Author: Daily Post Nigeria

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Yobe State Council, has demanded the full implementation of the ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage for all primary school teachers, primary healthcare workers, and local government staff in the state.

Presenting a memorandum at the NLC/TUC Joint May Day Rally 2026 in Damaturu, NLC Chairman, Comrade Muktar Musa Tarbutu, said the current uneven implementation, where only state civil servants enjoy the new wage, is fuelling economic hardship, draining workers’ morale, and worsening insecurity and poverty across Yobe State.

Speaking under this year’s theme, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” Tarbutu cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which makes the security and welfare of citizens the primary purpose of government.

While commending the state government’s past cooperation, the labour leader presented a list of urgent demands, including full minimum wage coverage for all local government staff, teachers, and primary healthcare workers, as well as the restoration of 100 per cent overhead costs, which he said had been slashed by 50 per cent.

“Others are: a 100 per cent upward review of furniture allowance; reinstatement of annual leave grant and increment; implementation of the CONPASS salary structure for Fire Service and Road Traffic Agency staff; creation of a Director of Labour office and appointment of an Adviser on Labour Matters; upward review to CONHESS for health workers and reversal of the two-level drop; as well as agricultural training and the provision of modern tools for food security and internal revenue generation,” Tarbutu said.

The Yobe NLC chairman warned that failure to address the wage imbalance between state and local government workers would continue to deepen poverty, insecurity, and low productivity.

He, however, expressed confidence that Governor Mai Mala Buni would act in the interest of workers’ welfare and the state’s progress.

Organised labour also reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the government for positive development and efficient service delivery.

Receiving the NLC memorandum, the Yobe State Head of Service, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office (PSO), Hamidu Musa Babi, assured the workers that their message would be conveyed to the Head of Service, who would, in turn, forward it to Governor Mai Mala Buni for necessary action.

May Day: Yobe NLC demands N70,000 minimum wage for LG workers, teachers

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State, on Friday, appealed to the general public to disregard the purported leadership vacuum in the party.

PDP’s Publicity Secretary,Chief Kingsley Akpos Oturubo made the appeal in a statement sent to our correspondent in Warri.

“We appeal to the general public to disregard the purported leadership vacuum in the party.”

Oturubo enjoined those who want to contest the 2027 general election under its platform to continue their electioneering campaigns..

He said,”Those who want to contest elections on our platform should continue with their electioneering activities. There is no cause for alarm.”

According to him, “The PDP led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed has come to stay. The Apex Court has validated his leadership and that is the position of the law.”

Oturubo also noted that, “The PDP will field candidates in the 2027 general elections and we shall definitely win all the available seats from the Governorship, the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly with the support of Deltans.”

He said the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered on the 30th of April 2026 has settled the protracted leadership conundrum affecting the PDP.

He noted that the party
was being confronted by factional crisis but with the verdict nullying the unconstitutional Ibadan convention which produced Aminu Turaki-led faction, we no longer have factional crisis.

Oturubo said,”Yesterday’s Supreme Court judgment only invalidated the Ibadan Convention.

“Senator Sam Anyanwu and three others which the Supreme Court upheld the suspension was suspended for one month by the Party at the PDP’s 608th NWC meeting held on the 1st of November 2025. That suspension was not contested or extended, and it has elapsed on the 1st of December 2025.

“Upon its expiration, Senator Anyanwu and others were appointed into the Caretaker National Working Committee on the 8th of December 2025.

“The Committee worked towards the March 2026 Convention, which is recognised by INEC to produce the current leadership of the PDP led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and same is reflected on INEC’s portal today. We refer Deltans to visit the INEC portal to view the portal.

“We wish to bring this information to set the record straight. Those parading themselves as the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Party are not known to us. We have a properly and legally constituted National Executive Committee comprises of the BoT led by His Excellency, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and the NWC led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed among other organs.”

The PDP reiterated its appeal to aggrieved of the partyg to sheath their swords.

“Let us join hands together to rebuild the Party. Our members who have left the Party during the internecine leadership crisis, we are calling on you once again to return to your original family. Our Party has survived the challenges and we’re now in the 2027 race.

Supreme Court Verdict: Disregard purported leadership vacuum – Delta PDP appeals to public

Properties, equipment have been destroyed as a result of fire that razed an aluminum company and a residential building in Oyo State.

The aluminum company, located at Km 110, Iyaganku area of Ibadan was razed on Thursday while the fire incident at the residential building in Ogbomoso occurred on Wednesday.

Chairman, Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande confirmed both incidents, saying his men have brought the situation under control.

“Upon arrival, a building used as an office with adjoining warehouse was engulfed by fire. The fire was caused by electrical sparks from an appliance plugged and unattended to and it ignited nearby combustibles, and set the building ablaze.

On the building in Ogbomoso, he said, “Upon arrival, it was discovered that the first room by the right of an ancient residential building was engulfed by fire”.

Fire razes aluminum company, residential building in Oyo

Al-Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has declared that his move to the Saudi Pro League, SPL, paved the way for other top international stars to follow suit.

The Portuguese forward stated this during a recent chat with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.

Since Ronaldo’s arrival, big names like Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, and Ivan Toney joined the SPL.

“I will speak at the end of the season about many real matters,” Ronaldo said as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

“I was the first to come to this league, and the rest came because of me.

“They must respect the referees; even if they make mistakes, they are human, and they make errors.”

Ronaldo’s remarks come after Al-Nassr’s 2–0 win over Al-Ahli on Wednesday.

Top foreign players came to Saudi Arabia League because of me – Ronaldo

Local government workers across Borno State on Friday protested the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage by the state government.

The protest, held in Maiduguri, was organised by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, as part of activities marking this year’s International Workers’ Day.

Addressing journalists during the protest, the state NLC Chairman, Yusuf Inuwa, said local government workers were among the most affected by the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

He said workers chose to mark Workers’ Day on the streets to draw attention to their plight.

“Last two years, the national leadership of organised labour negotiated the N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers. That makes it a law for all states to pay their workers,” he said.

Inuwa acknowledged that the state government had implemented the new wage for primary school teachers and healthcare workers, but said local government staff were yet to benefit.

“Here in Borno, teachers and primary healthcare workers have been covered, but local government staff are yet to be captured. An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said.

He described the situation as unacceptable, saying the affected workers could no longer cope with rising inflation and living costs.

May Day 2026: Borno LG workers protest non-implementation of N70,000 minimum wage

The Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Friday said it had paraded three suspected criminals at the command’s headquarters.

In a statement by Assistant Superintendent of Corps Umar Mohammad, the command’s Public Relations Officer, the NSCDC said the suspects were arrested at different locations following intelligence reports.

According to the statement, two suspects, Bashir Hassan, 20, and Taminu Muhammed, 25, were apprehended at Nassarawa Burkullu Market for allegedly stealing a Boxer motorcycle. The suspects reportedly forcefully took the motorcycle from its rider and threatened to stab him.

The statement added that the third suspect, Abdulrashid Abubakar, who resides in Azare behind Koli Filling Station, allegedly tricked a motorcyclist and, upon reaching the destination, stabbed him with a machete. He reportedly attempted to escape with the motorcycle before NSCDC personnel arrested him.

The command said the suspects are currently in custody and appealed to residents of the state to report suspicious persons in their communities and provide the command with relevant information.

According to the statement, the suspects will be charged in court upon the completion of investigations.

NSCDC nabs, parades three suspected criminals in Zamfara

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The Abia State Government has disclosed the reason behind keeping its negotiations with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) out of the public domain, stating that it was to create room for constructive dialogue toward resolving the ongoing judiciary strike.

The Director-General of Strategic Communication, Onyebuchi Ememanka, made this known while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia.

“We kept details of the discussions out of the public space to allow for meaningful engagement,” Ememanka said.

Ememanka, reacting to the ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) threatening mass action if the strike is not resolved, said the communiqué failed to capture the realities of ongoing engagements by the state government.

He further dismissed claims that the Governor ignored a request for a courtesy visit by the NBA, explaining that the correspondence was still undergoing due administrative processes.

“The due process is being followed. The letter is still within the administrative system and has not been ignored in any way,” he added.

On the allegation that the Attorney-General declined a meeting with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ememanka clarified that the Attorney-General was out of town on official duty, noting that the situation should not be misinterpreted.

“It is unfair to characterise the situation as a refusal or deliberate snub, the Attorney-General was away on official duty,” he said.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, stated that the government has remained consistent in its engagement with stakeholders and is committed to resolving the impasse.

“We are engaging all parties in good faith and remain confident that the matter will be resolved soon,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) would eventually call off the strike in the interest of the state.

He further noted that the judiciary already operates with a level of financial independence through subventions, which allow it to manage its internal priorities, including capital and procurement-related needs.

“The judiciary receives subventions that enable it to carry out its responsibilities.

“However, full autonomy would require broader structural adjustments at the national level,” he stated.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the dispute through dialogue and urged stakeholders to support ongoing efforts.

Abia Govt Faults NBA Ultimatum, Insists Talks Ongoing is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Concerned stakeholders and victims of the ongoing Jukun-Tiv conflict in Taraba State have pushed back against recent claims that meaningful progress is being made toward peace, describing such assertions as misleading and unsupported by realities on the ground.

In a statement released on Friday, the group said it does not share the growing optimism being projected by officials and mediators. According to them, what is often presented as “peace efforts” has failed to translate into tangible improvements, particularly for displaced Tiv communities.

They noted that while meetings continue to be held and public statements issued, there is little evidence of concrete action or sustained commitment from the Taraba State Government.

“Beyond these optics, the situation remains largely unchanged for those directly affected,” the statement said.

The stakeholders identified what they described as a central issue: an apparent reluctance by authorities in Taraba State to take full ownership of the crisis.

They argued that the conflict, being internal and involving long-established communities, should be addressed decisively within the state rather than relying heavily on external mediation efforts that have yet to yield lasting results.

They also raised concerns about the role of security forces, alleging that deployments, particularly involving the military, have restricted displaced Tiv persons from returning to their ancestral homes. This, they said, creates the perception that force is being used in ways that may reinforce displacement rather than facilitate peacebuilding.

“Peace cannot be built on exclusion or enforced through restriction,” the statement emphasised, adding that any genuine reconciliation process must begin with the safe and unconditional return of displaced persons, alongside guarantees of protection and justice.

The group further questioned the timing of renewed peace engagements, suggesting a link between increased political activity and heightened publicity surrounding interventions.

Signed by Vincent T. Tortsugh on behalf of concerned citizens and victims of the crisis, the statement warned that such efforts have historically faded once political pressures ease, leaving communities vulnerable and deepening mistrust.

Among their key demands, the stakeholders called for peace initiatives driven by clear political will within the state, an end to restrictions on displaced persons, and the introduction of enforceable measures, timelines, and accountability mechanisms.

Reiterating that the Tiv people are not opposed to peace, they noted that previous processes have failed to address underlying injustices.

Taraba Crisis: Tiv stakeholders dismiss peace claims, demand return of displaced persons

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, has revealed that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will decide the club’s next manager in the coming days following reports linking Jose Mourinho with a return to the Los Blancos.

This comes amid growing speculation that Mourinho could be heading back to the Spanish capital.

Providing an update on the current situation, Romano, in a post on Facebook, stated that Perez shares an “absolutely excellent” relationship with Mourinho, who is very much in the running.

However, the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss isn’t the only name on the list, as three other candidates are being considered to replace current manager Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa is expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, and as a result, the club is accelerating its search for a permanent successor.

“Florentino Perez is going to decide personally who is going to be Real Madrid’s next coach.

“The relationship between Mourinho and Perez is absolutely excellent. So Mourinho is for sure a candidate. He is not the only one; there are three more candidates.”

LaLiga: Perez to decide Real Madrid’s next coach, relationship with Mourinho excellent – Romano

The Kano State Hisbah Board is set to conduct mandatory medical screening for 3,000 prospective couples ahead of a government-sponsored mass wedding, the board’s Deputy Commander-General, Sheikh Mujahedeen Aminudeen, has said.

Aminudeen told THE WHISTLER on Friday that the exercise would cover 1,500 men and 1,500 women selected for the programme, with screening tests to include HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, genotype and drug checks.

He warned that any prospective couple who fails to undergo the screening would be disqualified from participating.

“Each bride is expected to receive a set of beds with mattresses and pillows, as well as N100,000 cash to start up a business of her own after collecting N100,000 dowry from the government,” he said.

The initiative, organised by the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Yusuf, targets less-privileged women including widows, divorcees and spinsters.

Beyond the medical screening, the state government will provide support covering dowry payments and other essential items for the couples.

The mass wedding programme was originally introduced during the administration of former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as part of efforts to support vulnerable women and address social challenges in the state.

HIV, Genotype Tests Mandatory As Kano Plans Mass Wedding For 3,000 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper