News

Nigerian workers poorer, FG should pay above N70,000 – Oshiomhole

Published

8 hours ago

October 31, 2024

The senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday, said the current generation of workers in the country is much poorer than those in the past.

According to him, the celebrated N70,000 minimum wage, when converted to dollars, is equivalent to $42.

The former Nigeria Labour Congress president, comparing the first minimum wage in the country under President Shehu Shagari, noted that the N125 minimum wage at that time was equivalent to $160.

Oshiomhole spoke during a lecture organised for members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 at the National Institute of Security Studies in Abuja.

He 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, the 100 per cent 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. The working people are much, much poorer now than we were so many years ago. So this opportunity will depreciate, and that affects the quality of life and everything.”

Oshiomhole also said the Federal Government and other states generating high revenues should pay workers more than the agreed N70,000 minimum wage.

He recalled how he declared a strike to compel the Lagos State government under Bola Tinubu to pay above the N5,000 minimum wage during his time as the NLC president.

He said, “A serious employer of labour should not pay minimum wage. They should pay much more. A major employer, like the civil service, should not pay the minimum wage. I expect that the Federal Government will, over time, adjust their minimum wage.

“When I was NLC president, we agreed that oil-producing states like Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Lagos and those who have a huge revenue should pay not less than N7,000 minimum wages, the same as the federal.

“Interestingly, when we pursued this policy, the president was the governor of Lagos State. He showed me all the books and told me he could not afford to pay. I had to compel him.

“We organised strikes against this president, asking that he should use all the money necessary to pay salary, even if he can’t do any other thing.

“That’s my business. My brief was not to go and sympathise with the employers. My brief is to get them to squeeze out anything we can squeeze out.”

Oshiomole 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 so much turnover. So, using the number of employees was appropriate when the economy was more broad-driven, not with ICT.”

He also explained that the wages in other countries, especially in California in the United States, could be fuelling the Japa syndrome experienced in the country.

According to him, an unskilled worker could earn as high as $2,560 in a month in California.

He said, “If you check with Google, you’ll find that California minimum wage as of today is $16 an hour.

“So if a worker works for eight hours a day as we do in Nigeria, eight hours will give you $128 a day. In a month, if you work for five days a week, for four weeks, you work for 20 days, you earn $2,560 in a month.

“That is the minimum wage for unskilled labour. How much does that translate to in a month if you convert by exchange rate?”

Expressing hope that the country would prosper despite the hardships faced by citizens, he urged the government to watch some of its policies.

He said, “Today, I mean, we are going through a challenging period, but as we say, tough times don’t last, tough people do. Nigerians are tough. This time will pass, and prosperity will be here again.

“We just need to watch our policy choices so that the gains of the past are not lost.”

Entertainment

SAD! Veteran Nigerian actor dies

Published

34 mins ago

October 31, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Nigerian film industry and Yoruba cultural scene have been thrown into mourning over the passing of veteran actor, Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, popularly known as Agbako, who died at the remarkable age of 102.

The veteran actor was said to have died early Thursday morning after taking a nap and complaining of slight tiredness.

President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, also known as Mr Latin announced his passing, saying burial details will be announced soon by his family and association.

Agbako, a beloved figure in the Yoruba film industry, is now remembered as the oldest actor within the Nigerian film sector, whose life spanned over a century and left an indelible mark on the cultural heritage of Nigeria.

News of Agbako’s passing was confirmed by fellow Nollywood veteran Jide Kosoko, who announced the somber event to colleagues and fans, sparking an outpouring of condolences from actors, filmmakers, and fans alike.

The actor’s influence on the Yoruba movie industry was profound, with countless admirers who grew up watching his performances in classic Yoruba films.

Agbako was renowned for his portrayal of bold and often complex characters, bringing a unique flair and authenticity to the screen that won him generations of fans.

News

Lagos seals Ikeja Golf Club over safety lapse

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Ikeja Golf Club has been sealed off by the Lagos State Building Control Agency for negligence and disregard for public safety.

In a statement on Wednesday, LASBCA’s Director of Public Affairs, Adu Ademuyiwa, said the enforcement followed numerous complaints about safety lapses at the club.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Building Control Agency has taken decisive action by sealing off the Ikeja Golf Club at Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA, after several incidents of negligence raised concerns about the public, safety of lives and property damage.

“The closure was prompted by repeated complaints and a recent incident in which a golf ball struck a LASBCA staff member in its Ikeja Headquarters premises.

“In addition to this unfortunate incident, there have been multiple cases of errant golf balls causing damage to vehicles in the vicinity.”

The agency further noted that stray golf balls had been reported causing damage to vehicles in the area, with the club’s management allegedly ignoring repeated instructions to implement necessary safety measures such as protective netting or modified play areas.

Expressing his disappointment, LASBCA General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, criticized the club’s management and players for their apparent disregard for public safety.

“It is concerning to witness such negligence from a reputable establishment. Persistent disregard for safety regulations is unacceptable, particularly when it puts lives and property at risk,” Oki said.

Oki stressed that the club’s lack of preventive measures violates safety regulations and underscored LASBCA’s commitment to protecting residents and visitors from preventable hazards.

He added that the club would remain sealed until it implemented adequate safety measures to address the risks.

News

Strike: FG invites SSANU, NASU for talks

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities will meet with the Federal Government today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. to discuss the ongoing strike.

SSANU Vice-President Abdussobur Salaam confirmed to PUNCH Online on Thursday morning that the union received an official invitation from the Federal Government on Wednesday night.

“We received a formal invitation last night. The meeting is scheduled for 11 am today. It will be presided over by the Minister of State for Education and will be held in the Minister’s Conference Room,” he said.

The unions, under JAC, began an indefinite strike on Monday due to four months of unpaid salaries, leading to a shutdown of university activities nationwide.

SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim noted that top university officials, including Vice-Chancellors, bursars, and registrars, also hadn’t been paid, further impacting university operations.

He added that 98% of members complied with the strike, and they will not return to work until their demands are met.

He said, “It is a long-term battle because this strike also involves Vice-Chancellors, bursars, registrars, and other senior administrators who were not paid. The impact is significant, and no one from the government has reached out to us. We have withdrawn our services, and our members are resolute they will not return to work until all salaries are paid.”

He added that compliance with the strike was encouraging, achieving 98 per cent adherence.

The unions are demanding, among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.