The organized labour in Nigeria has made it clear that any attempt by the national assembly to tamper with the national minimum wage for workers as it is now will be an invitation to confrontation.  It kicked against the removal of the Minimum Wage from the Exclusive list to the Concurrent list in the constitution by the National Assembly, saying that it is an act of treachery carried out by some governors and their allies in the National Assembly.

The General Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, and the President General of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Bala Kaigama, warned in two different statements today that labour would organize mass protests against the action which they said was condemnable and unpatriotic.

Ozo-Eson stressed that the NLC would mobilise workers against the attempt to scrap the National Minimum Wage.

The NLC Scribe said the organized labour was surprised by the sudden decision to move against the National Minimum Wage after assurances from the Senate leadership.

Ozo-Eson urged the National Assembly to reverse the decision in the interest of Nigerians because of its implications for the country.

He said the decision to remove the national minimum wage was “extremely dangerous and retrogressive” as it would empower employers to fix their own minimum wage.
The NLC secretary, who said an emergency meeting of NEC had been scheduled for Monday on the issue, stated that the move against the National Minimum wage was a deliberate plot of some persons to truncate the current electioneering process.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns in strong terms the removal of Wages from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List by the National Assembly in the on-going fourth amendment exercise to the 1999 constitution.
“We at the Congress see the removal of Wages from the Exclusive List as an act of treachery masterminded by conservative governors and their cohorts in the National Assembly which will do the polity no good.
“We wish to state in no uncertain terms that the Congress will mobilise its members to resist this move to scrap the national minimum wage. We recall that last year, our national campaign and mobilisation on this subject matter was suspended at the instance of the leadership of the Senate, which promised to revisit the issue.”

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After months of speculations, President Goodluck Jonathan has finally signified his intention to seek for re-election in 2015 Presidential election. To that effect, the President has set up a Presidential declaration committee, headed by the former National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and also former Defence Minister from Kebbi state Dr. Haliru Bello.
Also in the committee are Senator Ken Nnamani (Enugu) while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (Ebonyi) would serve as the Secretary.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Professor Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali (Gombe), Julius Imagwe – SSA – Youth (Edo), Dr. Baraka Sani (SSA -NSAP), Kano are to serve as members of the committee.
Governors were also nominated to represent their zones on the board of the committee and those appointed include Governors Liyel Imoke, Cross River (South South), Theodore Orji, Abia (South East), Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo (South West), Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu Niger (North Central), Ibrahim Shema, Katsina (North West) and Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe (North East)
These facts came to light today when he met the leadership of the PDP at the Presidential Villa. The president was said to have intimated the PDP leadership that he would beat the deadline for the procurement of the presidential nomination form being sold at Wadata house, the party’s secretariat.
November 7 and 15 have been fixed as the dates for his declaration,.
Jonathan was said to have assured the party leadership at the meeting that he would pick the party nomination form before the October 30th deadline set for the exercise by the ruling party.

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President Goodluck Jonathan has given a marching order to military and civilian segments of Nigeria to reach a collective resolve towards addressing Human Rights concerns associated with internal security operations in Nigeria. 
“We have taken very seriously, reports from some international organizations about perceived human rights abuses by our security forces during military operations. Findings, have generally shown that these reports are, in the main, exaggerated. 
“However, we will do everything in our powers to ensure that the rights of our citizens as enshrined in our constitution are respected. We want to appeal to the human rights community for broader cooperation, and deeper understanding of the circumstances that we face and for greater appreciation of the efforts put in place for improved civil-military relationship.”  
President Jonathan spoke today when he declared open, one-day
International Workshop on Civil-Military Cooperation and Observance of Human Rights in Internal Security Operations, held in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.
Jonathan noted that the  workshop would serve as a veritable platform for the Nigerian Armed Forces and relevant security agencies, to key into current international best practices, in the conduct of successful counter terrorism operations, and other emergent military operations. 
The Workshop, he added, would further facilitate the development of a doctrine that will bring the Nigerian Armed Forces, other security agencies and the civilian population even closer, in all internal security operations. 
“I am glad to note that in addition to the Security Sector, we are joined today, by members of the Judiciary, Academia, representatives of governments, International Development Partners, the Media, Civil Society Organizations, as well as other critical stake holders.”
President Jonathan pledged his commitment to continue to investigate and bring to a just and fair closure, any suspected or reported case of human rights abuse. 
He further affirmed the commitment of his administration towards supporting the nation’s security agencies, in their daily task of protecting the people at this most difficult time. 
“We will continue to provide the best of training and acquire appropriate equipment to enable them defend our nation and all members of humanity in our country.”

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