The meeting called by the Federal Government on Wednesday to discuss the national minimum wage for workers ended abruptly as leaders of organised labour staged a walk-out.

Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Tommy Okon, deputy president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), represented the workers at the meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the labour at a press conference, Ajaero condemned the federal government’s proposed N48,000 wage.

He said the government was not serious about negotiating with the labour.

Ajaero said the government has until the end of the month to arrive at a decision.

“The government’s proposal of a paltry N48,000 as the minimum wage does not only insult the sensibilities of Nigerian workers but also falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations,” he said.

The NLC and TUC had proposed N615,500 as the minimum wage the federal government should pay Nigerian workers, citing the high cost of living.

Ajaero said the government’s failure to provide data to support the N48,000 it offered exacerbates the situation.

He said the lack of transparency and good faith undermined the credibility of the negotiation process and eroded trust between the parties involved.

“The organised private sector proposed an initial offer of N54,000, though it is worth noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000, as clearly stated by the OPS, highlighting the stark disparity between the proposed and prevailing standards,” the NLC president said.

“This further demonstrates the unwillingness of employers and government to faithfully negotiate a fair national minimum wage for Workers in Nigeria.

“As representatives of Nigerian workers, we cannot in good conscience accept a wage proposal that would result in a reduction in income for federal-level workers who are already receiving N30,000 as mandated by law, augmented by Buhari’s 40% peculiar allowance and the N35,000 wage award, totalling N77,000 only.

“Such a regressive step would undermine the economic well-being of workers and their families and is unacceptable in a National minimum wage fixing process.”

Gboyega Soyannwo, deputy chief of staff to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, is dead.

Soyannwo died on Wednesday after a brief illness, at the age of 55.

In a statement, Gbenga Omotoso, the commissioner for information and strategy in Lagos, said Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the family of the late deputy chief of staff.

The Lagos governor said he had lost a “brother and a servant of the people”.

“With deep sorrow, the Lagos State Government announces the passing of the deputy chief of staff (DCoS) to Mr Governor, Mr Gboyega Soyannwo,” the statement reads.

“Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the government and people of Lagos, sends his condolences to the Soyannwo family.“

Soyannwo was appointed as the deputy chief of staff to Sanwo-Olu in 2019. He was reappointed in 2023.

He was born on October 3, 1968.

He had his primary education at the Corona School Victoria Island, Lagos, from 1974 to 1980 and proceeded to Kings College for his secondary education from 1980 to 1985.

He obtained a B.Sc. in economics from the University of Lagos.

He started his career at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1992 as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

He also worked in some financial institutions in Nigeria before joining the public service.

Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has described the Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, as the pride of Yoruba race, saying Yoruba will always cherish the wisdom and the quality of life of the foremost monarch.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, Iba Adams said Awujale’s 64 years on the throne of his forebears is a big reference in Yoruba history and he is one of the longest-serving monarch in Yoruba land.

“Awujale’s life and impact as the paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Ogun state and Yorubaland in particular, is a testimony of God’s grace.

He is no doubt the pride of our race.The traditional institution is the sacred institution of our race and we will continue to respect that sanctity of the stool.

“The role Kabiesi Awujale played during the June 12 1993 struggle in defending the mandate of the late Aare MKO Abiola and that of the Yoruba would be indelible in our minds.

“Kabiesi is consistent,he is also uncompromising, very courageous as the rallying point of monarchs in Ijebu land.He is ready to stand alone on his beliefs and conviction and he is a big Iroko in Yoruba land, who comports himself as it is most expected.

“Two things has been working in Kabiesi’s favour.He enjoys the grace of old age and the wisdom that is also attached to it.As a first class monarch, Kabiesi Awujale is a man of the people.That is the reason for the various accolades and applause he got as he celebrated his 90th birthday anniversary and 64 years on the throne.

Iba Adams prayed for the Awujale, saying the foremost Ijebu monarch deserve to be celebrated in the most amazing way.