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Tag: Ibrahim Khaleel

  • Wabba returns as NLC President

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba was on Wednesday evening reelected for a second term of four years with a pledge to double his efforts at protecting the interest and rights of the Nigerian workers.

    In his acceptance speech after he was returned unopposed at the end of the 12th Delegates Conference of NLC in Abuja Wabba said the leadership of labour will double its effort to ensure that the rights and interests of workers are protected.

    The newly elected officers will be in charge of the workers union until 2023.

    Wabba said “The board will respect the will of members and consolidate on what we are doing. We will continue to conform to the tradition of the union and speak the truth to those in power. The daily challenges of workers at work place will be confronted.

    “We have been able to work assiduously in the past four years and we will move forward to build workers poser. I assure our members of our commitment and dedication to the resolutions of the conference” he said.

    He called on the political class to imitate the rancour-free election of the NLC, adding that it was important to address the global in balance where more people live below poverty line despite the growing global wealth.

    Read Also: Wabba elected ITUC president

    Among those returned are first deputy president, Amaechi Asuguni; second deputy president, Muhammed Idris; and third deputy president, Najim Yasim.

    Others are National Treasurer, Ibrahim Khaleel First Vice president, Abdulrafiu Adeniji; Second Vice president, Peters Adeyemi; Third Vice president, Lawrence Amaechi; Fourth Vice president, Oyelekan Lateef, Fifth Vice president, Mercy Okezie and National Trustee, Adewale Adeyanju.

    Also elected are financial secretary, Mustapha Adamu; first internal auditor, Simon Ankavar; second internal auditor, Benjamin Anthony; third internal auditor, Olatunji Babatunde; first ex-officio member, Funmilayo Issa; and second ex-officio member, Comfort Okoh.

  • NASS committed to local government autonomy, says Saraki

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki said on Monday that the fight to free local government autonomy from the clutches of state government governors and to grant financial autonomy to the third tier of government  in the country was a fight that should not be left to local government workers alone as it will enhance development and deepen democracy in the country.

    The Senate President said local government workers should not lose hope of attaining financial autonomy, assuring them that the National Assembly will do everything possible to ensure that they achieve their desire for local government autonomy.

    Speaking through the Chairman of the  Senate Committee on States and Local Government administration, Senator Abdulkahi Gumel at the 40th anniversary lecture of the Nigerian Union of Local Government  Employees in Abuja,  Saraki expressed shock that only nine states have so far passed the constitutional amendment granting autonomy to local governments councils in the country.

    He said that while it is true that the bill is still alive in the remaining 26 states, he was confident that through continued dialogue, collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders including government, the much desired local government autonomy will be actualised.

    He expressed confidence that granting the local government council financial autonomy will deepened the nation’s democracy  and ensure rapid development of the grassroots,  assuring that the National Assembly will continue to strengthen local government administration in the country.

    Speaking said “We in the National Assembly fully appreciate the importance of governance at local government level. Yes, it strengthens local government administration; but more importantly, it provides for accountable governance, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development. One therefore reasons with the idea of local councils having better proximity to the people; as their autonomy will in turn better serve the grassroots and avail Nigerians of the much-desired dividends of democracy.

    “You aware of the efforts of the National Assembly towards actualizing financial autonomy for local institutions by way of the Local Government Autonomy Bill under the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It is a matter of some disappointment that only nine (9) states have so far passed this Autonomy Bill. While it may be true that the Bill is still under consideration in the remaining 26 states, we must remain hopeful that in this instance, delay does not constitute denial.

    “Let me say that the struggle towards freedom of the third-tier of government is not one which NULGE or indeed the local governments themselves should see as theirs alone. If we are to curb insecurity, provide jobs for our teeming youth and boost economic activity through diversification, we must enable local governments operate independent of the state, and with their own budget and levels of accountability.

    “As I have stated on several occasions, it is our joint responsibility to ensure that there is a symbiotic relationship between the states and local governments, if we are to prevent unwarranted disadvantage to third-tier government in Nigeria. In addition, a cordial and symbiotic relationship between second and third-tier government will make possible the necessary checks and balances that should further serve to deepen the fabric of our democracy.

    Read Also: Saraki, Fayemi, Fasanmi: Fasehun battled for democracy

    “What this means in essence is that there is still a lot more work to be done if we are to bring this espoused vision to reality. The constitutional amendment process is one which adopts a transformational approach to change; that is to say, a gradual process. We should not be discouraged by what may seem a slow pace of change. Through continued dialogue, collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders including government, I am confident that local government autonomy will be actualized.”

    The question is not if, but when.

    “It is always pleasing to identify with the work of such an impactful organization as the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees. Your principal objectives, which

    are to promote and foster legislation on local government matters; and your role in protecting employee rights in all ramifications surrounding their conditions of service, remain indelible in serving those you represent.

    “Indeed, it is no mean achievement that you are celebrating 40 years of existence. While you will undoubtedly have had your share of challenges during that time, the importance of the work of the Union is there for all to see, and it remains critical in both the labour market and third-tier government.

    “You deserve commendation, having provided much-needed support to the Union over the years, especially in the area of securing local government autonomy.”

    In his remarks,  President of NULGE,  Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel said in the last 40 years, the union has been engaged in a long and sustained struggle for enduring improvement in the living and working conditions of workers who live and work at the grassroots level of our society, adding that most of our workers live among the rural populace and hence among some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable segments of our country.

    He said despite these problems, efforts made centrally at the national level to address issues of underdevelopment at the grassroots have been consistently subverted by some state governments and their agents, adding that the current political dispensation, some people have sought to hide under the notion of a so-called “genuine federalism” to hijack and take control ofall allocations constitutionally meant for local governments and their development. ‘

    Khaaleel stressed that from the inception of the current democratic era in May 1999, with the exception of a brief respite at the beginning, as local government workers, we have moved from one crisis to another from a period of zero allocation, caused in part by over-deductions from local government funds, which prevented majority of local governments in the country from meeting the basic but elementary obligation of paying their workers’ salaries, to our resistance against a determined and concerted effort to abolish the local government system as a tier of government.

    He insisted that the maintenance of the state-local government joint accounts is another albatross obstructing the smooth operation of the local government system and a key factor in the poor state of local governments across the country up till this moment, saying “Most states not only use the joint account to drain the local govemment of funds, they have also refused in majority of cases to remit 10% of internally generated revenue to the local governments as provide for by Nigerian Constitution and specified by the Revenue Mobilization,Allocation and F iscal Commission (RMAFC).

    “We are convinced that we are getting closer and closer to achieving our aspirations for popular democracy in our local governments and the autonomy we seek cannot be indefinitely denied by a gang up of governors and self-‘serving legislators at the State Houses of Assembly.

    “We believe that the amendment that granted financial autonomy to state legislatures is an important step towards our getting the autonomy that is desirable at the third tier of government. When the 9’h National Assembly is reconvening next May, governors will no longer be able to arm-twist state legislators by threatening to withhold funding for them as this will no longer be under their control”

    He warned state governors against testing the resolve of organised labour on the issue of a new national minimum wage,  saying “those who wish to test the resolve of organised labour on this matter should first review all past campaigns and national strike actions that have come out of stalemated national minimum wage negotiations.

    “As we approach the next general elections coming up early next year, we in the locai‘gover’nment system across the country look forward to Nigerians putting the autonomy of. the local government system as a key policy on which we must judge those who want us to elect (or reelect) them as councillors, chairmen, members of state houses of assembly, governors, National Assembly members and as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation. “They must be people who must be seen to put the interest of and well-being of the mass of Nigerian people over and above their personal and clannish interests.”

  • NULGE endorses Ayade for 2019

    NULGE endorses Ayade for 2019

     

    The national leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on Tuesday endorsed Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, to continue in 2019.

    National President, Ibrahim Khaleel, who led the leadership of the union in the South-South as well as members across the 18 local government areas of the state to the premises of Government House in Calabar, said for NULGE as a vibrant trade union to fraternize with the governor, it showed he was genuinely in demand.

    While expressing gratitude to the Governor for the prompt payment of salaries among other things, he conferred the highest award of the union, an award of excellent performance in governance, to Ayade.

    “You have to run again in 2019. If you refuse, we would come back in thousands as a trade Union and demonstrate our anger at why you want to cut this happiness from us,” Khaleel said.

    Responding, Ayade said 2019 was settled because normally Labour antagonizes government but the reverse was the case in Cross River State.

    He said he identified with the union and would leave the state better than he met it.

    Read Also: Ayade donates N80m to CAN, Muslim community

    Ayade promised set aside N500 million for any member of NULGE who wants to venture to any of the value chains of agriculture to get interest free soft loans.

    Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Dr Peter Adigeb, said when he punishes civil servants for not supporting the governor, people would criticize him.

    According to him, as civil servants they must follow the government of the day.

    Most of the local government workers who spoke with our reporter on the condition of anonymity said they were intimidated 11to come out and for the endorsement.

    “They warned us that if we didn’t come out today for this endorsement, there would be trouble for us,” one of them said.

     

  • Court remands man for raping girl

    Court remands man for raping girl

    Two men, Nura Abubakar, 20, and Mustapha Tasiu, 18, were on Thursday remanded by a Kano Magistrates’ Court for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl.

    The defendants, who reside in Rurum Village in the Rano Local Government Area of Kano State, were arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and rape.

    The Chief Magistrate, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, ordered the remand of the defendants in prison until Oct. 12.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Asp. Anthony Edward, told the court that one Abdulaziz Bala of Rurum Village reported the matter on Sept. 3 at the Rano Police Division.

    He told the court that on Aug. 31 at about 12:05 p.m., the defendants criminally conspired to deceive and then lured the complainant’s 11-year-old daughter into an uncompleted building and raped her.

    The prosecutor alleged that the defendants forcefully had unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl one after the other.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The offences contravened Sections 97 and 283 of the Penal Code.

  • Why we agitate for Autonomy – NULGE President

    Why we agitate for Autonomy – NULGE President

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Wednesday said the aim of the agitation for local government autonomy is to free the third tier of government from the control of state governments.

    It’s National President, Ibrahim Khaleel said, if the autonomy is granted by the States Houses of Assembly, it will benefit not only them, but all Nigerians.

    Khaleel who led NULGE members to the Ondo House of Assembly urged members of the hallow chamber to support the passage of the bill whenever it is transmitted to them from the National Assembly.

    The NULGE boss who was represented by the National Publicity Secretary of the union, Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, said granting autonomy to the local government will further strengthen democracy in the country.

    According to him, “If you want to curb insecurity, we need autonomy. If we want employment for our teaming youths, vote yes to autonomy. God has placed you in this today so that your name could be among of those who voted for the freedom of local government. We want you to be part of history this time. ”

    NULGE members across the state, had on converged on Akure, the state capital, to throw their weight behind local government autonomy in the country.

    Members of the union across the 18 local government areas of the state moved around the state capital in their thousands.

    Marched through Oyemekun road, through Arakale road, displaying placards with various inscriptions as they sang solidarity songs to press home their demands before heading to the state House of Assembly complex.

    The rally which was supported by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Judiciary Staff of Nigeria (JUSUN) was organised to lobby the lawmakers at the state Assembly for the smooth passage of the bill.

    The NLC President, Ayuba Waba represented by Ondo state chairman, comrade Bosede Daramola who noted that the agitations for the local government economy had been on for decades and nearly actualised some years ago but was aborted midway, said labour movement in the country was fully in support of the local government autonomy.

    Ondo state NULGE President, Dr Bunmi Eniayewu insisted that the local government autonomy will aid rapid development and bring about continuous capacity building for effective leadership, hoping that the lawmakers would approve the autonomy in the constitution amendment.

    The Speaker, State Assembly, David Oleyelogun, commended the NULGE leadership and stressed the need for a functional local government system.

    Oleyelogun who was represented by Chairman House Committee on Information, Olamide George said, “We have listened to you, and what is important to us is to support your agitation.”

  • NUGLE appeals to Aregbesola to support LGA autonomy

    NUGLE appeals to Aregbesola to support LGA autonomy

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), has appealed to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola to support Local Government Autonomy.

    Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, NULGE President made the appeal at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

    Khaleel said that this was imperative as the governor’s support was necessary for granting the Local Government Autonomy.

    He expressed sadness over what he described as “misconceptions on Local Government Autonomy” by the governor

    He said the Osun State governor had come to symbolise himself as the most formidable foe against the freedom of local governments in Nigeria.

    He said that the Aregbesola was defending his position when he said local governments should not have autonomy in his well-publicised lecture during the 2017 NULGE Week of Osun State Chapter.

    “Ogbeni Aregbesola erroneously declared that local governments do not deserve to be autonomous because the Yoruba wars, particularly the Kiriji war, was fought for federalism recognised only two tiers of government; namely the federal and the state.

    “This is a distortion of history. The historical fact is that the popular Kiriji war was fought because the Ijesha and Ekiti people did not want the regime of recklessness imposed on them by Ibadan warlords.

    “For historical records, local administration and empire buildings started with Yoruba civilisation. Local governments have been in existence before the Berlin Conference of 1885 to 1886 when the entire area of Nigeria was partitioned to Britain for colonial exploitation.

    “In fact, when the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria were amalgamated in 1914, local government administration, as we now address it, had flourished very well in all parts of Nigeria.

    “The Clifford Constitution of 1922 did not talk of any Federal or State Government; yet till 1945, local administration in form of local governments flourished in every inch of that era of colonial Nigeria, such that government was receiving the patronage of people and it was providing services.

    “Therefore, the reference to Kiriji war as a protest not to recognise local government as a tier of government did not exist in reality. It only existed in the imagination of Aregbesola.”

    The NULGE president, however, applauded the leadership and members of 8th National Assembly for overwhelmingly adopting two of the three key bills on local government autonomy.

    He said that NULGE hoped that the two chambers would reconcile their differences on the issue of scrapping State Independent Electoral Commission(SIEC).

    He faulted the belief from some quarters that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be solely responsibility for the conduct of Local Government elections across Nigeria.

    Khaleed said that NULGE and the Nigeria Union of Teachers had settle their differences on the issue of LGA autonomy.

    “NUT is part and parcel of the National Action Committee responsible for actualisation of LGA autonomy,” he said.

    He said that the three years tenure proposed by the National Assembly for LGA elected officers was a welcome idea.

  • Labour unions resolve to support LG autonomy

    The leadership of labour unions in the country have resolved to support Local Government Autonomy.

    The unions are National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Medical Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN).

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said this in a statement jointly signed by him, Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, President NULGE and Mr Michael Alogba- Olukoya, President of NUT.

    Wabba said that the decision was taken after exhaustive deliberations at a meeting convened by the National Leadership of the NLC.

    He said the meeting was to address some concerns raised by the unions with respect to the ongoing agitation by NULGE for Local Government Automotive.

    Speaking on primary school education in the country, the NLC president said it should be seen as a stepping stone and the foundation of all forms of education that deserved a national policy.

    He said the funding should be the responsibility of the federal, state and local governments in order to ensure, guarantee and effect regular and timely payment of teachers’ salaries, entitlements and benefits.

    Wabba also stressed the need for  teachers’ salaries to be a first line charge on the federation account.

    He, however, said another alternative was that the Constitution should strengthen the Supreme Court judgment in the Attorney-General of the Federation versus Attorneys-General of the 36 states, NWLR 6th May, 2002, Part 764.

    According to him, Part 764 stipulates  that removing in the process every ambiguity, lacuna or impediment, ceding responsibility for payment of teachers’ salaries to states wherein it is stated inter alia.

    “It also states that ” as far as primary education is concerned, a local government council only participates with the State Government. The function obviously remains with the State Government”.

    “It stated the tha ” existing agencies such as Universal Basic Education Commission, State Universal Basic Education Commission should be strengthened and empowered to play their roles and discharge their functions”.

    “It also states that the autonomy of local government councils shall be total, comprehensive with all the rights, structures, duties, functions, privileges and obligations.

    “It is clearly spelt out as is the case with the federal and state governments.

    “It stated that Clauses 7, 8, 162 and any other clause in the 1999 Constitution that compromise the autonomy of local government should be deleted, he said.

    Wabba explained that this was in order to give free and unfettered meaning to “autonomy” and make local governments function as third-tier governments.

    According to him, it will also ensure that  Local governments are directly funded and tenure of their executive and legislature stated.

    “It will also ensure unfettered establishment and functionality of the Primary Health Care Boards and Authorities that include salaries, training, programme funding such as immunization, among others,” he added.

  • Bayelsa denies owing LG workers 16 months’ salary arrears

    Bayelsa denies owing LG workers 16 months’ salary arrears

    The Bayelsa Government said on Thursday in Yenagoa that it was not owing council workers 16 months’ salary arrears as claimed by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

    NULGE had in a statement issued on Monday listed Bayelsa and Kogi as states with the highest level of indebtedness to council workers.

    Its National President, Mr. Ibrahim Khaleel, alleged that Bayelsa owed between 10 and 16 months while Kogi owed between seven and 15 months to lead the list of 23 states owing salaries.

    Dr. Agatha Goma, Bayelsa Commissioner of Local Government Administration, in a statement described NULGE’s claims as false and misleading.

    Goma said that the indebtedness to council workers in Bayelsa stood at nine and half months.

    “The claim is not true. The local government councils in the state owe nine and half months’ salary with the exception of Ogbia Local Government Council, whose debt is 10 and half months in salary arrears.

    “This regrettable situation is not deliberate as no responsible government will intentionally deny its workforce their legitimate rights to salary as at when due.

    “The failure of local government councils to meet their financial obligations arose principally because of the unexpected economic recession.
    “The recession has greatly affected the economic fortune of the country as well as the monthly allocation to the local government coffers and indeed all tiers of government,” Goma said.

    The commissioner said that the government was in a dilemma of whether to `right-size’ the workforce or continue to manage the situation until there was an improvement.

    “As a responsible government that is conscious of its social responsibility, rather than throwing people into the employment market, the state government will continue to seek workable avenue to ameliorate the delicate situation.

    “The local government component of the Paris Club loan refund also came handy in effort at assisting the councils to meet their obligation.

    “The state government has also provided financial support to help out the councils pay the arrears of salary,” Goma said.

    She said that the government remained committed to ensuring that the outstanding salaries were offset, adding that various memoranda have been signed with relevant unions on payment of all pending arrears.

     

  • 22 states, FCT owing council workers’ salaries – NULGE

    22 states, FCT owing council workers’ salaries – NULGE

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) said on Monday that 22 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have failed to pay local government staff salaries for period ranging between one and 16 months.

    The union, however, said 14 states including Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Cross River, Niger and Anambra were up to day in the payment of local government workers’ entitlement.

    In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, NULGE asked governors of the affected states to offset the salaries and other allowances of local government workers with the second tranche of the Paris Club loan refund released to them, warning that it will be forced to shut down all local government councils in the country if the state governments fail to pay the entitlements.

    The National President of the union, Ibrahim Khaleel, warned state governors not to divert or tamper with the second tranche of Paris Club loan refund but use it to offset the entitlement of workers.

    The union vowed to mobilize its teeming members and shut down all the local governments across the country.

    A computation by NULGE revealed that Bayelsa State leads in indebtedness chart by owing up to 16 months workers’ salaries, followed by Kogi (15), Delta (14), Kaduna (12), Oyo (11) and Edo (10).

     

  • NULGE insists on local government autonomy

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), said it would continue to advocacy the autonomy of local governments till its aim was in order to free local governments from the control of state governments.

    Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, NULGE President, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, the campaign will be a nationwide exercise, first at zonal levels in Lafiya, Calabar, Lagos, Kano, Enugu and Jalingo with grand finale at Abuja.

    “Then all the 36 state branches and 774 LGCs will conduct similar exercise in their domains under the supervision of an assigned National Officer.

    “We will mobilise to engage governors and other stakeholders in the country toward the freedom of the local government councils,” he said.

    He said that if resources from the Federal Government were given to local governments directly, the people at the grassroots would benefit greatly because the councils were the closest to the people.

    “We remain committed to our demand for autonomous council areas and we will continue to air our voices until something is done.”

    According to NULGE boss, autonomy of local governments remains ‘’the cry of Nigerians to see that they benefit directly from development at the grassroots’’.

    He said that if achieved, the autonomy of local governments would also address a situation whereby funds meant for operations of local governments get to them unhindered.

    Khaleel, however, urged Federal Government to look into the realisation of the autonomy of the councils for the people at the grassroots to benefit maximmaly from their services.