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Minimum Wage: Begin to save money to pay arrears, Labour tells Governors

President of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, told the 36 state State governors to start saving funds that would be used to pay arrears of the new minimum wage when it comes in force.
Comrade Osifo gave the advice when he received some executive members of the Kogi State government led by the former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade and Special Adviser to the governor on Labour Matters, Onu Edoka at the TUC headquarters, Abuja.
While responding to the statement by Comrade Edoka on his statement that Kogi State government is currently paying the N30,000 minimum wage, Osifo said that what should bother the state now is how to pay the new minimum wage when it is finally settled.
He said, “On the issue of the minimum wage what we wish to also say is that we are not at this moment even dwelling on the N30,000 again because we know that by the grace of God, before the end of July, maximum early August, the new minimum wage act should be there.
“It should have moved from the stage of submission to the National Assembly to the stage of bill and to be assented to by the President. What we are working on from both labour centres is that before the end of July, we should have a new minimum wage that must have passed through the processes, that must have been assented to by the President so that the plight of the workers will improve much more so that the current economic challenges that we are facing as a country will be improved upon and an average worker will be able to go to market and buy one or two things to take care of his or her family because of this skyrocketing inflation that we have today in our country.
“So I wish to also appeal to you all that when you go back, please let’s keep reminding His Excellency because I was listening to a state, I think Nasarawa State, that said they have started setting aside some money to meet the new obligations when the new minimum wage is passed.
“So I wish to also appeal that in Kogi, let that be the top priority amidst this scarcity of income, amidst this scarcity of revenue. Let the state pay the new minimum wage when it is implemented and also manage the consequential adjustment so that at the end of the day, the workers will be better off for it.
“I’m also happy when you said the workers’ salaries are paid promptly. It’s quite good because if you do that, you are even reinforcing and improving the GDP of your state because when you pay a worker, he is going to go to shop and buy foodstuff.
“He is going to go to that industry, to that company and buy their products. But when a worker is not paid, then he will not be able to buy those products from those companies and at the end of the day, those companies will store their products in the warehouses because nobody could afford them because there is no money to buy them.
“So I encourage you to continue in that regard, to pay salary promptly and also to implement the new minimum wage.
“Then I wish to also use this opportunity to speak to all other states as well that they should be putting plans in place to implement the new minimum wage because in Labour today, we are totally ready because when the new minimum wage act is passed, we are going to follow it state by state to ensure that it is implemented.
“So let the workers have a sigh of relief and we have the trust and the belief that with the high labour representation in Kogi state government today, we believe that Kogi state government will do the needful.
“We also call on the President, the National Assembly, let everybody expedite the process of passing the new national minimum wage.
“As you are aware, labour we have submitted N250,000, the government and organized private sector N62,000. Let both parties, let all parties come together, resolve and have a common front so that the President will be able to send the bill to National Assembly and at the end of the day, we will have a new national minimum wage. This is key, this is a topic that is germane for all Labour unions today in Nigeria.”
Speaking earlier, Edoka said that the Kogi State government has currently cleared hundred percent, backlog of salaries as well as pensions owed to the state workers and pensioners as part of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s determination and efforts to enthroning a new era where workers welfare is prioritized.
He said that the State government under Ododo has taken the issue of workers’ welfare as a priority and is equally doing everything within its powers to put in place measures to ensure that the State workers interest are promoted and protected.
He said, “The governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo is already carrying out some labour friendly interventions in the interest of workers State workers. As of today, there is prompt payment of salaries to the Kogi workers as early as 24th of the month.” He said and also added that; “Payment of 100% to pensioners in both the State and Local Government levels are prompt.”
He also listed that the State governor currently ensures the; “Implementation of a 35% hazard allowance to all categories of State Health Workers. Payment of six (6) months Health Insurance Scheme for all State Workers to the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency as take off for the workforce. Harmonized CONMESS salary structure for veterinary doctors in Kogi State, and high improved salaries of Local Government Workers to 90%.”
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Nigerian Banks’ Customers To Pay N6 Per SMS Transaction Alert From Today

Bank customers in Nigeria will begin paying N6 for each SMS transaction alert starting Thursday, May 1, 2025, following an upward adjustment in telecommunications service rates recently approved by the federal government.
The new fee represents a 50 percent increase from the previous N4 charge per message and has been communicated by several commercial banks to their customers ahead of the implementation.
Guaranty Trust Bank Limited was among those that issued notices. In an email to customers titled “Increase in SMS Transaction Alert Fee,” the bank explained that the revision was necessitated by higher charges from telecommunications providers. “Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that effective Thursday, May 1, 2025, the SMS transaction alert fee will increase from N4 to N6 per message. This adjustment is due to a recent increase in telecom rates as communicated by the telecommunication service providers,” the notice read.
The bank emphasized the importance of SMS alerts, stating they are essential tools for customers to monitor and maintain control over their account activities. It also noted that SMS alerts sent to international phone numbers would incur additional charges.
The increase in telecom rates and corresponding adjustment in SMS alert fees come amid broader concerns over rising costs of living and digital access in the country.
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NJC slams three judges

National Judicial Commission, NJC has slammed three judges for gross misconduct.
The NJC spokesperson, Mrs. Kemi Babalola, said the decision was taken at its 108th meeting held in Abuja between April 29 and 30.
Part of the statement reads: “The council suspends Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang, Court of Appeal, Uyo division, for one year without pay, as the Investigation Committee found
His Lordship to have breached Rule 3 (5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
“Hon. Justice Inyang was found to have abused his office by issuing inappropriate ex-parte orders for the sale of Hon. Udeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at interlocutory stage of the case.
“The act of judicial misconduct occurred while His Lordship presided over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, at the Federal High Court, Uyo judicial division, before his elevation to Court of Appeal.
“Furthermore, Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja division, has been placed on suspension for one year without pay. His Lordship was also placed on a watch-list for five years and barred from elevation for five years.
“The complaints against Hon. Justice Ekwo arose from Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021, wherein His Lordship delivered a ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties.
“His Lordship ignored an application to set aside the proceedings of the court conducted in the absence of the parties.
“Subsequently, His Lordship proceeded to deliver a ruling dismissing the charge against the defendants.
“Consequently, His Lordship was found to have violated Rule 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Council also suspended Hon. Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division for a period of one year without pay for judicial misconduct in breach of Rule 3 (1) and 5 of the 2016 Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
“It also placed His Lordship on the watch-list for three years, within which period he is barred from elevation.
“Hon. Justice Baffa was found liable for act of judicial misconduct in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021, the Government of Zamfara State vs EFCC, wherein His Lordship granted an order restraining security agencies from carrying out their statutory duties, and disregarded the doctrine of stare decisis in adjudication of the case.
“The Council also issued a letter of caution to Hon. Justice A. O. Awogboro of Federal High Court, Lagos division in a petition filed by one Kasali Azeez Olagoke and S. Hamza in Suit No. FHC/CS/2021 between Chief Adesanya Musediku against the Assistant General of Police, Onikan, Zone 2.
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“The petition against Hon. Justice Othman A. Musa of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory was put in abeyance pending the outcome of the decision of the Court of Appeal arising from Suit No. FCT/HS/BW/2274/15.
“The petition against Hon. Justice C. N. Mbonu Nwenyi of the High Court of Anambra State by one Prof. Paul C. Obianaso was discountenanced after investigation revealed that there was no misconduct on the part of His Lordship.
“Another petition against Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo in suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2015 was put in abeyance pending the outcome of appeal before the Court of Appeal.
“Council discountenanced a petition by Mrs Adaku Amadi against Hon. Justice R. B. Haastrup of the National Industrial Court, as the petitioner withdrew her complaints.
“Council equally considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which contained a total number of 43 petitions.
“Nine committees were empanelled for further investigation of 11petitions, while 29 petitions were dismissed for lacking in merit.
“Three petitions against Hon. Justice Abubakar Babashani of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory; Hon. Justice Isaac Essien of the National Industrial Court; and Hon. Justice A. O. Musa of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory by Henry Chinweike Okoro; Ikemefuna Stephen Nwoye, Esq.; and Lassborn Chichebem Orjiugo, respectively, were put in abeyance pending the decisions of the Court of Appeal.
“Council also considered a petition by one Mahmud Aliyu against the appointment of three Judges to the High Court of Zamfara State.
“The petitioner complained that the exercise conducted in 2022 by the Zamfara State Judicial Service Commission, which led to the emergence of shortlisted candidates, was not transparent and was characterized by nepotism, high-handedness and non-compliance with Rules 4, 5 and 6 of the NJC guidelines for the appointment of Judicial Officers 2014.
“That the nominees were unilaterally picked by the Chairman of the Zamfara State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in disregard of the NJC guidelines on merit-based assessment.”
“Council, however, deliberated on its committee’s findings on the petition and resolved that the petitioner was an interested party who had indicated interest but was not selected as a candidate.”
“Council noted that the petitioner’s allegations were unsubstantiated and substantially based on falsehood.
It, therefore, resolved that the “petitioner who was a candidate for judicial appointment and intentionally peddled falsehoods against another aspiring judicial officer will be barred from participation in any future exercise.
“In a petition to probe the recruitment exercise for the appointment of six Federal High Court Judges in 2021 by one Abdullahi Liman, the Council noted that the petition violated Section 11 (1) of the Judicial Discipline Regulations which stipulated that a complaint must be filed within six months of the occurrence of the event or matter complained of, whereas the petitioner filed his complaints on the 22nd day of January, 2025.
“It also resolved that a petition on the unconstitutional composition of Oyo State Judicial Service Commission written by Monday Adjeh has been overtaken by events.
“The Council also accepted the voluntary retirement of Hon. Justice Babatunde Ahmed Ademola Bakre and approved the notification of change of name of Hon. Justice I. A. Osayande to Hon. Justice I. A. Dika of the Edo State High Court.
“Council at the meeting, finally resolved that henceforth, the names of candidates being considered for appointment as judicial officers to superior courts of records will be published for information and comments by the public.
“The primary objective of this initiative is to solicit comments from the public where there is objection to the integrity, reputation and/or competence of the candidates by opening the process to public participation and scrutiny.”
The NJC spokesperson, Mrs. Kemi Babalola, said the decision was taken at its 108th meeting held in Abuja between April 29 and 30.
Part of the statement reads: “The council suspends Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang, Court of Appeal, Uyo division, for one year without pay, as the Investigation Committee found
His Lordship to have breached Rule 3 (5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
“Hon. Justice Inyang was found to have abused his office by issuing inappropriate ex-parte orders for the sale of Hon. Udeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at interlocutory stage of the case.
“The act of judicial misconduct occurred while His Lordship presided over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, at the Federal High Court, Uyo judicial division, before his elevation to Court of Appeal.
“Furthermore, Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja division, has been placed on suspension for one year without pay. His Lordship was also placed on a watch-list for five years and barred from elevation for five years.
“The complaints against Hon. Justice Ekwo arose from Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021, wherein His Lordship delivered a ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties.
“His Lordship ignored an application to set aside the proceedings of the court conducted in the absence of the parties.
“Subsequently, His Lordship proceeded to deliver a ruling dismissing the charge against the defendants.
“Consequently, His Lordship was found to have violated Rule 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Council also suspended Hon. Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division for a period of one year without pay for judicial misconduct in breach of Rule 3 (1) and 5 of the 2016 Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
“It also placed His Lordship on the watch-list for three years, within which period he is barred from elevation.
“Hon. Justice Baffa was found liable for act of judicial misconduct in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021, the Government of Zamfara State vs EFCC, wherein His Lordship granted an order restraining security agencies from carrying out their statutory duties, and disregarded the doctrine of stare decisis in adjudication of the case.
“The Council also issued a letter of caution to Hon. Justice A. O. Awogboro of Federal High Court, Lagos division in a petition filed by one Kasali Azeez Olagoke and S. Hamza in Suit No. FHC/CS/2021 between Chief Adesanya Musediku against the Assistant General of Police, Onikan, Zone 2.
“The petition against Hon. Justice Othman A. Musa of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory was put in abeyance pending the outcome of the decision of the Court of Appeal arising from Suit No. FCT/HS/BW/2274/15.
“The petition against Hon. Justice C. N. Mbonu Nwenyi of the High Court of Anambra State by one Prof. Paul C. Obianaso was discountenanced after investigation revealed that there was no misconduct on the part of His Lordship.
“Another petition against Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo in suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2015 was put in abeyance pending the outcome of appeal before the Court of Appeal.
“Council discountenanced a petition by Mrs Adaku Amadi against Hon. Justice R. B. Haastrup of the National Industrial Court, as the petitioner withdrew her complaints.
“Council equally considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which contained a total number of 43 petitions.
“Nine committees were empanelled for further investigation of 11petitions, while 29 petitions were dismissed for lacking in merit.
“Three petitions against Hon. Justice Abubakar Babashani of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory; Hon. Justice Isaac Essien of the National Industrial Court; and Hon. Justice A. O. Musa of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory by Henry Chinweike Okoro; Ikemefuna Stephen Nwoye, Esq.; and Lassborn Chichebem Orjiugo, respectively, were put in abeyance pending the decisions of the Court of Appeal.
“Council also considered a petition by one Mahmud Aliyu against the appointment of three Judges to the High Court of Zamfara State.
“The petitioner complained that the exercise conducted in 2022 by the Zamfara State Judicial Service Commission, which led to the emergence of shortlisted candidates, was not transparent and was characterized by nepotism, high-handedness and non-compliance with Rules 4, 5 and 6 of the NJC guidelines for the appointment of Judicial Officers 2014.
“That the nominees were unilaterally picked by the Chairman of the Zamfara State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in disregard of the NJC guidelines on merit-based assessment.”
“Council, however, deliberated on its committee’s findings on the petition and resolved that the petitioner was an interested party who had indicated interest but was not selected as a candidate.”
“Council noted that the petitioner’s allegations were unsubstantiated and substantially based on falsehood.
It, therefore, resolved that the “petitioner who was a candidate for judicial appointment and intentionally peddled falsehoods against another aspiring judicial officer will be barred from participation in any future exercise.
“In a petition to probe the recruitment exercise for the appointment of six Federal High Court Judges in 2021 by one Abdullahi Liman, the Council noted that the petition violated Section 11 (1) of the Judicial Discipline Regulations which stipulated that a complaint must be filed within six months of the occurrence of the event or matter complained of, whereas the petitioner filed his complaints on the 22nd day of January, 2025.
“It also resolved that a petition on the unconstitutional composition of Oyo State Judicial Service Commission written by Monday Adjeh has been overtaken by events.
“The Council also accepted the voluntary retirement of Hon. Justice Babatunde Ahmed Ademola Bakre and approved the notification of change of name of Hon. Justice I. A. Osayande to Hon. Justice I. A. Dika of the Edo State High Court.
“Council at the meeting, finally resolved that henceforth, the names of candidates being considered for appointment as judicial officers to superior courts of records will be published for information and comments by the public.
“The primary objective of this initiative is to solicit comments from the public where there is objection to the integrity, reputation and/or competence of the candidates by opening the process to public participation and scrutiny.”
News
Zed-Faith Foundation Donates Food, Medical Supplies to Orphanage, Elderly Homes in FCT

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to ease the impact of rising food prices and economic hardship, the Zed-Faith Foundation International has donated food items and medical supplies to Ark of Refuge Orphanage and Old People’s Home in Kado, Abuja.
The items were distributed over the weekend by representatives of the Foundation on behalf of its Founder and Chairman, Amb. Daniel Onyeka Newman, a UK-based Nigerian and Chief Executive Officer of SBI.
The Foundation’s Media Consultant, Amb. Victor Atewe, who led the delegation, said the donation was a personal initiative by the Chairman and not funded by government or external bodies.
“These items are intended to directly support the children and elderly, and we trust they will be used solely for that purpose,” Atewe said.
He added that the Foundation plans to continue its outreach efforts across the country, noting that the economic situation has made daily survival increasingly difficult for vulnerable groups.
The Foundation also used the occasion to urge the federal government to collaborate more with credible non-governmental organisations in supporting disadvantaged populations, especially as inflation and food insecurity worsen.
Speaking on behalf of the Country Representative, Mr. Chinnaya Dominic Chikwado, the Foundation’s Administrative Officer, Mr. Udodirim Okorie, called on well-meaning Nigerians to support charitable causes and contribute to alleviating the burden on those most affected by the country’s economic crisis.
Representatives of the Old People’s Home and Ark of Refuge Orphanage expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely and impactful. They noted that such support helps bridge the gap in essential services for the elderly and children in their care.
“This donation will go a long way in meeting our daily needs.”
“We thank the Foundation for its continued support, especially during such challenging times.”
“Even the smallest gesture makes a big difference to those who have no one else to turn to.”
“We hope others are inspired to follow suit and remember those most in need.”
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