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Organised Labour Oppose Move to Place Labour Matters on Concurrent List

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…as women support more seats in NASS, State Assembly 
 
…traditional rulers advocate constitutional roles 
 
By Gloria Ikibah 
 
The Organised Labour has rejected the proposed amendment to transfer Labour related issues from the ‘Exclusive List to ‘Concurrent List’ in the Constitution.
 
Representative of the Organised Labour South East Zone, Comrade Uche Chikemedu, gave their position at the South East Zonal Public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution for Imo and Abia States held in Owerri on Saturday. 
 
Chikemedu said that they are against the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, to alter the Prohibition of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to transfer labour, industrial relations, industrial goods, and minimum wage from the exclusive list to the concurrent list, and other labour-related matters. 
 
He said, “We are here to reject it, even with more buoyancy than the last constitution of amendment. And if you may permit, we have reasons to that effect. One, the history of labour matter being on the exclusive list is rich. It was a product of administrative potency and confidence. 
 
“Labour initiative derives potentially from International Labour Organisation protocols and recommendations. The International Labour Organisation established in 1919 to oversee and regulate labour matters across member countries and sub-regions. 
 
“This explains the near uniformity of labour laws across nations. 17 days after our independence, in 1960 Nigeria adopted the ILO Convention, 89 and 98. This adoption was as a result of the recognised sovereignty of Nigeria as a country. Nigeria, and of course, established her membership of the ILO. 
 
“This means that members of ILO, is absolutely contingent and sovereignty. Therefore, the regulated labour to state will create problems as states are not sovereign entities. This may lead to a very serious judicial dismay in this country. 
 
“Your Excellency, my Honorable Sir, moving labour matters from the exclusive list to the concurrent list is becoming the real correct decimal of national relationship discourse. During the last cycle of the Constitutional Amendment, the Nigeria Labour Congress rejected violently, and today, we are here to do the same”.
 
On the the National Industrial Court, Chikemedu said that, in the act establishing it, is completely exclusive national court with juridictions over persons across length and breadth of the nation on labour and related matters. 
 
“This is a deep respect of the uniqueness of labour. Labour matters being retained on the exclusive list. 
 
“The number three is the National Minimum Wage. We all know that the National Minimum Wage serves as a primary social protection scheme that provides a minimum income flow to safeguard a low-income lineage of workers. Therefore, the relegation of labour means destroying the National Minimum Wage. 
 
“Also note, sir, the National Minimum Wage is a global standard established by international labour organisations, ILO, through a binding law. Nigeria signed into on the 16th of June, 1961. This law was established through a minimum wage fixed in Missionary Convention 026 of 1928 and the scheme is seen in many democracies practising federalism. Already, some states have started violating the law enacted by the National Assembly of Minimum Wage if labour is deregulated”, he added..
 
Women groups also supported the proposal to provide additional seats for women in the National and States Assemblies, as they say it will help increase women participation in politics and governance as well as its accompanying advantages to the nation.
 
Speaking on behalf of the women Groups, Hon.Dr. Blessing Nwabala said, “The time has come for Nigerian women to reflect on the whole face of democracy. And democracy is incomplete when half of the population is missing from the table.
 
“Sir, by supporting this bill, you have not only answered the cry of Nigerian women, you have answered the call of history. This is not just a women’s bill, it is a people’s bill. The bill seeks to contain the Constitution to resolve, to establish 182 seats in the National Assembly. These are not only seats…They are tools for justice and national progress. 
 
“Being a small, we started living in rural areas, schools, markets, churches and what we needed. Give us a voice…They said, give us a voice. Give our daughters a future. We have waited long enough. This was what we heard. Very too slow, they said. We are tired of carrying this burden alone.
 
“Let our women lead us. In Abia, the people embraced us. The message was the grassroots. The message from the grassroots to the educated, self-denied was the same. Power will build and Nigeria will rise again. Inclusion is not available to these people. Let us declare. 
 
“Women are not asking for papers. We are asking for a safe climate. We are not asking for soft landing. We are demanding what is right. What is fair. And what is overdue. Women lead nation’s pride”.
 
Also the South East Council of Traditional Rulers have called for the adoption of proposals to provide traditional rulers with assigned Constitutional roles to help government in addressing the challenges of insecurity, provide social cohesion for the overall development of Nigeria.
 
In his presentation, Chairman, Imo State Council of Tradition Rulers, Eze C. Okeke stated that, the Council, had after several meetings, reached a historical agreement and presented their position to the National Assembly through the House of Representatives Committee on 1999 Constitutional Amendment for the review of the status of the traditional institutions in the new Nigerian Constitution. 
 
According to him, they proposed for the 1999 Constitution to be amended for the establishment of a new body comprising of members of the National Council of Chiefs that will strengthen them with a clear cut Constitutional roles. 
 
“It is therefore to say that the order recommends that the traditional school shall be represented by three traditional rulers of each of the six geopolitical zones, who shall be the chairmen and the members of the State Council of Chiefs. 
 
“Such representation in the Council of Chiefs shall be left to the discretion of each member. The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria shall establish a National Council of Traditional Rules at the federal level. 
 
“The chairman of the Council shall be the President. The National Council of Traditional Rulers shall comprise the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, chairman of State Council of Traditional Rules and two others from each state of the Federation, and the chairman of FCT, Council of Traditional Rules”, he said.
 
On its function, the proposed amendment states that, “The Council shall have the following function. To give general advice to the federal government. To advise on religions and traditional matters. To promote and advise on art and culture. To deliberate and express opinion on any matter which is still fit to be of importance to their own country, on which may be referred to each like the federal government. To assist the government in resolving conflicts to call for communal clashes and conflicts. 
 
“To assist in the mobilization of human and material resources to host self-realization and the welfare of the people of Nigeria, to ensure community, nations and the stability of the people. To carry out such other functions as legal and constitutional. To take a stand on the federal republic, on the ideal plan of the future”.
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Deputy Senate President sacks aide over social media post against Governor

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Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has removed one of his legislative aides, Umar Alhassan, following a social media post perceived as disrespectful to Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Alhassan, also known as King Indara, was relieved of his position after posts on his Facebook page, including the phrase “Abba Must Go”, were brought to the attention of the Deputy Senate President’s office.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Barau’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Shitu Madaki Kunchi, with the removal taking effect from September 18, 2026.

According to the statement, the posts were considered inconsistent with the expected conduct of political appointees and officials serving in Barau’s office.

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Kunchi said aides and other appointees were expected to demonstrate discipline, respect public office holders and encourage constructive engagement among different levels of government.

He said the action was taken to protect the standards and values expected of officials working under the Deputy President of the Senate.

The statement added that the decision followed what the office described as conduct that breached the principles of discipline, respect and decorum expected of a legislative aide.

Barau’s office consequently announced Alhassan’s removal as Special Legislative Assistant, bringing his tenure in the Deputy Senate President’s office to an end.

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How ASUU brought snake to my office – Former VC

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A former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Daniel Iyorkegh Saror, has recalled how opposition to his administration allegedly escalated to the point where a snake was brought into his office in an attempt to force him to resign.

Saror said the crisis began with petitions and demonstrations by some members of the university community who disagreed with his administration, particularly over the management of the institution after the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme.

The former vice chancellor, who led ABU between 1991 and 1995, made the revelation while speaking on Trust TV’s Reminiscences programme, recalling that he first learnt of a petition against him on December 31, 1994, while returning from Gboko, where he had attended a chieftaincy ceremony.

He said he heard reports of the petition against him on radio while travelling to Zaria and later went to the Kaduna office of the Nigerian Television Authority to respond publicly to the allegations.

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According to Saror, the controversy subsequently led to demonstrations, while the university’s Senate Building was reportedly locked during the period of heightened tension.

He attributed part of the disagreement to demands by some members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities for greater involvement in the administration of universities, a position he said he rejected.

Saror said the opposition eventually took a more unusual turn when he was informed that a snake had been taken to his office as an intimidation tactic aimed at making him quit.

He identified a snake charmer from Shika, whom he knew as Haruna, as the person allegedly brought into the episode, adding that he refused to resign despite the pressure.

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Saror said he maintained that only the then Head of State and visitor to the university, General Sani Abacha, had the authority to remove him from office.

The former vice chancellor added that the crisis later attracted government intervention, with Abacha setting up a commission of inquiry headed by Major-General Mamman Kontagora to investigate the unrest.

He said the commission eventually recommended his removal, although he had already informed the university council that he would not seek another term. Saror said he was nevertheless allowed to complete his tenure before handing over to Kontagora, who became the university’s sole administrator.

Despite the turbulent period, Saror said his relationship with ABU was not permanently damaged, noting that he later sold his agricultural farm in Zaria to the university and was subsequently honoured by its alumni association.

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He added that the experience influenced his decision not to seek another tenure, as the hostility had become sufficiently intense to raise concerns about the safety of himself and his family.

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Aiyedatiwa to buy Dangote shares for 500 Ondo youths

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Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has announced plans to buy shares in the Dangote Group of Companies for 500 young entrepreneurs in the state as part of measures to promote investment and wealth creation among youths.

The governor said the initiative would expose the beneficiaries to opportunities beyond running their individual businesses, while encouraging them to develop long-term investment portfolios.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed this on Saturday during the 2026 Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency Entrepreneurs Summit held at The Dome, International Centre for Culture and Events, Igbatoro Road, Akure.

The summit, organised by the Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency, was held under the theme, “The New Ondo: Positioning Entrepreneurs for Emerging Opportunities.”

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The governor also introduced the Lucky Light Initiative, a programme designed to provide solar-powered electricity to 1,000 small businesses spread across the state’s 18 local government areas.

He explained that the electricity intervention was targeted at reducing the energy burden on small businesses, stressing that power supply had become a major factor affecting production costs.

Aiyedatiwa further announced 20 winners of the ONDEA My IDEA selection exercise, saying they would receive grants, business support and mentorship opportunities to help develop their enterprises.

He said his administration was working to expand the state’s economic base by promoting opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, cocoa, tourism, oil and gas, solid minerals, technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics and exports.

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The governor said the Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency would continue helping residents formalise their businesses, acquire skills, access equipment and finance, and transition from informal activities to sustainable enterprises capable of creating employment.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, his Special Adviser, Toba Oyedele, said entrepreneurs would be critical to the Federal Government’s target of growing the Nigerian economy to $1tn by 2030.

Also speaking, the governor’s Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment, Summy Smart Francis, urged young entrepreneurs to pursue opportunities with clear goals and discipline, while media entrepreneur Morayo Afolabi-Brown advocated increased investment across the South-West beyond Lagos.

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