National
Without restructuring Nigeria will sink into oblivion, Participants at a political dialogue warn

***’We must do background check of people in our leadership recruitment’
Participants at a National Political Dialogue on the constitutional future of Nigeria held in Abuja on Thursday have unanimously called for restructuring of the country without which the country will soon fizzle out.
The National Consultative Front (NCFront) in collaboration with the Nigeria Political Summit Group, (NPSG) have put together an Emergency Political Reforms Dialogue on the Constitutional Future of Nigeria at the Yaradua Center in Abuja.
Speakers at the event starting from the chairman of the organising committee of the event Pat Utomi, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Obong Victor Atta, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Supo Ayokunle all warned about the danger in not allowing for the rebranding of the nation which they say will lead to a failed State.
The CAN president in his presentation said,
“We need rebranding, if you don’t rebrand or restructure you will fizzle out
“Companies rebrand, organizations rebrand to fit into the modern society.
He used the example of the Mobile phones, saying when the GSM debuted in Nigeria the most popular phone brand was Nokia,
“Nokia thought they will dominate forever to infinity but others came like Samsung and all these Android phones and later we saw iphones and people moved away just like that.
“Today, Nokia has been sold out to other companies because they failed to rebrand. If Nigeria fails to rebrand, Nigeria will fail to exist. “It is a matter of time because in this modern society, no set of people in Nigeria want to play second fiddle.
“But if we would not allow people to go away people will go away by force because you cannot force me to belong to where I don’t have anything at stake.
“This is why we are saying that all of us, we need one another let there be inclusion for every region in Nigeria. This is the way for us to move forward.”
He advocated for a home grown democracy like it is practiced in the United Kingdom which is a bit different from the one that is practiced in the US.
“The US is homogenous, the UK is not because it has the west, the Scottish and the English. All these have to be factored into their system, that is why they do referendum from time to time whether they still want to continue to stay together or not.
He observed that in Nigeria “we have refused, we don’t want to listen to referendum, if you don’t listen democratically people will use other means to go away because you can not continue to tie people down with poverty and underdevelopment for ever and ever, we need to reposition.”
Oyekunle also advocate for electoral reform if the country want to move forward,
“Thank God the national Assembly did a reform recently but that reform was not comprehensive enough, for example the way we appoint electoral officers have to change, the people managing our elections should not be appointees of the Government of the day. “There should be an independent political body that would be mandated to chose the electoral managers.
This he said will make it possible that they serve Nigerians not serving the person that has appointed them. “Electoral offenders must also be brought to book so that people would not just be taking us for granted and be manipulating the wish of the people and be announcing the people that did not win as the people that won the elections.
“Electoral offenders must be made to face the music as expected”
The CAN leader also advocated for social and economic life to be enforced in the constitution for enforcement of human development.
“We need to make huge investments in health, in education and social security of Nigerians. The health sector in Nigeria is in shambles and other infrastructures, our leaders are travelling abroad to access better medical facilities instead of making it available. “He faulted the Government for neglecting the Academic Staff Union of Universities who have been on strike for the past three months and have now extended it for three months.
“Who are we killing? We are killing well educated and informed leaders of tomorrow, we are creating a vacuum that will make the future more disastrous for the nation of something is not done.
“I also want to say that to unlock the potentials of social and economic right we should allow the court to be able to intervene.
“When those elected are not doing it we should have the right so that when those elected are not doing it we should be able to sue them and the court should be able to act in favour of the people and compel governors and president, to put certain amenities within a limited period of time so that Nigerians might be proud of the country to which they belong.
“Let me also say that the election of political officers should not just be by simple majority especially the position of the President so that the position of the President should rotate to the 6 geopolitical zone turn by turn and that cannot make other regions to think that they must lead because of the simple advantage of population. “No, Nigeria is a complexity, the democracy cannot be hook line and sinker with western democracy just like that.
“We need to continue together, we need to look at our context and let our context be according to the way we are doing things, because you can not continue to do things wrong and expect people to keep quiet.
He used CAN example of rebranding whereby its constitution has been ammended to allow for the five blocks of CAN will now take turn to produce President on rotational bases.
“Let me use the CAN, you will discover that anytime we wanted to do election there would be noise embarrassing the body of Christ .
“When I took over, I said no we are not going to do this again , we have 5 blocks in CAN all the churches are captured in the 5 blocks.
“I said what we are going to do is that we we are going to amend the constitution that we give recognition to each block to produce President by turn but the constitution will also highlight the basic things that incoming President from that block is going to have.
“There would be an electoral college that will screen that individual whether he has met the criteria or not and if he has not met it we throw it to that block to give us a better person and by the grace of God I will soon rotate out of that office but I am assuring you, you will not hear any noise again because of change of leadership, because I already know the person that is succeeding me because that block has already come as one body with one person who will represent them
“Why can’t Nigeria do that And stop the embarrassment, N100m just like chicken everybody gunning for one position and they knew ab-initio that only one person will get there. “Why the unreasonable gamble? Did God speak to all of them to come and lead us? I wonder, if we are going to move forward we need to address that area of our constitution.
“Those in our leadership before they get there through our electoral process we must do background check on them, background check is very important, some people are not only criminals they are lunatics, they are sick in the head the way they behave, the way they embezzle you will know that these people are not normal they are lunatics, they are really sick.”
National
Strike: NASS Leadership, Labour Leaders, others in closed meeting to avert industrial action

In last minute effort to prevent indefinite industrial action declared by Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and affiliate bodies from tomorrow, Monday, June 3, 2024 , the leadership of the National Assembly led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, are currently in closed door meeting with the labour leaders and some Ministers at the Senate Wing of the National Assembly
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Minister of Finance , Wale Edun, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi and some other Ministers are also at the Emergency meeting.
Labour welcomes negotiations for “survival wage “NOT “starvation wage” for workers. Akpabio cautions Labour to be mindful of possible “collateral damage” that might lead to massive job loss
Thesewere just before they went into a closed door meeting.
The National Assembly had had earlier indicated that it would engage the organized labour as part of moves to avert the industrial action due to commence on Monday.
It said its decision of to intervene followed the deadlock between the federal government and the Labour Unions in agreeing on a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs. The National Assembly stressed that both parties have tenable reasons for their respective positions.
A statement issued Sunday and jointly signed by the spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the spokesperson of the House, Akin Rotimi revealed that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, are taking proactive steps to mediate and avert the impending industrial action.
The legislative arm was of the opinion that the strike action would have severe repercussions on the populace and economy
It said: “The National Assembly acknowledges the announcement by Organised Labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to commence an indefinite strike action from Monday, June 3, 2024, nationwide.
“In view of this, the National Assembly Leadership and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity respectively, Senator Diket Plang, and Rep. Adegboyega Adefarati, are looking to engage both parties in constructive dialogue and explore a variety of solutions in addressing the issues at hand.”
It added that the 10th National Assembly was committed to ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly represented.
National
Strike is not in the interest of Nigerians, Labour Minister cautions organised labour

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejoecha, has caution the organised insisting that embarking on a nationwide strike is not in the best interest of the country and its people.
In a statement by her Special Adviser (Media) Emameh Gabriel the minister
Minister advised the workers unions to have a rethink as declaring a strike in the middle of ongoing negotiations would not only compound the economic woes but also exacerbate the suffering of millions of Nigerians who are already struggling to eke out a living from their daily endeavors.
Explaining further the Minister noted that the “government has consistently demonstrated commitment and goodwill throughout the negotiations with organised labour.
She pointed out that the government’s proposals were carefully crafted, taking into account the country’s economic realities and incorporating innovative solutions.
“These proposals include a comprehensive package featuring a wage increase to N60,000 for federal workers, the introduction of CNG-fueled buses, and enhanced financial access for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). “Additionally, the government has pledged investments in strategic sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, education, healthcare and many others that are already in the pipeline.
She however cautioned that any new minimum wage must not lead to widespread job losses, particularly in the Organised Private Sector, which employs the bulk of the nation’s workforce
“This sector is crucial to the country’s economic growth and stability. The government’s stance is rooted in a deep understanding of the negotiations, demonstrating its dedication to finding a balance between the needs of workers and the economic realities of the country.
“The goal is to establish a minimum wage that is not only realistic but also sustainable, avoiding any potentially detrimental consequences for the economy.
“By adopting this approach, the government aims to safeguard the interests of both workers and employers, ensuring that any agreement reached is mutually beneficial and does not jeopardise the country’s economic progress.
“This balanced stance is crucial for maintaining harmony in the workforce and driving national growth”, she explained.
The Minister expressed disappointment that in a surprising turn of events, organised labour abruptly exited the negotiations yesterday, despite the government’s flexibility in rescheduling the meeting from Monday to Friday, May 31st, to accelerate the talks.
“Labour unions remained adamant in their demand for a staggering 1,547% wage increase, after the government’s proposed 100% increase, accompanied by various incentives for workers.
“It is widely acknowledged that the labour unions’ demands are unrealistic, given the country’s current economic position. The government takes into account the nation’s fiscal constraints and the need for sustainable economic growth. In contrast, labour’s demands seem disconnected from the economic realities, potentially jeopardising the very gains they seek to achieve”.
“The government’s willingness to engage in dialogue and its demonstrated flexibility in the negotiations underscore its commitment to finding a mutually beneficial solution. However, labour’s inflexibility and unrealistic expectations may hinder the progress made thus far, ultimately harming the workers they represent and the nation as a whole, the minister added.
She however, urged the unions to reconsider their decision and continue engaging in constructive dialogue to find a solution that benefits all, as strike will disproportionately harm the most vulnerable segments of our society. She concluded by asking
organised labour to continue to respect the principles of social dialogue, engaging in good-faith.
National
Gov Yusuf Visits National Security Adviser, Ribadu

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State on Thursday met with the National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribado at his Office in Abuja
The meeting which was ocasioned by the recent happenings in Kano following the dissolution of five emirates by the Kano State House of Assembly through the repeal of the state emirate law, the governor’s assent and the subsequent restoration of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II by the
Governor.
The Governor’s spokesperson Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, in a statement indicated that the two political leaders deliberated on various matters relating to state/national development and the peaceful coexistence of the nation during their discussions in Abuja.
Recall that the NSA had been accused of involvement in the Kano crisis for allowing a substantial military presence to protect the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, a position the Office of the NSA debunked
The Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, had apologized to the NSA for his implication in the Kano crises, attributing the error to flawed intelligence.
Recognizing the respected professional background and integrity of the NSA throughout his time as an Officer and Anti-corruption campaigner, the state deemed it necessary to retract the allegation and offer a sincire apology.
In harmony with these events, the Governor’s meeting with the NSA coincided with Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II’s six-day stay at the Kano palace, where a significant majority of district heads and kingmakers already pledged their allegiance and loyalty to the newly consolidated Kano Emirate under the leadership of the 16th Emir.
The state assured that Kano has been characterized by peace and tranquillity, and thus urges all residents to continue their regular activities in compliance with the rule of law.
“It was a fruitful discussion between myself and the National Security Adviser, his role is critical for the harmonious existence of our nation, so I briefed him on the recent developments in Kano,” Governor Yusuf confirmed.
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