Salary: FG vows to prosecute private employers paying below N70,000

The Federal Government has warned companies in the private sectors against paying below the new minimum wage of N70,000.

This is even as the government implored agencies recruiting for the private sector to adhere to the N70,000 minimum wage.

The FG explained that the new minimum wage was aimed at cushioning the impact of the current harsh economic reality and failure to pay it would could attract severe penalty.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, made this known on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, held in Ikeja, Lagos, she noted the new minimum was now a law.

She stated that no Nigerian worker, whether in government or private employment, should be paid less than the minimum wage.

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Daju, who was represented by the Director of Employment and Wages of the ministry, John Nyamali, said, “The minimum wage is now a law, and as a result, it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than N70,000 to any of its workers.

“The private employment agencies should make it compulsory in any contract they take from their principal that their workers should not earn less than the minimum wage. The least paid worker in Nigeria should earn N70,000, and I think that should be after all deductions.

“The minimum wage is a law, and you can be jailed if you fail to implement it. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the least paid worker goes home with N70,000.”

In his remarks, the President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, asked the government and Nigeria Labour Congress to clarify whether the N70,000 minimum wage is net or gross, stating that all vague aspects in the Act should be highlighted and explained.

According to Okoye, the EAPEAN is already committed to the minimum wage, as well as providing decent jobs for Nigerians and guarding against the exploitation of human resources.

“As a labour union in the private sector, we are committed to the implementation of the minimum wage. We are a law-abiding and guided association. Our principals and clients have also keyed into the minimum wage.

“However, the government must clarify whether the N70,000 minimum wage is net or gross. The government and NLC should address all ambiguities in the minimum wage,” he stated.

Salary: FG vows to prosecute private employers paying below N70,000

Tinubu govt inherited hardship from Buhari administration – Emir

The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, has stated that the economic challenges currently faced by Nigerians were inherited from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Emir made these remarks during a sensitisation event on federal government intervention programmes, organized by the Office of the Minister of Information and National Orientation in Minna, Niger State.

Represented by Alhaji Maikudi Achaza, the Hadinin Minna, the Emir praised President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in addressing the issues caused by past corruption. He pointed out that many citizens remain unaware of Tinubu’s initiatives due to inadequate communication, particularly in local languages.

Former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar also expressed concern about the worsening hardships faced by Nigerians. He urged the Tinubu administration to take urgent action to alleviate the suffering of the people. During a courtesy visit from the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights, a Minna-based civil society group, Abdulsalami criticized the distribution of palliatives, stating they are not an effective solution to the rising cost of living.

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He emphasized that leaders need to connect with ordinary citizens and understand their struggles, noting that high transportation costs, increased fuel prices, rising school fees, and lack of financial resources are making life difficult for many.

Abdulsalami proposed that the government should sell essential food items at reduced prices to help citizens cope with inflation, rather than relying solely on palliatives. He also urged Nigerians to remain peaceful ahead of the planned #EndBadGovernance protests on October 1, 2024, and advised the government not to take citizens for granted.

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, represented by Asabe Sule Garba, emphasized that the event aimed to raise awareness about the federal government’s efforts to improve the lives of citizens. He reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to accountability and transparency and called for public support.

Tinubu govt inherited hardship from Buhari administration – Emir

FG mulls new system against fraud, to enhance identity verification

The Federal Government has raised concerns about foreigners misusing Nigerian identities and harming the country’s reputation abroad.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, announced plans to harmonise Nigeria’s citizenship database to improve individual and corporate identity management.

Speaking at the start of a three-day national workshop on counter-terrorism financing, organised by the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Tunji-Ojo revealed that the new database will facilitate global verification of Nigerian identities, aiding in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

Tunji-Ojo stressed the need to address identity fraud, stating, “Identity fraud must be reduced to nil. It should be impossible for one person to hold different accounts or identities.”

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He highlighted issues where individuals use multiple identities across borders, contributing to misuse of Nigeria’s passport and identity systems.

The minister noted that many individuals damaging Nigeria’s image abroad are foreigners carrying Nigerian passports.

He pledged to create a centralized system for real-time verification of all documents issued within Nigeria, aiming to enhance the accuracy and credibility of Nigerian identities globally.

Mrs. Hafsat Bakari, Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), underscored the importance of tracking funds used for terrorism, stating, “Without funds, terrorists and terrorist organisations would not be able to carry out their acts.”

GIABA Director-General, Mr. Edwin W. Harris Jr., reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening West African nations’ efforts against money laundering and terrorism financing.

FG mulls new system against fraud, to enhance identity verification