News
Civil Servants Warn States to Implement N70,000 Minimum Wage or Face Shutdown
Shehu Muhammed, the newly elected President of the Association, issued a stern warning to state governments during the association’s 5th Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Lagos. He declared that states failing to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage would face significant action from civil servants.
“For states not prepared to enforce the new minimum wage, let me make it clear—it is non-negotiable. We are coming for them,” Muhammed stated. He emphasized the need for state governments to adopt the new wage structure to enhance citizens’ living standards, particularly given the recent increases in state revenues following higher allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Muhammed suggested that states could meet this obligation by curbing wasteful spending and plugging financial leakages. He also advocated for the adoption of income indexing to align wages with inflation rates, ensuring that workers earn a living wage in Nigeria.
Addressing the association, Muhammed prioritized the formation of a committee to oversee the necessary adjustments for the new minimum wage’s implementation, emphasizing that the complete enforcement of the wage across federal and state levels is crucial for Organized Labour.
Joshua Apebo, the Association’s Secretary General, echoed Muhammed’s sentiments, calling on state governors to swiftly adopt the new wage structure in light of increased FAAC allocations since the removal of the fuel subsidy. Apebo reiterated the importance of reducing waste and financial mismanagement while urging the government to follow recommendations from the Chief Ernest Shonekan committee to link income to inflation.
In a show of support, Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), pledged to back the new leadership in their efforts to protect workers’ rights. He urged the new executives to prioritize the union’s interests and those of the members who elected them.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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