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Just in: FG ready to pay outstanding wage award before August 15, promotion arrears to follow
The Federal Government has assured public servants that the outstanding wage award will be paid before the middle of August, while promotion arrears are being processed as part of ongoing efforts to fulfil its commitments to workers.
The assurance was given by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir.
The Minister said government had already commenced work on many of the issues presented by the Council even before receiving its formal communication, adding that the administration remains committed to resolving legitimate labour concerns through constructive engagement.
“When government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented,” the Minister said.
He disclosed that the necessary release for payment of the outstanding wage award was being concluded and expressed confidence that eligible public servants would begin receiving the payment before the middle of the month.
The Minister also assured the delegation that promotion arrears were receiving the required attention, with the outstanding batches being processed in line with established procedures.
He directed officials to immediately review all documents presented by the Council, work with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and accelerate action on all outstanding matters requiring government intervention.
Oyedele acknowledged the concerns expressed by organised labour over delays in implementing some agreements but assured the delegation that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen trust through openness, regular consultation and prompt action.
“Our objective is to build a system where issues are resolved proactively. We want workers to have confidence that once government gives its word, it will honour that commitment,” he said.
Earlier, the National President of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, commended the Minister for receiving the delegation and appealed for the speedy resolution of pending labour issues, including the outstanding wage award, promotion arrears, salary relativity concerns affecting health workers and other matters affecting public servants.
He said timely implementation of the outstanding commitments would further strengthen industrial harmony and boost workers’ confidence in government’s resolve to address their welfare.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with organised labour to ensure that approved workers’ entitlements are processed and released without avoidable delays.
He said the Ministry would continue to engage relevant government institutions to fast track the resolution of outstanding labour issues, stressing that constructive dialogue remains the most effective path to sustaining industrial harmony.
The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, assured the labour delegation that government was making steady progress in addressing outstanding workers’ entitlements.
He disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, which was inadvertently omitted during the earlier payment exercise, is now being processed alongside Batch 9, expressing confidence that beneficiaries would begin receiving their payments once processing is completed.
Danjuma further stated that the Federal Government is working assiduously to address the issue of the Peculiar Allowance and other outstanding labour related matters in collaboration with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Providing an update on the payment process, the Director, Cash Management Department, Federal Ministry of Finance, Christiana Osho, disclosed that reconciliation for the outstanding wage award had been completed and that the payment release was at its final stage.
She explained that once the release is effected, eligible public servants will begin receiving the outstanding wage award, while processing of the outstanding promotion arrears continues in line with the approved schedule.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue and collaboration to ensure the timely resolution of outstanding labour issues and the continued promotion of industrial harmony across the Federal Public Service.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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