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Nasarawa State workers begin Indefinite strike over minimum wage

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Nasarawa State workers begin Indefinite strike over minimum wage

Organised Labour in Nasarawa State has begun an indefinite strike action from Tuesday, June 15, over the partial implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage and other welfare-related issues.

The strike was declared on Monday in Lafia after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the labor movement in the state.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Yusuf Iya, said the action became imperative due to the failure of the government to meet their demands after two ultimatums were served.

The NLC Chairman listed some of the demands to include, including partial implementation of minimum wage without recourse to due process of collective bargaining, lack of implementation of promotions since 2008.

Others are; lack of annual increments, lack of training, lack of confirmation of appointments of casual workers some of which are working for more than 10 years among others.

Comrade Iya said that some of the problems lingered for a long period, but, the government has failed to give priority to addressing them.

“We have given the present administration more than two years grace to address our challenges, but the government has been paying lip service.

“The strike was supposed to have commenced since Monday, June 7, but was delayed due to intervention by the traditional rulers.

“Even with the intervention, the government was not serious in meeting our demands, therefore, we have no option than to speak the language they understand better,” the NLC Chairman added.

He described the implications of minimum wage of workers in grade levels 1-6 in the state as a mirage.

Iya explained that due process was not followed, and advised the government to ensure that the minimum wage committee is allowed to return to the negotiation table to complete their assignment.

The NLC boss in the state said that workers should not be intimidated as the struggle for better welfare has just begun and they would achieve success this time around.

Collaborating, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC) Mohammed Doma, said it was unfortunate that the government could not respect the traditional rulers despite their intervention by doing the needful to meet their demands.

He explained that Nasarawa State workers have shown the maximum understanding with the present administration and even the previous one.

“We have remained committed to serving the state, despite carrier stagnation for over ten years, so the government should also show understanding by meeting our demands,” the TUC Chairman added.

The TUC boss in the state said workers should remain in their houses from Tuesday, June 15 until further notice from the organized labor officials.

Meanwhile, Nasarawa State Accountant General, Zakka Yakubu, had recently announced that government had commenced the implementation of minimum wage of workers from level 1-6.

‘Despite the military formations and training schools in the emirate, bandits are moving around unchecked’ – Emir of Zazzau laments

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‘Despite the military formations and training schools in the emirate, bandits are moving around unchecked’ – Emir of Zazzau laments

The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli has lamended the continued attacks on the emirate by bandits and unidentified gunmen.

The Emir, who spoke on Monday, when heads of security agencies visited him at his palace, lamented that residents had been under incessant attacks by bandits who killed and abducted people within and outside Zaria.

“The situation is unacceptable. We are calling on the government to arrest the situation before it gets out of control. Despite the location of military formations and training schools in the emirate, my area is not safe.

 “Children can no longer go to school, bandits are moving about unchecked. We are calling on security personnel and agencies to rise up to the challenge and put an end to the sad situation.” he said.

Speaking, Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel  Aruwan, who led the security chiefs on the visit, assured the emir that government was doing everything possible to make the emirate and Kaduna State safe.

He said the aim of the visit was to douse tension and build the confidence of Zaria residents.

Aruwan said they came to commiserate with the Emirate over the recent spate of attacks and kidnappings of residents and were working hard to put an end to all forms of criminality ravaging the emirate.

Recall that Zaria has been under incessant attacks by the bandits kidnapping innocent residents including student.

On June 11, one student of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic for Kaduna State, killed, another survived gun shots, while three others and a staff of the institution were kidnapped.

Two days later the bandits attacked Kofar Gayan and Kofar Kona area of Zaira and kidnapped no fewer than 12 residents.

Chris Ngige says Nigerians want to ‘ride Buhari to death’

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Chris Ngige says Nigerians want to ‘ride Buhari to death’

Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige says Nigerians have stretched the president. Muhammadu Buhari beyond his limits.

The Minister said this on Monday night in an interview aired on Channels Television. According to him, President Buhari has ‘toletated so much’ and other leaders will not condone the kind of criticisms the president deaks with.

“Can President Obasanjo give you people the latitude?… He will not grant you people that! So, this president (Buhari) is a willing horse and you people (Nigerians) want to ride him to death,” Ngige said .

The former Anambra State governor while stressing that the present government has delivered its promises in many areas, called on critics and members of the public to give kudos to the Buhari government.

“There must be a limit to politicking. If a government has done well, if a person has done well, give him accolades. In the areas he has not done well, point them out and discuss,” he added.

The Minister also talked about the calls for an igbo presidency saying that feelings of marginalization in the Southeast will be largely assuaged if the region produces Nigeria’s next president.

“The people in the area have perceived that they are marginalized, that they are unappreciated, whether it was done by propaganda and brainwashing or not, that is now immaterial.

“So I agree with that proposal, unfortunately, the Nigerian constitution does not have that. This is where I quarrel with those who authored the 1999 Constitution.

“I still believe today, tomorrow, that the Abacha Constitution of 1995 that espouses rotational presidency into the six zones in Nigeria, a single five-year tenure in order to heal all the wounds; the wounds of civil war, and the wound of June 12.

“Now, that constitution would have been the best constitution for Nigerians to use for the next 30 years by which the six zones would have tested the presidency,” the minister stated.

CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour reveals Cancer Diagnosis on live TV

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CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour reveals Cancer Diagnosis on live TV

Christiane Amanpour, anchor of Amanpour, a global affairs interview programme on CNN International, has told viewers that she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Amanpour revealed this during a live broadcast on Monday.

“I want to first thank Bianna Golodryga and the whole team for holding down the folks so well over the last four weeks, which has been a bit of a roller-coaster for me, because during that time, like millions of women around the world, I have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer,” Amanpour said at the beginning of her daily television program.

“I’ve had successful major surgery to remove it, and I’m now undergoing several months of chemotherapy for the very best possible long-term prognosis, and I’m confident.”

Amanpour’s revelation helped clear the air on her absence from the programme for the past four weeks.

“I’m also fortunate to have health insurance through work and incredible doctors who are treating me in a country underpinned by, of course, the brilliant NHS,” she added thanking the UK health workers who have been treating her.

In her on-air announcement, Amanpour pointed out that ovarian cancer is all too common, affecting “millions of women around the world.”

She further advised women to “educate themselves” on the disease, and carry out regular scans.

“I’m telling you this in the interest of transparency. But in truth, really, mostly as a shoutout to early diagnosis — to urge women to educate themselves on this disease; to get all the regular screenings and scans that you can; to always listen to your bodies, and of course to ensure that your legitimate medical concerns are not dismissed or diminished.”

Amanpour, 63, is a veteran journalist known around the world for her fearless coverage of international conflicts.

PDP Governors call for the decentralisation of security

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PDP Governors call for the decentralisation of security

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday raised an alarm over the rate at which the All Progressives Congress (APC) is borrowing money to fund projects in the country.

This formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of the meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

“Money should only be borrowed for productive purposes as Nigeria’s current debt of over N36 trillion is becoming clearly unsustainable relative to our earnings and GDP.

“We should not saddle incoming generations with an undue debt burden. The borrowing spree of the APC administration if unchecked will certainly lead Nigeria into avoidable bankruptcy,” a communique issued at the end of the meeting read in part.

The governors decried that the debt profile of Nigeria with over 80 per cent of normal appropriation spent on debt servicing was rising and becoming uncontrollable.

They stated that all the gains of the PDP government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo when the nation exited its foreign debt obligations had been destroyed.

The governors accused the present administration of borrowing for frivolous items, stressing that such an action was scandalous.

They faulted the operational system and methods of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which they claimed was functioning as an independent government-within-a-government.

“A situation where CBN creates money, decides how much of it to spend, on what to spend it on without any form of controls or supervision is patently subversive of our constitutional order.

“It has become not just a leviathan, but also a Father Christmas of sorts, dabbling into every sphere and scope of governmental activity, not just as a lender of last resort, but as a full executing agency of government,” the communique read.

It added, “The meeting observed that the CBN has become such an octopus that it threatens state governments publicly, without decorum, about sanctions on any attempt to question its Modus Operandi. The CBN should take immediate steps to halt the depreciation of the naira.”

The governors also called for the decentralisation of the operations of the security apparatus of the state, even within the existing legal framework.

They explained that the move became necessary in the face of the disturbing spate of insecurity in the land, to ensure the input of local operators in state and local governments in policing and security.

The governors decried that President Muhammadu Buhari seemed not to be aware that the coercive instruments of state security were firmly within his hands and not the governors, considering his recent media interview on the subject.

They reminded the President that he has ultimate authority under the Constitution over the security organisations, even though the states have a role to play.

The leaders believe cooperation and synergy between states and the Federal Government in security operations were critical in securing the nation and its people.

They stated that despite being on the Exclusive List, the states spend huge sums of money to support the police and other security agencies to carry out their duties.

The governors called on the National Assembly to expedite action in passing the Electoral Act and Constitution amendments to ensure restructuring and decentralisation of governmental powers and functions.

Nigeria in dire need of Leaders willing to unite Nigerians, Says Vice President Osinbajo

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Nigeria in dire need of Leaders willing to unite Nigerians, Says Vice President Osinbajo

With the challenges affecting the country at this time, there is a need for proactive leaders who are prepared to bring Nigerians together.

This view was expressed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, in Lagos at the weekend during a courtesy visit to the palace of Oniru of Iruland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, on the occasion of the monarch’s first coronation anniversary.

Prof. Osinbajo said while commending the Oba for being a leader to people of diverse socio-ethnic backgrounds, “our country needs all the leaders, the best leaders, the most proactive leaders, leaders prepared to bring the country together. Lagos is a microcosm of Nigeria, everybody is here, if things work out well here, things will be okay in the country.

Addressing the Oniru directly the VP observed that “I am sure your role here is that of someone who brings together communities not just Yorubas, but everybody. And I can see that from your choice of chiefs, you have gone to other parts, and I think this is the attitude of great leaders.”

While praying for the Oba for a successful reign on the throne, the Vice President said the progress of his kingdom and its people will be determined by the quality of leadership he provides, which is a yardstick to measure the role of traditional rulers in the country.

His words: “you should know that you are always in my prayers because I believe that your role is crucial not just for the development of this state, but for the whole country.

“Today you cannot relegate traditional rulers because of the exposure and education of those who occupy that position.”

On his part, the Oniru of Iruland thanked the Vice President for his leadership and commitment to the progress of the country.

While pledging the support of the entire kingdom for the Federal Government, the Oba said the Vice President’s leadership is an example for other leaders across the country to follow, noting that “you are a leader whose direction we will continue to follow”.

His words: “the relationship between the Vice President and I had been very cordial. We belong to the same school of thought. He calls and advises me on several issues.

“I want to assure you, Mr Vice President that I will not disappoint you, I will ensure the progress of this kingdom and I will be just.”

Also speaking later in an interview with journalists at the palace, Prof. Osinbajo said the future of Iruland is bright with an Oniru like Oba Abdulwasiu.

“I have known the Oniru for quite some time now. He is somebody who I have a great deal of respect for, and I know that the future of this community is bright with an Oniru like himself.

“He is not just someone who is thoroughly educated but a visionary. He is someone who sees the future and is ready in ensuring that he brings the future in a very short time,” the VP added.

‘I’m not aware of Hadiza Bala Usman’s suspension’ – Amaechi claims

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‘I’m not aware of Hadiza Bala Usman’s suspension’ – Amaechi claims

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, says he is not aware of the suspension of Hadiza Bala Usman as the managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

NewsWireNGR had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the suspension of Bala Usman on the fifth of May, 2021 over allegations of failing to remit the operating surplus of NPA to the consolidated revenue fund (CFR) as well as over contracts awarded when she became director – allegations she denied.

The actions was then followed by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who, as directed by President Buhari, inaugurated an 11-member investigative panel to probe the NPA over the allegations

Usman was initially accused of failing to remit the operating surplus of NPA to the consolidated revenue fund (CFR) — an allegation she denied.

However, In an interview with Arise TV on Monday, Amaechi denied knowledge of Usman’s suspension, saying she was only asked to “step aside” pending the conclusion of the probe on NPA.

“I am not aware that I suspended Hadiza, I’m not the president. So I don’t have such power. That power rests with the president,” he said.

Google removes Adamu Garba’s Crowwe app from Play store

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Google removes Adamu Garba’s Crowwe app from Play store

Google has removed Crowwe, a social media app owned by a former presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, making it much harder for Android users to download and access the app.

Mr Garba, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress had said he created the Crowwe app as a home-grown alternative to foreign giants like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

And he has recently been vocal about his homegrown alternative amid the ongoing suspension of Twitter operations in the call.

“Join Crowwe now! Build your country, Build your people and Build your Brand. Join Crowwe now., Garba tweeted moments after the ban was announced.

“This is the best opportunity to grow Nigeria to Build Nigeria, Crowwe to the World.”

However, latest checks by NewsWireNGR revealed that the app has been removed from the most trusted app store for android.

There was no statement from the tech giants on why the app was removed from the android app store but NewsWireNGR learnt it is connected to the poor ratings the Crowwe app has received by irate Nigerians who allege Garba’s affinity to the ruling party means their activities on the app would be accessible to the government at will.

Some other Nigerians have dropped one star ratings on the app and condemned it as an expression of anger to Garba’s excitement at the ongoing suspension of Twitter activities in the country.

Reacting to the removal of the app in an interview with Peoples Gazette on Monday, Garba claimed the app was deleted because the company was working on an update.

However, the Google Play store guide says it is not necessary to remove or delete an app before an update.

“Once your update is available, users can download the update on your app’s store listing page or from their My apps page on the Play Store app. If a user has turned on automatic updates for your app, the update will be downloaded and installed automatically,” it said.

There are many reasons Google may expunge an app from it store however for privacy reasons .

In 2020, Google pulled three popular apps, Princess Salon, Number Coloring, and Cats & Cosplay from the Google Play Store after finding that the apps violated its policies regarding the collection of its user’s data.

Collectively, the apps had amassed more than 20 million downloads prior to being removed.

MEND says it will avenge attack if ‘Fulani’ militia carries out threat

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MEND says it will avenge attack if ‘Fulani’ militia carries out threat

Popular Niger Delta militant group, ‘Movement for the Emancipation and the Defence of the Niger Delta’, (MEND) has promised to avenge attacks if a faceless Fulani militia group ‘Fulanis of Usman Dan Fodio Leadership’ group carries out its threat to invade and bomb Asaba, the state capital and Agbor.

The reprisal threat is off the heels of an attack on the fire incident that gutted the Federal Secretariat complex along Okpanam Road, Asaba in which the faceless Fulani terror group claimed in a letter.

The group further threatened the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa to withdraw his policy that banned open grazing in the state within 72 hours.

Threat of the Jihadist

However, reacting to the threat of the Fulani group that has now caused panic in Delta State, the MEND in a statement obtained by NewsWireNGR on Monday vowed to launch its own avengeful attack that would be ten times more than the ‘Fulani Jihadists’

MEND said, “The attention of the Movement for the Emancipation and the Defence of the Niger Delta has been brought to the threat of some Fulani terrorists who have given a 3-day warning to the governor of Delta state because of his support for the ban of open grazing across the Southern States. We also saw your taking responsibility for an explosion at the secretariat in Asaba.

“We are warning that if your threat is made to come to fulfilment, No Fulani will ever exist across the Niger Delta and all oil facilities linked to a Fulani will be brought down. If one soul is lost, ten Fulani souls will pay for it. If one facility is destroyed, ten Fulani facilities will be destroyed. We will respond proportionately ten times to whatever you give, the corresponding response will not be limited to the Delta, It may be with your politicians or with your rulers.

“We will launch three rocket launchers and ballistic missiles at any facility of our choice as a warning in seven days if you make bold your threats. We don’t make cheap our threats. We have shut down the country and we can at any time shut you down. We are the Niger Delta, We stand for the interest of the Niger Delta and we will not allow any coward to threaten us. We fight without running.”

#TwitterBan: Coalition of civil society organisations condemn Federal Government’s suspension

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#TwitterBan: Coalition of civil society organisations condemn Federal Government’s suspension

A coalition of Civil societies in Nigeria numbering 70 have condemned the decision of the Federal Government to suspend Twitter operations in the country.

The group in a statement jointly signed on Monday urged the Federal Government to reverse the suspension and withdraw its threat to prosecute any Nigerian using the app.

“We, the undersigned civil society organizations are concerned about the repression and escalating crackdown on human rights by the Nigerian government, particularly the rights to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.

“We strongly condemn the arbitrary and unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, by the authorities, and the resulting restrictions on the human rights of people, as well as the threat to prosecute anyone using Twitter in Nigeria.

“We, therefore, call on the Nigerian authorities to immediately rescind the unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria and withdraw the threat to prosecute anyone using Twitter in the country,” the statement read in part.

The groups also condemned the announcement issued by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for all broadcast stations to “deinstall” their Twitter accounts.

They asked that the Federal Government, “Immediately withdraw the directive to broadcast stations to deactivate their Twitter accounts.”

The groups asked that the Federal Government end the widespread impunity for human rights violations, in particular the rights to freedom of expression including online, access to information and media freedom.

They called on the international community, including the UN and the African Union to publicly condemn the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria and to put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to reverse the decision.

According to the groups, Social media platforms have helped Nigerians to receive information, impart the same, hold useful conversations, and hold the Nigerian authorities to account. A clear example is how social media was used to drive police accountability in the #EndSARs protests last year.

They lamented that the Nigerian authorities have also set plans in motion to force social media platforms to register in Nigeria and comply with local regulations before they are licensed to operate.

“The Nigerian authorities have continued to propose laws to regulate the social media, and restrict the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom, including through legislative bills popularly known as the ‘Hate Speech Bill’ and ‘The Social Media Bill’ which both provide severe punitive sanctions such as the death penalty in some cases, for social media users convicted of “crimes” provided under them,” they added.

The civil groups said the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria is inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The statement was jointly signed by Amnesty International Nigeria; CISLAC (Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre); Global Rights; Nigeria Mourns; Business and Human Rights Roundtable; Tap Initiative for citizens development; Civil society consortium on civic space; Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD); Alliances for Africa; WILPF Nigeria; Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives; Akubeze Okocha; B.E.E Initiative; Access to Justice; Sterling Centre for Law & Development; Concerned Nigerians; JENNON-PIUS &Co initiative; Education as a Vaccine; Invictus Africa; Dinidari Foundation; Raising New Voices Initiative; Centre for Impact Advocacy (CIA); Stand To End Rape Initiative (STER); BudgIT; The Interactive Initiative for Social Impact; Enough is Enough (EiE); Yiaga Africa; among others.

Telecoms workers to begin warning strike on Tuesday

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Telecoms workers to begin warning strike on Tuesday

Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) has mobilised its members for a three-day warning strike on Tuesday, June 15 (tomorrow) at midnight over alleged violation of labour laws and disregard for decent conditions of employment.

In a statement made available to Journalists, the association disclosed that the decision was reached at its emergency National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting and further endorsed by its National Executive Council (NEC) in line with the directives of both organs.

President of PTECSSAN, Opeyemi Tomori and General Secretary, Okonu Abdullahi, said the strike had become inevitable due to increasing precarious working conditions in the sector and disregard for the nation’s laws and institutions by employers.

They said if their demands were not met before Monday, June 14, 2021 (today), the union would go ahead with the warning industrial action.

They alleged that workers in the sector were being treated like slaves in spite of their efforts to draw the attention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and the House Committee on Communications to their plight to no avail.

PTECSSAN also alleged poor and discriminatory remuneration, abuse of expatriate quota, intimidation, harassment and verbal assaults of employees, breach of freedom of association and right of workers to organise, among other breaches.

‘Biafra is now your business, you have no other source of income’ – Asari Dokubo blasts Nnamdi Kanu

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‘Biafra is now your business, you have no other source of income’ – Asari Dokubo blasts Nnamdi Kanu

Niger Delta militant Asari Dokubo, who heads the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force (NDPSF), has described separatist leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as a conman and criminal.


In a video he just posted on social media, Dokubo says Kanu is using the separatist struggle to line his own pocket or make money for himself.

“They are now telling us India, Russia, etc. This is how they audit accounts. This is what Biafra will look like under the criminal Nnamdi Kanu.”

“They claim that they brought money to Cotonou to give to me — N20 million. We are waiting for them to bring the evidence. They came to Cotonou to meet with me and I hosted them. They did not bring a dime.

“How is that an audited account? Why do Igbo people allow you, a conman, to be conning them? Igbos, you have to rise. He wants to destroy Onyeama. He wants to destroy Ekweremadu. He wants to destroy everybody and the Igbo people are keeping quiet,” Dokubo questions.

“Biafra is your business now, you have no other avenue for gainful income. It is a pity how Igbo people have fallen for this evil, but your time is up.

“I am out for you. And I will get you. I just asked that our people be allowed to vote and you sent your dogs. I’ve broken their teeth.

“Nnamdi Kanu, I’m not in your category but for this, I will surely bring you down. I will destroy this evil empire that is working as a hindrance to the restoration of Biafra.”

IPOB’s militant arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN), has been blamed for a slew of attacks targeting electoral and police facilities in the southeast, since the turn of the year.

President Buhari recently described IPOB as a dot in a circle that will soon be crushed by security operatives.

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