Category: News

Those behind the #IgboMustGo campaign, have given Ndigbo living in Lagos and other parts of South West zone, up to August 20, to relocate to South East.

The former Senate President who spoke with Vanguard in Umuahia, called on South West leaders especially Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to protect the lives and assets of Ndigbo living in the Western region.

Senator Wabara who is the Chairman, Board of Trustees BoT of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, further said that such an unprovoked threat amounted to paying Ndigbo back in the wrong coin for not participating in the nationwide protest against hardship caused by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.

He expressed shock that Ndigbo would be reciprocated with such a genocidal threat even when they did not participate in the nationwide protest rocking many regions including Tinubu’s South West.

“This came to me as a shock and a big surprise. Asking Ndigbo to leave South West is as good as asking us to leave Nigeria.

“I’m so surprised and shocked they could be making such a demand when yesterday, there was no single protest in the entire South East.

“If at home our youths who are suffering the most did not join the protest against an administration headed by a Yoruba man, why then should we be punished? I rather think that Ndigbo deserve accommodation and not ejection by the West.

“In the South West there have been protests unlike South East where there has been no protest at all even when our son is not the President.

“So, it will be a disservice and dishonour to reward us with a genocidal threat to vacate South West. That means we are hated in this country just for being Igbo.

“Therefore, if they are asking us to leave the South West, they should equally help us to leave Nigeria which is not our intention anyway.”

Senator Wabara called on President Tinubu to ensure no harm comes on Ndigbo living anywhere in Nigeria, arguing that the constitution of Nigeria guarantees the right of every Nigerian to live in any part of the country without molestations.

“I call on the President and South West Governors especially Gov. Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to ensure the protection of Ndigbo living in Lagos and other parts of Yoruba land”.

According to the union, the operatives stormed the Labour House, as its headquarters is called, around 8:30 pm.

“They broke in and ransacked the bookshop on the 2nd floor carting away hundreds of books and other publications,” said a statement by the NLC’s head of Media and Public Relations, Benson Upah.

“The invading troop claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGoveranance Protests.”

The NLC is not immediately able to ascertain all the things taken away from its offices.

The raid, which was carried out six days after the #EndBadGovernance protests started, has been blasted by the union. The NLC also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the security operatives from its headquarters.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns in its entirety this new low in security operations in Nigeria. The armed security operatives showed no legal document permitting them to invade the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the ungodly hours of the night,” the NLC said.

“Even in the dark days of military rule, NLC secretariats were never invaded and ransacked by security agents. Today is indeed a very sad day for our democracy.”

Read the NLC’s full statement below:

Press Release

This evening at about 8.30 pm long after the close of work, a troop of heavily armed security operatives invaded the Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja which serves as the National Headquarters and Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The security operatives, some from the Nigeria Police Force, some wearing black tee-shirts presumably from the Department of State Services (DSS), and others on outright mufti swooped on the 10th Floor of the NLC and arrested the security operative on duty and then commandeered him to the second floor where he was asked to produce the keys to the offices. When he told them that he had no such keys on him, they broke into the 10th floor and ransacked the bookshop on the 2nd floor carting away hundreds of books and other publications. The invading troop claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGoveranance Protests.

The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns in its entirety this new low in security operations in Nigeria. The armed security operatives showed no legal document permitting them to invade the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the ungodly hours of the night. Even in the dark days of military rule, NLC secretariats were never invaded and ransacked by security agents. Today is indeed a very sad day for our democracy.

Just this afternoon, the National Executive Council of the NLC took note and vehemently condemned the high-handed manner that security agents manhandled protesters in many parts of the country and the needless bloodshed that ensued. We also condemned the sweeping mass arrests of those perceived to have led the protest. The NEC also frowned at the reckless use of ‘treason’ to describe the protest and demanded for moderation. What we did not see coming was the invasion of the Labour House by masked and heavily armed security operatives hours later.

In the light of the foregoing and the ominous sign it portends for democratic rights, freedom of speech and association, and the unimpeachable right of citizens to protest peacefully on any issue they feel strongly about, we call on the international community to take note of the deterioration of democratic principles in the bid to turn Nigeria into a Police State. Given the experience of the leadership of the NLC in recent times at the receiving end of the naked brute force of the state especially the near daylight assassination of the NLC President by security operatives and thugs, our fears of a Nigerian state that is descending into enforced brutality are well founded. We fear that the situation might deteriorate.

Given the state of things, the Nigeria Labour Congress has directed all its staff to stay away from the Labour House for now until we are certain that there are no incriminating materials or harmful substances dropped in our offices by the invading operatives. In order to allay our fears, we demand an international inquiry into this very traumatic invasion.

Finally, we demand the immediate withdrawal of the troops of invading security agents from the premises of the Labour House, Abuja. We also demand that all the books and materials carted away by the invading security operatives should be returned unfailingly to where they were taken from before the end of work tomorrow, 8th August 2024. We make this demand given the illegality of the operation as there was no court order for the invasion, ransacking and looting of the publications.

If this harassment continues, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not hesitate to call on its members to stay home until their safety and security are assured. We warn that the asphyxiation of the public space and channels for constructive engagement, dialogue and negotiations in light of the excruciating difficulties that Nigerians are going through right now would only make matters worse. A stitch in time might still save nine!

Comrade Benson Upah
Head, Media and Public Relations
Nigeria Labour Congress

7th August 2024

Channels TV

The President’s plea comes as protests continue to rock several states across the country.

Tinubu had previously addressed the nation in a national broadcast on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

In an official video released by the State House on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, President Tinubu acknowledged the difficulties faced by Nigerians, admitting that the transition has been tougher than expected.

He attributed the hardship to an “avoidable lag” between the subsidy removal and the implementation of his administration’s plans.

However, President Tinubu reassured Nigerians that his policies would ultimately yield positive results.

He said: “Fellow Nigerians, this period may be hard on us and there’s no doubt that it is tough on us but I urge you all to look beyond the present temporary pains and aim at the larger picture. All our good and helpful plans are in the works. More importantly, I know that they will work. Sadly, there was an avoidable lag between subsidy removal and these plans coming fully online.

“I plead with you, please, have faith in our ability to deliver and in our concern for your well-being. We will get out of this turbulence and due to the measures we have taken, Nigeria will be better equipped and able to take advantage of the future that awaits her.

“For example, we shall fulfill our promise to make education more affordable to all and provide loans to higher education students who may need them. No Nigerian students will have to abandon the higher education system because of a lack of money.

“Our commitment is to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people. On principle, we shall never falter, I assure you, my fellow countrymen and women, that we are exiting the darkness to enter a new and glorious dawn. Now, I must get back to work in order to make this vision come true.”

Nation

UPDATE

Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga says the below trending video of President Bola Tinubu from which this news was written is an old clip. It was released on all handles of the president’s office, misleading Nigerians into thinking it was a recent broadcast. 

The detainees, who were arrested on Tuesday in Kano, are being investigated.

The nationwide protest, which commenced on Thursday, August 1, was in response to the hardship being experienced by citizens in the country.

The spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, confirmed the arrests on Wednesday while explaining that the action was part of routine security enforcement rather than a targeted effort against Polish citizens.

Afunanya stated this while responding to questions during a briefing with the Diplomatic Corps on Wednesday in Abuja, affirming that the DSS actions were conducted in line with democratic principles and respect for human rights.

“Seven persons were picked up from Kano because of where they were found during the protest and display of foreign flag in Kano two days ago.

“As a responsible security organisation, we owe it an obligation to do some verification and ascertain basic reasons and circumstances for some cases.

“They were picked by security enforcement because of where they were when the incident happened. It is not a targeted operation on behalf of the Director-General of DSS and Nigeria,” the spokesperson explained.

He also pleaded for cooperation in maintaining global stability, urging other nations not to allow their citizens to be used as instruments for undermining domestic peace in any country.

Afunanya added, “As the foremost domestic security organisation, we believe we have to work in sync with all of you who are men of goodwill.

“Our operations must be governed by democratic principles and protocol that emphasise freedom and human rights, and of course intelligence and security governance. We obey all of these whether we are dealing with Nigerians or foreigners.

“But we have a plea. In the course of the discharging of our duty, we also see that some Nigerians definitely would want to use foreign lands as lunch pads to attack domestic peace and stability. We plead that you do not offer your country to some person who may be deviant or have a terrorist inclination in today’s global pursuit. If anything happens in a country, it affects the others.”

He also noted that “Nigeria is a country with a large population and I believe that the support other countries will give will help us.”

Punch

The new Governing Council of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, has paid its first visit to the University after its long-awaited inauguration by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Commencing the 2-day visit on Monday, members of the 8th Governing Council, led by the Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, embarked on familiarization tour of the University’s facilities and later addressed the University community during an introductory meeting at the Senator Anyim Pius Anyim’s Auditorium.

Speaking during the introductory meeting, the Pro-Chancellor, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, charged the South East governors and critical stakeholders to come up with blue-prints and innovations to re-awaken the agricultural revolutions and exploits of the Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, late Dr. Michael I. Okpara as measures to enhance self-sufficiency in food production and industrial growth of the region.

Comrade Edeh, a former National Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, assured the University community that the 8th Governing Council appointed by President Ahmed Tinubu would ensure that the University realise its core mandate in attaining food security through engagement in collaborations, innovative researches and taking extension services to farmers at the rural areas.

While appealing for unwavering support from the staff and students, the Council maintained that they would run an open door policy where no one would be sidelined and advised the university management, union leaderships and entire university work force to be reasonable in pursuing issues.

ln his remarks, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe on behalf of the management, senate, staff and students congratulated the Pro-Chancellor as well as all members of the Council on their well-deserved appointment. Prof. Iwe pointed out that the president of made no mistake in the appointment as the Council members were, “men and women of proven integrity, whose pedigree and track records in public service, politics and private lives are unblemished”.

He called on the staff to give the Council the maximum support to succeed as the university is in the hands considering the visionary, passionate, hard and smart-working men and women that made up the Council. The university helmsman while giving the historical background of the university, the numerical records of the Colleges, departments and students, hinted that there was need for recruitment of staff to close the missing staffing gap.

Other external council members that accompanied the Pro-Chancellor included Chief Olapapo Atinshola, Hon. Daniel Timothy Burak, and Yakubu A. H. Ruba (SAN). Others were 5Senator Uche Ekwunife and a representative from the the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Yusuf Sareed.

The University’s Governing Council is the highest decision-making body of the University. Its duties include setting policies, as well as reviewing, approving and monitoring the University budget.

The Council also paid a courtesy visit to the Abia State Governor at his country home at Nvosi.

The minister revealed this during an interview on AIT’s Moneyline programme on Wednesday.

He said that the high import bill is due to neighbouring countries, up to Central Africa, benefiting from the country’s fuel imports.

Edun explained that the situation was the reason President Bola Tinubu removed fuel subsidy, as the country does not know the exact amount of fuel consumed internally.

According to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the country’s petrol import was reduced to an average of one billion litres monthly after President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy on May 29 last year.

He said, “The fuel subsidy was removed May 29, 2023, by Mr President, and at that time, the poorest of 40 per cent was only getting four per cent of the value, and basically, they were not benefitting at all. So it was going to be just a few.

“Another point that I think is important is that nobody knows the consumption in Nigeria of petroleum. We know we spend $600m to import fuel every month but the issue here is that all the neighbouring countries are benefitting.

“So we are buying not for just for Nigeria, we are buying for countries to the east, almost as far as Central Africa. We are buying. We are buying for countries to the North and we are buying for countries to the West. And so we have to ask ourselves as Nigerians, how long do we want to do that for and that is the key issue regarding the issue of petroleum pricing.”

The minister also clarified that the N570bn fund release to state governments was implemented last year December.

He said, “This actually refers to a reimbursement that they received from December last year onwards and it was a reimbursement I think under the COVID financing protocol but the point is that the states have received more money. They have received more money. Mr President has charged to ensure food production in the states.”

According to him, the recent decision to raise the maximum borrowing percentage in the Ways and Means from five to 10 per cent does not imply that the Federal Government tends to rely on the Central Bank of Nigeria financing.

He also said the welfare of Nigerians remained a key priority for the current administration, particularly ensuring food availability and affordability.

Edun said, “There is a concerted effort to ensure that we have homegrown food available. In the short term, apart from what is being distributed from reserves, there is a window that has been opened for importation because the commitment of Mr President is to drive down those prices now and make food available now.”

He assured all that the measure would not undermine local farmers, as importation would only be permitted after exhausting local supplies.

He said, “So, one of the conditions for this importation will be that everything available locally in the markets or with the millers and so forth has been taken up. We will have auditors that will check that.”

He said these interventions seek to reduce inflation, stabilise exchange rates, and lower interest rates, thereby creating a conducive environment for investment and job creation.

Tribune

Justice Olayinka Faji directed the Lagos State Government to hold a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of Onifade’s death and identify and prosecute those responsible.

According to a press statement from Media Rights Agenda’s Communications Officer Idowu Adewale, the court issued these orders while delivering a judgment in a case brought by the non-governmental organization against the police and the Lagos State Government concerning the journalist’s death.

Onifade was purportedly arrested by authorities from the Lagos State Task Force while covering the #EndSARS protests in 2020, and he was later discovered dead in a mortuary in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Charles Musa, a Lagos-based lawyer, filed the originating summons on August 4, 2021, on behalf of Media Rights Agenda (MRA) against the Lagos State Commissioner of Police (COP), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Attorney-General of Lagos State.

The suit, filed under Sections 6(6) and 46(1) as well as 33, 35, and 39 of the 1999 Constitution; Articles 4, 5, and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2004; and Order II Rules 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, sought several declarations, including:

• That the shooting of Onifade in Oko Oba, Agege, by agents of the COP and IGP on October 24, 2020, during his journalistic duties, was unconstitutional and violated his fundamental rights under section 33 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter.
• That Onifade’s arrest and detention by the same agents on that date was unconstitutional and violated his rights under sections 35, 39, and 46(1) of the Constitution, and Articles 5 and 9 of the African Charter.
• That the respondents’ duties do not include unlawfully detaining innocent individuals without charges or a court finding of guilt.
• That the COP and IGP are obligated to investigate crimes against Onifade, who was exercising his right to freedom of expression.

MRA also requested the court to direct the respondents to conduct a transparent, impartial, and independent investigation into the circumstances of Onifade’s death, to carry out a coroner’s inquest, and to identify and prosecute those responsible.

In his ruling, Justice Faji noted that despite being served with the summons and other legal documents, neither the COP nor the IGP responded. He also pointed out that MRA’s Program Officer John Gbadamosi, who provided the supporting affidavit, did not witness the relevant events and that there was no documentation proving that Onifade’s body was taken to a mortuary. Consequently, the claims against the police were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Justice Faji commended the Attorney-General of Lagos State’s office for its participation in the case. However, he noted that the explanation given for the lack of a coroner’s inquest—namely, the failure to forward the case file to the Attorney-General’s office—was insufficient. The Attorney-General’s representative had indicated a willingness to conduct an inquest.

Justice Faji concluded that while the Attorney-General was not implicated in the alleged unlawful killing, the office has a duty to investigate the circumstances of Onifade’s death. He directed the Attorney-General to ensure a thorough investigation, conduct a coroner’s inquest, and prosecute those found responsible.

News Central

Security agencies have identified and blocked sources of external funding for the #EndBadGovernance protests in the country.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun stated this at a joint press briefing hosted by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday.

He affirmed that the police are careful in managing the crisis and never deploy water cannons or rubber bullets.

The police chief said that the shooting of an innocent protester in Kubwa Abuja was not done by the force.

He stated: “Nobody fired gunshots and we didn’t use force. In the midst of the protest, we arrested criminals who stole and committed other offenses.”

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Musa said that the military and security agencies are after those behind the call for undemocratic change of government.

He said the military knew that some protesters calling for regime change were sponsored, adding that the military and other security agencies are trailing them to bring them to book.

The CDS stated: “I want to appreciate Nigerians for their understanding, for their commitment to upholding the law and order.

“We have had issues in the past few days, but you can see that people have seen reason for us not to continue with the destruction, to stop the looting, to stop giving opportunities for others to subvert our nation and to destroy our nation.

“They have also seen reasons to join hands together with the security forces to make Nigeria better.

“We want to assure them we on this side that we are fully committed to Nigeria, we love the country, we are mindful of the fact that we have been equipped and so we are duty bound to protect the country.

“We are only after those that are against the states, not those that are innocent.

“So, I want to make that very clear and we will continue to work together as a team to support Mr president in achieving his mandate of peace and tranquility in our dear country Nigeria.”

The CDS called for the collaboration of all other agencies to ensure that they achieve success and called for calm, mediation, discussion, dialogue towards national unity and cohesion as one great country.

He said the Nigerian military is people-centric in all its activities, adding they are not interested in anybody being killed or injured or being prosecuted, except those that crossed the line.

He said the joint news conference was an opportunity to show that the military and all the security agencies were working as a team in line with the mandate of the president.

On his part, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the main operational commitment of the army is to deploy resources to combat the protests that had turned riots to ensure sustainable peace in the country.

Lagbaja said the army under his command is more concerned about bringing the country to a state of sustainable peace and security, adding that attention had not been diverted from its main operational commitment in combating terrorism and banditry.

He said: “I checked the number of patrols that troops conduct, the number of ambushes that are undertaken on daily basis, the number of violent insurgents that have been eliminated, incapacitated and other indices, and it has not dropped by whatever measure.

“Also we have continued to expand the frontier of peace and security in Borno state.

“IDP’s are being returned back to Kukawa and some other places as I speak to you, which are indices of return to peace and stability.

“So, the troops are not relenting in their operational commitment in the field on our contingency plan in the event that the situation degenerates.

“I want to also assure you that our estimates looking into the future suggests that the situation will not degenerate but we need cooperation of every stakeholder in Nigeria to achieve that.”

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, said the Navy had continued to work with other services and security agencies to ensure safety and security in the maritime domain.

Ogalla reiterated the commitment of the navy to sustain its operations in the Niger Delta to ensure that the nation’s meets its oil production capacity.

He said the operations had led to increase in oil output and boost the revenue generation from oil that would help the nation to meet the needs of the citizens.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, said the Nigerian Air Force remained committed to ensuring successful operations in all operational engagements of the armed forces.

He said the military was mindful of it commitment to defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

Comptroller-General of Immigration Services (NIS), Kemi Nandap, announced that sponsors of the protest have been placed on its watchlist.

She said the individuals who are in the diaspora would be arrested immediately they step their legs on Nigerian soil.

She spoke shortly after a strategic meeting convened by the Chief of Defence Staff.

The NIS boss stated: “We have diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to appropriate authority.”

She added that the Service has deployed more officers to borders both land and airports in response to the protest to ensure effective manning of those entry and exit points.

She revealed that NIS has also stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country.

On his part, the Comptroller-General of Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, noted that the service will begin implementation of weaver of taxes on import food items and drugs by next week.

According to him, the suspension of duties and taxes on imported pharmaceuticals will reduce food prices.

Speaking on the measures by the Federal Government to bring down food prices, he said: “The protest was premised on a number of things, one of them being to end hunger. We discovered that a significant amount of food consumed in Nigeria is imported. Importation takes some time. So one of the things the president has done to cushion the effect of the cost of importation is to suspend customs duties and taxes on imported food items for a period of time.

“We believe that when this is implemented, it will help to bring down prices of food items in the markets. Nigerian Customs is committed to the implementation of this particular fiscal policy as enunciated by the government,” he said.

The Customs boss explained that the delay in the implementation of the tax weaver after President Bola Tinubu directive last week was due to delay in the implementation guidelines from the Ministry of Finance.

Adeniyi said: “One of the things that the President has done is to reduce the cost of food to reduce the effects of inflation by suspending customs duties and taxes on imported food items for a period of time. We believe that when this is implemented it will help to reduce prices of food items in the market.

“The Nigeria Customs is committed to the implementation of this particular fiscal policy as enunciated by the government. But we need to be very careful in implementation of this policy, and this is why the guidelines for implementation are being meticulously worked out at the Ministry of Finance.

Adeniyi said: “One of the things that the President has done is to reduce the cost of food to reduce the effects of inflation by suspending customs duties and taxes on imported food items for a period of time. We believe that when this is implemented it will help to reduce prices of food items in the market.

“The Nigeria Customs is committed to the implementation of this particular fiscal policy as enunciated by the government. But we need to be very careful in implementation of this policy, and this is why the guidelines for implementation are being meticulously worked out at the Ministry of Finance.

“We must address the interest of all the stakeholders, because most of these food items are going to enjoy duty waivers and concessions are also being cultivated locally. And so there is the interest to strike.

“There is the issue of striking a balance between the interest, the long term interest of nigerian farmers, nigerian stakeholders who are involved in the production of these items and the short term interest of addressing food inflation.

“So the guidelines are being worked out at the Ministry of Finance and I can assure you that within the next one week these guidelines will be ready and Nigeria customs would begin implementation of these particular fiscal policies.”

The Customs boss therefore urged Nigerians to be a little patient for the policy to take off, assuring that prices of food items would come down.

The spokesman to the Department of State Service (DSS), Dr. Peter Afunanya, also told journalists that some sponsors of the foreign flags protest have been arrested.

He called for patience on the part of Nigerians as their identities will be disclosed soon.

Tribune

Obasanjo stated this in a short news documentary film recently published by the Financial Times.

This is even as he faulted how President Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy without putting measures in place before the removal.

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. Not just wake up one morning and say you removed the subsidy.

“Because of inflation, the subsidy that we have removed is not gone. It has come back,” the former President stressed.

He said there must be investor confidence in Nigeria.

“You have to go from transactional economy to transformational economy”, he added.

His remark comes amid the ongoing hunger protests in Nigeria.

The protests, which commenced on Thursday, entered day 6 on Tuesday with a major demand for the return of the fuel subsidy regime.

Ripples

The #EndBadGovernance protesters in Rivers State on Tuesday marched in large numbers to the Port Harcourt residence of the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

In a viral video, the protesters could be seen chanting and carrying placards with various inscriptions.

The majority of the protesters were seen sitting on the tarred road in front of Wike’s mansion which was heavily guarded by uniformed police officers.

The FCT Minister, who has openly opposed the nationwide protests, also made efforts to stop the demonstration in the nation’s capital.

Wike, while speaking in Abuja after he inspected the ongoing construction of a 5-kilometre access road to Saburi 1 and 2 in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), had earlier urged the FCT resident not to join the protest, saying the President was aware of the problem and working hard to address the challenges.

Tribune

He highlighted Ondo State’s proactive approach in worker welfare, recalling that it was the first state to pay the N35,000 Wage Award and had continued to pay beyond the initially stipulated six months. The state also extended these benefits to retirees and workers in state-owned tertiary institutions, aiming to alleviate the economic challenges faced by the population.

Philip stated, “Before the bill was assented to by the President, the Governor had given his word that Ondo State will pay whatever minimum wage is agreed upon and assented to by Mr. President. We are currently preparing to implement the new minimum wage as soon as the salary table details are finalized.”

He praised Governor Aiyedatiwa’s inclusive leadership style, which he credited for the absence of protests in the state. Philip noted that various groups, including youths, market women, students, and public servants, were not participating in protests due to the governor’s effective engagement with the community.

“The tranquility observed across the state is a reflection of our governor’s connection with the people’s feelings and aspirations. Ondo State’s government is truly representative of its people, and thus, we cannot organize a protest against ourselves,” Philip concluded.

Tribune