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Abia Demands Retraction, Apology From NLC Over Minimum Wage Defaulters

Published

3 years ago

March 14, 2021

NewTimes

Nigeria Is A Smouldering Fire Waiting To Be Inferno - Ikpeazu

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu

The Abia State government has demanded an unreserved apology from the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over what it termed ‘misrepresentation of fact’.

The Information Commissioner, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, in a statement made available to journalists in Umuahia, noted that NLC in a recent publication of The Guardian Newspaper, spread false information to the public domain by stating that Abia is among the states in Nigeria that are yet to commence the payment of the N30,000 new minimum wage.

Okiyi stated that Abia was actually the first state in the eastern zone of Nigeria to commence the payment of the new minimum wage, with the least paid worker earning above the N30,000 minimum wage starting from January 2020.

The statement in full read : “Our attention has been drawn to the above titled publication in The Guardian Newspaper of Saturday, 13th March, 2021 which cited a document purportedly obtained from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and corroborated by the Deputy General Secretary of NLC, Bello Ismail, to the effect that Abia State is among states that are yet to implement the new minimum wage and wish to state that the report is false and without bearing to facts as it concerns our state.

“Abia State Government led by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD, commenced implementation of the new minimum wage in January 2020 with the least paid worker in the state workforce earning above the minimum wage of N30,000.

“Indeed, the state is the first in the south-east region to have commenced payment of the new minimum wage to workers. We are therefore lost as to how the national leadership of NLC is not aware of this fact which is verifiable and available within the media space including previous publications by The Guardian, and Abia civil servants who are their members.

“The least expected from the national leadership of NLC, before relying, compiling and publishing from the cited document on the status of the state with regard to the payment of the new minimum wage was to have called or cross-checked with the local chapter of NLC or any state worker to verify the status.

“We hereby call on the national leadership of NLC and The Guardian to immediately verify and correct the misrepresentation of facts and apologize to the government and people of Abia State for the incorrect publication.”

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Latest News

DSS Arrests NLC President, Joe Ajaero

Published

2 days ago

September 9, 2024

NewTimes

By John Michael

Following the allegations of terrorism financing leveled against him by the State, Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress was on Monday arrested by operatives of the Department of the State Service, DSS.

Ajaero whose arrest occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was said to be on his way to the United Kingdom, UK, where he was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today .

Meanwhile, while reacting to Ajaero’s arrest via a statement on its X handle, NLC described the arrest of the embattled union leader as an intimidation of Nigerian workers by the government and added that such an action would not be accepted.

The statement reads: “The assault on Nigerian workers continues. President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, was arrested and abducted by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, this morning on his way to attend an official engagement of TUC United Kingdom, and he is now detained at the office of the NSA.

“This intimidation and assault must stop!!!” it added.

Latest News

Fufeyin: Group Urges NAFDAC To Investigate Faith Healers, Claims

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

NewTimes

Witch Burning, Impunity And Abuses Linked to Witchcraft Beliefs In Benue State

Dr Leo Igwe

The Critical Thinking Social Empowerment Foundation (CTSEF) has welcomed the investigation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) into the activities of a faith-based organization, Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, and its pastor, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin.

According to Dr Leo Igwe, who directs CTSEF, this faith group and the pastor have reportedly been using NAFDAC’s name to deceive the public and market miracle soap and water. They claim that the soap and water have healing powers.

A statement by Igwe said: ” The Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that some members of the public sent petitions to the office claiming that this so-called Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin of Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, Km 5 Effurun, Sapele Road, Delta State, has been advertising and selling some miracle water and miracle soap with healing powers. Fufeyin claimed that his miracle water and soap could ‘heal’ barrenness and other health issues.

“In addition, he claimed that women would give birth to twins if they used the soap. Fufeyin openly told his congregation that his soap was NAFDAC- registered. Meanwhile, it was not approved or registered with the agency. Some of the products from Fufeyin’s Ministry sent to NAFDAC for verification as a part of the complaint include, “Miracle & Healing Water, River Jordan Water, the Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida, A New Beginning Mount Camel Miracle Water, Water of Life, Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida (1L), A New Beginning Pool of Bethsaida Water, and Father Smelled Perfume.

“CTSEF commends NAFDAC for investigating the activities of Fufeyin, especially his dubious attempts to use the name of NAFDAC to legitimize his fraudulent healing products and claims. Such an investigation is necessary to checkmate other unscrupulous pastors who deceive and exploit the unsuspecting public.

“It is pertinent to note that Fufeyin is not alone in this business. Many self-acclaimed prophets and faith healers make reckless and irresponsible miracle claims. They sell holy oil, holy handkerchiefs, and ‘sacred’ things to people, claiming they have healing powers.

“Meanwhile, there is no evidence that holy water or miracle soap heals. But these faith healers promote and advertise them; they market these fake products and get people to part with their money in exchange for goods without healing powers, as claimed.

“CTSEF enjoins NAFDAC to extend the investigation to all faith healers and healing goods that pastors, prophets, and other self-acclaimed godmen peddle and administer to the public, whether they claim to be NAFDAC-registered or not. NAFDAC should ensure that all faith healers involved in this evil trade are prosecuted and penalized.

“Fufeyin and his ministry constitute threats to public health in the country. The public should remain vigilant and report all who make faith-healing claims to NAFDAC for necessary actions.”

Latest News

BREAKING: Tinubu’s Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale Resigns

Published

4 days ago

September 7, 2024

NewTimes

Ajuri Ngelale

President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Ajuri Ngelale, has resigned . Ngelale was the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.

New Times learnt that Ngelale proceeded on an indefinite leave to attend to pressing medical matters affecting his immediate family.

In a statement he posted on his general communication WhatsApp platform on Saturday, Ngelale revealed that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday.

He noted that the memo was a means of notifying him of the decision to pause his functions, including his roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

Ngelale explained that the decision was after consultations with his family due to a worsening medical situation at home.

He expressed hope to return to full-time national service when circumstances permit.

He, however, requested privacy for his family during the challenging time.

The leave of absence takes effect immediately, with no specified date for his return.

He wrote, “On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.

“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.

“I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.

“I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time.”