Politics
Govs Can Pay ₦60,000+ Wage If Corruption Is Minimised — Labour
Published
8 months agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog“All that the governors need to do to be able to pay a reasonable national minimum wage (not even the N60,000) is cut on the high cost of governance, minimise corruption as well as prioritise the welfare of workers,” the NLC said.
By Channels Television
Updated June 8, 2024
FILES: NLC President Joe Ajaero
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says governors can pay a minimum wage above ₦60,000 if they minimise corruption and cut the high cost of governance in their states.
In a statement late Friday by a spokesperson for the NLC, Benson Upah, Labour condemned the statement by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum that the ₦60,000 minimum wage proposal by the Federal Government was not sustainable and cannot fly.
Read the full statement by the NLC:
We are alarmed by the statement credited to the Nigeria Governors Forum that state governments cannot even afford to pay N60,000 as
minimum wage as “a few states will end up borrowing to pay workers every month.
We do believe the Governors have acted in bad faith. It is unheard of for such a statement be issued to the world in the middle of an on-going negotiation. It is certainly in bad taste.
As for the veracity of their claim, nothing can be further from the truth as FAAC allocations have since moved from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion. making the governments extremely rich at the expense of the people.
All that the governors need to do to be able to pay a reasonable national minimum wage (not even the N60,000) is cut on the high cost of governance, minimise corruption as well as prioritise the welfare of workers.
It is important to explain here that a national minimum wage is not synonymous with the different pay structures of different states. The national minimum wage is the lowest floor below which no employer is allowed to pay. The aim is to protect the weak and the poor.
We are not fixated with figures but value. Those who argue that moving the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N60,000 is sufficiently good enough miss the point. In 2019, when N30,000 became the minimum, N300 exchanged for $1 (effectively making the minimum wage an equivalent of $100 or thereabout) while inflation rate was 11.40.
At the moment the exchange rate is at N1,600 to $1 while inflation hovers at 33.7% (40% for food). This puts the value of the minimum wage at $37.5 for a family of six. This is happening at a time costs of everything rose by more than 400% as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy. This is an extreme bad news for the poor.
Government’s policies of fuel subsidy removal, mindless devaluation of the Naira, energy tariff hike by 250% and interest rate hike by 26.5% will continue to hurt the economy (especially manufacturing sector) and the poor.
Already manifest is the mass incapcity of Nigerians leading to overflowing warehouses of the productive sector of the economy. The downward trend will continue except the capacity of workers and businesses is enhanced.
Paying a miserable national minimum wage portends grave danger to not only the workforce but the national economy as in truth, economies of most states are driven by workers wages.
In light of this, we urge the governors to do a re-think and save the country from a certain death.
Benson Upah
Head of Information and Public Affairs
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Kwankwaso urges Kano ex-governors to unite, work together
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1 min agoon
January 30, 2025By
Ekwutos BlogThe Director of Finance at the Hadeja-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has expressed his support for reconciliation among former Kano State governors—Kwankwaso, Ganduje, Shekarau, and Kabiru Gaya.
“Indeed, bringing these individuals together in reconciliation will contribute to Kano State’s progress, something the people of the state will be proud of. Therefore, fostering peace among them is a positive step,” he stated.
He made this remark during an interview with Kadaura24 on Wednesday.
He lamented the setbacks Kano has experienced due to the reversal of beneficial projects initiated by one administration, despite their positive impact on the people.
“We want former governors to unite in making decisions that will improve the lives of the people and acknowledge that any project undertaken for public benefit should not be canceled due to political differences,” he said.
He emphasized that all the former governors are now over 65 years old, making it the right time for them to come together and work towards the advancement of Kano State.
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APC expels Aregbesola for anti-party activities
Published
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January 30, 2025By
Ekwutos BlogThe leadership of All Progressives Congress(APC) has formally sacked erstwhile Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola from the party over anti-party activities.
Aregbesola, who served as Osun State governor for eight years, had created a faction, The Osun Progressives (TOP), now Omoluabi Caucus, to fly another interest within the party. The development caused the party to governorship seat in 2022.
On Sunday, Aregbesola presided over an Omoluabi Caucus meeting where he announced that the faction had quit APC because the party was no longer popular in Osun State.
Also, a letter sent to Aregbesola by the party’s leadership, titled: ‘Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You’ said the former minister was found guilty of anti-party activities.
Read Also: Aregbesola, allies set to quit APC
“At the end of the investigation, the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee.
“Having carefully considered the findings and recommendations of the committee, SEC has resolved to accept the recommendation of your immediate expulsion from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The decision was predicated on the clear evidence of your actions, which undermined the unity and integrity of the party in violation of the provisions of Article 21 of the APC Constitution guiding the conduct and discipline of members.
“As a result, with the approval of your expulsion, you cease to be a member of APC. Consequently, you are not to hold yourself out as a member or act in any capacity on behalf of the Party in any manner whatsoever.”
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BREAKING: Ogun Only Recognizes Constitutionally Established Courts. ….says no group can bring Sharia through the backdoor
Published
2 hours agoon
January 30, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Ogun State Government has warned against any attempt to establish a Sharia Court in the state.
The state government, in a statement personally signed by the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, noted that Sharia Courts cannot be legally constituted by individuals or groups without legal backing.
The government was reacting to a notice announcing the launch of a Sharia Court in the state.
According to the statement, Ogun State only recognizes courts established through the legal framework of the Nigerian Constitution, adding that a Sharia Court does not form part of the legal framework operating in the state.
The statement reads: “The Ogun State Government has noted the circulation of a digital notice announcing the launch of a Shari’ah Court in Ogun State.
“No Sharia Court is authorized to operate within Ogun State. The courts that are legally empowered to adjudicate disputes arising within Ogun State are those established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or by State Laws, which are: Magistrates’ Courts, High Court, Customary Courts, Customary Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.
“No law operating in Ogun State has established a Sharia Court, and Sharia law does not form part of the legal framework by which the Ogun State Government administers and governs society.
“The Ogun State Government upholds and protects the rights of individuals to practice the religion of their choice, or to subscribe to no religion, and recognizes the freedom of individuals to apply their faith in their personal and private matters.
“However, this freedom does not extend to the formation of unauthorized assemblies or institutions. No individual or group is legally permitted to constitute a court or present themselves to the public as a court without legal backing. Those behind that notice have no legal backing. They cannot set up a court or administer justice by fiat or public notice.
“The Ogun State Government hereby directs that all persons involved in the creation or operation of this unauthorized court must immediately cease all related activities and disband the illegal entity and all its apparatus.
“The Ogun State Government also advises members of the public to disregard any summons, documents, or persons associated with the illegal Sharia Court. Such occurrences should be promptly reported to the State.
“The Ogun State Government will uphold the rule of law, ensure respect for the legal and judicial framework within the State, and prevent a breakdown of law and order.”
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