Strike: ‘Why Labour Should Be Thankful To God That We Are Not In Military Regime’ – Presidency

The presidency has stated that in light of the recently lifted nationwide strike, organized labour should express gratitude that Nigeria is not under military rule. President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, pointed out that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) enjoy ample freedom owing to Nigeria’s civilian regime. Speaking on TVC, Onanuga criticized labour for shutting down airports and the national grid as part of their efforts to enforce the nationwide strike. Onanuga said: “Labour should view itself as a partner with the Federal Government, not as an adversary to the Federal Government. “Labour should be thankful to God that we are not in a military regime. We are in a civilian regime that allows for freedom of expression. “I think that labour overstepped their bounds by shutting down the national grid. At a time when we are complaining about the lack of power, I think that act is extreme. You’re not supposed to shut down the airports on everyone else. Joining the strike should be voluntary. “I will appeal to labour to be more responsible in their reaction. They cannot be asking for what they are asking for. It is unrealistic.” Recall that organized labour initiated a nationwide strike on Monday to push for an enhanced pay package. The organised labour is demanding ₦494,000 minimum wage as opposed to ₦60,000 proposed by the Federal Government. However, President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to a wage exceeding ₦60,000, with the TUC and the NLC stressing their willingness to adjust their ₦494,000 demand. Following an agreement between the Nigerian Government and labour to raise the minimum wage.

FG Reacts As Labour Rejects N60K Minimum Wage Offer 

The Federal Government has appealed to the organised labour to be considerate and accept the proposed N60K minimum wage offer. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha made the appeal in a statement signed by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry on Wednesday in Abuja. The organized labour on Tuesday rejected the N60,000 proposed by the Tripartite Committee. They also reduced their demand from N500,000 to N494,000. Giving reasons for not accepting the N60K proposal, the Labour said: “How can we agree on N60,000- an amount that cannot buy a bag of rice to serve as national minimum wage. Let’s assume that you are buying a loaf of bread for your family at N2,000 every day and that is what you and your family want to be eating for one meal. “We have to be realistic in this country. When government increased the price of petrol, they asked labour to wait and demand for a living minimum wage and the government is going to provide a living a living wage for workers. But now, we are asking for a living wage and government is playing around it.” Reacting to the development, Onyejeocha said that the federal government had been consistent in taking steps to secure a fair and realistic wage for Nigeria workers. “We are committed to putting the people first and ensuring that our economic policies benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few. “The government remain dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of our citizens and its want to urge all relevant parties to demonstrate patriotism and understanding. “This is particularly during this critical period when the President, Bola Tinubu, is working diligently to revitalize the economy,”she said. “As a government, we recognise the importance of ensuring that our citizens receive a decent standard of living, and we are committed to making this a reality. “After hours of intense negotiations, labour leaders took a recess to consult with other key stakeholders and have pledged to return to the negotiating table for further discussion. “We welcome this development and are optimistic that our continued engagement will yield a positive outcome. “In light of the current economic conditions, we have made a concessionary move from N57,000 to N60,000. “This is the path that this government has chosen to pursue, and we will not deviate or stray from the course. “President Tinubu has been tireless in his efforts to revitalise the economy and improve the standard of living for all Nigerians. “His commitment to creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and reducing poverty is genuine, and we appeal to all to support him in this endeavour. “As we move forward, we will continue to engage with organised labour and other stakeholders to ensure that our economic policies are inclusive and beneficial to all,” she added. Meanwhile, yesterday’s meeting ended in a deadlock as both parties failed to reach an agreement. The meeting was subsequently postponed indefinitely. The Labour had vowed that if the Federal Government failed to come up with a reasonable amount by May 31, then a nationwide strike will begin.

Presidency Speaks On Cabal Hijacking Tinubu’s Administration

The Nigerian Presidency has denied reports of a powerful ‘cabal’ forming in Aso-rock with the sole aim of hijacking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Appearing on TVC Politics on Sunday, Presidential media aide, Ajuri Ngelale disclosed that no one or any group of people could establish control over the President’s actions. He disclosed that the President has structured his government in a way that prevents any single official or group from exerting the kind of influence that could lead to governance hijack. He said, “The good fortune we have is that we elected, not just a professional accountant, a professional auditor, but we elected a man who fully understands the governance mechanisms, not just at the federal level, but at sub-national level. I think this is a man who anyone working in the office of the President would tell you, there is not one individual in the Presidency that has a monopoly over what the President sees, hears and reads. Nobody has that kind of power in the office of this President and that’s intentional.” “He is someone who everyone has access to, everyone who needs to have access to him, has access to him. He has direct communications on a frequent basis with the heads of intelligence agencies, anti-graft agencies, and the like.” “So there is not going to be the potential there for anyone to form a cabal around this President because he’s aware of the dynamics of what has happened in the past and he is determined to ensure that that is not replicated under his watch.” “I will also add the fact that in the person of the current CBN Governor Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, this is a man who is reputed around the world as being a prudent manager of men and resources. This is someone who has a reputation, even within the government, of being tight fisted and that is by the intention of President Bola Tinubu to have someone like that in place. “I would also add that when you look at organizational structures that lead to Governor Emefiele, … put him in the position that he currently is in, the President has taken a comprehensive review of that structure and he has said, even by legislation, that we are going to ensure that not only guardrails are put in place, but that legislative changes be enacted in such a way that this can never happen again.” “He’s determined to do it, Nigerians will watch him do it and that will mean that moving forward, the kind of elite conspiracy we saw between CBN officials, high ranking government officials and high ranking members of the private sector, they’re not going to be able to conspire amongst themselves to find loopholes within the system because we have a President who’s an auditor and accountant, who will close those loopholes, just the way he did in Lagos State many years ago.”, he said.

Presidency Replies Atiku Over NNPC’s $3.3 Billion Emergency Loan

The Presidency has replied to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) $3.3 billion emergency crude repayment loan. Recall that the repayment loan was secured on August 16, 2023, and was designed to bolster the naira and stabilize the foreign exchange market. The transaction, arranged by the African Export-Import Bank, was not only intended to support the national currency but also to aid the Federal Government’s monetary and fiscal reforms. Notably, three weeks ago, the Federal Government received $2.25 billion of the $3.3 billion foreign exchange facility from the bank. However, in a statement on Thursday, Atiku called on President Bola Tinubu to provide a detailed account of the repayment loan, adding that the only available details were emerging from sources within the NNPCL. He highlighted that the transaction is being facilitated by a Special Purpose Vehicle named Project Gazelle Funding Limited, which was incorporated in the Bahamas. Reacting to Atiku’s query on Thursday, presidential aide, Otega Ogra said the Tinubu’s administration has taken the time to educate all Nigerians further on the loan at various times. He said the loan also known as Project Gazelle, is a financing agreement secured by NNPC Limited to prepay future royalties and taxes to the federal government. Ogra stated that NNPC Limited’s project is a forward-thinking financial strategy that aligns operational needs with broader economic goals by utilising future crude oil sales for immediate funding, enhancing liquidity, and contributing to Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves. He said the project showcases NNPC Limited’s operational autonomy and financial acumen while ensuring immediate liquidity, minimising the impact on future earnings, and potentially enhancing Nigeria’s credit rating. Ogra noted that the repayments are strategically planned and tied to future oil sales, with conservative pricing in oil sales contracts mitigating the risks associated with oil price volatility.

Presidency Clarifies Tinubu’s Purported Plan To Move Federal Capital To Lagos

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has debunked reports that plans are underway to move the Federal Capital Territory to Lagos State. Onanuga, in a statement via X on Wednesday, described those peddling the reports as dishonest, ethnic and regional champions, attempting to draw attention to themselves. He noted that the rumour had made rounds during the presidential campaign in 2023 to stop Tinubu’s presidency, but it was trashed. According to Onanuga, Abuja, as the FCT is backed by law and has come to stay, adding the movement of FAAN, a department of the Aviation Ministry, to Lagos does not amount to moving the FCT to Lagos. The statement reads, “President Tinubu has no plan whatsoever to move the Federal Capital to Lagos. The rumour first surfaced during the campaign last year by opponents looking for all manners of weapons to stop him. We trashed it. “Those peddling it anew are dishonest, ethnic and regional champions, trying to draw attention to themselves. Abuja has come to stay. It is backed by law. “The movement of FAAN, a department of Aviation Ministry to Lagos, where it was based before former minister Hadi Sirika moved it to Abuja during the last administration, does not amount to moving the FCT to Lagos. The administrative move should have attracted scant attention, as Lagos is the commercial capital and the hub of aviation business in Nigeria. FAAN should be no where else but near the industry it regulates. FAAN will still maintain some presence in Abuja, as it is not a wholesale movement. “Similarly, the movement of some departments of the CBN to Lagos should not trigger any hoopla. The departments concerned, including the bank supervision department, are those dealing with commercial banks, all with headquarters in Lagos. A regulator ought to be close to the businesses it regulates. “All those pushing this campaign of falsehood know they are playing politics, albeit a dangerous politics to pit the North against the South. “There are many parastatals that are not based in Abuja depending on their mandate. NIMASA is in Lagos. So is NPA. National Inland Waterways Authority( NIWA) is in Lokoja, not Abuja. Will the people opposing the movement of FAAN and some CBN departments want those agencies to be in Abuja, where there is no single port and no maritime activity? “Administrative decisions should not be politicized. Let it not look like whenever we are temporarily not at the helm of affairs, we create all manners of dangerous rumours to distract from the bigger picture and emasculate an administration led by a southerner. Let’s stop the dirty politics. We can’t be playing politics with everything.”

Atiku will run for presidency in 2027 – spokesperson

Spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign council, Daniel Bwala has revealed that the former vice president will contest again at the 2027 presidential election. Bwala revealed this information on Tuesday during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels TV.  He said that the former vice president is the president the nation never had. He further revealed that Atiku understands the private sector, adding that the country’s economy can only come alive if its led by the private sector. When asked if Atiku would contest again in 2027, Bwala said,  “Sure he will run, he has the capacity, he has the wisdom, he has the knowledge, he has the energy and he is the president we never had.  “If i am going to be honest with you if there is any politicians who understand the private sector very well it is Atiku Abubakar and this our economy can only come alive if there is a private sector led economy.” He also said there is a need for the opposition political parties to form a solid coalition to stop President Bola Tinubu from winning the 2027 election. “Without a coalition of political parties, Tinubu is going to spend the next eight years. That one is for sure. “The truth of the matter is that there will be a coalition of political parties that will be very strong. This is a fact that I know. The coalition that is coming will swallow some of the elements that are creating the problems in the various political parties.”

Tinubu Mulls Full Varsity Autonomy

What Tinubu Told Lawmakers During 2024 Budget Presentation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed plans to reinstate the Policy of University Full Autonomy, emphasizing its alignment with the government’s belief that autonomy empowers institutions to progress independently. During the University of Benin’s 48th convocation ceremony, conveyed by Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh, the president stated, “University autonomy will shift performance responsibility directly to individual institutions, alleviating uncertainties.” Acknowledging concerns over unpaid salaries, Tinubu admitted, “The government is aware of the issues arising from months of overdue payments, particularly among teaching staff unions due to an eight-month industrial action.” To address this, he announced a four-month salary payment for university workers. Clarifying, Tinubu asserted, “This payment waiver is necessary and does not nullify the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy.” The government also pledged to enhance university conditions by providing vital infrastructure—lecture halls, student accommodations, administrative facilities, and educational resources—through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), aiming to boost staff and student performance. Tinubu affirmed, “As a responsible government, we’ll allocate substantial resources to education and develop sustainable policies transcending this administration.” Highlighting universities’ multifaceted roles in research, technological advancements, skills impartation, and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, Tinubu expressed commitment to fortify these institutions.

Joseph Boakai Officially Declared Liberia’s New President

Joseph Boakai Officially Declared Liberia’s New President

Joseph Boakai, the former Vice President of Liberia and Unity Party candidate, has been officially declared the winner of the 2023 presidential election. The announcement was made by Davidetta Lansannah, chairperson of Liberia’s National Election Commission (NEC) on Monday evening. After counting 100 percent of the votes from the country’s 5,890 polling places, Mr. Boakai secured 814,481 votes out of the available 1,625,684, surpassing incumbent President George Weah of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change, who received 793,914 votes. Mr. Boakai’s vote share represented 50.64 percent of the total votes cast, while Mr. Weah received 49.36 percent. The first round of voting on October 10 did not produce a clear winner among the 20 presidential candidates, leading to a runoff between Weah and Boakai, the top two contenders. Unlike the first round, where a winner needed over 50 percent of the votes, a simple majority sufficed in the second round. Weah graciously accepted defeat and congratulated President-elect Boakai, urging his supporters to do the same when about 99 percent of the votes were counted. Foreign leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, extended congratulations to Mr. Boakai, commending the statesmanship displayed by both candidates. The United States Government also praised Mr. Weah for peacefully accepting the outcome of the closely contested election, emphasizing the need for national unity and healing post-election divisions. The victory of Joseph Boakai as Liberia’s new president signifies a historic moment, fostering hopes for unity and progress in the nation’s governance and development.

NLC, TUC Strike Not In National Interest – Presidency

NLC, TUC Strike Not In National Interest – Presidency

*Says It’s An Attempt To Blackmail FG The Presidency, in response to the ongoing Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) nationwide strike, has denounced it as “unjustified,” alleging it as a move to pressure the government. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, conveyed astonishment at the strike’s continuation despite a restraining order from the National Industrial Court. In a statement released on Tuesday and made available to NIGERIAN ANCHOR, Onanuga criticized the decision, stating, “This move by the NLC and TUC, apart from being self-serving, is unwarranted. It appears to be an effort to coerce the government by the NLC leadership.” He further added, “We’re puzzled as to why the NLC and TUC chose to penalize an entire nation of over 200 million people over a personal issue involving NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero. His mis-judgment resulted in an attack on him in Owerri while attempting to incite Imo State workers into an unnecessary strike.” The presidency said further that the strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible, and will bring untold hardship upon Nigerians. See the full statement below: STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT NLC/TUC STRIKE ACTION NOT IN NATIONAL INTEREST We notice with dismay the decision by the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to call out workers to commence a strike action from midnight, despite a restraining order issued last week by Justice Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court. This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego-tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC. We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike. While the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of his or her social and economic status, it is on record that the Inspector General of Police has ordered investigation into what happened to Mr. Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state. Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest. Our national economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interest of any labour leader. This flagrant disobedience to court order and lack of respect for the judiciary should not be what the organised Labour would champion. The labour movement has always been a champion of rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for court order. We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable. Bayo OnanugaSpecial Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy November 13, 2023