians against the use of dichlorvos (sniper) and other dangerous chemicals to safeguard food from spoilage.
The agency said that the use of sniper and other dangerous chemicals for food preservation can cause cancer and even death.
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According to NAFDAC, the sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less) has been banned since 2019 while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets.
The warning is in response to a viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.
The misuse of dichlorvos, NAFDAC said, poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences. The agency explained that the long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects. These adverse effects, it said, highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure.
In a statement on Sunday by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption.
Adeyeye emphasized alternative methods for preserving food, mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option compared to dichlorvos. She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness, unless stored in the refrigerator.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by farmers due to bans on various chemicals, she stressed the importance of transitioning to safer alternatives.
The Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products (VMAP), Dr. Rametu Momodu, reiterated that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils is not an approved practice. She explained that there are approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label. She stressed that these products should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health.
Momodu stated that consuming food contaminated with dichlorvos can cause dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death. She warned that once used, pesticide residues remain on or in the food, posing significant health risks.
She advised consumers to avoid buying from vendors known to use such practices and to report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate sanctions.
![[PRESS STATEMENT] Minimum Wage: Labour don’t throw away our Baby-Democracy with Bathwater](/media/k2/items/cache/886226d71e1e33934ebb9594377da97a_S.jpg)
Responding to minimum wage impasse, Mr Osita Okechukwu appealed to Organised Labour to desist from the danger of throwing away our Baby-Democracy with Bathwater; as the indefinite strike could destablise the economy, spiral into unintended consequences and harm our fledgling democracy.
Okechukwu agreed with Organised Labour that the labourer is entitled to living wage, especially in the midst of stagflation and declining living conditions; however he advised labour to adopt house ownership for every worker as middle ground, to augment the N60,000 offered by government and the private sector.
He argued that rent is one of the items in Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which is tearing the hair of workers nationwide, as workers spend one third of their disposal income on shelter related matters.
Okechukwu added that house ownership gives workers inner peace of mind, improves living conditions and encourages productivity.
He accordingly called on President Tinubu to as matter of urgent national importance to retool his Renewed Hope housing program and embark on house ownership for all workers nationwide as alternative to unaffordable minimum wage.
“Mr President house ownership for all workers is the doable middle ground in this impasse, as workers over the years have been contributing 2.5% of their salary to the National Housing Fund; all that is needed is Federal, State, LGA and private sector’s supplement.” Okechukwu opined.
He maintained that the N497,000 is unaffordable, because more than ten states either could not or had blatantly refused to pay N30,000 till date.
“Whereas one agrees with the working people that there is economic hardship and declining standard of living; albeit ownership houses is the middle ground in this impasse and better than more liquid cash which could spiral hyperinflation out of hand and lead to mass retrenchment of workers”. Okechukwu retorted.
Okechukwu finally appealed to the organised labour to remember the blood and tears shed decades ago by our compatriots enroute our return to democracy; therefore we should not in vain throw the Baby-Democracy away with Bathwater.
• Vows tough action against violent non-state actors
• Directs security agencies to go after Aba killings’ masterminds
President Bola Tinubu talked tough yesterday on the sit-at-home action in the South East, labeling it treasonable.
He warned that decisive sanctions now await violent non-state actors like the gunmen who killed five soldiers at the Obikabia Junction checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State last Thursday.
The soldiers were attacked by people the Defence Headquarters said were members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) during the sit-at-home called by IPOB to mark this year’s Biafra Day.
President Tinubu directed security agencies to fish out the masterminds and executors of the killings as well as those calling for sit-at-home.
The President said the exercise of restraint by security forces in dealing with violent attacks on its personnel should not be mistaken for weakness, pointing out that the federal government would not hesitate to take appropriate action when the lives of its security officers and men are wantonly wasted.
The President who put his thoughts on the constant abuse and attacks on state’s agents by the citizens they have sworn to protect, in a statement he personally authored last night, lamented the recent developments and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and colleagues of the deceased, as well as the nation‘s security forces.
He said: “The slain soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Aba, Abia State on Thursday when they were murdered, just two months after a similar tragic incident happened in Okuama in Delta State.
“These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts stand condemned and should never be condoned and tolerated in our country.
“I want to make it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making our communities unsafe.
“I urge security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack but also those calling on people to stay at home. Their action is nothing but a treasonable offence.
“The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints should not be mistaken for weakness.
“We are working to build a peaceful and harmonious society, but nobody should be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken.
“While my condolences go to the families of the five slain soldiers, their colleagues and the leadership of our armed forces, I urge other men and women on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the unfortunate incident in Aba.”
He noted that soldiers and policemen of the country have continued to make sacrifices for the safety of all Nigerians, adding that they do not deserve the sort of attacks on them in some recent isolated cases.
“Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and non-state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfillment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect.
“They surely do not deserve the mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society.
“The federal government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack the officers and men of our armed forces.
“On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state.”
Killers of soldiers can’t escape, Abia Police boss vows
Abia State Police Commissioner Kenechukwu Onwuemelie pledged yesterday that the law would definitely take its course in the killing of the soldiers.
Briefing newsmen after an expanded meeting of the state security council and the newly inaugurated members of the State Advisory Council, CP Onwuemelie described the killing as unfortunate and condemnable.
“The point is that it is a very unfortunate incident and it is highly condemnable and, indeed, it is cowardly.
“All I can tell you is that the security agencies, the government of Abia State and all well meaning Nigerians feel very bad about what happened, and everything that needs to be done will be done to ensure that it does not happen again.
“And even if it happens, the law will take its course.”
He called on the citizens and residents of the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation and to be forthcoming in their relationship with security agencies.
He said: “Every now and then, there is no society that is completely immune from security breaches, even the most developed climes.
“So no matter what happens, we must go about our business and we must also continue to improve on what we have put in place to ensure that things don’t get out of hand.”
CP Onwuemelie said the council would continue to engage with the stakeholders and to fashion out measures that would enhance the capacity of various security agencies to deliver on their mandates.
The Defence Headquarters had, on Friday, vowed a fierce and overwhelming response to the killing of the five soldiers.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, said in Abuja that “it is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops.
“The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” he said.
The State government placed a N25 million bounty on the perpetrators and described the killing as a serious affront to its resolve to ensure security of life and property.
[TheNation]
The Bauchi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ahmad Jalam, is dead.
Jalam died in an accident that occurred along Bauchi-Jalam expressway in Bauchi on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed shock over the death of his longtime confidant who was popularly known as Me Kankana.
In a statement signed by Lawal Muazu, his New Media Aide, the governor said the death left a profound emptiness and cast a pall of mourning over the state.
Mohammed said the deceased was known for his tireless work, dedication and commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) growth in Bauchi.
He extended his condolences to the members of the late commissioner’s family and the people of the state.
He also prayed that the “Almighty Allah forgive Jalam’s shortcomings and grant him eternal rest”.
The governor added that the late commissioner is survived by wives and many children.
The statement said the burial (Janaza) will take place at the deceased’s hometown in Jalam, Dambam Local Government Area by 11am, on Sunday.
[DailyTrust]
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the sum of N494,000 national minimum wage being demanded by organized labour, which cumulatively amounts to the sum of N9.5tn, is capable of destabilizing the economy and jeopardizing the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians.
Idris stated this in Abuja in response to the threat by the organized labor to embark on strike if their demands were not met.
He said the offer of N60,000 minimum wage by the Federal Government, which translates to a 100 per cent increase on the existing minimum wage of 2019, has been accepted by the organized private sector, which is a member of the tripartite committee of the negotiations team.
“The Federal Government’s New Minimum Wage proposal amounts to a 100 per cent increase on the existing minimum wage 2019. Labour, however, wanted N494,000, which would increase by 1,547 per cent on the existing wage.
“The sum of N494,000 national minimum wage which Labour is seeking would cumulatively amount to the sum N9.5tn bill to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Nigerians need to understand that whereas the FG is desirous of ample remuneration for Nigerian workers, what is most critical is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not encourage any action that could lead to massive job loss, especially in the private sector, who may not be able to pay the wage demanded by the Organised Labour,” he said.
The Minister said even though Labour is keen on the take-home pay of about 1.2 million workers, the Federal Government is concerned with the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians based on its Guiding Principle of Affordability, Sustainability, and the overall health of the nation’s economy.
Idris appealed to the Organised Labour to return to the negotiating table and embrace reasonable and realistic wages for their members.
He said because of the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the welfare of workers, the wage award of N35,000 for Federal workers would continue until a new national minimum wage is introduced.
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Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has revealed that the House is deliberating on a bill aimed at reserving special seats for women in parliament.
Kalu made this announcement at the 2nd Women of Divine Destiny Initiative Inspiring Women Summit (2024) in Owerri, Imo State.
The summit, themed “Illuminating the Power of an Inspired Woman,” focused on empowering women to achieve their dreams.
WODDI, a non-profit organisation, was founded by the wife of former Imo State Governor, Dr. Nkechi Rochas Okorocha.
The Deputy Speaker highlighted that the bill, titled the “Seat Reservation Bill,” was recently introduced in parliament and is co-sponsored by himself and several colleagues.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to allocate special seats for women in the legislature. Kalu emphasized that, if passed, the bill would significantly advance women’s representation in politics.
“We must acknowledge, however, that in a society striving for equitable development, addressing fundamental issues like gender equality and inclusiveness is imperative.
“In Nigeria, where women and girls constitute 49.32% of our population, representation in institutions and governance needs urgent attention. Presently, the House of Representatives is considering a bill to improve the representation of women in our legislative institutions, sponsored by myself and other colleagues,” Kalu stated.
He also highlighted the efforts of the Peace In South East Project, a social development initiative prioritizing gender issues.
He praised Dr. Nkechi Rochas Okorocha for organising the summit and urged participants to fully unleash their potential, now that they have been rightly motivated.
[Punch]
•Says action won’t end until Minimum Wage agreement is signed
•Oil, electricity, maritime, financial, and other critical sector unions warm up
Less than 24 hours after to start of the nationwide strike over a new national minimum wage and hike in electricity tariff, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has directed its state councils across the country to ensure total compliance.
This came to light on a day unions in the oil, electricity, financial and other critical sectors pledged total support for the indefinite strike declared by NLC and its counterpart, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC.
Recall that the two labour centres, last Friday, announced an indefinite nationwide strike from tomorrow (Monday) over the government’s failure to agree on a new national minimum wage and reverse the recent hike in electricity tariff.
NLC and TUC leaders had, on Workers Day, celebrations given the Federal Government a May 31 deadline to conclude the negotiations on a new national minimum wage or risk nationwide industrial unrest.
The tripartite committee on a new National Minimum Wage set up by the government failed to make a decision on a new national minimum wage after about four meetings.
Labour leaders had walked out of the meetings three times after rejecting government and the Organised Private Sector, OPS, offers.
Incidentally, the last walkout on Friday happened on a day the deadline labour gave the government to conclude a new minimum wage lapsed, as the old minimum wage of N30,000 that was signed into law by former President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019, expired on April 18, 2024.
Earlier on May 31, organised labour negotiators had walked out of the meeting for a third time, over the refusal by government to make a new offer beyond the N60,000 it put forward.
It was gathered that the negotiations hit a brick wall when the government and the organised private sector, OPS, remained adamant on the N60,000 offers they made earlier on Tuesday.
Recall that organised labour’s negotiating team had, Tuesday May 28, for the second time in two weeks, walked out of the committee meeting after the federal government increased its offer to N60,000 from the N57,000 it offered on May 22.
Labour’s negotiating team had, on May 15, walked out of the tripartite committee meeting after the government offered N48,000 and Organised Private Sector, OPS, offered N54,000, against the N615,000.
Directive to state councils
NLC, in a circular by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, to all its state councils, among others, said “This is to inform you of the commencement of the proposed indefinite nationwide strike beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024, as a result of the failure of the Nigerian state to agree on a new national minimum wage and subsequently pass it into law before the end of this month as they were notified; Reverse the hike in electricity tariff without consulting the stakeholders as required by the law to N225/kwh back to N66/kwh and Stop the apartheid categorisation of Nigerian electricity consumers into Bands.
“We kindly request all State Councils to mobilise all their affiliates and members across the state to stay away from work commencing Midnight, this Sunday to ensure a comprehensive closure of all workplaces.
“Do please, set up joint Action Committees with the Trade Union Congress in your state for effective coordination of the strike action. We would be glad to receive continuous updates of your effort. Do remember that the success of this action is dependent on our collective determination and resolve.”
No agreement, no end
Also speaking on whether organised labour will call off action should government call and offer a higher amount, President of NLC, Joe Ajaero said: “Government can only call for a continuation of the negotiation not by an award. They can’t say come, we are giving you this. We have to sit down and negotiate from where we are today. It is like calling us tomorrow to say let us continue with the negotiation. Now we will negotiate from there, but not to call us to say we are giving you N10 or N20, that will be out of the concept of negotiation.
“Calling us does not mean agreement. Until we sign an agreement on what is mutually agreeable by the parties, action will be on. But action is not such that we will not equally negotiate, because the two parties are now going to negotiate under duress. We are under pressure. That is the meaning of this. So the earlier we resolve it, the better for us.”
On mobilisation at the state level, Ajaero said: “When you hear the National Executive Council, NEC, of any labour centre, it comprises all the states and all the unions. That is the situation, and that is where we got this mandate.
“You equally witnessed it on May Day when all workers gathered nationwide, and this pronouncement was made. In fact, it was a public one. it is not like there were two or three people. It was mass based.
“As of today, there is no minimum wage for Nigerian workers. Technically, the minimum wage had expired on the 18th of April. As of now, we are operating without any law backing up the minimum wage. They were talking about a 100 per cent increase. That is what they have offered, but the 100 per cent increase amounts to one loaf of bread per day for 30 days .They are not looking at the quality or the value of what they are offering to us.
“Those are the issues that we are looking at and all of us must address it because it is tight. There is nobody that can move on with this arrangement being done with inflation and devaluation. Everything is open.
“If we take even the N600,000 we are proposing today, by next week, it will not make any impact. So, we have to look at them holistically and see what we can do to save the working class in Nigeria. We are not doing a strike that will be one month without a bite. I’m not sure where you have labour centres in a country embarking on a strike for one month and you don’t listen to them.
“What we will be praying for is for the people who are suffering so much because they are some of our people. That was why we were reluctant. That was why we were virtually telling them to let us find a solution.
“When we were in the meeting today (yesterday) we told them we have to be here and allow you to go and get a mandate. We are ready to sleep here to allow you to get a mandate to come back to this meeting. They said no, we should just allow them whenever they get a mandate. That it is difficult to see even the President and that they do not have access and all that. Then they did not come out with anything. We found ourselves in a helpless situation. So, that is where we are now. Everybody should be patient with us.”
Critical sector workers
Meanwhile, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, and other critical sector unions have already written to their members to ensure total compliance.
NUPENG
In a circular to all levels of the union leaders, NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, said: “We bring you fraternal greetings from the National Secretariat of our great union.
“This is to notify all our members and branches in all oil and gas installations, operations and services including distribution and marketing of petroleum products, that our great union is fully committed to ensuring total compliance with the directive of the Nigerian Labour Congress issued on Friday, May 31, 2024, for an indefinite nationwide strike commencing from Monday, June 3, 2024. “As a union, we are deeply concerned and disturbed with the insensitive and irresponsive attitude of the federal government to the very critical issue of negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers in view of the various social economic policies of this administration that have impoverished the working people of this country.
“Leaders of our great union at all levels, from the units, Zones and Branches, should immediately put all processes in place to ensure total compliance with this directive Our solidarity remains constant because the union makes us strong. The struggle continues. And we shall overcome.”
NUBIFIE
Similarly, NUBIFIE, in a directive by its President and General Secretary, Abakpa Sheikh, said: “This is to inform all NUBIFIE organs that NLC has directed all its affiliates to commence an indefinite strike beginning from Monday, June 3, 2024. The import of the strike is to compel the federal government to agree on a new national minimum wage and subsequently pass it into law before the end of this month as they were notified, reverse the hike in electricity tariff without consulting the stakeholders as required by the law to N225/kwh back to N66/kwh and Stop the apartheid categorization of Nigerian electricity into Bands.
“In total compliance with the directives from the NLC, you are hereby directed to mobilize for effective participation in your respective Zonal Councils/Domestic Committee and ensure total compliance.
Electricity workers
Also, a notice by the President and Acting General of NUEE, Adebiyi Adeyeye and Dominic Igwebike, said “With reference to the circular from NLC dated May 31, 2024, we are to mobilise and embark on an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024, by 0.00hour due to the following failure of the Nigerian government to implement and sign into law the new national minimum wage on or before 31st May 2024, Non-reversal of the electricity tariff which was hiked from N65/kwh to N225/kwh without consulting the stakeholders as required by the law and Apartheid categorization of Nigeria electricity consumers into bands.
“Given the above, all National, State, and Chapter executives are requested to start the mobilization of our members in total compliance with this directive to ensure the Government does the right thing as stated above.
“You are encouraged to work with the leadership of State Executive Councils (SEC) of the Congress in your various states to have a successful action. The withdrawal of services becomes effective Sunday 2nd June by 12.00 midnight.”
Maritime workers
In the same vein, the President-General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, in a statement through the union’s head of Media, John Ikemefuna, directed members in the nation’s ports “to comply with the directive of both NLC and TUC to join in the indefinite total lockdown of the country commencing from Monday, June 3, 2024.
“The indefinite nationwide strike has become very imperative, given the failure of the federal government on the logjam and the inconclusive national minimum wage negotiation and refusal to reverse the hard biting hike in electricity tariff.
“Given the foregoing, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has directed its members in all ports nationwide, jetties, terminals, oil & gas platforms to effectively ensure the total compliance of the strike as directed by the NLC and TUC. This is also to serve as notice to all our concerned stakeholders in the Maritime sector.”
[Vanguard]
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has stated that democracy’s survival hinges on adherence to the rule of law and that Nigeria needs good governance rather than a change in its system of governance.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary celebration of Yusuf Ali & Co (Ghalib Chambers) in Ilọrin on Saturday, Shettima addressed calls for a switch to parliamentary system.
Shettima said, “Democracy can only survive by adherence to rule of law and quality of governance, not by parliamentary system as being canvassed by some people.”
According to him, many nations have collapsed due to lack of access to truth and justice.
“Many nations that collapsed did so because of lack of access to truth and justice; their access to justice was frustrated and denied,” he said.
The vice president added, “President Bola Tinubu never influenced the electoral process and we (presidency) never used instruments of office to hunt or hound perceived opponents standing trial.”
On his part, the former Minister of Works, Raji Fashola (SAN), recalled Nigeria’s past experience with the parliamentary system.
He questioned its failure and the country’s readiness to address those reasons now.
“Let’s think deeply about why the parliamentary system failed us and have we overcome those reasons?” Fashola urged.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said on Saturday that Nigeria was becoming more volatile, uncertain and complex.
He added that insecurity had made the country a dangerous place, filled with so much suffering and hunger.
For him, the leadership has to wake up to its responsibilities in other to create a better world for all Nigerians.
He said these in Lagos at the Africa Methodist Council Heads of Conference Summit and Women’s Movement Leadership Summit, where he was the Chairman of the public lecture.
The lecture’s topic, presented by the General Secretary, World Methodist Council, Bishop Ivan Abrahams, was, ‘Leadership in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous World’.
Obasanjo, giving his opening remarks asked that Nigerian leaders must re-evaluate the world.
“How do we re-evaluate the world? That is what I believe we have to do in our re-evaluating the world. What do we do? Jesus Christ himself told us that in this world, we would have trouble.
“I will give you two points. Wake up! We need a new generation of leaders; moral leaders, transformational leaders, and servant leaders.
“This new generation of leaders will lead by showing love and leading the re-evaluation and transformation,” he said.
Speaking further, he said, “Nigeria as it is now is volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous and dangerous.
“We have resources in Africa; we have 70 per cent of the world’s copper. Japan has no mineral resources. Singapore is even worse. No resources!
“But, whatever resources we have, if we are devoid of leadership, it won’t get us anywhere. That is why leadership in Africa is very important.
“We can’t create an Africa of hope, prosperity, devoid of oppression and one of security, peace and where leaders have vision, knowledge and understanding this way.”
He also noted that the late South African freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, and Preacher, Desmond Tutu, advised him to contest the presidency for the second time.
He said, “When I came out of prison, and there was pressure mounting on me to take the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, the only place I went outside Nigeria was South Africa. I went to seek advice from Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
“Nelson said, ‘Olu, whatever your instinct tells you, do it.’ Tutu said, ‘If your people want you to serve, serve and stop making excuses’.
“I came back home and decided to make myself available and contest for the presidency of Nigeria.
“I found out that the years I spent in prison were advantageous to me in serving as president when I was elected.
“We can get good out of bad. That also happened to Nelson Mandela.
“When we get good leaders, let’s make maximum use of them because good leaders don’t flog. When you get one in a generation, make good use of them. Let’s learn the right lesson from them.
“We cannot make the world less volatile, simple or unambiguous unless we have the right type of leaders. We are talking about leaders that take examples of Jesus Christ and become like him.”
Responding to a question during the question and answer session, Obasanjo said the removal of History from the nation’s educational curriculum was a huge disaster.
He said, “I don’t know where we got the idea that we shouldn’t teach history in our school. It is a stupid idea.
“It is like losing one’s memory. It will be a disaster. I don’t know where we got it from. Some people feel there is an aspect of the history we don’t want to hear.
“There are always the bad and the good even in your own life. As you may know, I am a proprietor of a school, and in my school, we must teach History, and it must be taught the right way. You can then decide to take whatever you want to take out of it.
“There is no race in the world that has suffered like the black race, through slavery, slave trade and colonialism.
“In America, some people are now teaching that the slave trade was not a true story – that the white and the black went to the Caribbean in search of greener pastures.
“We were shipped there as slaves. If we allow that to go, we will be enslaved again, and we must not allow that to go.
“I have given myself the task of working with some people to keep the slave trade alive in our history. We must not allow anyone to say the slave trade is not a true story and we must keep it on the front burner.”
Speaking further, the former President said finding crude oil in Nigeria was the beginning of the country’s misfortune.
He said, “One of the things that was a little bit of misfortune in Nigeria is crude oil. We were drinking and sleeping oil, and it was a misfortune for us. It made us to abandon agriculture. Oil is a waste asset. Agriculture is renewable. We have to go back to it.
“We have to give something to our youths who are becoming restive, frustrated and dangerous.
“If we are going to curb that, it is giving them education, skills, empowerment and employment. If we don’t, they will soon come to attack us in our homes in the daytime, and it is a matter of time.
“Even food, we don’t produce enough. We spend over $20bn to import food. 60 per cent of arable land is not cultivated. The one cultivated is not used to maximum capacity. We need leaders who will lead us to the promised land.”
Advising up-and-coming politicians, he said it was a pity most politicians took politics as a profession without any backup plan.
He said, “Politicians are a different kettle of fish. They have to be in the world and be to some extent of the world.
“You must not be a professional politician. Politics is one profession you go into without any training. You can wake up today and say you are a politician.
“If you are going to be a successful politician you must have an alternative to being a politician, another means of livelihood
“When I was President, because I had to listen to my party and they wanted to push me in the way I should not go, I always told them, ‘Look! My farm is there. Take your job. I go back to my farm.’
“Some politicians have no second address. That is a great pity. A politician who has no second address will stand for anything. He has no principle, morality, dos and don’ts.”