NEWS
N35,000 Wage Discussions Commence Between Govs, Labour
State governors are preparing to engage with labor unions in their respective states regarding the demand for an upward salary review.
Initiating discussions with labor leaders, some governors, including those from Niger, Katsina, Gombe, Osun, and others, aim to develop mutually agreeable plans and proposals concerning the wage increase endorsed by President Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile Private sector entities have rejected the possibility of implementing additional allowances for employees in response to the Federal Government’s recent decision to raise civil servants’ wages by N35,000.
BIZTELLERS reports that under the agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, the Federal Government has approved a wage increase of N35,000 for all its workers starting from September, pending the enactment of a new national minimum wage.
This decision, formalized during a meeting on October 1 between the FG and labor leaders, outlines a six-month duration for the wage award to federal workers, with a recommendation for states to extend a similar benefit to their employees.
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, Kolapo Alimi, emphasized that negotiations at the state level would commence following the consensus between the Federal Government and labor unions.
Alimi, urging patience, emphasized that the Osun State Government maintains a positive and cooperative working relationship with the labor movement within the state.
“The Federal Government just made the pronouncement. States will not immediately follow suit. All states will continue to engage their workers on the specifics of the wage award. Here, we have a good working relationship with labour,” Alimi said.
The NLC leadership in Osun State has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to endorse the N35,000 minimum wage award for all categories of workers in the state.
This request was conveyed in a letter dated October 6, 2023, jointly signed by the acting state chairman of the NLC, Modupe Oyedele, the TUC chairman, ‘Bimbo Fasasi, and the Joint Negotiating Council chairman, Lasun Akindele.
The letter obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday partly read, “The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress has directed all state councils to immediately engage their respective state governments in effecting the agreed sum of thirty five thousand Naira (#35,000) only wage rewards to all categories of workers across board in the state service.
“The Labour movement in the state is not in any way in doubt of Your Excellency’s kind disposition towards the workers in the state. We are confident that worker’s welfare is important and very dear to your heart.
“It is therefore in this spirit that we urge Your Excellency to graciously approve the agreed sum of Thirty-Five Thousand Naira (#35,000) only wage rewards to all categories of workers across board in the state service commencing from the month of September, 2023 as contained in the signed memorandum of understanding that averted the proposed strike.”
Upon inquiry, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Alimi, affirmed that “the government will indeed extend invitations to labor leaders for discussions regarding the matter.”
The Niger State Government has stated that it will discuss the proposed wage increase before making a decision. According to the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Binta Mammam, “Niger State will deliberate on the issue. It was a statement made by the President, and as we all know, the governor of Niger State is not in the country.”
In Katsina State, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress chapters are scheduled to meet with Governor Dikko Radda to address the demands of workers in the state.
NEWS
Outrage as Police Officer Who Threatened Nigerians Over Recording Breaks Silence
A Nigerian police officer identified as Newton Isokpehi has sparked widespread reactions online after publicly apologising for threatening Nigerians who film police officers while on duty.
The officer came under heavy criticism after a viral video showed him warning that he would “clear everybody down,” including bystanders near anyone recording him during official duty.
Following the backlash, Isokpehi released a video on Thursday pleading with Nigerians and rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu for forgiveness, saying his earlier comments were made out of anger and frustration.
SEE ALSO: Six Arrested as Police Expose Inside Network Behind Oyo School Abduction
“Please forgive me. If I offended you as a brother, forgive me. That statement was just out of annoyance because of the things that are happening,” he said.
Speaking in Pidgin English, the officer clarified that he was not against citizens filming police officers, noting that Nigerians have the right to record security personnel while carrying out their duties.
“Actually, you can video us. You are allowed to video a policeman. But it’s not right for just anybody to come from anywhere and start videoing officers on duty,” he stated.
Isokpehi, who disclosed that he hails from Edo State and was raised in a police barracks in Kaduna, described himself as a committed officer who has spent over 12 years serving in the Mobile Police unit.
The officer also displayed several scars and gunshot wounds on his body, claiming they were sustained during dangerous operations while serving the country.
“Out of 17 of us, only two survived that operation. We have suffered in this work,” he said emotionally.
Attempting to walk back his earlier remarks, Isokpehi insisted he never intended to harm civilians.
“How can I be saying I will kill my own people? We don’t do that. I spoke out of annoyance. That one was just verbal talk,” he added.
He further appealed directly to Gwamnishu and Nigerians, admitting that the controversy had escalated beyond what he expected.
“Harrison, forgive me. I beg the whole of Nigeria, please forgive me. This one has reached too far,” he pleaded.
The apology has continued to generate mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians condemning the officer’s initial comments while others expressed sympathy over the harsh conditions faced by security personnel.
NEWS
Cubana Chief Priest Explains Why He Dumped Peter Obi for Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Nigerian socialite and businessman, Cubana Chief Priest, has explained why he shifted his political support from former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the 2023 general elections.
Speaking during a livestream session with popular streamer Peller, the celebrity businessman said his decision was motivated by a desire to avoid repeated political disappointment.
SEE ALSO: Plateau 2027: “I’m Not in the Race to Fill Numbers” — Bida Declares War on Mutfwang
He stated that he no longer wanted to back a candidate who might lose, saying he made the switch after the last election experience.
“Because I don’t want to lose again because they say first fool no be fool na the second fool be proper fool,” he said.
Cubana Chief Priest also claimed that President Tinubu remains cautious about him due to his past political alignment with Peter Obi and his ethnic background.
According to him, the President does not fully trust him because of his previous support for the opposition during the 2023 polls.
“President Bola Tinubu no really trust me as an Igbo man that I am. He look me with one eye because he believes that this one that worked for Peter Obi, before at the last election,” he added.
He further dismissed the chances of Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election, describing him as “not serious” and insisting that only “serious people” would emerge victorious.
The comments have since generated widespread reactions on social media, with critics accusing him of political opportunism, while others argue that his position reflects the realities of Nigeria’s winner-takes-all political system.
Cubana Chief Priest was a vocal supporter of Peter Obi and the Labour Party during the 2023 elections but later aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He currently serves as the Imo State Coordinator of the Pro-Tinubu City Boys Movement and has become more active within APC circles.
He had also obtained an APC House of Representatives nomination form but later withdrew from the primary election on the day of the exercise.
NEWS
Yobe Hospital Makes Medical History With First-Ever Lower Jaw Surgery
The Yobe State Specialist Hospital has recorded a major medical breakthrough after successfully performing its first-ever lower jaw surgery, a development described as the first of its kind in North-Eastern Nigeria.
The complex procedure, known as a segmental mandibulectomy with reconstruction, was carried out on a 40-year-old female patient suffering from mandibular ameloblastoma, a tumour affecting the jawbone.
Speaking on the achievement, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Usman Abba Giedam, said the surgery marked a significant milestone in the state’s healthcare sector.
SEE MORE: Ex-IGP Usman Alkali Baba Joins Yobe Governorship Race, Vows to End Insurgency
According to him, the operation involved the removal of a diseased section of the patient’s lower jaw and a sophisticated reconstruction using reconstruction plates and an iliac crest bone graft.
The surgery was led by Dr. Muhammad Ayuba Fusami with support from Dr. Peter Umejiego.
Giedam revealed that the patient is currently recovering well and responding positively to treatment following the successful operation.
He noted that the achievement reflects the growing capacity of the hospital to handle highly specialized medical procedures that previously required referrals outside the state.
The CMD also credited the administration of Mai Mala Buni for investing in healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment, and skilled manpower development across the state.
He added that the hospital remains committed to advancing specialized healthcare services and improving access to quality medical care for residents of Yobe State and the North-East region.





