Tag: Soludo

The ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is in disarray, following the release of transition committee chairmen for the 21 local government areas by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

The party members said Soludo picked his cronies, in-laws and relations, leaving out the real party members.

One of the APGA chieftains, who spoke with The Nation in Awka on Thursday but pleaded not to be mentioned, said all his appointments in the state had been like that.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)!and the All Progressives Congress (APC) told The Nation that Soludo assured of conducting local government elections, but had come up with transition committees.

They accused Soludo of insensitivity, adding that he had denied the grassroots the opportunity of enjoying democracy dividends, noting that he had toed the line of his predecessors

Soludo’s idea of transition committee had been widely criticised by residents who feel betrayed by the governor’s decision.

Chief George Okoye, a one time presidential aspirant on the platform of APGA and former lawmaker, in Njikoka Local Government Area, described the Governor’s action as “impunity.” 

Okoye said: “Governor Soludo’s appointment of TC Chairmen is  a betrayal of his campaign promise to conduct local government elections. 

“Many residents who voted for him feel let down by this decision, which they believe is a clear departure from his earlier commitment.

Read Also: Soludo hails Muslims for contributing to development

“We demand an explanation from the governor for this decision to appoint TC Chairmen instead of conducting elections. We want to know why he has departed from his earlier promise and what informed his decision.

“We are calling on all stakeholders to join in this protest in the  quest for democratic governance at the local government level.”

Soludo on Wednesday  sent the names of 21 Local Government Transition Committee (TC) Chairmen to Anambra Assembly For Consideration.

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo hailed the Muslim community for their valuable contributions to the peaceful development in the state.

Soludo said the community also contributes to enriching diversity of the state’s collective social fabric.

“I felicitate with the Muslim faithful on Eid-el Kabir, which holds profound significance in the Islamic faith as it commemorates the enduring faith, obedience, and devotion to Almighty Allah.

Read Also; Jubilation as Soludo’s wife offers free health insurance worth N12.5m to PWDs in Anambra

“As our Muslim brothers and sisters observe this sacred event through charity and communal prayers, it is a time for us to reflect on these universal values that bind humanity together.

“I urge Muslims to continue their support and prayers for the state government and Nigeria to advance the collective progress, security and the well-being of every citizen…”

• We planned N70,000 monthly salary three years ago, says Obaseki

• NLC: no agreement yet

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has warned President Bola Tinubu about the consequences of endorsing what he called an unsustainable wage increase.

Soludo spoke during a panel of discussion at an event with the theme: Democracy and the free Market Economy, organised by the Covenant Nation to mark Democracy Day yesterday in Lagos.

The governor examined the complexities surrounding the minimum wage debate and the broader economic implications.

He acknowledged the emotions behind the minimum wage debate, saying: “The worker is saying his wage can’t take him home,” while the conversation often missed critical aspects of the issue, such as productivity and the ability to pay.

“Nobody is talking about productivity. Nobody is talking about the ability to pay,” he said, drawing attention to the gap between public perception and economic reality.

Soludo painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s financial landscape, explaining that even if the Federal Government’s revenue reached an optimistic N17 trillion, it would only amount to N6,160 per person when distributed monthly across the entire population.

“That’s what comes out per capita,” he said.

Analysing the broader impact of the matter, Soludo noted that the debate on minimum wage often overlooked the ramifications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are the largest employers in the country.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor recounted conversations with several SME owners in his state, saying they were mostly unaware that the proposed wage adjustments would apply to them as well.

Also, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said his administration planned a N70,000 minimum wage three years ago when there were signs that the economy was heading in the wrong direction.

Obaseki said this when the Editorial Board of Tell magazine presented him with the Award for Exceptional Courage in Leadership at the Government House yesterday in Benin, the state capital.

Read Also; Soludo: If we share Anambra’s monthly IGR each person will receive less than N2,500

He said: “We are able to pay the N70,000 minimum wage because we planned ahead in the last three years because we knew a day like this would come.

“Thank God that we have been vindicated today, as our sincerity has helped us prevail over every situation. We see prospects for a better economy and transparent government in Edo State because of the institutional reforms we have introduced to better manage the state.”

Also, The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has denied reaching an agreement on a new national minimum wage with the Federal Government.

The congress was responding to yesterday’s address of President Bola Tinubu delivered in Abuja.

The congress insisted that it would not accept anything below N250,000 as the new wage for workers.

Alluding to President Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech, the NLC said: “We appreciate the President’s commitment to those fine democratic ideals which allowed the work of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee to proceed unhindered, despite some hiccups.

“However, we had expected Mr. President to have used this understanding as one of those who was in the vanguard of the struggle with us around the nation to rescue Nigeria from the hands of the military to harmonise the two figures submitted to him by the Tripartite Committee in favour of workers and masses. It would have been a fitting Democracy Day gift…”

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has reaffirmed his government’s dedication to bolstering the education sector within the state.

He highlighted that Anambra boasts the lowest rates of out-of-school children nationwide, a feat attributed to the substantial investments made by his administration in education.

Soludo made the remarks during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka on Monday, May 27.

The event featured a march by school children and uniformed organizations, cake cutting, cultural dances, and a fashion parade, among other activities.

Soludo said: “We’re here to celebrate our future, our future and others who were not able to join us here. This is the third time I’ve witnessed Children’s Day since I assumed office, but this is the largest.

“I can see the glorious future of Anambra and Nigeria as we behold their face. We’re deliberately investing in our children, who are our bridge. For skills needed here and exporting them.

“In two years, we’ve employed over 8000 teachers because they’re our greatest asset. Currently, Anambra has the lowest out-of-children in the country. We are targeting making it zero.

“We’re having sleepless nights because of you. Roads will wash away, sky-scrapers will collapse, but investment in children will stand the test of time.”

Read Also: Soludo commiserates with family of pupil flogged to death by teacher

While commending the teachers for their commitments to training the children, the governor assured that his government would not lower the bar in the recruitment of standard teachers, stressing that Anambra children deserved the best.

“We call on everyone to invest in education because it is everyone’s responsibility. If you can save the cost of your favourite brand of drink, you can buy a pencil for the child. That’s a way of investing in education,” he added.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo urged parents to offer their children the needed parent-child relationship and make their homes more conducive for them to thrive amidst challenges.

“Governor Soludo’s manifesto shows that enhancing the well-being of the Nigerian Child through quality education and skills development of the Nigerian child is possible and achievable to build a livable and prosperous homeland.

“Enhancing the wellbeing of the Nigerian child is not the sole responsibility of government. It requires multi-stakeholders synergy such as parents, and guardians whose major role focuses on creating the needed healthy environment for our children to blossom,” she said.

• Demands investigation

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has commiserated with the family of the late Henry Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, a pupil of the illegal Landmark International School Mgbakwu, who died following grievous bodily injury inflicted on him by one of the teachers, Mrs Faith Nwoye.

Soludo who spoke through Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, described the incident as unfortunate.

According to the Commissioner, the governor has demanded a full-scale investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of the boy.

Read Also: First Lady raises the alarm over waning values among youths

The matter was handed over to the police on Monday, May 20, 2024, after interrogation of the suspect and the proprietor of the School. The school was discovered to be among those operating illegally in the State.

The commissioner, who had earlier declared criminal activities of anyone operating a school in the state without recognition, insisted that the Ministry of Education recognized schools in line with prescribed due processes.

She wondered why some individuals would be running schools in a clandestine manner, employing unqualified teachers to ruin our children.

“Every child is of the State and Governor Soludo has demanded that the law takes its full course in the Henry Chukwuemeka Okonkwo’s case,” the Commissioner restated.

The face-off between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, over minimum wage, has taken a new dimension.

Recall that a couple of days ago, the National President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, wrote a letter, accusing Soludo of inciting other governors not to pay 70,000 naira as minimum wage.

Ajaero, in the letter to the state Labour, issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Anambra governor to address the issues of workers in the state or face industrial action

Comrade Ajaero, further alleged that Soludo, is anti-worker, accusing him further of failure to pay the 2019 National Minimum Wage of N30,000, unresolved contributory pension deductions, and the cessation of  N12,000 special palliative allowance.

Read Also; I’m amused seeing those who said Asiwaju had no chance now gallivanting around him – Gbenga Daniel

But the state government had debunked these allegations, while highlighting the commendable strides  Soludo has made in improving the welfare and working conditions of Anambra State workers since he assumed office in March 2022.

Meanwhile, Soludo has summoned the Labour leaders to a meeting on Wednesday next week to discuss the way forward and to avoid the looming danger

Speaking with The Nation at the weekend, some of the Labour leaders who did not want to be mentioned, said Soludo should not start what he can’t finish.

They said, “We’re going to hear from the governor and what he has to say. Our national President has given us the mandate already.

“What he will tell us will either make us shift ground or proceed with the strike. If he fails to tell us what suits the ear, it will be disastrous for the state,” NLC, and TUC leaders told The Nation.

Reacting to the allegations, Soludo’s Press Secretary, Chris Aburime, at the weekend, said at no time did Soludo incite or influence other state governors against paying the proposed N70,000 minimum wage.

” Instead, he has always been sensitive to the welfare of workers. Even as the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he was quite responsive to staff wellbeing.

“Efforts are already underway to resolve the issue of contributory pension deductions while the agreed 2019 National Minimum Wage of N30,000 is already being paid.

“The state government is open to meaningful dialogue and collaboration with the NLC to address any concerns amicably.

“We assure the NLC and all Anambra State workers that their demands and issues are being diligently addressed,” Soludo said.