The organised labour in Ogun State has gave the State Governor , Dapo Abiodun , a 14 – day ultimatum over the non – payment of the negotiated new minimum wage .
Rising from an emergency meeting of the State Organised Labour held at the Nigeria Labour Congress ’ State Secretariat , Abeokuta , the labour leaders , threatened industrial action if the governor failed to address the issues within the period given.
The union lamented over what it called the dysfunctional Contributory Pension Scheme, totalling 134 months deducted from workers ’ salaries and unremitted ; non – promotion of staff since 2018 and unpaid leave allowances to all employees , both of the State and of the Local Governments since 2015 .
This was contained in a letter addressed to the governor titled “ Declaration of Trade Dispute. ”
The letter dated September 2 , was jointly signed by the State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress , Bankole Emmanuel ; the Vice Chairman of Trade Union Congress , Akeem Lasisi ; the Chairman and the Secretary of Joint Negotiation Council , Folorunso Olarewaju and Adebiyi Olusegun respectively .
Other issues by the labour leaders are , non – restoration of payment of gross salary and the zero remittance of the National Housing Fund deductions to the Federal Mortgage Bank.
The union which accused the government of insincerity to its commitment described the issues as “ recurring and over – flogged ” .
The statement reads , “ It is quite obvious that the State government has chosen to situate the welfare of its employees to the sphere of afterthoughts . Nothing could capture this our stance better than the deliberate distancing of policies that clearly would have improved workers lot . Viewed dispassionately , we hold the belief that the State government has no clear cut roadmap for solving any issue ( s ) or matter ( s ) that bother ( s) on its personnel welfare.
“ We , therefore , request of the State government to , without further delay , set the machinery in motion to address all of the items within fourteen ( 14 ) days from the date above failing which the State Organised Labour will call out its members for full industrial action . The State Organised Labour has demonstrated enough maturity and respect to the development and growth of the state . It is now the turn of the State government to reciprocate . ”
In his reaction, the Special Adviser to the governor on Public Communications , Remmy Hazzan expressed the government ’ s commitment to paying the minimum wage.
Hazzan said , “ The issue of the new minimum wage is not contentious, it’ s been agreed and the state government has said that it is already committed to paying on that date .
“ We as a state are committed to any promise we have made in every single sector including the welfare of the workers . We are not a government of empty promises and I doubt it that the workers said that . ”
The Super Eagles will launch new jerseys designed by kit – sponsors Nike for national teams in October .
This was announced in a statement by the NFF’ s Communications Department .
Nike Senior Director, Global Communications , Heidi Burgett , had February 5 , shared the designs of the new national team’ s jerseys on Twitter .
“ New 2020 kits for Nigeria : Home kit ’ s hand drawn design fuses the traditional aesthetic of an agbada robe w / modern football design. Away kit trim is inspired by Onaism . Broader collection of Super Eagles apparel includes a poncho , vest, dress, & more, ” Burgett wrote .
Burgett ’ s tweet came after NFF president Amaju Pinnick confirmed to newsmen January 28 , that the new national team jerseys would be unveiled in New York , London and Nigeria .
Further plans for the unveiling were however put on hold due to COVID- 19 .
Officials of the NFF , which include Pinnick, vice presidents, Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko ; General Secretary , Mohammed Sanusi ; board members Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Felix Anyansi – Agwu; Director of Communications , Ademola Olajire ; Head of Marketing , Alizor Chuks and Special Assistant to Pinnick, Nasiru Jibril met with officials of Nike Tina Salminen , David Watson and Lee Murphy via a virtual meeting on Monday .
“ Finishing touches were put to the designs with observations and comments taken, and Nike officials fully briefed on the minute details of the preferences of the NFF chieftains , ” the NFF statement said .
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has approved November 1 st of every year as the National Youth Day, Minister of Youth and Sports Development , Sunday Dare , has said .
According to the minister , the President made this known during a Federal Executive Council meeting .
Announcing that the day has been set aside for the celebration of Nigerian youths , Dare tweeted , “ Today , President Buhari in Council approved November 1 st every year as the National Youth Day to celebrate , draw attention to and find solutions to the issues that affect the Youth. Mr . President as again demonstrated his commitment to supporting youth -focused policies. Thank You . ”
Although the meeting was virtual , Buhari presided from the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa , Abuja while some ministers participated virtually from their offices.
The meeting, which started at about 10 am , also has Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Boss Mustapha , in attendance .
Osun State Government has directed principals and heads of public elementary schools to revert to the old names of their various schools before the reclassification effected by the administration of ex – governor Rauf Aregbesola in 2013 .
The directive was contained in a circular titled ‘ Reverting : Reclassification nomenclature of schools to old status, ’ and signed by Dr . Taiwo Adeagbo , for the Coordinating Director , Ministry of Education and addressed to principals , headteachers of elementary schools , Inspectors of Education and Zonal Inspectors of Education.
The circular dated August 27 , 2020 , recalled approval given to the recommendations of the Policy Review Roundtable Summit on some extant policies in the Education Sector held in February 2020 and directed the affected officials to immediately comply with the directive .
The circular read in parts , “ Recall that at the policy review roundtable summit on some extant policies in Education Sector held between 20 and 21 of February 2020 , His Excellency , Mr . Adegboyega Oyetola approved that Schools should revert to their pre -reclassification names and nomenclatures .
“ Sequel to the above , all schools are hereby directed to revert to their old names with immediate effect as approved by the Osun State Government.
“ Kindly give this circular the widest publicity it deserves . ”
The resumption of public schools for the abridged third term had been tentatively fixed for Monday , September 21 , 2020 , by the state government .
The Petroleum Products Marketing Company , a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation , has increased the ex- depot price of Premium Motor Spirit , also known as petrol , to N151 . 56 per litre from N138 . 62 per litre .
This was disclosed in an internal memo from Ibadan depot to all stakeholders with reference number PPMC /IB /LS / 020 dated September 2 , 2020 and signed by D. O Abalaka .
The ex – depot price is the price at which the product is sold to marketers at the depots.
The memo, a copy of which was seen by our correspondent, said , “ Please be informed that a new product price adjustment has been effected on our payment platform .
” To this end, the price of Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS ) is now one hundred and fifty- one naira , fifty- six kobo ( N151 . 56 k ) per litre. This is effective from September 2 , 2020 . ”
The Petroleum Products Marketing Company , a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation , has increased the ex- depot price of Premium Motor Spirit , also known as petrol , to N151 . 56 per litre from N138 . 62 per litre .
This was disclosed in an internal memo from Ibadan depot to all stakeholders with reference number PPMC /IB /LS / 020 dated September 2 , 2020 and signed by D. O Abalaka .
The ex – depot price is the price at which the product is sold to marketers at the depots.
The memo, a copy of which was seen by our correspondent, said , “ Please be informed that a new product price adjustment has been effected on our payment platform .
” To this end, the price of Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS ) is now one hundred and fifty- one naira , fifty- six kobo ( N151 . 56 k ) per litre. This is effective from September 2 , 2020 . ”
Authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile Ife , told the public to disregard a circular purportedly issued and signed by the university Registrar on reopening plans .
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the Federal Government that shut the institution in the wake of COVID- 19 pandemic , had not reversed the order .
The statement read in parts , “The university Management wishes to officially inform our students at all levels , their parents and guardians that the said circular is fake and malicious both in content and context and it should be disregarded in its entirety.
“ Obafemi Awolowo University is a Federal Government- owned institution and the instruction to go on recess in the wake of COVID- 19 pandemic , in the month of March 2020 , by the Federal Government has not been reversed . ”
The pump price of petrol should be closer to N155 per litre, the Chairman of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria , Mr Adetunji Oyebanji , has said .
Oyebanji , who is the managing director/ chief executive officer of 11 Plc ( formerly Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc ) , said this on CNBC Africa .
Petrol price was increased by marketers to between N 148 and N150 /litre in August , as the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency remained silent as regards the guiding retail price for the month .
Following the sharp drop in crude oil prices which led to the reduction in the pump price of petrol in March , the PPPRA had said it would advise the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and oil marketing companies on the monthly guiding retail price at which the product shall be sold across the country.
Oyebanji said the under – recovery of N5 . 35 bn recorded by the NNPC in June had to do with the inventory losses that would have occurred because of the reduction in prices at the time .
He said , “ However , going forward , we still note that there is still an element of subsidy because when you look at the prices that were posted for the month of August , for instance , NNPC is still retailing petrol at N145 when really the price should be closer to N155 .
“ If you look at the template the PPPRA has been using in setting prices , you will find that if you just apply even the official exchange rate and Platts for the month of August , prices at the pump should be significantly higher than where there are today .
“ Obviously , something is not clear as to what really is happening . We suspect that there may be some issues to do with how margins are being applied to the various operators and the various subheadings within the template.
“ So , we will continue to work with government to try and get clarification on this subject but definitely , it is very clear that there is still an element of subsidy . ”
Oyebanji said the marketers would continue to engage the relevant agencies of government , particularly the PPPRA , to get an increase in their margins .
Electricity consumers , labour unions and key stakeholders in the economy has kicked against increase in electricity tariff implemented by power distribution companies across the country .
Those that spoke to newsmen on the tariff adjustments included the Nigeria Labour Congress which vowed to resist the increase , the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria which said the hike could precipitate recession in the third quarter of the year , the and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry .
The NLC said the hike would further impoverish Nigerians .
The congress argued that the implementation of the new tariff was despite the resolution of the Senate and the direct orders of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd ) , that the decision by the electricity distribution companies on tariff should be suspended until further notice .
NERC and the Discos had said that the new service reflective tariff took effect from September 1 ( Tuesday ) .
The Discos said on Tuesday that electricity customers , except those receiving less than 12 hours of supply, would have to pay more.
With the review , the tariffs being charged residential consumers receiving a minimum of 12 hours of power supply has increased by over 70 per cent.
The NLC President , Ayuba Wabba , said the move would be resisted and cautioned the DISCOs against going ahead with the implementation of the new electricity tariff .
He stated this in a statement titled ‘ Increase in electricity tariff by Abuja DISCO – A taunting of the will of the Nigerian people gone too far ’ .
Wabba said , “The DISCOs appear to have given themselves the ignoble tasks of taunting and testing the will of the Nigerian people.
“Abuja DISCO has adorned the robe of the protagonist with its recent announcement of a new tariff plan for electricity consumers within the sphere of its service area.
“ This move is despite the resolution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and even the direct orders of Mr President himself that the plans by DISCOs to hike electricity tariff should be suspended until further notice .
“ We are not aware of any order by the government or the elected representatives of the Nigerian people de – freezing the order to suspend any plans to inflict more pocket and psychological trauma on Nigerians by way of reckless and insensitive hike in electricity tariff . ”
The union pointed out that since the unbundling of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria , electricity tariffs through the Multi -Year Tariff Order had been increased a number of times without accompanying improvement in services.
“ Each hike in electricity tariff in Nigeria is trailed by huge leap in the hours of darkness, de – metering of more Nigerians , exponential rise in incidences of estimated billing , and increased burden on citizens for the procurement of equipment and facilities for public electricity supply amidst other devious methods by DISCOs to cheat , exploit and despoil poor Nigerians , ” Wabba said .
The NLC boss said it totally rejected any plan to inflict further pain on Nigerians “at this very time of great economic distress , ” insisting that “ the new dribble by the Abuja DISCO is dead on arrival as it will be resisted by the Nigerian working class and people. ”
It warned other DISCOs not to bother “ putting their ships of exploitation to sail . ”
The congress equally expressed concern on the “ deaf and dumb posture” of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission .
The union added, “ It is important to put it on record that NERC would be putting its name on the wrong side of history if it continues to play the Ostrich while a group of portfolio investors make a blood meal of Nigerians .
“Nigerian electricity consumers need the NERC to speak up and act in the defense of the rights of the Nigerian people. ”
“ Following consultations and directions on tariff policy , the commission hereby approves a deferment of the applicable tariffs for customers in service bands D and E ( that is customers with a service commitment of less than an average of 12 hours supply per day over a period of one month ) for the period September 1 , 2020 to January 1 , 2021 , ” NERC said in a document seen by newsmen .
It said the Discos would only be allowed to charge those customers the new tariffs upon investments that improve the quality of service experience , “ thus migrating customers to higher service bands or another order of the commission . ”
According to NERC and the Discos, the new tariff is based on the hours of electricity supply available to the customers .
Customers are categorised into maximum demand and non -maximum demand customers , as against the previous categories of residential , commercial and industrial customers , with different bands ( A to E ) depending on the level of supply .
Maximum demand customers are those who consumer high levels of electricity , within the threshold of 45 kVA consumption and above , according to NERC .
For Ikeja Electric , a residential customer on single phase receiving a minimum of 12 hours of supply will now pay N42 . 73 per kilowatt – hour , up from N21 . 30 per kWh .
For Eko Electricity Distribution Company , a residential customer on single – phase receiving a minimum of 12 hours of supply will now pay N43 . 01 per kWh, up from N 24 per kWh .
For Abuja Electricity Distribution Company , a residential customer on single – phase receiving between 12 to 16 hours of supply will now be charged N45 . 69 per kWh, up from N24 . 30 per kWh.
Kaduna Electric announced on Twitter on Monday night that residential customer on single – phase receiving between 12 and 16 hours will be charged N50 . 10 per kWh , compared to the old tariff of N26 . 37 per kWh .
A residential customer receiving a minimum of 12 hours of supply from Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company will now pay N53 . 97 per kWh , up from N24 . 97 per kWh .
The Speaker of the House of Representatives , Femi Gbajabiamila , will on Wednesday , travel to Ghana as part of moves to resolve the issues arising from the $ 1 m levy imposed by the West African countries on traders from Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila told State House correspondents at the end of a meeting he had with the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , at the Presidential Villa , Abuja, that he had received Buhari ’ s nod to embark on the trip .
The Federal Government through the Minister of Information and Culture , Lai Mohammed , had last week said it would no longer accept the humiliation of Nigerians by Ghana .
Ghanaian authorities have since responded to the statement , saying Mohammed ’ s claims on the issue and previous ones were inaccurate .
But Gbajabiamila said he would be embarking on what he called “ legislative diplomacy ” trip to Ghana .
He said the purpose was for him to meet with his Ghanaian counterpart with a view to resolving the matter .
The speaker said , “ I am leaving for Ghana tomorrow ( Wednesday ) to meet with the Speaker of the parliament in Ghana to look at the issues on ground as they affect our citizens and to try and calm things down and see if there is a way forward .
“ I will meet with the Speaker tomorrow (Wednesday ).
“ I informed the President and he is aware of every single step that we are taking, all the way and we hope that we will come to an amicable settlement one way or the other .
“ It is called legislative diplomacy . If you remember very well, during the days when I was Leader of the House, I led the delegation to South Africa during the crisis there with Nigerians and we were able to accomplish quite a bit, to simmer things down at that time . ”
The Speaker said he would not be going to Ghana with any specific demands.
“ No demands, we are just going to discuss in the spirit of African parliaments and we will be looking at issues from time to time as they affect African countries , and this is one of them.
“ I don ’ t want to make any statement at this time so that we don ’ t exacerbate matters.
“ Like I said , we are looking for amicable solutions. The Ghanaians have their take on what is going on , we have our own take . We will see how we can marry the two takes and come to a solution .
“ We are two strong West African countries and there must be symbiosis , we must work together . You don ’ t get anything from working at cross purposes or knocking heads together . We must , at all times , as Africans , work as best as possible together and that ’ s what this my trip is about . ”
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