Nigerian workers have been reassured by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the National Assembly and the executive branch of government will cooperate to provide them with improved working conditions and a livable wage.

The Senate President declared that  “No Nigerian worker will again be allowed to work under inhuman conditions. We will do everything to give you the best because you deserve the best.”

He made this known in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, to congratulate the workers as they commemorate the 2024 May Day.

Akpabio, in the message, extolled the sterling qualities that stood out to the Nigerian workers, saying “A Nigerian worker is noted for his patriotism, hard work, resilience, and dedication to duty.

“I am happy to be associated with the Nigerian workers in the last more than 25 years and I can attest to the fact that everywhere you go, the Nigerian worker’s spirit resonates profoundly.”

Speaking on this year’s theme for Workers’ Day, “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate,” Akpabio promised that the National Assembly under his leadership was more than committed to ensuring the best working conditions for the Nigerian workers.

The Senate President reiterated that the theme for this year’s celebration was apt and in tune with the international best practices, assuring that Nigeria would not be left behind.

The Organised Labour has handed the Federal Government May 31 deadline to come up with a realistic and reasonable new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

Labour made this known during the Workers’ Day celebrations at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Wednesday.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero; and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo were unanimous that the N30,000 current minimum wage has been grossly insufficient for Nigerian workers in the light of current economic realities and inflationary pressure including food inflation, hike in energy and transportation cost, amongst others.

They insisted that a new living wage of ₦615,000 be expeditiously approved by the President Bola Tinubu administration before the end of May.

Ajaero said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress and the TUC have made it clearly and emphatically that should the minimum wage negotiation continue and linger till the end of May, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in this country.”

On his part, Osifo asked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and power distribution companies to immediately reverse the current increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers.

“The NLC and TUC hereby advise NERC and power sector operators to reverse the last increase in electricity tariff within the next one week,” the trade union boss said.

Nigerians mark this year’s May Day amid spiralling, and unending snake-like queues at filling stations as scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol worsens across the Federation.

Although there have been assurances by the major oil supplier in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to alleviate this issue, however, the queues have persisted for over one week.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Cubana Chief Priest have reached an out-of-court settlement with respect to the naira abuse case against the nightlife promoter.

Cubana arrives at the federal high court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday for the continuation of his “naira abuse” trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him on April 16 on three counts related to alleged naira abuse.

He was arraigned the following day at the federal high court in Lagos.

When the charges were read, the social media celebrity pleaded not guilty.

Kehinde Ogundare, the judge, thereafter granted him bail in the sum of N10 million with two responsible sureties in like sum.

The judge ruled that the bail conditions must be perfected within seven days.

Cubana was released to his lawyer who must give an undertaken to produce him later. The trial was adjourned to May 2 for continuation.

More to come…