News
Oshiomhole Laments Poverty Stricken Nature of Nigerian Workers Under Tinubu’s Govt
A former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has lamented that the present day Nigerian workers are poorer than those who worked for the country in the past.
Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State, also decried the present N70,000 minimum wage, arguing that the celebrated wage when converted to dollars, is equivalent to only $42.
The former labour leader spoke at the National Institute of Security Studies, Abuja, during a distinguished personality lecture organised for members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17.
Comparing the first minimum wage in the country under the administration of Shehu Shagari as President, he noted that the N125 minimum wage at that time was equivalent to $160.
The lawmaker, who spoke on the title of the lecture: “National Minimum Wage: Reward system and productivity in Africa”, said: “When minimum wage in Nigeria was established under President Shagari – I think around 1981 – it was around N125, which was about $160 a month.
“Today, with the fat increase – 100% increase that the labour achieved last year, which is now being implemented this month – according to our current exchange rate, is $42.
“So, if you divide N70,000 by N1,650, it gives you $42. So, the working people are much poorer now than we were so many years ago. So, this opportunity will depreciate, and that affects the quality of life and everything.”
He urged the Federal government and other states generating high revenues to pay workers more than the agreed N70,000 minimum wage.
The Senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly also called for the expansion of minimum wage law to domestic staff, among others, through the amendment of the law.
He said: “But again, if you look at the law in Nigeria, which I hope will be able to amend very soon, although the Federal government and the states have agreed on a minimum wage, for example, at N70,000, there are still people who are paying less than that.
“Even under the law, because it says you have to have about 25 to 50 employees minimum for that law to be applicable to a particular enterprise. But with the changing technology, a small ICT company employing 10 people can generate much turnover. So, using the number of employees was appropriate when the economy was more broad-driven not with ICT.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an urgent investigation into a recent military-style parade in honour of Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
Describing the incident as a gross violation of military traditions, Atiku criticized the display, which he said undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
His media adviser Paul Ibe, in a statement on Sunday, said Atiku expressed outrage over a video circulating online that showed Seyi Tinubu receiving military honours from a group of young men in full military regalia.
He described the act as an “aberration” and demanded accountability.
Atiku specifically took issue with the group behind the display, the so-called “Nigeria Cadet Network,” which he alleged is not a recognized body within the Nigerian military.
“It is with utter dismay and concern that Nigerians were subjected to a nauseating video where a group of young men, armed and in full military procession, bestowed upon the President’s son unwarranted military honours,” the statement read.
Atiku noted that the use of the title “Cadet,” typically associated with young, formally trained military personnel, by an unregistered civilian group amounted to an exploitation of the military’s esteemed traditions.
The former Vice President also raised alarm over the apparent use of firearms during the parade, stressing the dangers of illegal arms proliferation in Nigeria.
“In an effort to uncover the truth behind this shameless procession, we instructed our legal team and military experts to investigate the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network.’
To no one’s surprise, it was revealed that the group is not a legally registered entity,” Atiku stated.
“What is even more alarming is the brazen use of firearms by civilians in this so-called parade, at a time when illegal arms proliferation is at a dangerous high in our country.”
Atiku has called on Nigerian security agencies to urgently investigate the following: The legitimacy of the “Nigeria Cadet Network” and its use of the military title Cadet, the source and legality of the firearms displayed by members of the group, and the appropriateness of granting military honours to Seyi Tinubu by non-commissioned civilians under security protection.
Atiku emphasized the importance of protecting the reputation and traditions of the Nigerian Armed Forces, urging authorities to ensure accountability for any violations of the law.
“If it is determined that any legal violations were committed by the President’s son or members of the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network,’ it is the constitutional duty of Nigerian security agencies to ensure that the law takes its course and those responsible are held accountable,” Atiku asserted.
The viral video, which emerged recently, has generated widespread debate and criticism on social media, with many questioning the implications of the parade for Nigeria’s military discipline and the rule of law.
Apart from the two rescued victims of the Jeju Air plane that crash-landed at the Muan International Airport in Muan County, South Korea, the remainder of the 181 passengers on board have been presumed dead.
The accident occurred early Sunday morning with the aircraft colliding with a wall at the Airport and exploding.
“Jeju Air will spare no effort to respond to the accident.
“We are currently working to determine the exact cause and details of the situation,” an official of Jeju Air said.
“The aircraft has been in operation for 15 years with no history of accidents,” Jeju Air said in a statement.
South Korean authorities confirmed 96 dead so far.
The unfortunate situation has seriously affected flight operations at the airport.
“We deeply apologize to all those affected by the incident at Muan Airport. We will make every effort to resolve the situation. We sincerely regret the distress caused,” said the statement posted on Jeju Air’s website.
When it veered off the runway, the Jeju Air flight was coming from Bangkok and was trying to land at Muan International Airport.
Universities in the United States have urged international students to resume before president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Trump is set to be sworn in on January 20.
The universities advised international students to return early from winter break amid promises of another travel ban by the incoming president.
Many international students were stranded abroad when Trump imposed a travel ban at the start of his first administration.
The president-elect has been vocal about his hardline immigration stance.
Some of the actions Trump has promised to take include a travel ban on people from predominantly Muslim countries and the revocation of student visas of “radical anti-American and anti-semitic foreigners”.
