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Nigeria security challenges extraordinary, says US, promises training, equipment
United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has said Nigeria is indeed facing extraordinary security challenges.
According to him, the US is prepared to provide necessary training for the security forces and resources as well as vital information sharing to tackle the problem frontally.
He said this during a virtual round-table discussion with Kenyan and Nigerian journalists.
Blinken said, “It is fair to say that the challenges that Nigeria faces, when it comes to security, are quite extraordinary — and you referenced them — whether it’s terrorism, banditry and criminality or it’s piracy. All of these are real challenges.
“One, we are in absolute solidarity between us in trying to address these challenges together. And the United States is committed to supporting Nigeria as it meets these challenges. And what that involves primarily is helping Nigeria continue to build its capacity through training, resources, information sharing and equipment; and all of that done, very importantly, with full respect for human rights.
“But it’s also important that we work together, as we are, to address some of the drivers or facilitators of violence and instability that we know those engaged in these activities can sometimes feed on. And that’s why you have to have a comprehensive approach to these challenges.”
Although he said military approach was important, he stressed that it would be insufficient, adding that economic development, progress and opportunity would be taken along to fully address the problem.
Blinken also advised countries battling security challenges to deal with the root causes of insecurity in their region.
He said, “So, too, are dealing with some of the other drivers that sometimes produce conflict, violence, and extremism. And one of the things that are striking, of course, is the Lake Chad basin. And there we’ve seen over time, as you know, the erosion of the basin because of climate change.
“That, in turn, can produce conflict over resources, new migratory patterns that put people in conflict, food insecurity, the more easy spread of disease, all of which can produce an environment in which terrorism, criminality, other forms of violence are more likely.
“So I think it’s vital that we address these, as I know President Buhari is very focused on, and it’is also why it was so important to have President Buhari, as well as President Kenyatta from Kenya, take part in the climate summit that President Biden convened last week, which was a very powerful manifestation of the broad international commitment to address the challenges posed by climate change, which in turn, as we do it, I think will address some of the drivers we’ve seen of conflict which in turn can feed extremism.
“So, it’s a long way of saying I think we have to see the big picture, the comprehensive picture – obviously focus on the hard security collaboration that we have and strengthen that, but also not lose sight of some of the bigger pieces of this that we have to address together as well.”
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May Day: A’Ibom gov increases minimum wage to N40,000
May Day: A’Ibom gov increases minimum wage to N40,000
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has said the least paid worker in the state will henceforth go home with N40,000 monthly, instead of N30,000.
He made this announcement in his address to workers on Wednesday during the celebration of this year’s Workers’ Day at UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
He said he increased the wage based on economic reality as well as the lean federal allocations accruing to the state.
Otu said his government was very appreciative of workers even though their industrial output was only five per cent which was very poor.
He said, “Government considers its workforce as the driver of lofty projects and programmes for the common good of the people.
“Workers in the state are always held in high esteem to achieve good results, prompting the payment of salary and pension up to date.
“The state government is presently on the verge of concluding necessary arrangements for the staggered payment of outstanding gratuity to its retired workers. I therefore sue for a little patience from the pensioners in this regard.”
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However, the organised labour in the state have accused the state government of neglect and deceit, calling for open recruitment of employable youths to fill up various vacant positions.
Chairman of TUC, Comrade Monday Ogolodom, said the administration deceived the senior citizens when it failed to deliver its promise to clear the backlog of gratuities since 2013.
Addressing workers, Ogolodom said, “Payment of gratuity in the state has become a mirage. I recall on the 4 of October, 2023, during the swearing-in of the Head of Service, Innocent Eteng, His Excellency, the Governor made a very welcoming, sweet and promising speech, saying “before the end of December, 2023 all backlog of Gratuity in the state shall be cleared.
“Today is the 1st May, 2024, 4 (four) months after, nothing has started,” adding that this had portrayed the governor in bad light.
He appealed to him to set up machinery towards actualizing the promise as some of the elder statesmen and women were dying due to lack of funds for medication.
He alleged that bribes for promotion were now rampant, adding that it was appalling and discouraging for industrious and qualified workers.
He described as unending the verification that was supposed to weed out ghost workers in the state, saying this has denied workers overdue promotions.
He called on government to officially embark on recruitment exercise instead of secret recruitment.
May Day: A’Ibom gov increases minimum wage to N40,000
News
El-Rufai ignored us for 8 years, Kaduna NLC praises Gov Sani
El-Rufai ignored us for 8 years, Kaduna NLC praises Gov Sani
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna state, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, has hailed Governor Uba Sani for personally attending the May Day rally in Kaduna.
Speaking at Murtala Square, Kaduna, on Wednesday, Suleiman said the last time a governor personally attended the rally was nine years ago.
“Your Excellency, we want to thank you for personally attending the May Day Celebration. Labour has not witnessed the presence of a governor at such an occasion in the last nine years,” he said.
Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Sani’s predecessor, spent two terms of eight years as governor.
While commending the governor for prioritizing workers’ welfare through prompt payment of salaries and allowances, as well as involvement of the labour unions in decision making in the state, the NLC Chairman expressed hope that workers would enjoy favorable working conditions.
In his speech, the governor assured the workers of his support, saying development is about the people, just as governance is also about the people.
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He said governors were working with NLC to come up with decent and acceptable pay for workers.
The Government under my leadership will continue to prioritize workers’ welfare and equip them appropriately within available resources, conscious of the fact that a committed and motivated workforce is critical to the achievement of our Rural Transformation Agenda. Human capital development and poverty reduction will continue to receive robust government attention through investment in education, health, agriculture, housing, micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as support to security agencies as they tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
“Nigerian Governors, under the platform of Nigeria Governors Forum, are in consultation with Labour Unions at the federal and state levels in order to come up with a decent and acceptable salary increase for state and local government workers. As a comrade and veteran of the struggle for better working conditions for Nigerian workers, I will not rest on my oars until we agree on a wage package that will put smiles on the faces of our workers.
“As we ramp up our Rural Transformation Drive and implement innovative programmes to reinvent our economy, we seek the cooperation and total commitment of Kaduna State workers. Increased productivity and sustained industrial harmony will help reposition our economy and put our government in good stead to frontally tackle our myriad security and developmental challenges.”
El-Rufai ignored us for 8 years, Kaduna NLC praises Gov Sani
News
Umahi replies Obi over Lagos-Calabar coastal project criticism
Umahi replies Obi over Lagos-Calabar coastal project criticism
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has accused Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, of inciting the people of the South-East to rebel against the Federal Government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
Umahi disclosed this on Wednesday at a road project stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which will pass through eight other states including the beach resorts along Lagos’ beachfront, has had its construction process commenced by the government.
The project has generated controversy and concerns about funding and the businesses that would be affected during construction.
On Tuesday, Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, criticised the federal Government over the project, describing it as a misplaced priority.
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The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.
Responding to Obi’s comment, Umahi said Obi supported the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was the governor of Anambra.
The minister condemned Obi for criticising the Federal Government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.
“When you condemn people, you bring judgment upon yourself and that is what he has done,” Umahi said.
“I think he is inciting some of the South-East people that are not well informed. He is inciting and getting them into trouble and he does not go to fight for them.
“Wisdom is a defence. It gives light to those that practise it. I want our people to have wisdom because I’m involved.”
Umahi added that the Federal Government did not destroy the facilities of Landmark Beach, noting that only shanties on the right of way were removed.
He said the owners of Landmark Beach were not unfairly treated in the construction of the project.
The minister accused Paul Onwuanibe, chief executive officer (CEO) of Landmark Africa Group, of politicising the issues arising from the project.
Umahi replies Obi over Lagos-Calabar coastal project criticism
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