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July 24, 2024 We Can’t Withdraw From Protest We Didn’t Organise — NLC

We Can’t Withdraw From Protest We Didn’t Organise — NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has clarified that it is not behind the planned nationwide hunger protest set for August 1.

Responding to circulating reports that the NLC had withdrawn from the youth-organized protest, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero stated on Wednesday. He urged both the federal and sub-national governments to heed the pleas of hungry Nigerians and address the economic crisis.

The statement, titled “The Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise,” read in part:

“A news report claiming that the Nigeria Labour Congress has withdrawn from the widely discussed national protest has been brought to our attention. The Nigeria Labour Congress debunks such stories as patently false.

“The truth is that the Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise. Only the organisers of the speculated national protest can decide to pull out or continue with the protest.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress has internal trade union mechanisms, especially leadership decision-making processes, that its industrial actions such as protests pass through before such activities are undertaken.

“Yet, the fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organising the protest does not mean that Organised Labour is oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of the government.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in these very trying and excruciating times.

“Pursuant to proactive engagement with the issues raised by the protest organisers, we have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leaders of the protest movement to dialogue on their demands.

“We have advised that it would be counter-productive for the government to meet the widespread anger in the land with brute force.

“Once again, we implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and do the needful. After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God.”

July 24, 2024 New ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Includes Domestic Workers — Akpabio

New ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Includes Domestic Workers — Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that the newly approved minimum wage of ₦70,000 applies to all public and private workers including maids and other domestic staff. He made this declaration during the plenary session on Tuesday.

The bill was swiftly passed by both chambers of the National Assembly shortly after being transmitted by President Bola Tinubu. During the plenary, Akpabio emphasized, “If you are a tailor and employ additional hands, you cannot pay them below ₦70,000. If you are a mother with a newborn and hire a housemaid, you cannot pay below the approved minimum wage. This is not a maximum wage; it applies to all.”

He continued, “If you hire a driver or gateman, their salary cannot be below ₦70,000. I am delighted this has been passed, and we now look forward to employers of labor improving on this benchmark.”

Akpabio also congratulated the Nigeria Labour Congress, all Nigerians, and the National Assembly for this significant legislation, which reduces the negotiation term from five years to three, considering the rising cost of living. He concluded by adjourning the sitting to September 17.

July 24, 2024 August 1 Protest: Nigerian Govt Holds Emergency Meeting With Ministers

August 1 Protest: Nigerian Govt Holds Emergency Meeting With Ministers

The Nigerian government has scheduled an emergency meeting for today Wednesday in response to a planned nationwide protest set for August 1, 2024. This information comes from a circular signed by Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, dated July 23, 2024, and titled "Planned Nationwide Protest."

The circular states: “I am directed to invite you to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject slated as follows: July 24, 2024, Time: 10 am prompt, Venue: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room.”

This meeting follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's plea through the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, for Nigerians to cancel the planned protest. Speaking to state house correspondents on Tuesday, the Minister emphasized that the Tinubu administration needed more time to implement people-oriented programs.

“On the issue of the planned protest, Mr. President does not see any need for that. He asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas,” Idris stated.

The protest is set against the backdrop of increasing economic hardship in Nigeria, with core inflation and food inflation rising to 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent, respectively. This inflation surge has severely impacted commodity prices and reduced the purchasing power of Nigerians.

Despite the recent approval and passage of a ₦70,000 minimum wage by the Nigerian Senate, Nigerians have remained adamant about proceeding with the protest. The protest is inspired by the month-long demonstrations in Kenya, where citizens demanded the reversal of the Finance Act and other controversial policies by the Kenyan government.

July 24, 2024 NASS Approves Bill for IGP to Serve Full Four-Year Tenure

NASS Approves Bill for IGP to Serve Full Four-Year Tenure

The National Assembly passed the Police Act Amendment Bill on Tuesday, enabling the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to remain in office until the end of the term specified in their appointment letter. President Bola Tinubu forwarded the Bill to the House of Representatives and the Senate, seeking to amend the tenure of the IGP.

The Bill, aimed at amending the Nigeria Police Act 2020, seeks to ensure the IGP's tenure and enhance police operations through improved accountability, modernized policing methods, and better police-community relations.

Both chambers of the National Assembly expedited the Bill through its second and third readings, resulting in its passage. President Tinubu is expected to sign the Bill into law.

In July, the police refuted claims that IGP Kayode Egbetokun attempted to lobby the National Assembly to extend the retirement age of officers. Egbetokun, appointed by President Tinubu in June 2023, has a four-year term. According to Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, born on September 4, 1964, would retire in September 2024 upon turning 60. This would mean he would only have served one year and three months of his four-year term.

This controversy over the IGP's tenure is not new. Egbetokun's predecessor, Usman Baba, faced a similar situation. Baba turned 60 and completed the mandatory 35 years of service in March 2023 but remained in office until Egbetokun was appointed as his replacement three months later.

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