JUST IN: Here is Full Text of Buhari's Speech in Paris

 

President Muhamnadu Buhari was in Paris, France between Sunday, November 11 and Tuesday, November 13, 2018 for the first edition of the Paris Peace Forum.

The Nigerian leader spoke on Monday, 12th November 2018 on “Illicit financial flows (IFFs) and corruption: the challenge of global governance.”

Here is the full text of the President’s speech:

I am delighted to be part of the inaugural edition of the Paris Peace Forum and would like to commend the Government of France for this laudable initiative.

We also thank France for inviting Nigeria to participate in the forum on the sidelines of the Centenary Celebration of the Armistice. It is important to recall that although Nigeria was not independent at the time, the fact remains that it had participated in the war efforts.

3. Nigeria contributed a company of riflemen and support services to the war under the Royal West African Frontier Forces.

4. I should like on this Remembrance Day, to pay tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of all those who had fallen in battle and the pain and suffering of those they left behind.

5. More than half a million Africans fought in the trenches of the First World War for France alone. There was bitter fighting also in east and southern Africa and around Cameroon and Nigeria. We shall not forget.

6. I believe this Forum would provide the needed opportunity for knowledgeable exchange and sharing of best practices on the challenges militating against the much needed good governance in many countries of the world. It is on this premise that my presentation will dwell on “Illicit Financial Flows And Corruption: The Challenge of Global Governance”.
Distinguished Participants,

7. The cancerous effects of Illicit Financial Flows and corruption on the socio-economic development of countries are glaringly evident. The negative impact and ramifications of Illicit Financial Flows are many-sided.
The list which is long and ever-growing, includes:
a. Draining of foreign exchange reserves;
b. Reduction of tax/revenue collection;
c. Poor investment inflows due to near absence of credibility, transparency and policy stability.

8. Illicit financial flows escalate poverty by denying the citizens the benefit of the resources meant for development.

9. This is a crime of opportunity which thrives most in permissive environments. Such outflows further undermine the rule of law, stifle trade and worsen macro-economic conditions.

10. These reprehensible acts are being perpetrated by several international tax havens and secret jurisdictions, which facilitate the operation of:
a. Disguised corporations;
b. Anonymous trust accounts;
c. Fake charitable foundations;
d. Money laundering and transfer pricing mechanisms.

11. Indeed, Illicit Financial Flows have exacerbated poverty and inequality in many societies of the world. Thus, concerted and multi-jurisdictional efforts must be deployed to frontally tackle the menace.

12. Combating corruption has been a defining feature of our Government. Upon assuming office on 29th May, 2015, we made fighting corruption one of the three pillars of our Administration’s priority programmes, given the fact that corruption was threatening the very foundation of our national life, socio-economic development, security and even the consolidation of our democracy.

13. We continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for corrupt practices and non-conformity conduct in public life, by confronting corruption head-on. This is predicated on the fact that we remain steadfast in our commitment of ensuring integrity and ethical conduct in the task of governance. We are mindful of the primacy of leadership by example in this regard.

14. Our efforts at fighting corruption are firmly within the limits of the rule of law, in spite of the interest-forcing strategies of those who chose to discountenance the fundamental value of compliance with the laws of the land.

15. With the progress we have made, we feel the need to ensure that we put enduring institutional frameworks in place for action and measures that will consolidate our achievements in the fight against Illicit Financial Flows and corruption.

16. In the circumstances, strengthening the institutional capacity of anti-corruption bodies has been accorded due attention. For us, therefore, effective institutions and political will are strong counter-measures against corruption and Illicit Financial Flows.

17. In addition, we introduced the Whistle-Blowing policy, whereby information on the violation of financial regulations, mismanagement of public funds and assets, financial malpractices or fraud as well as theft can be reported to authorities.

18. This policy is geared towards ensuring public accountability and transparency, and it has yielded dividends, as we have recovered billions of Naira from corrupt persons and companies.

19. We have also redirected recovered funds to the development of critical infrastructure and programmes that will benefit our people. Funds and assets recovered through our actions, will be deployed in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

20. At the continental level, the African Union also launched the war against corruption and bestowed on me the honour to champion the cause. In this connection, our priorities for international cooperation as a continent will focus on the following:
a. Strengthening international cooperation on asset tracing, recovery and repatriation;
b. Enhancing cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations’ anti-corruption monitoring mechanisms through stronger engagement; and
c. Widening the understanding and relevance of anti-corruption efforts towards the realization of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

21. Appropriate legislation and policies which promote transparent financial transactions should be encouraged.

22. In addition, regulatory institutions and agencies should be strengthened to fight corruption. Nigeria has a good example in this regard with the Tax Appeal Tribunal inaugurated recently. The Tribunal arbitrates between tax payers and government in order to ensure equity and fairness in tax administration.

23. In accordance with relevant international statutes, asset return is unconditional. It is a commitment which members of the international community must abide by.

24. Nigeria, therefore, reiterates its commitment to all existing international legal frameworks to enforce anti-corruption measures, including the recovery and return of stolen assets.
Distinguished Participants,

25. While acknowledging the tremendous progress that has been achieved through the enactment of global instruments, some fundamental technical issues remain unresolved.

26. These revolve around the formulation of policy and regulatory frameworks that cut across different jurisdictions. We must not lose sight of the role played by secret companies, banks and law firms, all too often based in developed economies and their related offshore centres.

27. Recent studies reveal that flaws in the global financial system enable corrupt individuals to hide details of their financial dealings under the noses of governments and law enforcement agencies. This underscores the need to urgently address the issue of Mutual Legal Assistance, as well as continental legal frameworks, in the context of safe havens for illicit transfers.
Distinguished Participants,

28. Our experience in Nigeria is that financial crimes, such as corruption and fraudulent activities, generate enormous unlawful profits which often prove so lucrative that the threat of a jail term is not sufficient to deter perpetrators.

29. A more powerful deterrent is to ensure that profits and assets generated from illicit financial flows and corruption are recovered and returned to countries of origin.

30. This is not to under-estimate the value of strong institutions. It only indicates that asset recovery represents significant deterrence compared to the traditional focus on obtaining conviction by the law enforcement agencies of the countries of origin.
Distinguished Participants,

31. As we take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of domestic, regional and international mechanisms against Illicit Financial Flows, I seize this opportunity to recall the Global Declaration Against Corruption made in London in 2016 and our commitment thereto.

32. Among other things, the Declaration encapsulates our collective commitment to the principles of Open Government Partnership, especially the National Action Plans to actualize beneficial ownership transparency, enhance the capacity of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), reinforce Independent Reporting Mechanisms and support the activities of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. We should remain resolute in our commitment to the aforementioned goals.

33. Similarly, we must crack down on safe havens for corrupt assets. I also advocate sanctions by professional bodies against transactional middlemen (lawyers, bankers, brokers, public officials, etc.) who facilitate Illicit Financial Flows.

34. I would like to reiterate that the Government of Nigeria remains open and is ever willing to continue to identify and share experiences and strategies to give life to the ideas that will lead to winning the fight against corruption.

Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen,

35. Finally, let me reiterate the importance of unity and collective action. It is only together that we stand a better chance to win the fight against the menace of Illicit Financial Flows and corruption.
I thank you for your patience and attention.

BREAKING: No Amount is Agreed Yet on Minimum Wage -- Presidency

In what could be described as a u-turn, the Nigeria's presidency on Thursday, 8th November 2018 said President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to endorse any figure as the new national minimum wage contrary to the speculations making the round.

It said the reports that Buhari reneged on earlier acceptance of the N30,000 recommended by the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee were therefore not correct.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, made the clarification in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

He said what Buhari committed himself to was a new minimum wage only after the report of the committee has been reviewed by the executive and legislative processes of government and an appropriate bill presented to him for assent.

The presidential spokesman said through the period the committee submitted its report to Buhari, “the President never mentioned any figure. What he committed himself to was a new minimum wage, and only after the report of the committee has been reviewed by the executive and legislative processes of government and an appropriate bill presented to him for assent.

“Until the proposed minimum wage has gone through the whole gamut of law-making, President Buhari, who is a stickler for due process, will not be caught in this unnecessary web of controversy, which amounts to putting the cart before the horse and hair-splitting.

“As for those who have latched onto the concocted controversy to play cheap politics, we appeal to them to remember that elections are not won through loquaciousness, and trying to demean the President at every drop of a hat.

“But then, it is not surprising, as they have nothing else to sell to Nigerians, if they don’t ride on the name of the President. Stiff judgment awaits them at the polls.”

While saying the Presidency is concerned over what he described as the recurring reports, Adesina insisted that the reports are contrary to what transpired on when the committee presented its report to the President.

He said while acknowledging the concerns raised by government on affordability and Labour’s focus on meaningful increase, Buhari stated clearly in his speech, that, “In a way, both arguments are valid. I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas.

“Our plan is to transmit an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time.

“I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.
“As the Executive arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report.

“I, therefore, would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.”

It would, however, be recalled that on Monday, 6th November 2018 - 24hours before the day stipulated by the organized labour for commencement  of an industrial action over the minimum wage disagreement - on receipt of the comprehensive report from the tripartite committee, President Buhari reportedly agreed on the figure and promised to send the bill in that regard to the National Assembly (NASS) with immediate effect for onward deliberation.

Analysis I On Government's Lethargy and Labour's Vigour

    

    

By Fred Doc Nwaozor

 

A kid might claim ignorance of the ongoing ‘tour’ recently embarked upon by the Nigeria’s government and labour as regards minimum wage but if a full-fledged adult displays such an attitude, he may be regarded as an imbecile.

         

From the onset, the teeming Nigerians have been watching with keen interest, though with soured physiognomies. In some quarters, many have opined that if care isn’t taken, the excruciating effects of the tour is liable to cripple the functionality of the system especially at this point the country is deeply concerned about the fast approaching general elections.

         

It would be very pertinent to appraise some key fundamental facts with a view to presenting a fair and objective analysis herein. Mind you; the fairness as mentioned above has to do with all concerned, not a particular party.

         

In accordance with the stipulations of the International Labour Organization (ILO) whose principle governs the relationship between the government and labour in any nation across the globe, the national minimum wage is meant to be upwardly reviewed once every five years.

          

The current N18,000 Nigerian workers are entitled to as minimum wage was fully implemented or signed into law by the government in March 2011. It suffices to say that the country’s wage threshold was last reviewed over seven years ago, which is against the ILO’s standing rule.

          

Late penultimate year, the organized labour comprising mainly the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) came up with an agitation, reminding the government that onward increment of the workers’ minimum wage of N18,000 was long overdue.

         

In line with the demand, after rigorous consultations, the Federal Government (FG) under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari set up a 30-man tripartite committee consisting of the representatives of the governments, the private sector and the labour union, though the Local Government wasn’t reportedly represented.

         

The Ministry of Labour and Employment led by Dr. Chris Ngige informed Nigerians that the awaited new national minimum wage would be presented by the committee by the end of the third quarter of the ongoing fiscal year being September 2018.

          

It’s noteworthy that prior to the setting up of the tripartite committee, the NLC was proposing N56,000 as new minimum wage. Amidst the committee’s deliberations, N30,000 was reportedly agreed by the sectors involved as was claimed by the NLC headed by Comrade Ayuba Waba.

         

It’s worthy of note that the committee couldn’t come up with any tangible resolution, not until the workers embarked on a warning industrial action. Another thing of worry is how the FG could be presently be proposing for N24,000 contrary to the figure the committee allegedly agreed upon, knowing full well that the apex government was part of the deliberations. How do we reconcile these? Does it mean that the labour is lying or that the FG is being economical with the truth?

         

As we dissect these questions begging for candid answers, it would equally be crucial for any sane observer to scold the FG over its quest to implement the ‘no work, no pay’ mantra with the aim of discouraging the workers from further embarking on strike as the bid for a new minimum wage lingers.

          

By such intended action of the government, the workers are indirectly notified that they don’t deserve any wage let alone agitating for increment. It’s not anymore news that in most cases, workers in various quarters are being owed arrears of salaries, yet they don’t get despaired by such action of their employers.

          

They only deploy the strike mechanism whenever the ‘maltreatment’ becomes much unbearable or life-threatening. Could it be that the government is mistaken their patience cum patriotism for cowardice or inferiority?

         

The various state governments under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) are currently offering N22,500 as the new minimum wage, stating the government workers constitute merely about 5% of their respective states’ population; hence, if they end up receiving up to N30,000, or N24,000 as being proposed by the FG, their funds would be impoverished, which according to them, would be to the detriment of the entire populace or the common man who make up the majority.

         

The problem right now is that there’s already an element of deceit on the part of the benefactors, if not, I would have sincerely ask the organized labour to accept the amount being proposed by the state governments considering that at the moment actualization of N30,000 minimum wage isn’t realistically feasible across the country.

          

For me, the states such as Benue and Bayelsa that have indicated interest to pay any amount, did so for political reasons; needless to assert that it was a mere political talk. We must note the dichotomy between implementation and actualization. Till date, most establishments in the private sector are yet to pay most of their employees up to N10,000 let alone the N18,000 stipulated by law.

           

From my candid point of view, N25,000 would be tenable. The government should equally not be reminded that the new national minimum wage is expected to be captured in the about-to-be tendered 2019 appropriation bill.   

           

No patriotic Nigerian wants a strike action neither do we want any form of deceit, hence all concerned ought to earnestly do the needful. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, an analyst & activist, could 

be reached via frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

            

TechDeck I Before SIWES Goes Into Extinction

By Fred Doc Nwaozor

        

The Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) has been on the decline for decades now that if drastic measure isn’t taken towards addressing the lingering anomaly, the scheme is liable to go into extinction in no distant time.

          

The SIWES is a skill acquisition initiative designed to expose and prepare students of universities, polytechnics, monotechnics as well as colleges of education for the industrial work situation they are likely to encounter after graduation.

         

It was initiated to be a planned and supervised training programme based on specific learning and career objectives and geared toward developing the occupational competencies of the participants. It is generic, cutting across over 60 programmes in the universities, over 40 in the polytechnics/monotechnics, and about 10 in the colleges of education.

         

It isn’t meant for a particular course of study or discipline, though it was introduced mainly for the sake of technically-inclined ones.  Since inception, it is being reckoned to be an innovative phenomenon in human resources development in Nigeria.

        

While some institutions and disciplines permit SIWES’ duration for only three to six months, others go for up to one year. The programme, which permits the affected students to seek for Industrial Training (IT) or Teaching Practice (TP), as the case may be, in any establishment of their choice, has ab initio been a cause of concern to education and economic planners, particularly with respect to graduate employment and impact on the general societal development.

          

On the other hand, there are equally mixed feelings among education stakeholders concerning how much of the programme that is actually helpful to students’ academic performance and job readiness after graduation.

          

Whatever positive impact the SIWES has thus far created on the students’ wellbeing and the society at large, the truth is that the primary purpose for which the programme was implemented has recently been relegated to the background.

         

The prevalence of the inability of SIWES’ participants to secure employment after the pragramme, or even perform adequately if eventually employed, casts doubt on the continuing relevance of the programme to the contemporary industrial development drive in the Nigerian society. This obvious lapse isn’t unconnected with negligence and/or apathy on the part of the trainees, trainers, concerned institutions, and the government.

          

It’s noteworthy that most of these students dodge the programme. They prefer indulging in activities that would fetch them money to going for the technical knowledge. To this set of individuals, partaking in the industrial programme is simply a waste of time and energy.

         

In view of this misconception, when the programme is meant to take place, you would see them participating in all sorts of inconsequential menial jobs or even gambling and what have you just for the aim of raising some cash. This growing mentality of placing money before knowledge has contributed immensely in endangering the prospect of the laudable programme.

         

Those who bring out time to participate in the programme, are prone to one challenge or the other. It’s worth noting that greater percentage of the trainees is not paid by the establishments in which they are serving, not even stipend.

          

Hence, they would end up making use of their personal funds to service their transportation and accommodation fees. It’s more worrisome to realize that most of these trainees are overused by the firms. Rather than teaching them the needful, the supposed trainers would engage them in unnecessary activities, thereby making them lose interest in the actual training.

         

Worse still, most of the institutions involved don’t show any concern. They do not cough up time to supervise the students in their respective places of assignment. Ridiculously, in most cases, the schools would remain ignorant of where the students are undergoing the training till the duration of the programme elapses.

         

This particular loophole has over the years served as an advantage to those who never participated in the programme. In this case, during the SIWES defence, the affected student or anyone who have dodged the programme would claim to have undergone the training in any establishment of his/her choice, and the supposed supervisor would never bother to ascertain the truth.

         

Inter alia, funding of the SIWES hasn’t been encouraging in recent times. The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) – the body responsible in the day-to-day funding of the initiative – currently appears incapacitated, probably owing to lack of adequate allocation from the government and other financiers. Sometimes, the students would be deprived of the statutory allowance they are entitled to after the programme. Those who were lucky to receive theirs had to wait for a long time.

         

The SIWES is obviously yearning for resuscitation. The present apparent state of moribund experienced by the scheme can only be properly addressed by revisiting the extant Acts that bind it with a view to making amends where need be. Such step would enable every authority involved to start seeing the initiative as a priority towards the anticipated, or perhaps ongoing, economic diversification.

         

The said policy ought to categorically specify what is expected of the trainee, trainer, school, as well as the governments at all levels, as regards the sustenance of the scheme. Similarly, there’s need for an exclusive viable law enforcement agency that would penalize or prosecute any defaulter.

         

It’s indeed high time we revived this technical-oriented initiative whose motive truly means well for nation building. This can only be holistically actualized by changing all the flat tyres that have succeeded in crippling the journey so far. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a tech expert, analyst & activist,

 could be reached via frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador                  

          

BREAKING: Buhari Declares State of Emergency on Water, Sanitation Sector

 
The Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari has declared State of Emergency on the country's water, sanitation sector towards the government's quest in improving water supply and hygiene across the federation.

The declaration was coming just 24 hours after Nigerians were informed by the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu that the number one citizen would on Thursday, 8th November 2018 declare state of emergency on the said sector.

Mr. Adamu made the disclosure during the Special Town Hall Meeting of the Federal Government held at Emeritus Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall of University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.

The town hall meeting, which held on Wednesday, 7th November 2018, was aimed at briefing the people on the achievements of the Buhari-led administration in infrastructural development.

“I wish to inform you that for the first time in Africa, President Buhari is going to declare state of emergency on water and sanitation, precisely on November 8.

 

The minister lamented about several abandoned water projects across the federation under the past administrations and said that sum of N3 billion would be provided annually to states with workable water master plans.

“The existing master plan on water resources in the country was abandoned and contracts were awarded without recourse to the needs of the country.

“To realise adequate water supply, we would increase our intervention to support state governments to N3 billion annually. This would be for states that have proper water master plan,” he said.
He said government would also return the monthly environmental sanitation to address issue of open defecation and other sanitation issues.

He said the federal government was working round the clock to provide adequate water supply to communities and cities across Nigeria.

The minister said the present administration had inaugurated many water projects, among which he said were to cater for power supply, irrigation dams and domestic water supply.

“This is why the president has decided to take up the responsibility of supporting water infrastructure in Nigeria.’’

The minister also said that the federal government was working on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank to assist 6 cities in country on urban water supply.

He added that government would also sign a partnership arrangement to improve on the Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin to harness its full potential.

Making the declaration, the president said time had come to rigorously address the sector in question, which had overtime yearned for rescue.

JUST IN: Buhari Ready to Declare State of Emergency on Water, Sanitation

 
Suleiman Adamu, The Nigeria's Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu had disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari would declare a state of emergency on water and sanitation come November 8, 2018.

Mr. Adamu made the disclosure during the Special Town Hall Meeting of the Federal Government held at Emeritus Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall of University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.

The town hall meeting, which held on Wednesday, 7th November 2018, was aimed at briefing the people on the achievements of the Buhari-led administration in infrastructural development.

“I wish to inform you that for the first time in Africa, President Buhari is going to declare state of emergency on water and sanitation, precisely on November 8.

 

The minister lamented about several abandoned water projects across the federation under the past administrations and said that sum of N3 billion would be provided annually to states with workable water master plans.

“The existing master plan on water resources in the country was abandoned and contracts were awarded without recourse to the needs of the country.

“To realise adequate water supply, we would increase our intervention to support state governments to N3 billion annually. This would be for states that have proper water master plan,” he said.
He said government would also return the monthly environmental sanitation to address issue of open defecation and other sanitation issues.

He said the federal government was working round the clock to provide adequate water supply to communities and cities across Nigeria.

The minister said the present administration had inaugurated many water projects, among which he said were to cater for power supply, irrigation dams and domestic water supply.

 

He said, “It is a shame that today, there is no single city in this country that can boast of pipe-borne water supply and 100 per cent coverage to all the citizens.

“This is why the president has decided to take up the responsibility of supporting water infrastructure in Nigeria.’’
The minister also said that the federal government was working on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank to assist 6 cities in country on urban water supply.
He added that government would also sign a partnership arrangement to improve on the Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin to harness its full potential.

BREAKING: Buhari Surrenders, Forwards Bill of #30,000 New Minimum Wage to NASS

 
The New Minimum Wage Report as Presented by Ms. Ama Pepple
 
President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that necessary machinery was being put in place to transmit an Executive Bill to the National Assembly on the #30,000 new minimum wage package negotiated by a tripartite committee comprising government and labour.

He said as the Executive arm begins its review of the submission, government would continue to engage labour in closing any open areas presented in the report.

“I, therefore, would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.”
Buhari, who urged workers not to allow themselves to be used as “political weapons” said his administration was not only committed to workers’ welfare, but also working to create a diversified and inclusive economy.

“In constituting this committee, we took into account the need for all stakeholders to be adequately represented – the government, the private sector and most importantly the workers. Our goal was to get an outcome that was consensual.

“From the onset, we knew the committee had a difficult task ahead of it. But at the same time, we were also confident that the patriotic and professional background of its members would produce realistic, fair and implementable recommendations that will be considered by both the executive and legislative arms of government.

“I am not surprised that the committee has worked for close to one year. I am also not surprised that on a few occasions, the debates got heated and sometimes, these differences came out.

“What is truly inspiring is that, in almost all instances of disagreements, the committee members always came back to the negotiating table with a common goal of improving the welfare of Nigerian workers. On behalf of all Nigerians today, I want to thank you for your commitment and sacrifice in getting us to where we are today.

“In the past few days, I have been receiving regular updates on your deliberations. And today, I am pleased that you have completed your work in a peaceful and non-confrontational manner. The entire nation is grateful to you all.

“The committee chairman highlighted some of the challenges encountered during your deliberations, especially as it relates to having a consensus position acceptable by all parties.

“I understand that on the government side, the concerns raised were around affordability – that today many states struggle to meet their existing salary requirements.

“On the side of labour, the points raised focused on the need for any increase to be meaningful.”

Chairperson of the Tripartite Committee Ms. Ama Pepple said the enactment of the draft bill into law was critical to the operation and future reviews of the National Minimum Wage.

According to her, to reach a consensus, the committee weighed the demand of the workers, which was predicated on the high cost of living occasioned by unfavourable exchange rate and rising inflation over the past few years, among other factors.

“The committee also considered the overall macroeconomic indicators, including the revenue and expenditure profile of government as provided by the honorable ministers of Budget and National Planning and Finance as well as the minimum wage proposed by some state governments in their memoranda submitted to the committee.

“Consideration was also given to the critical role of the informal sector in employment generation and the need for a realistic minimum wage that will not stifle the growth of the sector and the overall economy.

Meanwhile, Sen. Roland Owie, the Chairman of the National Contact Committee of ADP has tackled the government over the #30,000 new minimum wage. According to him, governments have capacity to pay even more than that.

In a statement he personally signed, Owie said it was “wickedness of the highest order” for a government that raised pump price from #97 to #145 per litre, and governors who collect #500 million per month as security votes to say they could not pay #30,000 minimum wage.

“What is #30,000 when several Nigerians pay their personal drivers up to #50,000 per month?

“I urge Nigerians to heed what St. Augustine said when he wrote that Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are and Courage to see they do not remain the way they are.

“I urge Nigerian workers also to be true to God, humanity, their families and themselves this time around and never again deceive themselves or Nigerians by ensuring they all obtain their PVCs and do the needful in the 2019 general elections. This is the hour for Nigerians to support Labour,” he said.

OBITUARY: Amagwula family Announces Burial of Late Mother

BREAKING: ASUU Embarks on Indefinite Industrial Action

As the Nigeria's organized labour's strike looms, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the commencement of an indefinite nationwide industrial action with immediate effect, starting from Monday, 5th November 2018.

The decision was announced at the end of an emergency meeting on the night of Sunday, 4th November 2018.

This came just as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is also preparing to commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 6th November 2018 over a disagreement between the organised labour union and the governments on the N30,000 minimum wage.

 

Briefing newsmen after the closed-door meeting, the ASUU president, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi disclosed the strike would be total and with immediate effect.

 Rostrum: BREAKING: ASUU Embarks on Indefinite Industrial Ac... https://frednwaozor.blogspot.com/2018/11/breaking-asuu-embarks-on-indefinite.html?spref=tw

The boss listed the reasons for their action to include: Failure on the side of the government to honour the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the union and the federal government in 2017.

He also mentioned that renegotiation with ASUU, which the government intentionally ignored with impunity, was part of the reasons for the strike.

Professor Ogunyemi, therefore, directed all the state chapters to ensure full compliance until their demands are met.

JUST IN: Labour Insists on Strike, Shuns Meeting with FG

Representatives of the Nigeria's organised labour on Sunday, 4th November 2018 shunned the meeting called by the Federal Government (FG) as part of efforts to stop the looming nationwide strike instigated mainly by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

It would be recalled that the unions’ planned indefinite strike scheduled to commence on Tuesday, 6th November 2018 was called to protest government’s failure to meet the labour’s demand for a new national minimum wage.
While state governors had proposed a new N22, 500 from the current N18, 000 minimum wage, the labour unions demand at least N30, 000.

Some government officials however attended the meeting hosted by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha which held behind closed door.

 

Rostrum gathered that those at the meeting included Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; officials of the National Salaries Income and Wage Commission, and some permanent secretaries.

Mr. Mustapha, who spoke before the meeting went into closed session, said the tripartite committee on National Minimum Wage set up by the FG would be concluding works on its report on Monday, 5th November 2018.

According to him, the FG was waiting for the report so that it could commence processes leading to the enactment of law on the new minimum wage.

He said the report would still go through the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Council of State before an Executive Bill would be sent to the National Assembly on the issue.

Mr. Mustapha stated that many states were still finding it difficult to pay the current minimum wage, recalling that the FG instituted bailout for the purpose of helping the states to meet up.

“The only outstanding issues left for the committee was to harmonise the 15th chapter of the report, harmonise figures and submit report to the President. I assure you that government is waiting for the report and will immediately set up processes required for implementation.

"Hopefully, their work would be concluded when they meet tomorrow (today) and append their signatures to the report.

“They will then transmit to me and I will seek an audience with the President to present it to him. The report will go through NEC, Council of State before a draft executive bill will be sent to NASS. I am awaiting the report of the committee. They will meet tomorrow (today) at 11am.

Rostrum further gathered that the two officials of the labour unions deliberately shunned the scheduled meeting with the government.

One of the unions' leader, who insisted on not being named, said “Our leaders got information that the government team shamelessly wanted to serve us a so-called court suit as part of measures to frustrate our planned strike.

"This strike is on behalf of Nigerian workers and the government has been deceiving us. We saw the handwriting on the wall especially after the warning strike.” the whistle blower landed.