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December 12, 2023 Tensions Rise As Federal Government Halts N35,000 Wage Award Payments

Tensions Rise As Federal Government Halts N35,000 Wage Award Payments

A conflict between organised labour and the Federal Government is unfolding due to the government's failure to sustain the payment of the N35,000 wage award to workers. Workers in the Federal Civil Service expressed dissatisfaction, revealing that the government only fulfilled the N35,000 wage award for September.

President Bola Tinubu's removal of the fuel subsidy upon assuming office prompted the Federal Government to agree to pay N35,000 to each worker, aiming to alleviate the hardship caused by the subsidy removal. According to a memo from Ekpo Nta, the Chairman of the National Salaries Wages and Income Commission, the payment of the wage award was set to commence on September 1, 2023.

Contrary to expectations, investigations revealed that the government only honoured the wage award for September. A senior civil servant expressed confusion, stating, "The wage award was only paid once, and I assume that was for September. Since then, we have not received another. We are all confused as there has been no official communication from the government on the matter."

Another civil servant raised concerns, highlighting the financial strain on workers: "Our take-home salaries cannot even take us home any longer at this point." A civil servant from a federal government-owned school in Abuja echoed these sentiments, stressing that workers received the wage award for only one month.

Benson Upah, the Head of Information at the Nigeria Labour Congress, condemned the government's actions, calling them "dishonourable" and "completely unacceptable." He hinted at possible actions by the NLC, stating, "Certainly, the Congress will do something about this, but what it will do will depend on the appropriate organs of the Congress. On communication with the government, sure, we will. It usually precedes our actions."

In response to concerns, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation spokesperson, Bawa Mokwa, reassured civil servants that plans were underway to ensure they receive their wage awards. He stated, "The process is ongoing. They will be paid. The process to pay the wage awards has commenced."

Meanwhile, it was revealed that the Federal Government has budgeted N1tn for minimum wage adjustments, promotion arrears, and severance benefits for civil servants in the 2024 appropriation budget. Despite this, the Nigeria Labour Congress emphasised its opposition to the Federal Government's imposition of a new minimum wage.

December 12, 2023 Tinubu, Atiku Congratulate Victor Osimhen And Asisat Oshoala On CAF Awards

Tinubu, Atiku Congratulate Victor Osimhen And Asisat Oshoala On CAF Awards

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the 2023 People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have congratulated Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for their outstanding achievements in football.

On December 11, 2023, in Marrakech, Morocco, Osimhen and Oshoala were honoured as the CAF Players of the Year in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.

Osimhen, the Super Eagles striker, emerged victorious over Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, bringing the coveted award home after a 24-year hiatus. Meanwhile, Oshoala made history by becoming the first woman to secure the Women’s Player of the Year award six times, having previously won in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, President Tinubu commended both athletes for serving as sources of national pride and inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent. He congratulated Chiamaka Nnadozie, awarded Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, and applauded the Super Falcons for earning the Women’s National Team of the Year title at the CAF Awards 2023.

President Tinubu's statement expressed, “I congratulate Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, on winning the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award, the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of The Year for the sixth time, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was awarded the Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, as well as the Super Falcons for emerging the Women’s National Team of the Year at the CAF Awards 2023. I commend the trio of Osimhen, Oshoala, and Nnadozie for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also took to Twitter to express his excitement and delight at the unprecedented achievements of Osimhen and Oshoala in Nigeria's football history. He praised Osimhen for bringing the title to Nigeria after 24 years and acknowledged Oshoala’s remarkable feat of winning the same title for the sixth time. The Super Falcons were honored as the Women's National Team of the Year.

December 12, 2023 Northern Lawmakers Pledge N350m To Rebuild Bombed Kaduna Community

Northern Lawmakers Pledge N350m To Rebuild Bombed Kaduna Community

Members of the House of Representatives have towed the path of the Senate and pledged 400 million Naira worth of projects for the Tudun Biri community of Kaduna State, which was bombed in error by the Nigerian Army, on December 3rd.

The Northern regional caucus forum and other Northern lawmakers announced a donation of 45 million Naira to support the victims of the attack.

Leader of the delegation, Alhassan Doguwa, noted that the proposed projects for the community include a hospital, blocks of classrooms, boreholes, and access roads.

The lawmakers also pledged a Police outpost to boost security and liaise with the government to fulfil all other commitments.

In his remarks, Governor Uba Sani emphasized the necessity for a timely and thorough investigation of the incident.

December 12, 2023 Court To Decide Emefiele’s Fundamental Rights Suit January 8

Court To Decide Emefiele’s Fundamental Rights Suit January 8

The Federal Capital Territory High Court will deliver judgment in enforcing a fundamental rights suit filed by a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, on January 8, 2024.

Following his prolonged detention, Emefiele had dragged the Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Commission before the court to enforce his fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement.

He also sought a declaration of the court that his continued detention by the agency of the first and second respondents since June 10, 2023, and subsequent transfer to the custody of the third and fourth respondents on October 26, 2023, without being arraigned in court is unlawful.

At the resumed hearing, counsel for Emefiele Mathew Burkaa (SAN) told the court that the former CBN Governor was detained for 151 days, contrary to the law.

Responding, counsel for the first and second respondents, Oyin Koleosho (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the suit for lacking merit.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, after listening to the counsel's arguments, fixed January 8 for judgment.

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