From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has approved the restoration of about 3,000 local government workers earlier removed from the State’s payroll, following an extensive engagement with organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Cross River State chapters.

The Governor’s decision followed a frank and comprehensive discussion on workers’ welfare, recruitment, promotions, salary harmonisation, pensioners’ entitlements and other matters affecting industrial relations in the State.

The meeting, held at the State Executive Council Chambers, Calabar, provided the labour leaders an opportunity to present their concerns directly to the Governor. The NLC leadership particularly appealed for the reconsideration of the disengagement of workers who had already spent about two years in service, arguing that the affected persons were sons and daughters of Cross River who had built their livelihoods around their employment.

Responding, Governor Otu acknowledged the human dimension of the issue, noting that “people have been used to particular remuneration,” and that “to cut them off at short notice will be too much to absorb,” particularly when the withdrawal affected their entire source of livelihood.

The Governor explained that the administration’s intervention in the public service was motivated by the need to correct anomalies, restore due process and ensure that employment and remuneration were founded on appropriate qualifications and fairness. “I want you to believe that their feelings were based on the fact that people have been used to particular remuneration,” he said, stressing that the government was equally mindful of the consequences of abrupt changes.

He, however, maintained that the State must establish a public service in which opportunities are distributed equitably. “Somebody cannot be a secondary school [leaver] and already be getting an appointment,” he said, adding that “because you have the opportunity, that does not mean it is your family alone; others also deserve the opportunity.”

Governor Otu said his administration was determined to rebuild the State on the principles of fairness, productivity and shared responsibility, rather than perpetuating practices that could undermine the public service. “We are committed to the rebuilding of all these elements,” he declared, while appealing to labour leaders to “join hands” with the government in the task of rebuilding Cross River.

He emphasised that the government alone could not carry the burden of transforming the State, noting that “our relationship is principally a corporate relationship” and that the administration would continue to require “maximum cooperation” from organised labour to navigate the challenges confronting the State.

The Governor also drew attention to the State’s difficult financial circumstances, explaining that the government had been grappling with inherited obligations and substantial recurring commitments while simultaneously trying to improve workers’ welfare and develop infrastructure. He said the administration had worked hard to reduce the burden of outstanding liabilities, but that fresh obligations continued to emerge. “Almost every month we are taking out 300 to 600 [million],” he said, underscoring the pressure on the State’s finances. He nevertheless expressed optimism that sustained efforts to improve revenue and manage existing commitments would enable the government to address more of its outstanding obligations.

On the broader economic question, Governor Otu urged labour to look beyond confrontation and become a partner in the State’s development. “The real foundation for the economy has been laid,” he said, pointing to the administration’s efforts to improve infrastructure, create investment opportunities, strengthen human capacity and empower citizens. He declared that the State must move away from a “hand-to-mouth economy” towards one driven by productivity, enterprise and sustainable opportunities, stressing that “we must be ready to fold our shirts and take up the challenge” of rebuilding Cross River.

The Governor also acknowledged the other concerns presented by labour, including outstanding promotions, salary harmonisation and the welfare of low-income workers and pensioners. He assured the unions that the issues raised would receive further consideration through the examination of relevant official documents and briefs. “For the other issues, I will need at least some briefs,” he said, directing labour to submit the necessary documentation while the government would equally review its own records.

The meeting, he said, had provided an important opportunity for both sides to better understand the issues, resolve outstanding concerns and strengthen the partnership between government and organised labour, culminating in his approval for the restoration of the 4,000 affected local government workers.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, is set to host more than 20,000 women stakeholders in Abuja today as part of efforts to mobilise women for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

This was contained in a statement issued by Dr Gloria Akobundu, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Women Mobilisation Planning Committee in Abuja on Sunday.

Akobundu said the event, tagged “Renewed Hope Agenda 2.

According to her, the mobilisation message for the event is: “One Voice, One Movement, One Choice, One Mandate 2027”.

She said ‎the gathering was expected to attract women leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, grassroots organisers, political stakeholders, community representatives and other women groups from across the country.

‎Akobundu said the administration’s programmes had impacted the lives of millions of Nigerians, particularly women and youths.

‎She said the programmes included the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), infrastructure development, social protection interventions, consumer credit, digital skills development and youth empowerment.

‎“NELFUND provides interest-free loans to eligible students and currently has over 1.4 million registered students, 1.69 million loan applications and more than N191 billion disbursed,” she said.

She also highlighted the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), which provides credit for personal needs, education, home improvement and renewable energy.

‎According to her, the initiative is aimed at expanding access to consumer credit and ultimately reaching 50 per cent of Nigeria’s working families.

On infrastructure, Akobundu said the Tinubu administration had constructed more than 2,700 kilometres of highways, while several major roads were undergoing construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation.

‎She listed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road among the projects, adding that rail modernisation, energy and housing investments were also receiving attention.

‎“The Federal Government has also continued to strengthen social protection through the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, introduced following the removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic shocks,” she said.

‎Akobundu said cash transfers had reached 75 million vulnerable households, with NG-CARES, SOLID and HOPE also providing support.

‎She urged women across the South-East to intensify their mobilisation and take the Renewed Hope message to communities and localities across the region.

‎She said the mobilisation would also provide an opportunity for women to play a stronger role in the political process ahead of the 2027 general elections.(NAN)

By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Appropriation (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill, 2025, extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from September 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

The amendment was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, before being transmitted to the President for assent.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the extension will give Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) additional time to complete ongoing capital projects.

The statement said the move would ensure that funds already appropriated are fully utilised without disrupting critical government programmes.

“The extension gives Ministries, Departments and Agencies more time to complete ongoing capital projects,” the statement said.

“It ensures that funds already appropriated are fully put to work for Nigerians, without disrupting critical programmes.”

Tinubu also commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for what the statement described as the prompt consideration of the amendment.

The president said the development demonstrated continued cooperation between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in the interest of the country.

The amendment therefore allows the Federal Government to continue implementing the 2025 budget until December 31, 2026, instead of the earlier September 30 deadline.