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Makinde Reaffirms Commitment to N70,000 Minimum Wage for Oyo Workers
In a significant move aimed at uplifting the welfare of workers, Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has pledged to implement a N70,000 minimum wage for the state’s workforce, contingent upon resolving the consequential salary adjustment discussions.
During the 2024 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the NUT (ENDWELL) Model College Sports Complex in Ibadan, Governor Makinde expressed his commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of workers and pensioners alike. He announced an extension of the N25,000 wage award for workers and an additional N15,000 for pensioners for three more months, to bridge the gap while negotiations continue.
“The discussions on the minimum wage will commence next week, and we are determined to ensure that the N70,000 minimum wage is realized. We will collaborate with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to finalize the consequential adjustments,” he stated.
In a heartfelt tribute to teachers, Governor Makinde acknowledged their critical role in his electoral success and emphasized the importance of prioritizing their welfare. He reaffirmed his administration’s focus on education as a cornerstone of development, vowing to enhance educational infrastructure to create an optimal learning environment.
“I extend my gratitude to teachers for their unwavering support during the campaign. Together, we will overcome the challenges we face as a nation. Tough times don’t last; it is the resilience of the people that will prevail,” he remarked.
The governor highlighted the ongoing educational funding efforts, revealing that his administration has invested approximately N15 billion over the past five years in infrastructure improvements, though he noted that significantly more is needed to address the estimated N70 billion shortfall in educational resources.
To further bolster the educational sector, Governor Makinde announced plans for an annual education intervention fund of at least N10 billion, along with initiatives to recruit more teachers to meet the growing demands of the educational landscape.
While inaugurating a new block of 10 classrooms built by the NUT at the NUT Model School, he reiterated his administration’s dedication to improving local infrastructure, promising to upgrade the inner roads within the Owode Housing Estate.
The NUT State Chairman, Comrade Raji Ismail, commended the governor for his transformative achievements in the education sector and for prioritizing the welfare of teachers through various initiatives, including career progression and regular salary payments.
In a show of solidarity, Comrade Kayode Martins, chair of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Oyo State, expressed confidence in the governor’s commitment to fulfilling the expectations surrounding the minimum wage implementation.
Senator David Jimkuta (APC), representing Taraba South Senatorial District at the National Assembly says 19 senators have been denied landing permit at the Kashimbilla airport in Taraba.
Jimkuta made the complain at his Senatorial Empowerment Programme in Wukari, Taraba, where he donated assorted items to the constituents.
He explained that the 19 senators were selected by the Senate to accompany him and to witness his empowerment programme.
The senator lamented that he got the report that the Kashimbila air port was temporary shut down, after he had completed every procedure required to fly into the airport.
Jimkuta, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils, said that the visit would have allowed the know the needs of the state to be of support.
He said that the situation had prevented the senators from gracing the occasion.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their equipment.
Jimkuta also promised to support security with logistics to enhance security of lives and properties in the district.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their items but use them to better their lots.
Earlier, Chief David Kente, Chairman of the event, thanked the senator for the massive distribution of items to his constituents.
Kente, a philanthropist and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the empowerment as unpresidented in the history of the district.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that items distributed include cars, motorcycles, tricycles, sewing machines, deep freezers, vulcanizing machines among others.
By Nathaniel Irobi
David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has been killed by kidnappers in Abuja.
Citing sources, counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, Parradang, said Parradang was abducted in the Area 1 axis of Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday.
Makama said after being trailed from a bank where he had withdrawn money, the assailants took the cash from him before eventually killing him.
The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over security in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly regarding the increasing cases of kidnappings and targeted attacks,” Makama said in a post.
Parradang, who served in the NIS for over 30 years, held various positions across the country, including Comptroller General.
He served in Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory. He also attended several professional courses both within Nigeria and internationally.
In recognition of his service, he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and was a distinguished graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Security agencies have reportedly launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his abduction and killing, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in their newly appointed Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab.
In a press briefing held in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the General Secretary of the association and Chairman of North-east CAN, affirmed that the election, which took place on 25th February 2025 in Abuja, was conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, leading to the selection of Rev. Hayab and other Executive members.
Bishop Naga, who serves as the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC), urged Christians, particularly those from the North, to continue praying for the peace, unity, and progress of a region beset by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
He further encouraged all Christians to extend their prayers and support to the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the founding Patron of CAN in Northern Nigeria.
Bishop Naga stated, “I wish to express our unwavering support for our substantive Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab. He was duly elected alongside other executive members, and all churches and Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria remain loyal to him.”
He continued, “Any group that believes they must hold power indefinitely should recognise that the stakeholders in Northern Nigeria, including the General Secretary of national CAN, Northern CAN, and representatives from various states, have honoured the election. This election stands firm, and we remain loyal.”
“We want to convey to the world, particularly those of us in Northern Nigeria, that we have a leader to whom we can turn regarding Christian matters. We advocate for peace and acknowledge the historical context of Northern Nigeria. CAN was established here, and we honour our father, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the first patron of CAN. This illustrates our kinship and commitment to peaceful coexistence.”
“Anyone seeking to disrupt this long-standing harmony is, in essence, an enemy of progress. In conclusion, I call upon all Nigerians to embrace one another, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, who are fasting. Let us pray for peace in Nigeria and for the advancement of our beloved country, particularly in the North,” Bishop Naga concluded.