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Federal Civil Servants Decry Prolonged Delay in Minimum Wage Implementation

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Federal Civil Servants in the FCT, have decried prolonged delay in implementation of the new minimum wage of N70,000 even as the economic condition of Nigerians continue to worsen,The living standard of Nigerians had continued to deteriorate since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy on petroleum products on May 29, 2023.

The liberalisation of the exchange rates windows in June, through floatation of the Naira, also exacerbated the economic situation, leading to a long negotiation between the organised labour and the Federal Government.
However on July 19, both parties settled for N70,000 new minimum wage.The Federal Government had also, earlier announced a 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage adjustment in salaries of certain categories of workers on the consolidated salary structures.
The wage increase which was supposed to take effect from January till now had neither been paid nor the minimum wage of N70,000 implemented at the end of August.Findings, however, revealed that Edo, Adamawa, Osun, Taraba, Enugu and Ebonyi states have commenced payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage to their civil servants.Consistent checks with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission have not yielded any response.Mrs Maimuna Tijani, a Civil Servant, said that the delay in implementing the new minimum wage and the wage increase was frustrating and unfair.According to her, civil servants are already struggling to make ends meet, and the government’s failure to follow through on its promises only worsens the situation.”It shows a lack of commitment to improving the welfare of citizens.”She said that she had been forced to cut down on non-essential expenses and find additional sources of income, like tutoring.”I am also relying more on family support and community savings schemes to get by during this tough times,” she said.Mr Mathew Afolabi, a teacher, said that though the delay might be due to the economic challenges the government might be experiencing, it was critical to prioritise workers’ welfare.Afolabi said that without a wage increase, the purchasing power of the average teacher had continued to erode, leading to more significant economic problems.”I have started budgeting more strictly and avoiding unnecessary purchases. I am also considering moving to a cheaper area to reduce my rent expenses. It is tough, but I’am trying to stay optimistic,” he said.Mrs Lydia Dimka, a Nurse, expressed disappointment at the delay.”The government has a history of delaying such promises. Unfortunately, it is the average worker who suffers the most, as inflation continues to rise while wages remain stagnant.”I have had to take on extra shifts and some side jobs to supplement my income.”We have also reduced our grocery budget in the family by buying in bulk and choosing cheaper alternatives. We are getting by, but it is definitely challenging,” she said.Ms Chioma Ufodike said that the delay was a clear indication that the government was out of touch with the realities faced by the average Nigerian worker.Ufodike said if the government understood the daily struggles, this wage increase would have been implemented immediately,” she said.Ufodike added that she had resorted to “carpooling” and using public transport more often to save on fuel costs.“Additionally, I have cut down on social activities and non-essential spending. It is not ideal, but it is the only way to cope right now,” she said.Mrs Seido Terso, a Journalist said that the delay was unacceptable.Terso said that she had been trying to save as much as possible by cooking at home and avoiding eating out.”I am also trying to sell unused items to make extra money. It has been a difficult adjustment, but I am managing.”The delay shows a lack of respect for workers who have been patiently waiting for the wage increase.”The government needs to take swift action before things get worse for everyone,” she said.Meanwhile, an economist, Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu, has said that the solution for Nigerians was not in implementing the minimum wage only.According to Ekechukwu, the solution is to ensure that the inflation rate reduces, exchange rate moderates, fuel prices reduce, employment opportunities are created, and criminality and banditry reduced.“That way, even if the minimum wage is not achieved, Nigerians will still be able to manage the economic situation.“As a country, however, we must be seen to be meeting and fulfilling our promises in order to be trusted both now and in the future,” he said.Meanwhile, in spite of the hardship already being faced by Nigerians, the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) on Tuesday shockingly directed an increase in pump price of petrol from about N568 per litre to about N855 per litre.However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate reversal of the new increase in pump price of petrol.The President of the NLC, joe Ajaero, said that the congress felt a deep sense of betrayal by the increase in the pump price of petrol.He said that one of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of petrol would not be increased.“The government gave the options of either N250,000 minimum wage and a rise in the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000 or N70,000 minimum wage and retaining pump price of N568 – N617 per litre.”We opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians.”But here we are, barely one month after and with government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain.“It is both traumatic and nightmarish,” Ajaero said. (NAN)

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NAF Sensitises Veterans, Officers on Planning, Financial Management

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The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) 213 Forward Operating Base Katsina, has sensitised veterans and serving officers on future planning and financial management.

Air-Cdre Garba Jibia, the Commander of the base, during the event in Katsina on Saturday, said it was necessary to equip the veterans and the serving officers with the skills.

Jibia said that the event was part of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Hassan Bala-Abubakar’s efforts to interact with the veterans to know their challenges, in order to enable  NAF to address them.

He said that it was also an avenue, through which NAF can gain from the experiences of the veterans, which he said can assist in improving their welfare.

He advised the retired personnel to avoid excessive spendings, especially beyond their current earnings, urging those in service to prepare themselves for retirement.

Jibia, further advised them to think of ways to engage themselves, to earn income after service, especially through creativity, hard and soft skills, farming and other legal means.

“There is the need for the NAF to organise such events, for the whole serving officers and men, because it is relevant for them,” he said.

He however, urged the veterans to utilise the experience they acquired during active service, to assist themselves and earn a complimentary income, since they wete no longer in service.

The Commander assured them that whatever was discussed during the parley, would  be forwarded to the headquarters for appropriate actions.

He therefore, called on the retired personnel to remain united and always interact with each other as NAF family members.

In a remark, AVM. Sadiq Kaita (rtd), lauded the initiative by the Chief of Air Staff, saying that veterans were given the opportunity to interact with officers.

“The parley will benefit the veterans as they have the opportunity of expressing their problems and will guide them to have better plans on  resource management,” he said.

In a presentation on strategies for veteran management, the NAF’s Veteran Affairs Officer, F/O,-Godfrey Baaki, said the course of veterans administration was  not exhaustive.

He revealed that it was open to innovations and new management strategies that could  add value to NAF’s objectives.

“While NAF will remain committed to implementing effective strategies for veterans administration, feedback from units and the NAF veterans will provide decision-making tools for sustained action.

“The strategies above are incumbent and provide an overview of NAF’s direction towards moving veterans’ administration to its next level.

“The strategies are also meant to afford harmony in their implementation by units and draw relevant contributions from NAF veterans,” Baaki said.

The parley was part of the NAF Base Annual Socio-Cultural Activities (BASA) 2025 event. (NAN)

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Nuhu Yaqub’s Death Great Loss to Nigeria – NILDS D-G

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Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has described the death of the Chairman of the institute’s Academic Advisory Board, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, as a great loss to Nigeria.

Sulaiman, in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, said that Yaqub’s demise was shocking and devastating.

Report says that Yaqub died on Saturday at a private hospital in Abuja during a brief illness.

NAN also reports that the late don, born in Okene, Kogi on March 3, 1951, was in Okene 10 days ago to deliver a keynote address at a lecture orgainsed by De Noble Club 10 Kogi Central.

The director-general said that the late academic, who was a former Vice-Chancellor of Sokoto State University and University of Abuja, was a renowned scholar who played a pivotal role in advancing education and research in Nigeria.

“Yaqub’s dedication and expertise has left an indellible mark on the intellectual development of the nation, influencing countless students and policymakers,” he said.

The director-general lamented that the ‘highly accomplished scholar and political scientist’ exited the stage at a time when his vast experience and knowledge would have been invaluable.

Sulaiman, who said Yaqub’s death was a personal loss to him, added that Kogi had lost an illustrious son.

He extended his condolences to Yaqub’s wife, children and family as well as the government and people of Kogi, academic institutions and university communities across the country.

The director-general prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest in Aljanat Firdaus and give his family, colleagues and everyone mourning him the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. (NAN)

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President Tinubu Arrives Enugu, Inaugurates Numerous Projects

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President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday arrived Enugu State on his first state visit and inaugurated some completed projects embarked by the administration of Gov Peter Mbah.

Report says that some of the projects the President inaugurated included 30 of the 260 Smart Green Schools, 60 completed Type 2 Primary Health Centres, and 19 kilometer Airport-New Haven – Bisalla and Okpara Square roads built by Mbah’s  administration.

Other projects inaugurated were the completed International Conference Centre, and the state of the art Command and Control Centre with 150 patrol vehicles fitted with the AI-embedded surveillance cameras.

Report says that this is the first time a sitting President is paying an official visit to the state in over 10 years.

Inaugurating the projects, President Tinubu lauded Mbah for the projects, saying that, “Infrastructural development is a must to attract local and foreign investment, create jobs and give all a better tomorrow from today.

“It is a great honour for me and I therefore, declare this project inaugurated.

Earlier, Mbah said the Airport-New Haven – Bisalla and Okpara Square roads 19 kilometer represented 85 urban roads his administration constructed between October 2023 and October 2024.

“We are proud and grateful to have Mr President in Enugu and have him inaugurate these roads and others,” Mbah said. (NAN)

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