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NLC Declares One Week Strike

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The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ebonyi State chapter has declared a one week industrial action for all civil servants in the State over the none implementation of the New National Minimum Wage by the State Government.

Comrade Egwu said that the industrial action commenced from 00:00 hours of 1st December, 2024 adding that the action was signed by all the affiliate bodies.

Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Oguguo Egwu said that the action was in line with the directive of 8th November 2024 by the National body to all State Councils of States yet to comply with extant procedures based on collective bargaining and eventual implementation of the New National Minimum Wage.

He stated that on the 2nd of October, 2024, through the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru inaugurated a Minimum Wage Implementation Committee adding that Just as the Committee was fine-tunning its presentation, the State Governor unilaterally pronounced a wage award of NGN75,000 to grade levels 1 and 2, and NGN40,000 across board award for Grade levels 3-16.

“This was done in a church service (Holy Mass in Government House Chapel) on the 27th October, 2024. This wage award which he christened “minimum wage” is averse to the traditional procedures of implementing minimum wage no matter the magnitude of the beautiful intent with which he made the pronouncement.

Comrade Egwu noted that when a Minimum wage is pronounced, it goes through the rigours of consequential adjustments that will translate into an agreement signed by both the Government and the Organised Labour.

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The pronouncement made was not a product of any collective bargaining agreement as we were never part of any consultation that lead to the said pronouncement.

He noted that the salary chart forced on workers and currently used, did not undergo any consequential adjustment and has consistently malnourished the takehome pay of workers as it lacks minimal progression.

This led to our dear state being mentioned as one of those that never implemented the N30,000 minimum wage of 2019. The Implementation Committee, which we are all part of, has arrived at
an acceptable salary chart with consequential adjustment and substantial progression.

He maintained that the cost implication when compared with the award of October, 2024 has been generated and discussed with the Governor adding that all efforts made by the Chairman of the Committee, the State Governor set-up to bring these facts to his notice have yielded no positive results.

“Even our candid, civil and appealing efforts have also yielded no results as the State Governor have vehemently ignored that kind inner drive to better the lives of Ebonyi Workers.

Comrade Oguguo maintained that the last interaction with with the Governor was on the 27th November, when the union passionately appealed to him to
rescind his decision and take the path of goodwill to the people.

He expressed the regret that despite the ecrutiating pains of a depressed economy and low income of workers, “we have been informed that workers are asked to pay the sum of NGN2,100 to
participate in a staff audit exercise, which the Government approved without any discussion
and commitment from the side of workers.

He said that workers at the Local Government Councils are yet to
receive their October, 2024 salaries. “Teachers who are being paid are paid through a different
bank channel creating confusions as most statutory deductions are not effected.

“This is an anomaly that needs to be corrected before our poor teachers are further plunged into debilitating and abject poverty. And delays in the payment of monthly salaries of these Local Government Councils have become perennial and consistently weighed down on the psyche of the workers.

“Congress therefore met on 27th November and critically reviewed the flow of events and noted with pains, these actions and inactions, and unanimously resolved to embark on a one-week warning strike with effect from 00:00 hours of 1st December, 2024.

He said that the decision is for Government to reconsider its stance on the issue of Minimum wage as well as engage the Committee set-up for this purpose as due dilligence.

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Kaduna 2027: Governor Uba Sani Replaces Deputy, Names Jerry Adams as Running Mate

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has officially nominated the Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams, as his new running mate.

The announcement, made on Tuesday via a personally signed statement, effectively signals the end of the ticket with the current Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who also served as Deputy to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during his second term.

Governor Sani framed the decision as more than a political calculation, describing it as a “reaffirmation” of his administration’s core philosophy of inclusive governance.

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“This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023; the values of inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and the unwavering conviction that every citizen of Kaduna State deserves a genuine sense of belonging,” the Governor stated.

Addressing the state’s complex socio-political landscape, Sani noted that Kaduna’s rich diversity in ethnicity, religion, and culture should be a source of strength rather than division. He reflected on the state’s history, emphasizing the need to learn from past conflicts.

“Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust and exclusion. Yet it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together,” he added.

The Governor touted his administration’s track record over the last three years as evidence of this commitment, citing equitable distribution of developmental projects across the state’s 23 local government areas. Key sectors highlighted include road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development, and social protection programs.

The nomination of Jerry Adams, who currently oversees the state’s revenue generation, signals a potential shift in the administration’s focus toward economic consolidation and fiscal expansion as it prepares for the 2027 electoral contest.

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No Sin in Politics’ Wike Says as Fubara Returns to Rainbow Coalition

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has welcomed the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to his political side, declaring the latter has corrected his mistakes.

He said this in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting the project, alongside the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

Reacting to the Rivers governor’s recent declaration about his return to the Rainbow Coalition and pledge of complete loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Mr Wike said, “There is no sin in politics.”

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The minister further stated, “If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that.

“What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and deciding to take the right path.”

The minister, who welcomed Mr Fubara back into his political fold, insisted that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that brought him to power.

Mr Wike explained that the Rivers governor’s decision to align with his political camp publicly was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” Mr Wike stated.

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Aminu Magashi Donates Relief Materials to Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre Inmates

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The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

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According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

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