femi.ogunshola

News Agency Of Nigeria

<h2>It is becoming apparent that organised labour may not give the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, the luxury of time to settle down before agitation for a wage increase, as the clock of the May 29 inauguration thickens.</h2>

To them, they will not accept anything less than a ₦100,000 minimum wage this time. They want Tinubu to brace up for the challenge in a bid to meet up with their demand in the face of soaring prices of goods and services.

Though the dust of the last minimum wage which was increased from ₦18,000 to ₦30,000 by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is yet to settle as some state governors are still owing civil servants several months in arrears.

The excuse being given is that ₦30,000 as the minimum wage was huge considering the revenue accruing to their states and the monthly Federal Allocation Account they received is not enough to pay such an amount. The governors claimed it was near impossible for them to meet such a minimum standard.

However, on May 1, Tinubu, in a message to the Labour Union to commemorate the 2023 International Workers’ Day, promised that his administration will provide a living wage to Nigerian workers, describing the existing national minimum wage as “not enough”.

“I shall have the honour and privilege to lead from May 29, workers will have more than a minimum wage, you will have a living wage to have a decent life and provide for your families,” according to him.

Oladehinde Ariyo, a public affairs analyst, pointed out that there are people who collect as much as ₦100,000 per day while others collect ₦30,000 per month in the same country where there is no differential market.

Decrying the development, he said in a nation where “we all go to the same market, ₦30,000 is no longer acceptable to labour”.

Commending the proposed plan by the President-elect to give a living wage in a statement to the NLC on May 1, Ariyo said: “This is a laudable thing that Tinubu was not going to wait until the labour union resort to threat, so it was important he gave the assurance."

He said Tinubu had already moved ahead of labour by putting forward a demand he is already anticipating from the NLC on what he was going to do regarding wage increase.

Justifying the reason why the President-elect must make good his promise, he said “In those days, our teachers have access to loans to buy cars, houses, among others, but today such is no longer within their reach”.

He said instead of the energy the country is directing on subsidy, “we can direct that at ensuring a living wage for Nigerian workers”.

He also said that some underserved benefits by politicians and public servants should be taken care of off their radar, noting that it is high time to take a look at deserving benefits via living wage to workers.

He noted that Nigerian workers truly deserved a better life, saying “If we are determined, money will be made available even through unexplored avenues that can become an additional income”.

Adejare Ibrahim, a public commentator, on his part, said a higher percentage of Nigerians, who are living abroad, are not really into any personal business.

According to him, all they do is work for an organisation and get paid. ”I have sampled the opinions of many people living abroad; the big difference between us and them is the wage system.

“For instance, I have a darling brother, who lives in Israel. Few weeks ago, he took his time to explain their wage system to me. What some of them receive as daily pay, for an informal job, many of our university graduates don’t receive it as salary.

“According to our discussion, it’s very possible for an unskilled worker to receive ₦80,000 to ₦100,000 per day (after conversion from shekel to naira). Whereas, in Nigeria, any university graduate that receives ₦100,000 as salary is one of the luckiest."

“If the Tinubu administration can effectively review our labour law, so that an average Nigerian will be paid a quarter of what Nigerians living abroad receive as wage and salary, the problem of brain drain will be solved,” Ibrahim said.

He also noted that a moderate upgrade of the nation’s infrastructures, especially electricity, will do the magic.

He said the cost of living in Nigeria is relatively low, compared to other countries. Nigerians love living in Nigeria. They are willing to stay back if certain expectations can be met, said explained.

Michael Oluwagbemi, a political analyst, said the minimum wage isn’t just about the public sector but about the minimum wage that should be paid by all.

To him, what the President-elect is saying is that he will not only do the minimum wage for workers but all will experience a living wage including access to credit. The message is a focus on improving the economy.

Oluwagbemi however said that the revenue base of the country should be taken a closer look at, adding that there are leakages that must be addressed.

“The state governments can make money from land use sources, agriculture, among others, the resources are unlimited. They can earn more revenue through several untapped sources,” he said.

The analyst however urged the incoming government to focus on the bad policies that allowed leakages, saying that is where we get a 50 per cent deficit, it does not make sense to leave them unattended to.

By and large, as the organised labour head up the President-elect on its demand for increased wages, Tinubu’s proactive pronouncement of a living wage would herald an administration of renewed hope in the country.

Tinubu, in a message to the Labour Union to commemorate the 2023 International Workers’ Day, promised that his administration will provide a living wage to Nigerian workers.

Examining Tinubu's promise of a living wage for Nigerian workers

<h1>Dr Kayode Ajulo, a Human Rights Lawyer, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately embark on electoral reform to strengthen the country’s electoral process. </h1>

Ajulo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the country could not afford a defective electoral process that allowed for brigandage, voter apathy and manipulation.

According to the human right lawyer, it is imperative for the President to reform the electoral process as I do not see reasons people cannot go and vote with their Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

“Security agencies, journalists, health workers and other paramilitary should be able to vote and this is what the President should commence before his second term inauguration on May 29.,’’ he said.

He called for electoral reforms, particularly in states, saying that there was need to address the issue of voter apathy as recorded in the March 9 Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“If the President refused to embark on electoral reforms within 30 days, I will work in collaboration with the civil society and the international community to strengthen the discussion,” he said.

Ajulo said this against the backdrop of the irregularities, manipulations and violence that attended the 2019 elections.

He said that the conduct of some political gladiators in the governorship and state house of assembly elections was worrisome, while commending Buhari for promising to leave a legacy of free, fair elections in Nigeria.

Buhari had on March 11 in Daura declared that he would want to be remembered as a leader who kept his word that elections in Nigeria must be free, fair and credible.

The human right lawyer, however, called on Buhari to revisit the Justice Muhammed Uwais electoral reform which was set up by the late President Umar Yar’adua.

According to the human right lawyer, it is imperative for the President to reform the electoral process as I do not see reasons people cannot go and vote with their Automated Teller Machine (ATM). 

Embark on electoral reform now - Lawyer tells Buhari

<h1>Mr Charles Folayan, Secretary, National Youth Campaign Committee, All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APCPCC) has urged Kwara youths to support the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari.</h1>

Folayan said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the reelection of Buhari was tied to the liberation of the people of Kwara from a political dynasty.

He added that the victory of Buhari and the APC in the Feb. 16 elections was a task that must be achieved.

Folayan who also double as the President of Kwara Youth Stakeholders Forum, said the time had come for Kwara youths to end those he termed as gang of looters who maneuvered their ways to the politics and governance of Kwara and Nigeria.

He stated that such people have continued to usurp peoples power only to acquire properties abroad with public funds at the detriment of the development of the state and provision of infrastructure.

According to him, the t g whirlwind in Kwara State transcends the aspiration of any individual or party.

"It is a battle to free Kwara from maladministration, egocentric, selfish leadership, psychological manipulation, political and economic slavery," he said.

He expressed confident that the Federal Government would put in place every necessary arrangement to ensure that Kwara election results reflected the true will of the people.

He said his committee would work day and night with every progressive in Kwara State to achieve the desired goals.

Kwara youths urged to support Buhari’s re-election

Folayan said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the reelection of Buhari was tied to the liberation of the people of Kwara from a political dynasty.

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femi.ogunshola

Articles written by the author

Examining Tinubu's promise of a living wage for Nigerian workers

Embark on electoral reform now - Lawyer tells Buhari

Kwara youths urged to support Buhari’s re-election