Fresh battle looms over arrears payment of New Minimum Wage
Fresh battle looms over arrears payment of New Minimum Wage
With the battle for a new minimum wage settled in most of the 36 states,workers are now shifting attention to the payment of the arrears of their remuneration.
The Nation reports, many of the states commenced payment of the new wage last month while some have promised to do so at the end of this month.
But Imo,Osun and Plateau state governments are yet to commit themselves on how much they are willing to pay and when they plan to start paying.
The Minimum Wage Act took effect from July following the signing of the bill by President Bola Tinubu on July 29.
Negotiation between government (Federal and States),organised labour and the private sector on the matter took some time and when it was all over,the state governors asked that they be given till the end of October to enable them put their finances in order
One of the states already preparing for negotiation of payment of arrears of the new wage is Katsina.
Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hussain Hamisu, told The Nation by phone that labour is scheduled to commence negotiations with the state government on the payment of arrears and on how retirees could benefit from the new salary structure.
The committee set up by the state government on the new minimum wage is about rounding off its assignment.
Hamisu said once the committee completes its assignment in another two weeks, negotiation on the arrears will begin.
‘’Retirees must equally be considered during negotiations, considering the fact that there was a circular on their benefits and entitlements at the time of their retirements,’’ he said.
The NLC boss said Katsina has a history of timely wage payments and taking care of the interest of workers.
The 15- member committee on the minimum wage was charged with the responsibility of advising the state government on strategy and modalities for the implementation of the new salary structure.
Significant indignation has been generated by Comrade Gwarzo’s recent demand that President Tinubu “remove the emir he enthroned and kept in a graveyard.”
The Kano State Deputy Governor was reprimanded by Honourable Ata, who also demanded that Gwarzo and the Kano State Government formally apologise to President Tinubu for their provocative comments within 72 hours.
Failure to comply, the Minister stated, would leave members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with no option but to pursue legal and political action.
In a strongly worded press release issued by his media aide, Seyi Olorunsola, Ata labeled Gwarzo a “coward” for his disrespectful attack on the President, condemning his behavior as “unacceptable” and “disgraceful.” Ata further asserted that the Deputy Governor’s remarks were a direct affront to the dignity of the nation’s highest office.
“The Deputy Governor’s audacity to address the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in such a crude and disrespectful manner is both disgraceful and a direct challenge to the sanctity of the office,” said Ata. “This is yet another example of the Kano State Government’s disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law.”
The Minister highlighted that Gwarzo’s comments, demanding the removal of the emir, were not only undemocratic but also threatened the integrity of the Presidency. He accused the Kano State Government of continuing its “reckless and undemocratic conduct” at the national level, further exacerbating the ongoing crisis.
Ata also pointed out that the Emirship issue is currently under legal review and thus subjudice. Despite this, he criticized the Kano State Government for making incendiary statements that undermine the judiciary and seek to exert undue pressure on the legal process.
The Minister concluded by emphasizing that such reckless actions only serve to expose the Kano State Government’s failure to understand the fundamental principles of governance, federalism, and democratic engagement.
“This pattern of conduct amounts to sheer political rascality and a complete lack of respect for democratic norms and due process,” he declared.
“It is crucial to remind Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his administration that the Presidency is not an extension of their local political theater,” he said.
“The Office of the President must be accorded the highest level of respect, and no government, no matter how misguided or emboldened by lawlessness, has the right to dictate terms to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. If the Kano State Government believes it has a legitimate claim, it must channel its grievances through proper legal and constitutional processes rather than resorting to incendiary rhetoric and public grandstanding.”
The Honourable Minister emphasised his commitment to upholding the integrity of democratic institutions, ensuring that “no state government, no matter how desperate, is allowed to subvert the sanctity of the rule of law.”
“The people of Kano and Nigerians at large deserve leaders who understand governance, not politicians who thrive on reckless propaganda and political thuggery,” he stated.
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12 Passengers burnt beyond recognition in ghastly express road accident
12 Passengers burnt beyond recognition in ghastly express road accident
Tragedy struck on Saturday morning along the Benin-Auchi highway as 12 passengers were burnt to death in a fatal accident involving a Toyota Hiace bus and a truck.
Cyril Mathew, Edo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who confirmed the incident, said the crash occurred around 5 a.m. at Igueoviobo community, near an army checkpoint on the highway.
According to the FRSC official, the bus, which departed from Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and was heading to Benin, collided with an oncoming truck en route Auchi.
“The entire occupants of the bus were killed in the crash.
“The accident likely resulted from fatigue, as the driver may have dozed off, leading to the collision,” he said.
Following the impact, he said, the bus was engulfed in flames, making it impossible to save the victims.
Matthew noted, however, that the FRSC authorities were able to identify the deceased through the vehicle’s manifest and had since contacted their families.
He explained that the truck driver and his assistant, fondly called “Motor Boy” escaped unhurt.
The FRSC boss once again urged drivers to avoid fatigue while on long journeys, advising them to stop and rest whenever they feel tired to prevent similar tragedies. (NAN)
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You lack the authority to remove or install your Speaker– Lagos House of Assembly told
You lack the authority to remove or install your Speaker– Lagos House of Assembly told
Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the Lagos State House of Assembly as regards the speakership position of the House.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the controversial removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker and the election of Mojisola Meranda on January 13, 2025, the prominent APC leader revealed that while lawmakers hold influence, they do not have the absolute power to appoint or remove their leadership.
He also emphasised that neither the GAC nor the party were consulted in the decision-making process.
The dispute has led to both Obasa and Meranda now staking claims to the Speakership of the House of Assembly, further intensifying the political tension.
As the highest decision-making body within the APC, the GAC has held multiple meetings with the lawmakers involved in the crisis, seeking to resolve the matter amicably.
Speaking with newsmen, Olusi said, “Members of the GAC are not members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to allegedly be behind the removal of Obasa. It can’t be true.
“We read it also that morning. The lawmakers carried it out without consulting the party and those of us in the GAC. That is our position.
“We invited all of them and insisted that all of them are products of the party. They lodged their complaints and we listened to them.
“I blamed them for one thing and that is for not lodging the complaints earlier before the party. It is for the party to decide, they (lawmakers) have no absolute power to remove and install their leaders.
“Nobody can become a member of the House of Assembly unless sponsored by a political party and the sponsors are the inspectors.
“The problem is the speaker (Obasa) and his colleagues which had led to his removal. It is a disputer among them.
“Currently, there is a high powered committee of the party led by Chief Bisi Akande and members, including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and former APC National Vice Chairman, South-west, Chief Pius Akinyelure and others,
“They are working and making efforts to resolve the matter. I know they are in consultation with the House of Assembly, Obasa and the other Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
“Those of us in the GAC and the Chairman of the Party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi are doing all within our power to assist the committee.”