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Tag: Nigerian Labour Congress

  • Labour on the wrong path

    Labour on the wrong path

    It is probably too late in the day to remind the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and its allies, currently angling for war over the newly approved telecommunications charges, of the basic factors of production whether of goods or services. As my grandmother, now late, is wont to say of the futility of teaching a geriatric the use of the left hand, that proposition, as far as organised labour is concerned, is long dead.

    Surely, if the Congress’ continuing retention of the logo of Labour Creates Wealth is any suggestive of the movement’s ideological fixation in the world of Artificial Intelligence, its continuing failure to embrace the cold realism of market imperatives has, quite frankly, become a source of embarrassment that might spell its undoing.

    Yes, it is no news that NLC has, true to its character, called out its men for mass action over the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’s approval of a 50% hike in telecom tariff. At the end of the emergency meeting of its National Administrative Council (NAC) January 29, it came to a number of startling resolutions top of which is the flat rejection of the 50% tariff hike,  proposing a five percent hike instead, and with it the resolve to embark on a nationwide mass rally effective today, Tuesday, February 4 to press the point. 

    While describing the new tariff as “unjust” and a huge burden on Nigerians already struggling with economic hardship, it says the proposed rally, “will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only ₦70,000; a population that has suffered outrageous hike in the price of petrol, high cost of food, hike in electricity tariff and general rising inflation”.

    Talk about its resort to the familiar weapon, it says nothing is off the table including “a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and further mass actions which may involve nationwide withdrawal of our service to resist policies that exacerbate poverty and inequality!

    And then adds that it is doing this to protect ‘the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens against exploitative economic policies.

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    “We will not relent in our struggle against policies that undermine the welfare and dignity of our people. Nigerian workers and citizens must unite and take action to prevent further economic oppression. We must resist any policy that prioritizes corporate profits over the well-being of the people”, it said in its communique.

    Never mind that the NCC had in its announcement justified the tariff increase as “necessary to safeguard the sustainability of the industry, while balancing consumer protection”; or even the other point, which the telecoms operators had made long before then, and on which they had premised their initial demand on 100 percent tariff hike, that their industry was, under the existing tariff regime, headed for an imminent collapse, appeared to have made sense to the NLC and its allies.

    Not even with the public knowledge, that MTN, despite posting a 32.6 percent growth in service revenue to N1.5 trillion, actually incurred a loss after tax of N519.1 billion in the first half of 2024 which it blamed on record-high inflation and the naira’s devaluation. The other operators have chosen to make their figures best kept secrets even when the indications are of an industry straining under the yoke of unbearable operational costs! Not a word of understanding let alone sympathy for the operators in a critical sector on which the future of the country’s digital aspirations lie!

    Yet, if the Congress ever needed another casus belli on which to hang not just an industry facing existential threats, but the Tinubu administration that is not infrequently accused of unrestrained embrace of market orthodoxies, it thinks that the NCC approved tariff review qualifies for one.

    By the way, it isn’t exactly that Nigerians do not understand where organised labour is coming from. Grandmasters of the art of populism, if the issue is about winning an argument, it seems unlikely that organised labour could ever lose an argument against any opposition, no matter how rational the latter’s position appears.  Whether it delivers the intended results or not is a different matter; against the Nigerian government, they stand no chance at all and so the round-robin game persists.

    Which is truly tragic. The blatant disdain for its concerns aside, the big question is whether the NLC actually knows anything about the industry. From our major cities where services are barely passable to the theatres of war and violence where vandalisation of telecoms infrastructure are daily fares further down to the sprawling spaces across hitherto served by countless base stations which have since been put out action because it no longer makes economic sense to keep them running, how much of the industry does it know aside the cheap retort about prioritising profits over the well-being of the people?

     This takes us to the premise of NLC’s rejection of the tariff – the charge that the hike is ‘unjust’. I find the charge laughable if not ludicrous. Apparently, ‘just’ to the NLC means leaving the industry to limp from spasm into a certain death. It says nothing about balancing the market imperatives with the demand for service, or even the more concerning issues of transparency, upfront disclosure of all critical details of plans, including costs, validity periods, and benefits, which the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has artfully articulated for the benefit of the public but on which the organised labour seems ill-prepared to educate itself let alone the people on whose behalf it claims to be acting.

    By the way, whatever happened to the research department of the NLC? Once upon a time, it used to be said that Nigerians love  to plan without facts; it would seem a most recent development that a once research-centric NLC has succumbed to the virus in which demands made outside of the prism of, rational, objective realities are served as staple! Or is the NLC suggesting that the operators should continue to sustain the losses even at the risk of their survival?

    The problem with the organised labour, as I see it, is the jaded thinking about those traditional tools availing for all times and seasons.  Not anymore. Whereas the dynamics have changed, only the movement cannot see the signs – a pity really.

  • NLC alleges office invasion by security men

    NLC alleges office invasion by security men

    • We didn’t do it, says DSS

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday alleged an invasion of its headquarters by security men, who carted away some publications from its library.

    The labour centre said those who carried out the raid on Wednesday night were policemen, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and another unnamed security outfit. It added that most of them wore black T-shirts. 

    The DSS denied involvement. But the police kept mum.

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command referred our correspondent to the Force Headquarters.

    But many calls to police spokesman DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi went unanswered. He also did not reply   SMS sent to him.

    The NLC in a statement said:  “A team  made up of heavily armed security operatives invaded the Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja, which serves as the national headquarters and secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

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    “The security operatives, some from the Nigeria Police Force, some wearing black T-shirts, presumably from the Department of State Services (DSS), and others on outright mufti, swooped on the 10th floor of the NLC, arrested the security operatives on duty, and then commandeered them to the second floor, where they were asked to produce the keys to the offices.

    “When they  told them that they had no such keys, they broke into the floor and ransacked the bookshop on the 2nd floor, carting away hundreds of books and other publications. The invading team claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGovernanceProtests.

    “The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns in its entirety this new low in security operations in Nigeria. The armed security operatives showed no legal document permitting them to invade the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the ungodly hours of the night. Even in the dark days of military rule, NLC secretariats were never invaded and ransacked by security agents. Today is indeed a very sad day for our democracy.

    “The National Executive Council of the NLC took note and vehemently condemned the high-handed manner in which security agents manhandled protesters in many parts of the country and the needless bloodshed that ensued.

    ‘’We also condemned the sweeping mass arrests of those perceived to have led the protests. The NEC also frowned at the reckless use of ‘treason’ to describe the protest and demanded moderation. ‘’What we did not see coming was the invasion of the Labour House by masked and heavily armed security operatives hours later.

    “In the light of the foregoing and the ominous sign it portends for democratic rights, freedom of speech and association, and the unimpeachable right of citizens to protest peacefully on any issue they feel strongly about, we call on the international community to take note of the deterioration of democratic principles in the bid to turn Nigeria into a police state.

    “Given the experience of the leadership of the NLC in recent times at the receiving end of the naked brute force of the state, especially the near daylight assassination of the NLC President(Joe Ajaero) by security operatives and thugs, our fears of a Nigerian state that is descending into enforced brutality are well founded. We fear that the situation might deteriorate.

    “Given the state of things, the Nigeria Labour Congress has directed all its staff to stay away from the Labour House for now until we are certain that there are no incriminating materials or harmful substances dropped in our offices by the invading operatives.

    ‘’In order to allay our fears, we demand an international inquiry into this very traumatic invasion.

    “We demand the immediate withdrawal of the troop of invading security agents from the premises of the Labour House, Abuja. We also demand that all the books and materials carted away by the invading security operatives be returned unfailingly to where they were taken from before the end of work tomorrow, August 8, 2024.

    ‘’We make this demand given the illegality of the operation, as there was no court order for the invasion, ransacking, and looting of the publications.

    “If this harassment continues, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not hesitate to call on its members to stay home until their safety and security are assured. We warn that the asphyxiation of the public space and channels for constructive engagement, dialogue, and negotiations in light of the excruciating difficulties that Nigerians are going through right now would only make matters worse. A stitch in time might still save nine.”

    Also yesterday, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)   condemned the invasion and called on the Federal Government to immediately investigate the incident. 

    TUC President  Festus Osifo said in a statement that the confiscation of books and publications from the NLC facility raises serious concerns about the violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and expression.

    “This action represents an overreach by security forces and poses a threat to the democratic principles that allow for peaceful dissent and free expression. We consider this invasion a direct attack on the rights of Nigerian citizens to freely express their views and to access information,” Osifo added.

    He  added that ‘’those responsible for authorising and executing this operation must be held accountable.’’ 

  • Strike: Partial compliance as Govt offices comply with NLC’s order in Delta

    Strike: Partial compliance as Govt offices comply with NLC’s order in Delta

    There were mixed reactions to the industrial action embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) with mainly government offices complying with the order.

    Commercial activities continued unabated within the Asaba metropolis as shops, taxis, markets, and other businesses were open to the public.

    The federal and state secretariats in Asaba were shut, with only a few workers loitering around the premises.

    There was a commotion at the entrance of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) after several patients were turned back.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Imo workers barred from Secretariat as NLC strike begins

    However, doctors on duty call were allowed into the hospital, and patients who had life-threatening health challenges were allowed to access medical treatment

    Edward Ogbemudia, an official of the NLC who spoke to The Nation, said the hospital was rendering only skeletal services with workers on essential duties being allowed into the hospital.

    According to him, consideration was made for patients with life-threatening conditions, adding that patients with minor health issues were turned back.

    All banks and public schools were shut for business, leaving many customers stranded.

    Customers were observed hanging around the banks, with the gates leading into them under lock and key.

    Students who were billed to sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) were turned back despite the Delta State Ministry of Primary and Basic Education had earlier postponed indefinitely the examination on account of the strike.

    Details shortly…

  • Oyo NLC hails Makinde over review of sacked workers’ cases

    The Chairman, Oyo State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Mr. Bayo Titilola-Sodo, has lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for the ongoing review of the sacked workers on the payroll of the government by the past administration.

    He said despite all entreaties by the labour leaders to appeal to the past government in the state, many workers were sacked without following due process.

    The NLC chairman spoke on Tuesday after leading labour leaders under the aegis of Organised Labour and other affiliates bodies under the NLC on a courtesy call on Governor Makinde at his Agodi, Secretariat office.

    Noting that the team was on the visit to thank the governor for his kind gestures to the workers since the assumption of office, Titilola-Sodo said certain demands were also tabled before the governor.

    The NLC boss expressed appreciation to the Makinde government for prompt payment of workers’ salaries and payment of gratuity and pension of workers, noting that such gestures have been a big morale booster to the workers.

    Read Also: Makinde should dialogue with us – ALGON chairman

    “We as organised labour discussed various issues concerning the welfare of workers in the state, such as payment of salaries, emolument and outstanding debt and promotion.

    “So many issues concerning workers in the state, including that of retirees, who have been unfairly treated in the past, were discussed. We have also acknowledged some of the step taken by Governor Makinde since he got into office by establishing the GSM days, that is 25th of every month, which every worker in the state would collect their salaries.

    “We as the organised labour in Oyo State, the NLC itself and its affiliated bodies, are concerned about all the issues concerning the welfare of workers in the state among the so many other issues that has resulted in the unfair treatment of workers in the past.”

  • Election postponement: NLC demand public holiday

    … warn Workers against voter apathy

     

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked government to declare a two or three-day public holiday to enable workers travel to perform their civic responsibility in the face of imminent voter apathy as a result of the shift in the date of the general elections.

    The Congress also asked Nigerians especially workers not to be disillusioned with the postponement of the elections, but the go all out and cast their vote, saying the postponement of the election was a better evil than disenfranchising several millions of Nigerians.

    President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement that from evidence available, many people would have been able to cast their vote as a result of logistics problems if the election had been allowed to go ahead.

    Wabba said: “We at the Nigerian Labour Congress join other Nigerians in expressing our shock at the last minute postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 16, 2019.

    “We share in the pains of those who in an uncommon show of patriotism, had to travel long distances to perform their civic duty. We similarly understand the outrage of those who had incurred huge and unquantifiable logistic costs. No explanation will be good enough given INEC’s repeated assurances and the zeal of Nigerians to cast their vote.

    “However, given the fact that had the election taken place, a huge number of Nigerians would have been disenfranchised on account of gross and wide-spread logistic deficit, the postponement, as painful as it is, is a lesser evil of the two.

    “In light of this, we enjoin all Nigerians to quickly put behind them this ugly incident and brace up for the rescheduled election next weekend. In spite of the huge costs to them, we call on all Nigerians to self-mobilise on the same scale that they did the previous weekend.

    “Let them not be disillusioned or react to this postponement in a manner that will create voter-apathy. This will certainly be counterproductive and will in the long run work against the interests of the electorate.

    “We call on institutions to be flexible with their staff to enable them travel in good time to perform this important civic duty even if it means government declaring a day or two public holiday to achieve this.

    “As for INEC, we do hope they have learnt their lesson. On no account ever again, should they allow this to happen. All effort and expertise must be deployed by INEC to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. We appeal to all Nigerians to put this incident behind them and go out en mass to vote next weekend.”

  • NLC, others plead with Buhari to constitute PenCom board

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other stakeholders have urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to immediately constitute the board of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

    NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba who spoke during the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee Public Hearing to Investigate the Activities of PenCom and Violation of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 as repealed by PRA 2014 at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, said the absence of a board for the commission has created confusion that has made the Committee to call it out for investigation and violation of the Act.

    Wabba said the existence of a board would have made all arguments on who reports to whom which is part of what they are investigating redundant.

    He said the Act empowered the board made up of Chairman, Director-General, four commissioners and management staff, on clear responsibility. He added that members of institutions such as pensioners and trade unions are also represented on the board.

    He said critical stakeholders are not happy because they have not been able to play their role on the board.

    According to him, the stakeholders are supposed to be part of policies, guidelines and another decision-making process PenCom to safeguard workers pension fund.

    He said: “PenCom is a regulator that is supposed to regulate these funds and ensure that all regulations that it will issue is first about safeguarding the money and yield maximum return to the end beneficiary which is the pensioner. The Act does not envisage at any time, that the board will be dissolved and it will not be constituted for a very long time.”

    And that is why if you look at the Act, it is referring to the commission which is made up of the chairman, DG, four commissioners and the management staff. This is the commission and all of them together is what make up the board of management. We are not happy as critical stakeholders because we have a role to play.

    “What is happening today is that our head is being shaved in our absence which is not supposed to be so. But we now have a situation which is very fundamental that the board is not in place. It is respecting the Act to make sure that the board is in place because every board member has a role to play and we will not be here discussing who is supposed to approve a policy if the board was in place.”

    TUC President, who was represented at the event also called for the composition of the Board, stating that they agree with the position of the NLC President.

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Pension, Rep. Hassan Shekarau, while reacting to the Board problem that has plagued the commission since 2017 said both the President and the Senate have not been able to resolve the issue of Board composition for the commission.

    While expressing worry, he explained that a petition asking National Assembly not to clear Aliyu Dikko and Funso Doherty both appointed to be Chairman and the DG respectively also caused some delay.

    “When the President dissolved the Board of the commission including other parastatals, names were sent to the Senate for confirmation but unfortunately there was outcry that Aliyu Dikko who was propose to serve as chairman has interest in the pension industry as a shareholder or stakeholder.

    “Also, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo in Acting President capacity sent another list of old commissioners to the Senate and from that time, the Senate did not confirm the list sent by the Acting President and that is the situation up till now. As the Senate Committee Chairman, I am handicapped because, it reduces the function of the committee as there are certain issues that goes beyond the management. It is not their making. So I support the call by NLC president that either the president or the Senate should do the needful so that the Board can be put in place,” he added.

     

  • Oyo workers shun NLC/TUC directive, attend prayer programme

    Despite the decision of labour leaders under the aegis of Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, Oyo state councils, workers under the employ of the Oyo state government on Monday in their hundreds attended the Annual Interreligious service organised by the government to officially begin the working calendar year.

    The labour leaders while responding to an earlier invitation sent to it by the organisers, noted that it resolved at an emergency meeting convened to discuss the matter to boycott the event.

    The letter dated January 11, 2019, and signed by Comrades Kofo Ogundeji and Mayowa Falegbe, NLC and TUC state secretaries respectively also added that members have been “directed to continue with their daily communion with their creator.”

    But the event was not only well attended by the workers from across all the local governments of the state, it also saw 47 workers bagging the awards of “Most Efficient Civil Servants/Public Servants”, from across the government Ministries, Agencies and Departments.

    The award also attracted cash prizes to promote and encourage efficiency among the government workforce.

    The event was also attended by government officials, members of the state executive council, members of the state house of assembly, representatives of the judicial arms, permanent secretaries among others.

    At the event which was the last for the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration saw the Governor bidding the workers farewell while charging them to sustain the tempo and culture of efficiency and effectiveness which his administration has brought into public service.

    However, the labour leaders cited many anomalies and maltreatment of the workers as the reasons for directing the workers to ignore the prayer programme.

    The letter of the labour leaders reads in parts, “that the tense atmosphere among the workforce in the state where promotion was earned and treacherously withdrawn will not attract workers to honour any prayer programme organised by the state government.

    “That where the issue of unpaid 3-18 months arrears of salaries of tertiary institution was not generally addressed will not convince our members to attend such prayer programme.

    “That the suffering and anguish of retiree Primary Schools teachers and retired local government employees arising from unpaid arrears of gratuity and pensions will not allow attendance at such prayer programme.

    “That the hostile stance of government towards the workers of the state cannot attract our members to the programme.

    “Based on the above, labour movement in the state is not interested in the prayer programme and had resolved to boycott the event. Instead, our members have been directed to continue with their daily communion with their creator.”

    While addressing the workers, Governor Ajimobi urged them to be diligent, hardworking and efficient, saying such was a factor to attain greater height.

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    He pointed out that laziness, truancy, misappropriation, disloyalty, negligence have their rewards while hardwork, innovativeness, creativity, diligence, professionalism, dedication enjoys spiritual and material benefits.

    Ajimobi said, “My speech this afternoon shall be in two-fold; to appreciate the good people of Oyo State and to bid you all farewell. There is a saying that there is nothing that has a beginning without an end.

    “The journey which is gradually coming to an end in the middle of this year started with a bold step on May 29, 2011. In the face of many challenges, ups and downs, we were still able to sail through, courtesy of the wisdom of God as well as perseverance and endurance of the good people of Oyo State.”

    The governor said that his administration which remained 135days and 10 hours has successfully delivered on the benefits of democracy in the state, noting that he has also succeeded in changing the attitude of the civil servants which has helped the workers improve tremendously.

    Earlier in her welcome remarks, Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, appreciated the governor for his unparalleled achievements as governor of the state, saying he has raised the bar of good governance.

    Ogunesan challenged workers in the state to ensure they all earn their pays through rededication to service, continuous self-development and commitment to enhanced productivity.

    The awards recipients including Miss Modupe Fehintola, a Senior Reporter with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State(BCOS) and Mrs Ojo Aboyede, a Senior Information Officer, with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, expressed gratitude to the state government for the award, promising that the honour would spur them to do more.

  • ‘Keep to your word on N30,000 minimum wage’

    The Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to keep to his words on the N30,000 minimum wage agreed upon by a federal government-led tripartite negotiation team.

    President Buhari was reported to have agreed to the N30,000 minimum wage proposal, but a statement on Wednesday by the Presidency had denied that the President agreed to the proposal.

    In a reaction, the Atiku campaign organisation faulted the Presidency’s denial, accusing the government of double speak on the minimum wage controversy.

    The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement from the Presidency denying President Buhari’s earlier pledge to pay the new minimum wage of ₦30,000 agreed with the Nigerian Labour Congress and other labour affiliates in a signed communiqué.

    “This approbation and re-probation is characteristic of the Buhari administration and is evidence of the lack of leadership at the very top that is putting our economy in peril.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Buhari has not endorsed N30,000 – Presidency

    “Just two weeks ago, two of the world’s largest banks, HSBC and UBS, pulled out of Nigeria citing lack of policy stability as their reason.

    “This same reason was given by Procter and Gamble when they pulled out last year. In the span of the three years that this administration has been in office, more than 500 companies have pulled out of Nigeria for similar reasons. Nigeria under President Buhari has become synonymous with policy flip flopping.

    “A government is only as reliable as its word and if its word is not reliable then nothing else about the government will be stable. This is why Nigeria suffered from a recession under this administration and is right now at risk of another recession.

    “At the risk of repeating ourselves, we urge the Buhari administration to note that Nigerian workers are the goose that lays the golden egg that top members of this government are enjoying to the detriment of those laying the egg.

    “We are aware that both President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo, despite living and feeding at the public expense, collect a hardship allowance of 50% of their annual basic salary, whereas, the long suffering Nigerian workers, who are the main sufferers of the hardship caused by the incompetence of this administration, do not have any hardship allowance and are expected to live on the unliveable minimum wage of the Buhari government.

    “It is a testament to how badly we have treated our workforce over the last three years that Nigeria was officially declared the world headquarters for extreme poverty by the World Poverty Clock and the World Economic Forum.

    “We can only change this by paying our workers a living wage as opposed to the starvation wages now paid to them by the Buhari administration.

    “We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to keep faith with the agreement his government freely reached with labour and affirm the new minimum wage”.

  • Strike: Offices, Schools, Hospitals shut down in Niger

    There was full compliance by workers in Niger state to the warning strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress to press for a new minimum wage for workers in the country took off.

    The state and federal Secretariats in Minna were put under lock and key with union officials standing by to ensure nobody entered any of the Secretariat.

    Also, health facilities were also locked to patients.

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    A number of Directors vehicles were seen outside the secretariat and at the gates of educational institutions, pupils and students returned home while their teachers were nowhere to be found.

    However, private organizations went about their normal businesses while petrol filling stations were opened to dispense fuel to motorists.

    An unofficial source said PENGASSAN in the state did not join the strike.

    The NLC Chairman, Yahaya Ndako Idris could not be reached as he had switched off all his cell phone

  • ‘Buhari’s re-election in 2019 certain’

    The former Deputy National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu and the Kwara state Coordinator of the Buhari Campaign Organization (BCO) Abubakar Suleiman on Thursday said that the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019 general election is certain

    Aremu, a member of the Buhari campaign team added that what Nigeria needs at this time is coalition of all patriots for national development not just for power grabbing sake.

    Aremu said this in Ilorin during the official opening of the BCO secretariat, the Kwara State capital.

    Comrade Aremu chronicled various landmark achievements of President Buhari from 2015 up till date.

    Read Also: Buhari commissions Abuja light rail

    He said that Buhari had surpassed his predecessors in terms of quality service delivery.

    He described President Buhari as a labour friendly leader who thought outside the box by providing bailout in three consecutive times including Paris fund to all state governors for the payment of the backlog of their workers’ salaries.

    He said that the initiative was first of its kind in the history of the country.

    Aremu also commended the President Buhari for setting up Minimum wage Committee tobreview the N18, 000 minimum wages.

    He hinted that negotiations are ongoing and expressed confidence that the committee will come up with a good package for Nigerian worjers soon.

    Aremu noted that the President’s seal commitment in fighting corruption is encouraging and worthwhile adding that corruption is an extraordinary situation which requires extraordinary action the exact way President Buhari is handling it the country.

    Alhaji Sulaiman noted that 99 percent of Kwarans are behind the re-election of president Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming general elections in 2019.