The government of Osun State has shed more light on how the new minimum wage of N75,000 for civil servants in the state was adopted and approved by the Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

This was detailed in a statement in Osogbo on Wednesday was the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, who confirmed that the New Minimum Wage got the executive approval of the Governor after the receipt of the Public Service Negotiation Committee’s report.

Alimi, as one of the members of the Committee saddled with the responsibility of working out a good and acceptable template for the new minimum wage said the State Government team was led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye while that of the Labour team was led by the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo.

ALSO READ: Tinubu Seeks ₦1.767tn Loan to Tackle 2024 Budget Deficit

It was further revealed that the implementation of the New Minimum Wage of 75,000 for Osun workers is in tandem with commitment to social justice, economic growth and an enhanced living standard for Osun teaming workers and citizens alike.

According to the statement, “Governor Ademola Adeleke led administration is deeply committed to prioritizing the welfare of civil servants, who, tirelessly provide efficient, effective and quality services to the state despite the limited resources accruing to it”

Osun State Governor, after the approval, according to Alimi, urged all civil servants in the state to up their service delivery more and more by endlessly seeking innovative solutions to improve public service in ensuring transparency and accountability for the growth and development of the 33 year old Osun State.

Earlier, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Akinleye who lauded the Governor for the executive approval of new national minimum wage for workers, further stated that the committee carried out its duties and responsibilities without any let or hindrance from the State Government that put it in place to work out the new wage template.

Ayanleye Aina, on his own part as the Head of Service assured that Osun workers will continue to live up to the desired billings.

In the same vein, on behalf of the Labour team side, Chairman, NLC, Osun State, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, who also thumbed up the Gov Adeleke led administration for the N75,000 new wage bill for an average worker in the state, maintained that it was carefully crafted and arrived at in line with Osun State’s current economic condition.

Arapasopo further expressed conviction that the new wage structure would be both durable and sustainable, as it would impact the financial stability of all civil servants in the State.

He then stated that Osun State workforce are solidly behind the administration of Gov Adeleke, promising that they will not relent in their support for the government.

Alimi finally reeled out names of the members of the Osun State Government team in the negotiation committee to include:

1.Alh.Kazeem Akinleye (Chief of Staff to the Governor) – Chairman

2.Mr Ayanleye Aina, (Head.Of Service)

3.Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, Hon. Comm. for Information and Public Enlightenment

3.Hon Sola Ogungbile (Hon Commissioner for Finance)

4.Prof Maruf Ademola Adeleke, (Hon Commissioner for Budget and Economic planning)

4. Mr Olugbenga Fadele (Permanent Secretary, Human Resources and Capacity Building)

4 Mr Adebayo Raji (Permanent Secretary, BPSB)

5. Mrs Yetunde Esan (Permanent Secretary, Economic Planning, Budget and Development
6. Mr A. A Bello (Permanent Secretary, Finance)
7. Jimoda O. J (Ministry of Local Government and C.A)
8. Yemi Esan (OPRS)
9. Mr Atolagbe L. A (Director, Funds)

10 Mr Gabriel Oginni (SIFMIS Manager)

11. Mr Akinjide Samuel (SIFMIS), and

12 Mr Albert O. Ajiboye (Director, L.I.R)

Alimi, mentioned in the statement that, on the part of Labour team, the following people were members of the negotiation team:

1.Comrade Christopher Arapasopo (NLC Chairman)

2 Comrade Fatai Bimbo Sanusi (TUC Chairman)

3 Comrade Akindele Lasun (Chairman, JNC)

4 Comrade Amusan Victor (Secretary, NLC)

5 Comrade Adeyemi Abdullateef (Secretary, TUC)

6 Comrade Akinjide Akinlami (JNC Secretary)

7 Dr Kehinde Ogungbangbe (NULGE President)

8 Comrade Emmanuel Olawuyi (NUT)

9 Comrade Ojo Akintunde (Chairman, SSUCOEN)

10 Comrade Adekunle Adesina (Chairman, PASAN)

11. Comrade Johnson Adegoke (Chairman, MHWUN)
12. Comrade Ganiyu Salawu (Chairman, NUP)
13. Comrade Waheed Opeyemi (Chairman, NANNM); and
14. Comrade Adedokun Olalekan (Chairman, AUPCTRE)

A British Virgin Islands (BVI) court has authorised Chinese investors, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, to seize $25 million from Nigeria’s foreign-denominated assets.

The decision stems from Nigeria’s failure to honour a $74.5 million arbitral award relating to the defunct Ogun Free Trade Zone project.

Justice Paul Webster of the British Virgin Islands High Court ruled that Nigeria could not claim immunity from the enforcement of the arbitral award due to the terms of the bilateral investment treaty between China and Nigeria.

This ruling adds to a series of legal defeats Nigeria has faced in foreign courts, including jurisdictions such as the UK, France, Belgium, Canada, and the United States.

READ MORE: Italian Village Offers $1 Homes To Americans Escaping Trump’s Re-election

Zhongshan’s legal representation in the BVI case included King’s Counsel Timothy Otty and Lauren Peaty of Withers British Virgin Islands.

The dispute traces back to a failed agreement involving the Ogun State government and Zhongshan investors. The investors allege that the former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, unilaterally withdrew from the deal and orchestrated their detention, where they were allegedly tortured under the orders of state security agents.

The $25 million seizure follows the Nigerian government’s inability to comply with the $74.5 million arbitral award granted by an independent tribunal, chaired by a former UK Supreme Court President.

The judgment underscores the financial and diplomatic consequences Nigeria continues to face from unresolved investment disputes in international courts.

An investigation into the catastrophic fuel tanker explosion that rocked Majiya town in Jigawa State on October 14 has confirmed the loss of 209 lives, with 99 others injured.

The findings were presented by the Jigawa State Tanker Explosion Investigation Panel to Governor Umar Namadi on Wednesday in Dutse.

The panel’s report also revealed that 38 of the injured remain hospitalized, while 61 have been discharged.

Related News: JUST IN: Again, Fuel Tanker Explodes In Jigawa

The explosion, which devastated the town, affected 167 families and caused property damage worth millions of Naira.

The panel attributed the explosion to multiple factors, including poor road conditions such as damaged speed breakers and potholes near the accident site.

Reckless driving practices, including night driving and speeding, were also cited as contributing factors.

“The inferno was possibly ignited by combined factors, including but not limited to the friction of metallic containers with a hard surface or other containers, as victims were scooping the spilt fuel,” said Hafizu Inuwa, chairman of the investigation panel.

In its findings, the panel called for urgent action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The report recommended stricter safety protocols for petroleum transporters and articulated vehicles, alongside regular inspections of roads to address safety hazards.

It also proposed the establishment of trauma and burns units in hospitals, upgrading emergency response centers, and the creation of a road traffic control agency to monitor and enforce road safety measures.

“In cases where the victims or their relatives are elderly and vulnerable, the government should provide social protection and enroll them in the Danmodi Care Programme,” Inuwa added.

READ MORE: NCS Bars PoS Services, Others Within Apapa Command Premises

Governor Umar Namadi commended the panel for its thorough investigation and expressed his administration’s commitment to implementing its recommendations.

“We owe it to the victims and the people of Jigawa State to ensure that such a disaster does not happen again. My administration will prioritize the welfare of the affected families and enforce stricter safety measures on our roads,” the governor assured.

Namadi also praised the resilience of the Majiya community and reiterated his government’s commitment to supporting their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The explosion, one of the deadliest in recent history, has raised serious concerns about road safety and emergency preparedness in Jigawa State.

The government’s pledge to address these issues marks a critical step in preventing future disasters.