Author: The Nation

Some nurses, under the aegis of University Graduates of Nursing Science Association (UGONSA), have called for a compromise between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the N30,000 new minimum wage.

Speaking through their National Secretary, Mr Goodluck Nshi, they said an amicable resolution of the disagreement would enable workers and government to focus on their primary duties of developing the country forward in view of the enormous challenges facing the nation.

Nshi, who spoke yesterday with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, said they believed that though it was good to index minimum wage against cost of living, but the Federal Government and NLC should realise that issues on minimum wage and standard of living are knotty.

The nurses called for a deeper understanding of the factors at play, saying it is necessary to find a more encompassing solution to the impasse.

They recalled that in 2011 when minimum wage was increased from N7,500 to N18,000, the money amounted to United States (U.S) $112 at the then exchange rate of N160 per dollar.

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“Today, at the rate of N360 per dollar, the N30,000 minimum wage amounts to U.S $83.

“Therefore, even with N30,000 minimum wage, it is understandable that there are still gross marginal wage deficits, if wages in 2019 are compared with what they were in 2011 in U.S dollars.

“This, notwithstanding, it is also understandable that prices of commodities are higher today than they were in 2011.

“On the other hand, the price of crude oil (which is the mainstay of our economy) has dropped from $110 per barrel it sold in 2011, to around $60 per barrel in 2019.

“This represents about 45 per cent reduction in government revenue from what it used to be in 2011, when compared to what it is in the current year.

“These factors need to be considered by both Federal Government and organised labour for the necessary compromise to be made to move the country forward,” UGONSA said.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday described the Ojude Oba Cultural Festival as a unifying traditional festival among the Ijebu and the entire people of Ogun State.

Abiodun said Ijebu land occupies an important place in the development agenda of the Gateway State.

The governor hailed the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, for his fatherly role in preserving the pomp and pageantry of the Ojude Oba Festival as well as the style and substance of the annual carnival.

Abiodun spoke in Ijebu-Ode at this year’s Ojude Oba Cultural Festival/Carnival.

The event was sponsored by Globacom, a major national and international telecom operator.

The governor assured that his administration would continue to support the festival as it is desirous of sustaining and promoting culture, tourism and the lessons of the positive development that would be engendered through collective efforts.

He said: “The Ojude Oba Festival has metamorphosed from being an homage-paying visit to the Awujale by the Ijebu-Ode Muslim community, led by Balogun Odueyungbo Kuku (the second Balogun of Ijebu-Ode), to becoming a unifying traditional festival among the Ijebu and the entire people of Ogun State.

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“The Ojude Oba Festival has grown to become a major communal activity that brings about general development, not only to the Ijebu community but to the entire Ogun State. As a government, we are most delighted to be part of the 2019 Ojude Oba Festival.

“Let me observe that the choice of the theme for this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, The Uniqueness of Ijebu Nation, could not have been more apt, considering the fact that Ijebu land occupies a very important place in the development agenda of Ogun State.

“The Ijebu are known to be successful merchants and entrepreneurs. Ijebu is home to many renowned sons and daughters of Ogun State who have made their marks in different walks of life, notably among whom are: Chief Adeola Odutola, Chief Okunowo, Chief Bayo Kuku, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Oba Otudeko, Prof Akin Mabogunje, Chief Mike Adenuga, Baba Okuboyejo, Prof. Oyinade Olurin, Prof. Beatrice Aboyade, and many others too numerous to mention here.

“In the area of culture and tourism, Ijebu land is home to very interesting artefacts and historic sites as well as unique traditions and customs of which the Ojude Oba Festival is one. In addition, Ijebu Kingdom is endowed with numerous and long-standing tourist attractions, such as the Birikisu Sugbo Shrine, Yemoji Natural Pool, Iwasi Eco-tourism Centre, Iwopin Water Front, Ebute Oni Tourist Beach, the magnificent Awujale Palace and so on.

“It is no gainsaying that the Ojude Oba Festival has grown to become one of the most popular socio-cultural events in the entire Southwest of Nigeria and indeed a global tourist attraction. It showcases the cooperation and collaborative tendencies of the rich Yoruba culture.

“Our administration will continue to support this great festival as we are desirous of sustaining and promoting culture, tourism and the lessons of the positive development that would be engendered through our collective efforts.

“Permit me to note that the lesson of collaborative effort, which the yearly commemoration of the Ojude Oba Festival promotes, is significant to the successful implementation of our administration’s Building our Future Together agenda.

“As an Administration, we understand the fact that no meaningful development can occur without the collaborative efforts of all and sundry.

“We understand that for any development to take place, the people have an important role to play by contributing meaningfully and positively. We, therefore, seek the support and cooperation of our people at all times in our quest to build a solid foundation for the future of our dear state…”

THE China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) has assured residents living on the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor that it would implement its welfare and primary infrastructure obligations before the completion and handing over of the project.

The company, which is handling the 156-kilometre standard gauge rail line, said it is presently in talks with relevant government officials to address community infrastructural needs.

The company, in a statement in Abuja by its Media Adviser, Dr. Eshemokha Maho, noted that the clarification became necessary, following recent agitation by some communities on the rail corridor over an overhead bridge and a flooded link road.

Two of the affected communities in Ogun axis of the rail line – Laderin and Alagada – recently went on protests over the state of infrastructure in their areas.

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Laderin residents, during the protest, demanded that CCECC should build an overhead bridge across the rail line to connect villages in their area to the main road. Alagada community urged the company to fix the link road in the community, which has been rendered unpassable as a result of flooding.

The Chinese firm, while noting that the construction of an overhead bridge in Laderin was not captured as part of the rail project, said CCECC as an ethical company was committed to the development of local communities in its areas of operations.

The company added that machineries have been put in place towards addressing the communities’ complaints.

“We are working based on designs given to us by the contracting authority, as you know we cannot go outside the design without appropriate approvals; it would be going outside the scope of the project and we could be sanctioned.

“However, we have long taken note of the concern of the communities and have taken it into consideration and are working with relevant government officials to ensure that the issues raised by the communities are appropriately channelled and addressed.”

On the issue of link road raised by Lasada community, Maho noted that CCECC is a company built on integrity.

OSUN State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has urged his people to support the administration by paying their taxes regularly.

He said for the government to actualise its set objectives, people must begin to prioritise their civic responsibilities and ensure prompt payment of their taxes.

Oyetola spoke yesterday at the 2019 ‘Gbagede Oba’ festival at the Aragbiji’s palace in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area.

The governor, who represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Wole Oyebamiji, said the state’s economy demands support from the people, hence, the need for the residents to join hands with government in its bid to build a virile economy.

Oyetola, who described tax as a veritable instrument for socio-economic prosperity, said his administration would not relent in its efforts to improve on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He pledged to continue to improve on the welfare of the people through the execution of people-oriented policies and programmes.

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Congratulating the people of Iragbiji on the occasion, the governor enjoined them to maintain peace, which the state is known for.

“As we all know, our administration had taken the bull by the horns to bring about the desired development to the state. We have launched revitilisation into all sectors, particularly in the health sector, to ensure that the citizens have access to quality and affordable healthcare.”

The governor’s wife, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, also expressed gratitude to the people for being supportive of the administration of her husband.

She congratulated sons and daughters of Iragbiji on the occasion.

The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, lauded the administration for the maintenance of peace and stability in the state.

He described ‘Gbagede Oba’ festival as an annual event aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship between and among the people of the town.

Chairman of the occasion Alhaji Wahab Adewoyin urged the people of the town to join hands together in developing and taking the town to an enviable height.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is billed to inaugurate the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited’s new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV substation and associated 132KV transmission lines tomorrow in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

According to a statement, the Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun will join the vice president to inaugurate the Otta/Papalantoro/Abeokuta composite project that is made up of a new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV relief substation for Abeokuta; line bay extension works and old Abeokuta 132/33KV substation.

He will also commission a new 77.5KM, 132K double circuit line, replacing the old and worn-out single circuit lines between Otta, Papalantoro old Abeokuta and the new Abeokuta substation.

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According the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDPHC, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, the new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV substation in Abeokuta, when it fully comes on stream, will provide reliable power off-take via six 33KV distribution feeders to the state capital and its environs.

He added that the 1×60MVA transformer at Otta will provide additional power supply through three 33KV feeders to Otta and its environs.

Besides, Ugbo underscored the importance of the projects and said they would impact positively on power supply to Abeokuta, Otta axis and Ogun State.

THE Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed delight at the performance of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in less than 100 days in office.

A statement by its spokesman, Ayo Fadaka, said the people are savouring a new lease of life.

The statement said: “This is becoming evidently so in view of the quality of policies, legislations and managerial acumen of Governor Makinde.”

The party said Makinde is impressing it on the people that it cannot be business as usual in the Pacesetter state.

The statement read: “We note with sadness a statement credited to the state’s immediate past governor to the effect that the issues of missing government vehicles is a “minor issue” and that such was not “worthy” of the attention of government.

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“We equally note that his attempt to whimsically dismiss fraudulent and sharp practices of this magnitude clearly underscore the levity with which the state’s resources were carelessly frittered under his watch.

“The Oyo State Government continues to maintain that many of the cars procured in February 2019 by the Ajimobi administration remain missing and such vehicles, in view of their age, cannot be classified and described as unserviceable.

“We, therefore, demand of Senator Ajimobi to take due cognisance of what posterity will say concerning him and his tenure and immediately impress it on his appointees to return those vehicles to the new government.

“We also recall that the Ajimobi administration awarded a N7 billion contract for an upstart contractor who is nowhere to be found after the sum of N2billion was paid to him.

“This is grand larceny and it is sad that this happened in Oyo State.

“In view of the foregoing, Governor Makinde must do a proper audit of what transpired in the Ajimobi years, as it will help the people of the state to realise how criminal actions were perpetrated under the guise of governance.”

FORMER Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has expressed his wish for the success of his successor Seyi Makinde in office.

Ajimobi, in an interview with reporters during Sallah holiday, said he and the state would gain nothing from Makinde’s failure as governor.

He explained that he spent the last eight years building a good foundation for the state’s progress and development, noting that he can only wish his successor to continue from where he stopped so that the state could maximise its potentials as the pacesetter.

His words: “I think Governor Seyi Makinde is lucky because we have a very good structure in terms of security. He should just leverage on it and I want to advise that there are many good things that we have done, let him leverage on them. Anything that we have done that is not good, let him repair and that is life. Nobody is perfect. Only God is perfect.

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“In fact, people believe that some of the imperfections of God came out of the evil men that we see. Some even ask why God did not create all of us to be good. They ask why God allows some evil men to thrive. So, I think Governor Makinde, like I said, I pray that he succeeds. His success is our progress in Oyo State. If he succeeds, it is good for us, if he doesn’t succeed, what do we gain?

“Some people will come and say they don’t want the new governor to succeed, why not? I pray that he will succeed and anytime, I am ready to support him to succeed because in supporting him, we are helping the state and he himself is now seeing that we have done well in some areas, in education, roads, among others. There are many things we have done very well. No governor has ever done as much as we have done. But it doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes.”

He also told The Nation in a chat yesterday: “As a statesman, you can’t wish your state or country to be stagnated or to retrogress. You can only wish to see continuous progress. That’s how the society gets better. It is not about one person or personal interest. Every good leader is interested in seeing a better society where his people enjoy opportunities to be the best they can.”

On moves to reconcile members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, the former governor said: “You know the funniest thing, those that I believe have genuine cases, I have spoken to them. Some, I will not speak to them. They must come. I am the leader. If a father offends the son, it is the son that will beg the father. No matter how it is, a father will not say for the sake of his son in heaven, that God should bless him. No. It is the son that will always say that ‘for the sake of my father in heaven’, please bless me, even Jesus Christ was always referring to His father.”