Category: Uncategorized

” He is playing a dangerous game… we are to meet again on Wednesday and Thursday”

THE Organized Labour has accused the Federal Government of not being sincere by alleging that Labour is responsible for the delay in the implementation of the new N30, 000 Minimum Wage.

Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Chief Richard Egbule had accused Labour of delaying the implementation by rejecting the offer by the government but Labour has said that everything will be a product of negotiation and not giving out peanuts in the name of consequential adjustment.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said that the NLC and the TUC were no longer involved in the details of negotiation on the Consequential Adjustment but the Joint Public Service Negotiation Council that will have the details.

He said, “For now, we are not part of that discussion and we will not be able to have the details.”

However, Secretary of the Joint Public Service Negotiation Council, Comrade Alade Lawal said that the information that labour was responsible for the delay in payment of the new minimum wage was not correct.

According to him, “He is being economical with the truth, he is the Secretary of the Committee negotiating Consequential Adjustment and by the name of that committee, the mandate of that committee is to negotiate the right consequential adjustment arising from the minimum wage. For someone to rise up and say Labour is rejecting what government wants to offer is not correct.

“You can’t award when you are negotiating. Two parties are there, they will look for what is appropriate. The point is they want to give peanuts to workers and Labour is saying no. That since 2011 when that one hundred naira was added to public servants not a single dine has happened to wages and you know fully well that the purchasing power of workers salary particularly those in the public sector is nothing to write home about because we have had series of devaluation.

“Then it was N160 to a dollar and now it is N360 to a dollar. We had this Petroleum price increase which was from N87 per litre to N145 per litre and there are a lot of challenges that have happened to the Nigeria economy.

” You know fully well that when they increased the fuel price, they promised heaven on earth to dissuade labour from protesting, that they were going to adjust the minimum wage, they were going to do palliative and a Committee was set up with labour participating to come out with palliative measures to ameliorate the effects of the price increase.

“You know fully well that not a single thing was done for Nigeria workers, all the promises failed. What they wanted to do was to give N5, 000 to each employer. We say why do you that because between 2011 and 2019 you want to give N5,000, we should negotiate and agree on what is meaningful and what is realistic and we have been on that. We met before the holidays and we are supposed to meet again on Wednesday and Thursday, that is the Technical Committee.

“So, for him to now come over and say that it is the labour that is delaying the implementation of the minimum wage, I think it is high time government turned its searchlight on that office.”

On the claims that the wage bill will be too much with the demand of labour on the consequential adjustment, he said, “What we are saying is that the budget is not cast in stone. We are not the ones that did the budget, they didn’t consult us, how can you put a figure before you come to negotiate? You get an answer, you now want people to work out question that will fit the answer.

“Which government will not have the money, where do they get the money that they are spending frolicking from one part of the world to another? They are telling lies. Which money will they not have? Even when they put N158 billion in the budget, minimum wage is supposed to commence on the 18th of April, meaning that N158 billion is foe eight and half months.

“So, since what you are talking about in the negotiation is about one year, so you can’t be talking about N158 billion, you should be talking about N230 billion which means you are coming up.

” He is deceiving people. The figure he is parading as the number of employees in the public service is fake, it is not correct. He said there are about 1.3 million in the public service, we are saying prove it, give us details MDA to MDA so that we can cross-check. He is playing a dangerous game. ”

SOURCE: Vanguard/Punch

The Federal Government has attributed the delay in the implementation of the “ Consequential Adjustment” of the N 30 , 000 new minimum wage to the unrealistic demands of labour unions.

The Chairman , National Salaries , Income and Wages Commission , Chief Richard Egbule made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja .

Egbule explained that the current demand of the labour unions would raise the total wage bill too high and that was why government could not accept their proposed salary adjustments .

MoreNews : https://chat.whatsapp.com/AQuCgcKuKBnDLsUuBGhNo6

“ Labour is asking for consequential adjustment and government in its wisdom had made budgetary provision for an adjustment of N10 , 000 across the board for those already earning above N30 , 000 per month .

“ However , the Unions have refused this offer , saying that because the increase in minimum wage from 18 , 000 to N30 , 000 was 66 per cent , therefore they want 66 per cent increment across the board .

“ We told them that the minimum wage was not raised from N18 , 000 to N30 , 000 through percentage increase but as a result of consideration of economic factors including ability to pay .

“ However , we said that if they want consequential adjustments in percentage terms, we will use a percentage that when applied will not exceed what has been provided for in the budget .

“ The computation based on a percentage which government had given to labour , was 9 . 5 per cent from level 7 to 14 including level 1 – 6 of those salary structures that did not benefit from the minimum wage .

“ And then five per cent from level 15 to 17 . Labour countered the offer and proposed 30 per cent increase for level 7 to 14 and 25 per cent for level 15 to 17 .

“ One point we keep repeating is , it will be unfair that because you gave the person earning minimum wage N12 , 000 , you give a level 17 officer almost N100 , 000 if you apply 25 per cent, ’’ he said .

Egbule said that at the last meeting between the Federal Government and the labour unions , the government proposed a 10 per cent increment for level seven to 14 and a 5 . 5 per cent increase for level 15 to 17 .

He advised labour to come to a compromise because government had so far been magnanimous in agreeing to increase salaries without any threat of downsizing .

“ Labour is currently stretching out and eating up the time that people could have used in benefiting from the adjustment because the new minimum wage was implemented since April.

Powered by RubiQu “ My advice is for labour to accept the terms for now and prepare to fight for the harmonization of salaries that is coming up . Harmonization of salaries will take care of this issue.

“ The committee has already been formed and awaiting inauguration . I want them (labour ) to know this and liberate us from this unnecessary log jam, ” he said .

NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the National Youth Service Corps , the Armed Forces and the Police are the only bodies uniting Nigeria , saying this is why corps members in particular , should re -dedicate themselves to uniting Nigeria .

He called on corps members to use their education “ to live up to the expectation of the founding fathers ” to keep Nigeria together .

More News : https://chat.whatsapp.com/AQuCgcKuKBnDLsUuBGhNo6

Buhari spoke in his Daura country home , Katsina State , when corps members paid him Sallah homage .

The President had received the corps members in company with the visiting President of Republic of Guinea , Prof . lfa Conde .

He specifically mentioned the NYSC, the police and soldiers as the “ only ” bodies keeping Nigeria united .

“ From Lagos , Port Harcourt and other parts of the country, you are at the end of the country. This posting will make you know this place, Daura , and you can disabuse the minds of those who are not educated about the other side of the country.

“ It is only the NYSC that is merging ( uniting) us together and of course , the police and soldiers, ” a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity , Mr Garba Shehu , quoted the President as telling the NYSC members.

More News : https://mobile.facebook.com/Latest-News-Update-713547372065665/?ref=opera_speed_dial

Buhari told his guests that at every opportunity he had meeting with a former Head of State , Gen . Yakubu Gowon ( retd . ), who initiated the NYSC in 1973 , he would always express his appreciation for introducing the scheme.

He told the corps members to guard the scheme jealously and to see the unity of Nigeria a priority .

“ The President said they should always emphasise the common values of peaceful co- existence , kindness and hospitality that cut across all cultures and religions in Nigeria .

“ President Buhari said the entire nation depends on past and serving youth corps members to bridge the country, since they have the first – hand experience of living with different ethnic groups in various parts of the country, studying their cultures and traditions , and enjoying hospitality , which underpins every community in Nigeria , ” the Presidency added .

SOURCE: Punch

👉 ” Any government that is serious will pay living wages to its workers ”

The Chairman , Trade Union Congress in Ekiti State , Sola Adigun , has urged the Federal Government not to take the negotiation on the new minimum wage beyond Wednesday August 14 .

Adigun , who reiterated organised labour ’ s commitment to the new wage, said , “The struggle for the implementation of the N30 , 000 minimum wage is total . Anything beyond August 14 will leave labour with no choice than industrial action . ”

More News : https://mobile.facebook.com/Latest-News-Update-713547372065665/?ref=opera_speed_dial

The TUC leader in a statement in Ado Ekiti accused the Federal Government of “ foot dragging the implementation even when the private sector has expressed readiness to pay . ”

“ Any government that is serious about fighting corruption will pay living wages to its workers , ” Adigun added .

More News : https://chat.whatsapp.com/AQuCgcKuKBnDLsUuBGhNo6

The labour leader also urged governments not to extort workers by overtaxing the little increase on the wages , saying high tax regime should be imposed on wealthy Nigerians .

SOURCE: Punch/Thisday

Senate President Ahmed Lawan says all seven former senators , who have been nominated for ministerial appointment will not be questioned but allowed to “ take a bow ” .

Lawan said this at the ongoing ministerial screening at the Senate .

The former senators include Godswill Akpabio , Gbemisola Saraki, Hadi Sirika , George Akume , Olorunnimbe Mamora , Chris Ngige and Tayo Alasoadura.

MoreNews : https://chat.whatsapp.com/AQuCgcKuKBnDLsUuBGhNo6

A serving House of Representatives member , Emeka Nwajuiba, also falls into the category of those that will be allowed to “ take a bow ”.

The Senate President said the move was part of the longstanding tradition of the Senate that all former lawmakers nominated for appointments are given automatic endorsement .

Lawan , who has been accused of being a lackey of President Muhammadu Buhari , however , warned that the National Assembly would not be subservient to the executive arm of government and advised the incoming ministers to always make themselves available when needed .

Akpabio and Akume were asked to “ take a bow” and leave in when they appeared for screening .

Attempts by Akwa Ibom North – East lawmaker , Senator Albert Bassey , to make a comment on Akpabio ’ s nomination were rejected by the Senate President .

Punch

… demands N30bn Earned Allowance from FG

JOINT Action Committee, JAC, of the non teaching staff in the Universities, has directed its branches to mobilise its members for a nationwide protest starting on Monday 15th July, 2019, over the Federal Government refusal to recall sacked workers of Staff Schools and the alleged discriminatory attitude of government against non teaching staff.

JAC, comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, at its meeting in Abuja, also decried exclusion of its members from the workings of the National University Pension Company (NUPENCO) solely operated by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU.

It further frowned at the alleged preferential treatment extended to ASUU by the Federal Government as seen in the allocation of 80 percent of monies released leaving the non academic staff with 20 percent.

In a resolution reached after its meeting, read by the Chairman of JAC and National President of SSANU, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, the non teaching university workers rejected the 20 percent Earned Allowance allocated to the three non teaching unions.

More news 👉🏼: https://mobile.facebook.com/Latest-News-Update-713547372065665/?ref=opera_speed_dial

JAC called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency release N30 billion Earned Allowance of non teaching staff within the period of 2009 to 2016.
Ugwoke who stressed that the protest was aimed at sending a notice of strike to the Federal Government, called on its members to ensure full compliance with the directive in order to show its relevance to the university system.

He said, “The recent sharing of money where the money collected from the ministry of education signed by the director of tertiary education, allocating 80 percent of the money to ASUU and only 20 percent to the three non teaching staff unions is not acceptable to us.

“We reject in total the 20 percent allocated to our members, rather we demand from the federal government the sum of N30 billion as part of the earned allowance of non teaching staff from 2009 to 2016 and we call on government to hasten the audit of university earned allowances so that we will now how much is paid to who and how much remains.

“The way and manner the money is being shared contrary to any known accounting procedure, any known international best practice should be condemned by all, it is rather a fraud. This house calls it a fraud and calls for investigation.

“We call and demand that government should release as a matter of urgency, N30 billion for non teaching staff

“JAC has approved protests from the branches, protests at the zonal levels of our unions and mother of all protests in Abuja for three days, before a deadline is given to the government for the mother of all strikes that will follow. The protest will commence on Monday 15th July 2019,” he said

Vanguard/Punch

Timi Dakolo’s wife  alleges COZA founder raped her

Singer Timi Dakolo dares COZA pastor to sue him

Busola, you’ve got my back – Ex-aide to Buhari Abike Dabiri reacts to COZA saga

Nigerians’ reactions after Timi Dakolo’s wife, Busola accused Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of raping her

Following the revelation made by Timi Dakolo’s wife, Busola, that Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, of COZA raped her when she was 18, the pastor through the offical Instagram page of the church has said that he has never raped anybody not even as an unbeliever.

The internet was awash yesterday after Busola Dakolo, the wife of popular singer, Timi Dakolo, opened up on how she survived the trauma of an alleged rape ordeal she said she suffered in the hands of the founder of The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.

Mrs Dakolo made the allegation in a YouTube interview published yesterday by the channel, YNaija.

According to her, while a member of the church, she was raped at two different times in a week by the pastor.

Mrs Dakolo alleged that the pastor raped her for the first time at her parent’s home and at another time in a secluded road path. She said the incidents occurred before she turned 18, adding that she was deflowered by the pastor. The alleged rape was said to have happened before she married.

MoreNews : https://chat.whatsapp.com/AQuCgcKuKBnDLsUuBGhNo6

According to Dakolo’s wife, Mr Fatoyinbo convinced her through gifts of books and cassette tapes to keep attending their club when she was back home from school.

Narrating how she was raped for the first time, Mrs Dakolo said, “Fatoyinbo showed up at our house unannounced. It was a Monday morning, early and I was still in my nightgown. My mother had travelled with my sisters and were absent at service the previous Sunday.

“He didn’t say a word, forced me onto a chair, speaking only to command me to do as he said. It took me a while to come to terms with what was about to happen, and it was why I didn’t struggle or make a fuss when he pulled down my underwear and raped me.”

Speaking further, she said that he did not say anything after, as he left for his car and returned with a bottle of Krest and forced her to drink it, probably as some crude contraceptive.

Continuing, she recalled what he said to her that “You should be happy that a man of God did this to you.”

However , reacting to the news, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinb said: “I am aware that there has been a recent media publication on YouTube operated and owned by RED Media Group which shows an interview by Chude Jideonwo with Busola Dakolo.

“Prior to now, we had adhered to our policy of ignoring rumours from social media accounts as we knew that several statements had been made to extort the church of money and myself through blackmail, harassment and intimidation. We have refused time and again to accede to their request, which has infuriated them over time, because of this they have gotten more aggressive.

“Unlike previous statements where innuendos were used and there was no direct mention of myself or the Church, the recent video released on YouTube has now made direct criminal allegations against me in the interview granted by Busola Dakolo which are fallacious, non-existent and which are all denied in every measure.

“As an individual and as a Church, we love and support people and we would never condone any form of abuse, harassment, or intimidation of anyone. I have never in my life raped anybody, even as an unbeliever and I’m absolutely innocent of this.

“Busola Dakolo, who has made this false allegation and her family attended the church during the early start of the church in Ilorin in 1999. I never had any private interactions with her beyond my pastoral duties. Looking at her status and that of her husband, I am dumbfounded why she would say such a thing.

“As expected under the ethics of Journalism, it would have been expected that I should be confronted with these false allegations prior to any publication, instead of resorting to the social media with the intent to ruin my reputation and bring down the church.”

“As expected under the ethics of Journalism, it would have been expected that I should be confronted with these false allegations prior to any publication, instead of resorting to the social media with the intent to ruin my reputation and bring down the church.

“We will also not stand for false criminal allegations made against me or the church. The leadership of the church and I have briefed our lawyers to commence criminal and civil actions against all individuals making such false allegations whether directly or by proxies.

MoreNews : https://chat.whatsapp.com/AQuCgcKuKBnDLsUuBGhNo6

Meanwhile, after the explosive interview, husband, Timi Dakolo, has dared the pastor to sue them

Dakolo, who dared the pastor to sue in a long post, had also shared more details about the allegations.

According to him, Fatoyinbo had forced himself on a child twice in the space of four days and even threatened to hurt her family if she exposed him.

He also claimed that Fatoyinbo had strangled a child in the back of his car and told her to be happy that a man of God did it to her.

Furthermore, Abike Dabiri, the former aide to President Buhari, has weighed in on the ongoing heated scandal.

The ex-aide who seem very disturbed and angry about the accusation shared a post on her Twitter page in which she profess her support for Busola Dakolo. She reminisced on how she supported the bill which prescribes life imprisonment for those who molest others.

Through her words, it is evident that Abike does not mind taking legal action against Fatoyinbo. In fact, she expressly told Busola that she has got her back.

See her post below:

Abike Dabiri-Erewa
@abikedabiri
@timidakolo , what can I say about your wife! A woman of strength, courage. We all, as women, must rise up and demand justice. I sponsored the violence against persons bill which prescribes life imprisonment for rape!!Busola, you’ve got my back !

Recently, Don Jazzy expressly showed his support for Busola Dakolo. He commended her for coming out to speak her truth and giving a voice to many voiceless ladies.

MoreNews : https://chat.whatsapp.com/AQuCgcKuKBnDLsUuBGhNo6

Meanwhile, A cross-section of Nigerians on Twitter have reacted to the latest rape allegation against the founder of COZA, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.

@SSnetwoork: “Busola Dakolo must be protected at all costs @PoliceNG please take note.”

@Omojuwa: “This season of the Revelation has a rape story in it. Only an irrational person would be shocked by that. Busola Dakolo is brave. I hope her bravery helps other abused women step out. This thing is deeper than whatever is currently out there.”

@InstaKwara: “Busola Dakolo is one hell of a brave woman, as well as Timi Dakolo and the family.
“Goodmorning my Coza Ilorin people, some of you must have relocated but well…. Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.”

@AdeBanqie: “This was how Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA raped Busola Dakolo, Timi Dakolo’s wife. He should be arrested and jailed. Shameful.”

@TweetAtAustin: “When will COZA Pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo be invited by the Police for questioning? These claims by Busola Dakolo are just one of too many similar ones.”

@BodaMajidi: “Busola Dakolo – raped by your MCM – finally found enough healing and strength to Speak Up and see the rubbish these women have to say. Some people think RAPE is something Paracetamol or Aboniki can heal. They should rot in jail with their dick-head Pst. Biodun Fatoyinbo.”

@queeninghere: I guess this is the time when Nigerians must choose sides about this COZA pastor and Timi Dakolo and Busola Dakolo thing. Only the “touch not my anointed” side or the “#SayNoToRape” side are available for us to choose from. God is really testing our level of hypocrisy!”

@folamaniac: “Here observing from a distance. If I had come in contact with Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of Coza, only God know how many times I would have been raped just like Busola Dakolo. It’s just My Friday thought.”

@AyoBankole: “Another plot twist. This time, a bomb shell. If true, then I expect nothing less than a follow-on action from Busola and Timi Dakolo. We can’t keep trending topics, then burying these abuses under religious dogma, while nurturing monsters for next strike.”

Punch/Vanguard/Legit/Dailypost

Edited: Latestnewsupdates

PRESIDENT Muhammadu has assured Nigerian workers that implementation of the new minimum wage of N30, 000 will commence soon.

President Buhari has also asked state government and employers in the private sector to work towards providing a living wage for their workers.

Speaking at the 11th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of Nigeria, the President who was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha enthused that the nation’s economy was expected to grow by 2.7 percent in 2019 as a result of several reforms embarked upon by the government.

President Buhari urged state government and the private sector to implement the minimum wage as a way of encouraging workers to contribute to the development of the country, adding that his government will continue to pay particular attention to the welfare of workers.

Stressing that giant efforts had been made in building solid foundation for the country since he took in 2015, he said, “these efforts have begun to yield results. The Economy is making a steady progress and our GDP is expected to grow by 2.7 percent the year. Our external reserve have risen to $45 billion and can finance a number of our foreign commitments.

“With the steps taken to integrate rural economies to the national grid, provide credits and inputs to rural farmers and micro-businesses as well as providing the enabling environment for business in Nigeria, our people will be liberated from the shackles of poverty.

“We will try to create 10 million jobs yearly to continue to boost our economy and make life better for our people.

“Our Government will continue to improve on out New Development Plans and initiatives. We will concentrate on Agriculture, Education, Power and other infrastructure, Manufacturing and social intervention schemes. We will promote good governance and fight corruption to a stand still.

“This Government will continue to build institutions and machineries to fight corruption. If we don’t kill corruption now, we will not have a country to handover to our unborn generation. Hence the need for everyone to be involved in this fight to finish.

“My administration believes in the welfare of workers and that is why we have signed the Minimum Wage bill into law and implementation is underway. l employ both the state governments and the private sector to give their workers a decent living wage to encourage workers to contribute more to our economy.

“The Federal Government acknowledges the collaborative support it has received from the Labour Union, especially the TUC, since the inception of this Administration. Members of this Union participated actively in developing the drafting of the various policy documents that have led to the development of roadmaps in the Country.

“Members of the Union are also involved in several aspects of the implementation of the road maps. It is the belief of Government that the synergy and collaboration will be strengthened as we move forward.

“The Executive arm of government is committed to having a smooth and good working relationship with the Labour Unions in Nigeria as we go higher.”

NAN/Vanguard

…nothing called “cut off mark”

why are we having A level people with two or three points out of 16…

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is’haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, has described the critics of the 160 cut off mark recently set by the Board for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2019/2020 academic session as ignorant of the mandate of JAMB.

Prof. Oloyede,who said this in an interview with journalists when he came for his certificate verification exercise at the University of Ilorin, explained that the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is about ranking of candidates and space available in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.

More news 👉🏼: https://mobile.facebook.com/Latest-News-Update-713547372065665/?ref=opera_speed_dial

Speaking with newsmen, Prof. Oloyede reminded the critics of JAMB that the purpose of the UTME is to rank the already qualified candidates, saying space available in the institutions would determine how many would be taken.

The JAMB Registrar said that with over one million vacancies in the tertaiary institutions, if all the candidates who scored 180 and above should be taken, they would not fill the available quota for the 2019/2020 admission exercise.

Prof. Oloyede also observed that there have been occasions where candidates who scored minimum UTME grade did well in the post UTME examination of the institution of choice and has a very strong O’Level result.

He said, “Most of the comments are based on ignorance. JAMB does not conduct an examination to have a result of pass or fail.
There is no pass or fail in JAMB exam because it is a ranking examination not an achievement examination. Every candidate that is seeking admission is already qualified by O’level result. If you go to study abroad, nobody is going to ask for your JAMB result.

“The people that are complaining have forgotten that the purpose of UTME is to rank those who were already qualified and see how many of them can be taken. And it is the availability of space that would determine how many would be taken. Such ignorant persons comment because they are not aware of the situation.

“Now, we have over one million vacancies in the capacity of the tertiary institutions. They are saying we should stop at 200 where there are only 400,000. Even if everybody who scored 180 and above should be taken, they would not fill the quota that is available”.

The JAMB Registrar opined that if the direct entry candidates who only have three points out of possible 16 points could be considered for admission, there is nothing stopping candidates with O’level certificate from standing a chance to be admitted with the minimum cut off mark of 160.

He said, “They have forgotten that there are people who are coming in with direct entry. Some of them have two points and some three out of 16 possible points. The people did not complain that why are we having A level people with two or three points out of 16 because they are not equipped on what they are commenting about. They want the institutions to remain vacant while we claim that ranking examination has dropped them.

Speaking further, Prof. Oloyede said, “The second point is that there is nothing called “cut off mark” when you talk about UTME. Somebody scores 120, you said that person is not qualified to gain admission into any of the country’s tertiary institution. Remember if you are going to the University of Ilorin, University of Ibadan or the University of Lagos, that score is just one out of the three steps to be taken before he or she could be considered for admission”.

“That same person goes to take post-UTME in the university of his or her choice where he or she scored 90% which is another component of the so called cut off. The man who scored 350 in JAMB now scored 40%. That person is ab-initio off because those Universities would not take him for failing to meet up with their pass marks. He has dropped even though he scored 350 in UTME.
“

NAN
Edited: Latestnewsupdates