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NLC Protest: Obaseki Charges Workers to Reject FG’s Fraudulent Palliatives, Offers N500m Monthly Package
…says workers’ wages must reflect current reality
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration will disburse N500 million monthly to poor households in the State as palliative to cushion the effect of the economic hardship caused by the subsidy removal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government.
Obaseki disclosed this while speaking to members of the Edo State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by the Chairman, Odion Olaye and other labour unions, who were at the Government House, Benin City, on a peaceful protest over the hardship faced by workers and Nigerians as a result of the subsidy removal.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of workers and all Edo people, Obaseki said his government will sustain efforts to reduce the suffering and hardship inflicted on the people by the APC-led federal government.
According to him, “The APC government has thrown us into this mess and we can’t ignore this fact but as Nigerians, we will do something about it. It may take time but we will prevail.”
He continued: “On May 1st this year, I warned Labour that we are likely to face the condition and situation we face today. I warned you in that speech not to wait but be proactive and plan ahead. Look at where we are today.
“We in Edo State will do our own bit and I have decided that every month, going forward, we will take N500 million from our money to give to the poorest of the poor in Edo State.”
The governor further charged, “I want to alert you to reject the palliative they want to give to you. It’s a continuation of the fraud that the Federal Government has always undertaken against the people of Nigeria. The so-called money for palliative should be given to the local government which is closer to the people to take care of their people.
“You can’t buy grains from Abuja because the money to transport it alone is enough to take care of the people. We should stop this palliative fraud in Nigeria. I call on the Nigerian Labour Congress to reject the Federal Government’s palliative. Let them give local governments the money to give to the people as the Federal Government doesn’t have any business buying grains as palliative to be distributed across the 774 LGAs in Nigeria.”
He added: “We must stop this fraud. We are suffering too much in Nigeria and the Federal Government is insensitive to the plight of the people. In Edo State, we are labour-friendly and have increased our minimum wage two years ago N40, 000). The situation was not as bad as this before we took that step. We know that workers are suffering and need to do something about it as the take-home pay can’t take workers home anymore.”
Commending workers for their resilience, the governor stated, “I thank you for the peaceful protest and as citizens you have every right to protest against any issue you are not happy about as you are acting on your constitutional rights. We support the action of the NLC that your wages must reflect the current reality. I have received your letter and will send it to the President of Nigeria.”
In his response, Comrade Olaye lauded the governor’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the State, as he has provided measures to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on the workers and other residents.
He said, “We, the NLC are here today to register our displeasure over the economic hardship in the country. We are supposed to go on a nationwide strike but we were restrained by the Federal Government.
“The removal of fuel subsidy has caused hardship to all the citizens of the nation. We thank you Mr. Governor for reducing the working days of civil servants to three days in a week. We appeal to the President of Nigeria to allow Nigerians to breathe.
“We want the Federal Government to fix the three refineries we have in Nigeria and also give license to the Modular Refinery in Edo State so it can refine products and sell to Nigerians.”
Olaye added, “Fuel price has been increased by 300 per cent so workers’ salaries should also be increased by 300 per cent.”
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has commended the developmental strides of Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, just as he assured of the support of traditional institutions in the state.
Sultan who admonished other governor’s to also borrow a leaf from governor Ahmed Aliyu who ensures that resident communities enjoys equal benefit from everybody, added that, Nigerians should project what unites us moe than that which divides us.
“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the Governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing of transforming our State.
“The Governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.
While adding that governor Ahmed Aliyu deserves special commendation for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, Sultan urged Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may jeopardise the long lasting peace the country is enjoying.
Registering his displeasure over how the social media is been used negatively to promote and sow seed o discord, the Sultan said, some unpatriotic citizens use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.
He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens trying to create chaos in the land.
Speaking during his
Sallah homage on governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto, Sultan
said, “”In Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the State a sense of belonging.
Sultan equally stressed the need for for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.
Responding, governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.
He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.
According to Aliyu, many youths have joined informants’ groups so as to be getting stipends to make ends meet.
“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.
” I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed
Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.
He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for it’s sustainance.
Sterling Bank has made a groundbreaking move by eliminating transfer charges on local transactions, aiming to create a more equitable banking experience for Nigerians. The question now arises: will other financial institutions follow this lead?
On April 1, Sterling Bank announced the removal of transfer fees for all local digital transactions, positioning itself as the first major bank in Nigeria to implement such a policy. Initially, the announcement faced skepticism, with many believing it to be an April Fools’ Day joke. However, Sterling has since reaffirmed the policy’s legitimacy and immediate implementation, signaling a significant evolution in the industry’s customer service approach.
Obinna Ukachukwu, the Growth Executive overseeing the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, stated, “We believe that accessing your own funds should not incur a penalty. This decision transcends financial implications; it reflects our core values.”
With this new policy, Sterling customers can now make free transfers for all local transactions via the bank’s mobile app. This initiative is anticipated to yield considerable savings for individuals and small business owners who frequently engage in transfers.
“We may not be the largest bank in Nigeria, but we are certainly the most audacious,” Ukachukwu declared. “Sterling Bank is committed to the future of Nigeria, and we are backing our fellow citizens with more than just words.”
Sterling Bank has a history of prioritizing customer welfare, having previously offered financial assistance to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest initiative has garnered widespread public support, igniting conversations on social media and prompting calls for other banks to adopt similar practices.
“We take pride in leading this transformative change,” Ukachukwu concluded. “We hope to inspire others to rethink what customers truly require from their banks, not only in terms of services but also in values.”
On Wednesday, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, convened in Abuja, dismissed the Action Alliance’s (AA) petition aimed at overturning the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi and comprising a three-member panel, determined that the petition, filed by AA and its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, was without merit.
The tribunal concluded that the issues raised in the petition were pre-election matters, falling outside its jurisdiction to adjudicate.
The petitioners claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had excluded their legitimate candidate from the governorship election held on September 21, 2024. They argued that, in contradiction to several court rulings, INEC recognized a candidate who had not been validly nominated by the party.
Furthermore, the petitioners contended that INEC’s failure to publish the name of their party’s rightful candidate constituted a significant violation of Section 134(1)(b) of the Electoral Act.
In addition to these claims, they asserted that Governor Okpebholo, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not receive the majority of legitimate votes and that the election was tainted by corrupt practices.
As a result, they sought the annulment of the election; however, the tribunal panel denied their request on Wednesday.
The panel upheld all preliminary objections raised against the petition. The respondents, including INEC and Governor Okpebholo, argued that the National Chairman of the AA lacked the standing to file the action, as he did not participate in the gubernatorial election.
They also asserted that the petition was barred by statute, as it involved pre-election issues that exceeded the tribunal’s jurisdiction.
It is noteworthy that AA’s candidate, Mr. Tom Iseghhi-Okojie, withdrew from the race in favor of Governor Okpebholo just days before the election.