National
Revisiting The 134% Increase In Minimum Wage (70k): Ajaero, Osifo And Organized Labour Living And Leaving To Fight Another Day
I am compelled to do this incisive effort which is apparently targeted at putting the records straight ditto the decision of Organized Labour to settle for a 134% increase in Minimum Wage thus taking the minimum wage from 30k to 70k rather than insisting on the 250k which was the position until the last meeting Organized Labour had with Mr. President and his Team.
There is a preponderance of angry opinions out there seeking to lampoon and vilify the position of Organized Labour, some have said that Labour sold out, others have argued that 70k is not good enough, and some have argued that Labour should have insisted on 250k, and should that fail, that Labour should shutdown the economy. These are apparently valid positions and arguments, but centered more on populism than research.
Yes, this Government is a slave to profligacy, waste and wanderlust. Yes, this Government has refused to prioritize the well-being of workers and the masses. Yes, this Government spends our collective patrimony with reckless abandon, spending so much on Political office holders, their apparatchik and running a bloated government rather than a lean government. And yes, this Government spends more yearly on the 469 members or so of the National Assembly than it spends on thousands of workers across the board. How inexplicable. This therefore provides fuel for those who insist that Organized Labour settled for a figure too low to be happy about.
Don’t overlook the fact that the State Governors had argued for something between 50k and 60k. And the Federal government had offered 62k. It was therefore incumbent on Organized Labour to work the figures and settle for something presently realistic and realizable, or insist on 250k, shutdown the economy and increase the general pain, hardship and anger in the land, don’t forget that to get a minimum wage that is perhaps presently unimplimentable would amount to pyrrhic victory, as some States before now were not up to date regarding paying the former minimum wage of 30k. And the Representatives of the Private Sector had also argued that anything above 60k would be difficult to pay. It thus became an uphill puzzle for Organized Labour to undertake.
Organized Labour in insisting on 70k as a new minimum wage and pushing through with a commitment from Government for an upward review every 3 years was clearly living true to the fact that he who fights and beats a retreat, would live to fight another day. Organized Labour was leaving the call to shutdown the economy on issues of workers wages alone, for a holistic collaboration with the Civil Society and the Nigerian people in demanding wholesale recalibration of the economy and the levers of governance for the collective good.
Organized Labour did not only get a 134% increase in pay for workers, it got palliatives including Vehicles/Buses for Labour across the States, and it also got a commitment for upward review of Wages every 3 years. They have chosen to sheath the sword on issues of workers wages, but have not retreated on issues bothering on the well-being of the masses ditto insisting that Political Office Holders must cut down the cost of governance, that government must prioritize its expenditure to projects that directly impact the larger number, that government must deal with issues bothering on National Security, ensure that Farmers and the farms are safe so that the present food insecurity and inflation does not consume us all.
Joe Ajaero, Festus Osifo and the Organized Labour in settling for the 70k increase have not betrayed the Nigerian Worker they have only stooped to conquer. And need I say that the Civil Society must come to terms with the fact that the battle for a nation that works for all is not the sole responsibility or exclusive preserve of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and the Trade Union Congress TUC, we must wake up to the urgency of now and learn to rework and re-ignite the levers of public discontent and popular action, we must realize that true change will come from the people through mass collaboration. Yes, it must be the product of healthy collaboration between Organized Civil Society, Students, True Progressives, and Organized Labour.
On the minimum wage debate, what is incumbent on Organized Labour is to ensure that the new minimum wage is signed into Law, and that it is operational across the nation without delay, such is presently the inexcusable minimum. It is only when and if, God forbid, Organized Labour Labour fails to achieve that, that we can accuse them of failing the people or selling out.
Nigeria can only truly come through for the masses when we rise up as a People to demand for responsible and responsive leadership not in singling out a sector or grouping for the task that must be a collective one. God Bless Nigeria.
I’m CHUKWUDUMEBI.
Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVEMENT.
The leadership of the 10th Senate has announced a shift in the date of its resumption. The earlier date for resumption was fixed for April 29, 2025.
However, the new date has been adjusted to May 6.
The announcement was contained in an internal memo dated April 20, 2025, addressed to all senators and signed by the Senate Clerk, Andrew Ogbonna Nwoba.
The postponement was hinged on the International Workers’ Day public holiday, which is celebrated on May 1 and for the lawmakers to take their time to attend to key constituency engagements.
The circular reads, “Distinguished Senators, I am directed to inform you that the resumption of plenary sittings of the Senate, earlier scheduled for Monday, 29th April 2025, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 6th May 2025.
“This postponement is made to allow Distinguished Senators to stay with their constituents during the International Workers’ Day public holiday in the first week of May and to further enhance constituency engagements.
“Distinguished Senators are kindly requested to take note of this postponement while regretting any inconvenience the change might have caused.”
PUNCH Online reports that the Senate had on March 27 adjourned the plenary to allow lawmakers to observe the Easter and Eid-El-Fitr holidays.
National
Nigeria Enrolls 1 Million New Registrants in NIN Database as Digital ID Initiative Faces 2026 Deadline
Nigeria’s national digital identity campaign gained significant traction in March 2025, with the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolments reaching 118.4 million.
Recent data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) indicates that one million Nigerians were added to the database last month, reflecting a renewed urgency in light of international funding and approaching targets.
This initiative is part of the World Bank-supported Digital Identity for National Development (ID4D) project, which aims to provide legal identities for all Nigerians. However, the country is still striving to meet its initial target of registering at least 148 million citizens by June 30, 2024, a deadline that has now been extended to June 30, 2026, due to a shortfall.
The total funding allocated for the ID4D initiative amounts to $430 million, provided by the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The extension aims to facilitate the establishment of an inclusive and reliable digital ID system that enhances governance and access to public services.
Regionally, Lagos State leads in NIN registrations with 12.7 million enrolments, followed by Kano State with 10.4 million. Kaduna State ranks third with 6.9 million registrations.
Gender data from NIMC reveals that men dominate the enrolment figures, with 66.9 million (56.5%) registered, compared to 51.5 million women (43.5%).
Other states with notable NIN figures include Ogun (4.9 million), Oyo (4.5 million), Katsina (4 million), FCT (3.8 million), Rivers (3.5 million), Delta (3.2 million), and Jigawa (3.1 million).
Conversely, Bayelsa State has the lowest enrolment number at just 767,620, followed by other underperforming states such as Ebonyi (999,991), Ekiti (1.1 million), Cross River (1.4 million), and Taraba (1.7 million).
As the deadline approaches, authorities are under increasing pressure to enhance efforts, particularly in low-performing regions, to achieve universal digital identity coverage.
Christian leaders and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi have extended Easter felicitations to Nigerians, urging reflection, compassion, and collective action to address the nation’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, hunger, and political tensions.
In separate statements issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, and Obi emphasised the significance of Easter as a time for spiritual renewal and national introspection.
CAN: Easter Reflects Nigeria’s Faith and Resilience
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN President, described Easter as the “cornerstone of Christian faith,” symbolising Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s redemption.
He noted that in Nigeria, Easter transcends religious observance, embodying a vibrant cultural celebration marked by colourful parades in Lagos and solemn processions in northern villages.
“Easter is a time when families gather, communities unite, and our rich cultural heritage is showcased through music, dance, and festive gatherings,” Okoh said.
He acknowledged the persecution faced by Christians in some regions, yet stressed the enduring spirit of Easter, which inspires resilience and unity.
Okoh urged Christians to engage in acts of kindness, promote interfaith dialogue, and work towards a just society.
“Let us reach out to neighbours of other faiths, fostering mutual respect and peaceful coexistence,” he added.
Kaigama: A Call to Address Insecurity, Hunger
Archbishop Kaigama struck a sombre tone, highlighting Nigeria’s escalating crises.
He mourned the recent killing of travellers in Uromi, Edo State, and ongoing violence in Plateau State’s Bokkos and Bassa areas, where communities have been devastated.
“These attacks underscore the urgent need for a sincere and coordinated response to insecurity,” he said.
Kaigama also decried the widespread hunger and economic hardship gripping the nation.
“Families struggle daily to put food on the table in a nation so richly blessed,” he lamented, calling for collaborative efforts to ensure no Nigerian goes hungry.
Expressing alarm over the rising kidnappings of clergy, Kaigama described such acts as a “blow to the conscience of the nation.”
He further addressed the political crisis in Rivers State, where a state of emergency was declared, cautioning against actions that could deepen divisions.
“No democracy can thrive without a culture of give and take,” he said, urging leaders to prioritise dialogue and the welfare of citizens.
Kaigama also condemned the “acrimonious political rhetoric” fuelling tensions, urging politicians to focus on governance rather than power struggles.
“Nigeria needs healing, not hostility,” he asserted, calling for accountability and protection for all Nigerians, regardless of tribe or faith.
Obi: Pray for Compassionate Leaders
Peter Obi, in a message signed by his spokesperson Ibrahim Umar, called on Nigerians to use Easter to pray for compassionate leaders who prioritise the people’s welfare. He described Easter as a celebration of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, offering a timely opportunity to seek leaders who emulate such selflessness.
“What is apparent in Nigeria today as insecurity and myriads of problems engulf the land is a visible abdication of responsibility by insensitive and indifferent leaders,” Obi said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s abundant natural and human capital should be harnessed to benefit the populace, lamenting the current leadership’s failure to do so.
**A Unified Call for Renewal**
The messages from CAN, Kaigama, and Obi converge on a shared theme: the need for reflection, compassion, and action to address Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges.
As Christians celebrate Easter, the leaders’ calls for unity, justice, and better governance resonate amid ongoing struggles with insecurity, economic hardship, and political division.