…Urges State Governors To Speedily Implement New Minimum Wage
By Anietie Akpan
The Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ), has urged State Governors to speedily implement the new minimum wage signed into Law by President Bola Tinubu.
In a communique issued at the end of its virtual National Executive Council (NEC), meeting presided over by the President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo at weekend, the Union commenting on the state of the nation, said this was necessary so as to assuage the challenges faced by Nigerian workers in the face of the dwindling economy.
The 10 point communique which was signed by the, National Secretary, Achike Chude; Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council and Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee (CDC), Comrade Amos Etuk; Chairman, Enugu State Council and Secretary, CDC, Comrade, Sam Udekwe and Secretary, Bauchi Council Member, CDC, Comrade Isha Gadau, urged state governments “to take proactive measures in curbing food inflation, introduce price control templates to checkmate rising costs of foodstuffs” while governors who have started this process were commended.
The Union urged President Bola Tinubu to address critical concerns that would bring immediate succour to Nigerians and condemned acts of violence that rocked some States during the nationwide Hunger Protest.
It however condemned strongly, “the unprofessional conduct of security personnel during the hunger protests across the nation especially assaults on Journalists in the cause of the discharge of their schedules” insisting that security personnel must be responsible in their actions on such occasions and exhibit enlightened professional composure while urging Journalists to observe Safety first at all times in their lines of duty.
The NUJ also condemned the invasion by security personnel on the Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and called on the Federal Government “to caution security agencies from such Gestapo acts under a democratic government capable of plunging Institutions to the dark days of Military dictatorship”.
However, the Union further commended state governments rocked by issues of violence during the hunger protest on the curfew imposed in bringing immediate peace and return to normalcy.
Meanwhile, on the forthcoming Triennial Delegates Conference, the NEC of the Union adopted November 28 to 30, 2024 for the event in Owerri, Imo state and constituted a nine man Credentials Committee led by Comrade Michael Ikeogwu as chairman and Comrade Ademu Seidu as Secretary.
They are to midwife the conduct of a credible, transparent and successful election that would usher in the next entral Working Committee (CWC) of the Union. Other members of the committee are: Comrades Peculiar John, Tukur Hassan Dan-Ali, Prince Leke Adegbite, Chidi Asonye, Ayuku Pwaspo, Rajab Mohammed and Dominic Akpan.
To ensure that all members are up to date, the Union extended the deadline for State Councils in default of payment for 2023 Professional Fees and Check Off Dues to December,31,2023 while State Councils yet to effect payment in 2024 in this regards were given six weeks extension.
In consequences of the above, NEC also unanimously extended tenure of the current CWC until the Triennial Delegate conference. However, interested aspirants in the forthcoming Triennial Delegates Conference who have failed to remit their financial obligations to the Union within the period were not accommodated in the extension.
NEC unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the President of NUJ, Comrade Isiguzo, and the CWC for meritoriously serving the Union all through their tenure with distinction and new heights of excellence.
