Metro
FG okays allowance for senior staff, Labour may suspend strike
The Federal Government on Sunday said the provisional wage increase announced by President Bola Tinubu for all low-income workers for six months would cut across all treasury-paid workers.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, revealed this to State House correspondents at the end of a four-hour marathon emergency meeting with the leaders of Organised Labour.
The compromise was reached to avert the proposed indefinite nationwide strike declared by the organised labour.
Following the development, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress were expected to suspend their planned strike slated to commence on Tuesday after discussing the resolutions with their state chapters and affiliates on Monday (Today).
The meeting came hours after the President in his Independence Day broadcast announced the approval of a N25,000 provisional wage increase for certain category of federal workers for the next six months.
Briefing journalists on the meeting outcome, Gbajabiamila said, “There was a lot of chatter on Twitter about the issue of low-income workers only falling into the category of the provisional wage increase. And we did communicate with the President and he quickly did say and agreed that all categories of workers will be given the wage bill. There is nothing like low income, median income or high income.”
He expressed optimism that the labour unions would backtrack on their planned strike.
“Hopefully, we expect that Labour will call a meeting of their various branches and executive tomorrow to present the agreements that have been reached, and we pray and we believe and we hope that the strike will be called off on Tuesday,’’ he noted.
However, labour leaders rejected Tinubu’s N25,000 provisional wage increment for low-grade workers.
They also rejected the government’s proposed six-month period the provisional increase covers and insisted that it should run until a new minimum wage is approved.
Unconfirmed sources at the meeting also said the unions insisted that the wage increase should be reviewed upwards to N35,000.
As a result, the Federal Government raised the wage award to N35,000.
But the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, in a statement disclosed that the parties resolved that the issues in dispute could only be resolved when workers were at work and not when they were on strike.
The statement read, ‘’Labour unions argued for higher wage award and the Federal Government team promised to present Labour’s request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
“A sub-committee (is) to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“The lingering matter of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria and National Union of Road Transport Workers in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.
‘’NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.’’
He added, “The Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
“The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises. VAT on diesel will be waived for the next six months.
“The Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023.”
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the union would table the FG’s offer before its organs reach a resolution.
“We’ve looked at almost all the issues, all the promissory notes from the government and we’ll look at how to translate them into reality and workable.
“Then we’re going to take those promises to our organs. We’re hopeful that our organs will have a look at them and give us a fresh mandate on what next to do. So it’s a simple one,” Ajaero said.
Turning to his comrades, he added, “Of course, you know these people here cannot just wake up and review and call off the (strike) action.”
Echoing Ajaero’s comments, Tommy Etim Okon, who spoke on behalf of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, said, “We’ve had series of conversations surrounding the issues raised and we do hope that by tomorrow (Monday), we are going to get across to our organs so that we can also look at it and cross-fertilise ideas and see the way forward. I’m sure we’re coming back again tomorrow for that.”
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The labour delegation was led by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Deputy President, TUC, Dr Tommy Etim, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, and others.
The Sunday parley, which kicked off around 3pm was convened two days after a similar meeting failed to hold due to the refusal of the Labour leaders to show up for the parley.
The two main umbrella bodies for workers in the country-the NLC and TUC had announced an indefinite strike with effect from Tuesday to protest the alleged failure of the Federal Government to provide post-subsidy palliatives for workers and implement policies that could alleviate the sufferings of the masses after the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The unions had also directed their state chapters and affiliates to mobilise for the shutdown of critical facilities and infrastructure, including airports, seaports, electricity grids and fuel supply across the country.
However, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef fagbemi, SAN, in a letter addressed to the counsel to the NLC and TUC, Femi Falana, SAN, reminded them about a subsisting injunction from the National Industrial Court restraining them from declaring a strike action.
Fagbemi said irrespective of their disposition on the matter, the court order must be obeyed unless it is vacated and advised Falana to advise the labour leaders to abide by the court judgment to protect its integrity.
But the unions waved off the FG’s objection as it continued mobilising its various affiliates and branches for the strike which was expected to cripple economic and commercial activities across the country.
But in a bid to woo the labour unions, the President in his Sunday morning broadcast explained that the wage increase would be paid to low-grade workers for the next six months just as he acknowledged the sufferings of Nigerians since the scrapping of petrol subsidy on May 29.
He said it gave him no joy to watch citizens shoulder burdens that would have been shed a long time ago.
According to him, the decision followed negotiations with the labour unions and other stakeholders in the business community to increase the federal minimum wage without triggering undue inflation.
“For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional N25,000 per month,” Tinubu announced during his maiden Independence Day address to Nigerians.
He said the reforms were necessary to rid the system of the grip of those he called “a select and greedy few.”
“I am attuned to the hardships that have come. I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. I wish to explain to you why we must endure this trying moment.
“Reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require. We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few. A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever-fading past.
“There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future,” he explained.
The President affirmed that his government is doing all that it can to ease the load.
He then outlined the path his administration was taking to relieve the stress on families and households, saying, “We have embarked on several public sector reforms to stabilise the economy, direct fiscal and monetary policy to fight inflation, encourage production, ensure the security of lives and property and lend more support to the poor and the vulnerable.”
He added that “Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation.”
Affiliates ready
Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has said it will join the proposed strike declared by the NLC and TUC.
SSANU in a communique issued at the end of the 45th regular National Executive Council held at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State and made available to The PUNCH on Sunday, read, “NEC-in-session after due deliberations agreed that SSANU as an affiliate of the NLC will join the strike to protest the insensitivity of Government in providing palliatives to cushion the effect of removal of fuel subsidy.
‘’NEC, therefore, mandated all branches to mobilise her members to join the strike as declared as the demands before the Government also includes the release of withheld salaries of university workers.”
The communique, signed by SSANU national president, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, complained that it felt seriously agitated by the report of the Ad hoc Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities, which among other things recommended that State universities should not participate in nationwide industrial actions.
SSANU also called for the payment of its withheld four months’ salaries during a nationwide strike and the implementation of 23 per cent and 35 per cent salary review approved by a committee headed formerly by late Professor Nimi Briggs.
Also, the National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in an interview with one of our correspondents, explained that ASUU being an affiliate of NLC would always support and participate in any decision taken by the congress.
He said, “We are waiting for the NLC to give us feedback from the ongoing meeting. We have earlier written to our members to participate in the strike and as you know, we are an affiliate of NLC, so we always participate in everything they do.”
Also, the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said there was huge expectation from manufacturers and the organised private sector with regard to fruitful deliberations between the Federal Government and the labour unions.
According to him, the planned industrial action by labour unions will significantly hurt the economy and exacerbate the hardship faced by many businesses.
Ajayi-Kadir said, “I think it is evident to everyone that we are looking forward to a productive outcome. I’m not certain that all the issues will be resolved realistically anytime soon, but they can do that through continuous conversation.
“What one expects is that government should be able to give reasonable assurances to labour. Labour should also understand the situation the government finds itself. Grounding the economy and virtually putting a stop to daily business activities is not in the best interest of the economy and the country at this time.”
Meanwhile, in compliance with the directive of their leaders, the state branches of the NLC and TUC have mobilised their members to down tools on Tuesday as part of strategies to put the FG under pressure to meet workers’ demands.
The Sokoto State chapter of the NLC said its members were ready to embark on strike as directed by the national headquarters of the union.
The state secretary of the labour union, Hamisu Hussaini, said the workers in the state had been mobilized for the action.
“We have informed all our affiliates across the state to get set for the action in addition to the monitoring team set up by the union to go round and monitor events in all the offices across the state,” he stated.
Also, the unions in Zamfara State disclosed that they were ready to ensure the success of the strike in the state.
Speaking after a joint State Executive Council meeting of the NLC and TUC in Gusau, the state capital, the NLC chairman, Sani Haliru said a committee had been set up to ensure compliance with the strike directive.
He said both the private and public schools will not operate, including hospitals, markets, filling stations, courts, motor parks and others.
Haliru said, “We urge members of affiliate unions and the general public to support us as we move to salvage the country and they should be ready as it may turn to a protest.’’
On his part, the state chairman of the TUC, Saidu Mudi emphasized on the unity of the two labour centres, saying they were united to fight for workers’ rights and ensure reduction in the hardships facing Nigerians.
“I am optimistic that there is going to be total compliance as we have mobilized our people from the grassroots level and they agreed to join the strike,” the TUC chairman added.
LG workers set
Speaking in Akure, Ondo State, on Friday, after the election of a new executive of the Ondo State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, the National President of the NULGE, Ambali Olatunji, declared that the union would join the strike.
He said, “The only way to avert the NLC strike by President Bola Tinubu is to offer leadership. All these dancing round the corner would not be the solution. Mr President brought this hardship to Nigeria by his proclamation on May 29 without due diligence to study the economy indices.
‘’We know that the outgone government misled him; any policy that is bringing hardship to the people must be mitigated. We are not contradicting withdrawal of subsidy but there must be structure to mitigate the effect of that subsidy removal.
“Because of our corruption and inefficiency, we cannot maintain our refineries. Nigeria is the only nation in the world that is oil producing that cannot refine crude oil. Must we suffer that? Why should we bear that burden, why can’t we bring those modular refineries operators in the Niger Delta together, sharpen their skills, licence them and also collect tax from them, so that this would be internal?
‘’We don’t have to use hard currency to refine our crude oil; it would bring more jobs and it would enhance local communities. Why are we going after them to destroy their refineries when we don’t have capacity to refine it?’’
Stressing the importance of subsidies, the National Treasurer of the NLC argued that the governments’ world over subsidised goods and services to reduce economic hardships.
As anxiety mounts over the planned strike, the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has appealed to the leadership of the unions to show understanding and exercise patience as the government works towards meeting their demands.
Alia made the appeal in his independence broadcast to the people of the state on Sunday.
The governor said that his administration would not deploy propaganda and political blackmail in governance, but would rather allow its achievements to speak.
Alia said that his administration did not consider regular payment of pensions, gratuity, and public workers’ salaries as an achievement, but promised to sustain the practice and stabilize the welfare package of the states’ workforce.
He said, “In view of the looming industrial action by organised labour across the country, I passionately appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to reconsider their plans by exercising a little more patience as Government is working round the clock to meet their demands, despite the harsh economic realities.’’
He urged Benue youths trekking to Abuja and other cities to honour certain Nigerians to desist from the act and enjoined them to avail themselves of the ICT training organized by his administration to enable them to become self-reliant.
He said the government under his watch, has left the door opened for innovative ideas and constructive criticisms, adding that corruption and nepotism were being relegated, especially as the administration was ‘’poised to foist the flags of merit, equity, equality, justice and fairness in all its dealings.’’
Alia’s counterpart in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has also appealed to the organised Labour to exercise patience and have a rethink over its proposed nationwide industrial action in order not to compound the already tense situation in the country.
Oyebanji, in a broadcast address to mark the 27 years of creation of the state and the 63rd independence anniversary said, “We cannot afford to compound the already tense situation by shutting down this extremely fragile economy. It will be like cutting one’s nose to spite one’s own face.
“Whatever may be gained thereafter will be nothing but a temporary victory which would have done incalculable damage to the economy and which may be difficult to reverse in the immediate.
“Therefore, I want to appeal to the organized labour movement to exercise absolute patience and dialogue in resolving the current economic challenges.’’
The governor further cautioned that “Hot pap must be sipped gently so as not to cause more damage to an already precarious situation. Accordingly, government and labour have been in constant engagements for some time. I am pleased to note that the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is confronting these challenges frontally and the country will be better for it in the long run.’’
“On our part, we (Ekiti) have undertaken some interventions to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal on our people. Apart from the direct food distribution and cash transfer to the most vulnerable, the government has also made buses available to staff and students, especially in the state capital to ameliorate the cost of transportation.
“We, therefore, appeal to our local governments to replicate this in their respective local government areas. Beyond this however, is that the Federal Government has promised that there will be a wage review across board soon,’’ he reiterated.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria said there is huge expectation from manufacturers and the organised private sector with regard to fruitful deliberations between the Federal Government and the labour unions.
He said the planned industrial action by labour unions would significantly hurt the economy and exacerbate the hardship faced by many businesses.
Ajayi-Kadir said, “I think it is evident to everyone that we are looking forward to a productive outcome. I’m not certain that all the issues will be resolved realistically anytime soon, but they can do that through continuous conversation.
“What one expects is that the government should be able to give reasonable assurances to labour. Labour should also understand the situation the government finds itself in. Grounding the economy and virtually putting a stop to daily business activities is not in the best interest of the economy and the country at this time.”
In a related development, the National Union of Road Transport Workers has said its members would not participate in the Tuesday strike.
The Chairman of NURTW in Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Ariwoola, disclosed that the union’s leadership had directed commercial drivers not to join the labour action.
But the state NLC said it held a meeting with bank managers in the state to demand total compliance during the strike.
“We visited some of the banks yesterday including Polaris Bank where we told the manager that the strike will be monitored by a special monitoring team and he assured us that once a memo is received by the bank, they will have no choice but to join us.” an NLC official disclosed.
Meanwhile, the NLC has admonished Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable while lamenting the rising cost of living owing to the removal of fuel subsidy.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in a statement on the 63rd Independence anniversary, said Nigerians “must demand accountability from our leaders. The days of impunity and unbridled corruption must come to an end.’’
He added, ‘’We call on all Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process, holding our elected officials to the highest standards of integrity and performance. It is inexplicable why this persistent contradiction of; the harder we work, the less we earn which has kept Nigerian workers totally emasculated and unable to meet their basic needs.’’
punch.
Seventeen passengers have lost their lives in a road accident in Zamfara State.
The passengers died when a commercial bus conveying a bride and other wedding guests plunged into a river while attempting to cross a broken bridge between Gwalli village and Gummi town.
On Saturday, the victims were travelling from Fass village in Gummi Local Government Area to Kebbi State to hand over the bride to her husband after the wedding Fatiha.
Eyewitness said the driver, unfamiliar with the terrain, attempted to navigate the damaged bridge, which had been temporarily patched with sandbags and stones by villagers.
The bus slipped off the makeshift passage and overturned into the river, leading to the drowning of the passengers.
Seventeen bodies have so far been recovered, while two persons remain missing.
The bride and a few passengers who had stepped out of the bus before the incident survived.
Confirming the tragedy, the Zamfara State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported that 17 people, mostly women, died in the crash.
In a statement, the FRSC Public Education Officer, SRC Isah Aliyu, explained that the accident occurred along Gwalli Road after a bridge that collapsed earlier in the week gave way.
He noted that residents had tried to create a makeshift passage with sandbags to enable motorists to cross, but the effort failed, leading to the disaster.
The FRSC Zamfara Sector Commander, Aliyu Ma’aji, advised motorists to avoid night travel, desist from overloading, and always seek updated information on road conditions before embarking on any journey.
The Ogun State Government has issued a flood alert, advising residents of riverine and coastal communities throughout the state to evacuate to safer areas between the last week of September and the second week of October in order to mitigate the risks associated with severe flooding events.
Areas particularly vulnerable include communities along the Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa, and Yemule Rivers, specifically Isheri, Warewa, Akute, segments of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, and Iju, as well as coastal regions such as Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara in Ogun Waterside, Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East, Tungeji Island, and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area.
This advisory was articulated in the 2025 Ogun State Midterm Flood Alert Press Statement, which was disseminated on Sunday by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya.
Dr. Oresanya indicated that the anticipated flooding is attributable to multiple factors, including river overflow, rising sea levels, tidal locking, intense precipitation, water inflows from the northern regions of Nigeria and the Benin Republic, as well as potential water releases from the Oyan Dam.
“The overflow, which usually lasts for two weeks, is part of the second phase of flooding that occurs every year between September and November,” Oresanya said.
Citing projections from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Oresanya disclosed that September will witness the highest rainfall with 204mm, followed by October with 190mm, before a decline to 93mm in November.
To mitigate the impact, he assured residents that the State Emergency Management Agency is on red alert for emergency evacuation and relocation to temporary camps. He added that the Ministry of Environment is working closely with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to manage water releases from Oyan Dam.
The commissioner also cautioned residents in flood-prone areas against using boreholes and wells during this period, warning that water sources are likely to be contaminated.
Fish farmers across the state were advised to urgently harvest their stock to prevent losses, particularly those farming along floodplains in Eriwe, Yemule (Ijebu-Ode), Ilase, and Ayegbami in Yewa.
“Fish farmers must not delay in harvesting to avert their investments being washed away. Likewise, residents should avoid consumption of contaminated water as tidal variations will worsen water quality,” he warned.
Oresanya thanked residents for cooperating with the government on environmental issues, noting that such cooperation in the past six years had helped reduce flooding and its impact statewide.
He pledged the government’s continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Residents of Lakowe’s Orita Adeba and Sangotedo communities expressed heightened concern on Saturday following the occurrence of suspected cult-related clashes that resulted in the brutal killings of two young men in separate incidents that are believed to be acts of retaliation.
According to a report by PUNCH Metro published on Sunday, these incidents represent a continuation of a troubling trend of cult-related violence that has claimed numerous lives throughout Lagos State in recent weeks.
A resident, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, reported that one of the victims was attacked with machetes and subsequently left abandoned by the roadside. Furthermore, the assailants reportedly severed the victim’s right wrist and took it with them.
He said, “It is true. It happened yesterday. They left the body at Orita Adeba, opposite the Lakowe Bus Stop. We can no longer sleep at night.
“We learnt that he was killed by the Aye cult group. His wrist was totally cut off. They have been killing each other to count scores for a few weeks now.”
A short video seen by PUNCH Metro showed the deceased, dressed in brown shorts and a white vest, with dreadlocks, lying face-up in a pool of blood as residents and mourners gathered around, lamenting and taking pictures.
Another resident, identified simply as Fatai, lamented that killings had become frequent in Ibeju-Lekki.
He said, “They just started killing each other. Just three days ago, my neighbour was telling me that someone was also butchered in the same Lakowe.
“It’s over three incidents now within a short time. The boy who was killed is believed to be a cult member also. They are using their lives to count scores.”
While residents linked the Lakowe killing to cult violence, another young man was also found dead by a culvert in the Sangotedo area.
Though the motive was yet to be confirmed, a video shared by the Naija Confra Telegram page showed the victim in a white singlet and black trousers lying lifeless by the roadside.
A senior police officer who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Sunday said he would provide details of the incidents later in the evening.
However, no official response had been received as of the time this report was filed.
Last week, PUNCH Metro reported a similar cult-related clash in Ibeju-Lekki, where two people were killed.
Images from that incident showed one of the victims with deep machete cuts to the face and severe injuries to the wrist, his body sprawled beside a blood-drenched motorcycle.
The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has cleared the air on the ongoing debate surrounding the Olomoro–Igbide Road, following reports suggesting that the project was a Federal Government intervention under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
Aniagwu, in a statement on Friday, said contrary to claims circulating on social media, the project was neither conceived nor funded by the Federal Government but was duly approved and executed by the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He explained that the State Executive Council approved the construction of the Olomoro–Igbide Road in August 2024 as part of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda on rural infrastructure, and the site was handed over to Lebtech Construction on November 24, 2024.
According to him, the project has since been fully funded by the state government, completed to specification, and now awaits formal inauguration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Olomoro–Igbide Road is a Delta State Government project. It was approved by the State Executive Council on August, 2024, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
“The state government provided full funding, and the project has been delivered to the people of Olomoro and Igbide communities in line with specifications,” Aniagwu stated.
The Commissioner recalled several supervisory visits he personally undertook to the project site, including joint inspections with Governor Oborevwori and the State Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, an illustrious son of Igbide Kingdom.
“I personally supervised the project at different stages of construction to ensure standards were upheld. On different occasion, His Excellency, Governor Oborevwori, and the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme led members of the state’s project monitoring committee on inspection to ascertain progressive milestones on the Olomoro-Igbide road project”.
“We saw firsthand the quality of work delivered, and I can confidently say this is a state-driven project ready for inauguration,” he added.
Aniagwu was reacting to a report by Tracka, a civic group known for monitoring projects nationwide, which had in a recent Facebook post claimed to be tracking the Olomoro project as a federally funded intervention under the NDE.
The group also alleged that while the Olomoro–Igbide stretch had been asphalted, drainage works were yet to be completed at the Olomoro end.
While commending Tracka for its efforts in promoting accountability, the Commissioner urged the organization to verify facts more diligently before publication to avoid misinforming the public.
“We appreciate Tracka’s role in tracking projects across Nigeria, but in this case, their claim was misleading. The Olomoro–Igbide Road has nothing to do with the Federal Government or the NDE.
“It is purely a Delta State Government initiative under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Going forward, I urge them to exercise greater caution and courtesy in their reporting so that citizens are not misled,” he cautioned.
Aniagwu reassured residents of Olomoro and Igbide that the road, which has been fully delivered, will soon be inaugurated even as road users are already enjoying smoother motoring on the road.
The Olomoro-Igbide road and many of such across the state are part of the state government’s ongoing commitment to rural development and inclusive infrastructure growth.
The Trans-African Youth Development Initiative (TAYI), has conferred the Nelson Mandela “Africa Patriot Award of Excellence” on Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze for his visionary leadership and contributions to nation building.
The award, which recognizes Izeze as an African Patriotic Leader, was presented in Asaba on Monday.
The group described the commissioner as a “golden fish with no hidden habitat,” whose visionary leadership and commitment to humanity have distinguished him among African public office holders.
In his address, TAYI’s country representative in Nigeria, Amb. Bakare Luqman, said the organization, which represents the voices of 1.2 billion young people in the Commonwealth, closely monitors the contributions of public office holders and honors those who positively impact their communities.
He praised Izeze’s role in ensuring adequate security, promoting community development, upholding the rule of law, advancing education, empowering youths, and fostering religious tolerance.
“Sir, you have demonstrated indelible commitment to the transformation of good governance in Nigeria through your office and selfless service to humanity,” Luqman said, noting that Izeze’s work aligns with the development agenda of President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He added that Izeze’s dedication to youth emancipation and nation-building has earned him respect across Africa. “Indeed, the recipient has won the heart of African youths by his conduct and credentials as a distinguished leader, dogged fighter, bastion of hope and a statesman par excellence,” Luqman stated.
The ceremony also served as a platform for TAYI to highlight its forthcoming continental conference themed “A Holistic Approach to Quality Assurance in African Higher Educational Institutions, Pragmatic Interventions by Supply and Demand Actors.”
The summit, scheduled for September 11–13 in Kigali, Rwanda, will bring together stakeholders from across Africa to chart pathways for educational development.
TAYI further called on governments, entrepreneurs, and public office holders to support its initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, skills development, and peacebuilding.
Concluding the ceremony, Luqman expressed hope that the recognition bestowed on Izeze would inspire other leaders to emulate his people-centered approach to governance and national development.
Responding, Comrade Izeze expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to God, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the supportive people of Delta State.
He described the honor as both humbling and inspiring, noting that it would serve as a call to even greater service. “This award is not just about me; it is about the vision we share as a people, that governance must be about the people, their well-being, and their future,” Izeze said.
The commissioner praised TAYI for its steadfast commitment to youth development across the continent, commending its programs that tackle social ills, promote education, and empower young people with leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
“This recognition is a reminder that the work we do in public office is constantly being observed, measured, and evaluated. It challenges me to redouble my efforts in ensuring that our roads and infrastructure projects translate to real opportunities for our people, particularly the youths who are the heartbeat of our nation,” he added.
Izeze further assured that he would continue to work in alignment with the MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori, which emphasizes meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms, and enhanced peace and security.
He called on Nigerian youths to remain committed to the values of patriotism, integrity, and hard work, urging them to see themselves as partners in nation-building.
“The future of Africa lies in the hands of its young people. If we channel our energy positively, there is no limit to what we can achieve as a continent,” he said.
The commissioner concluded by dedicating the award to God, Governor Oborevwori and all Deltans whose resilience, faith, and support make the work of governance not only possible but impactful,” assuring them that the recognition would only strengthen his resolve to deliver on his mandate.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, has paid glowing tribute to the late former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Moses Oisakede, on the 26th anniversary of his passing.
Oisakede, who died on September 1, 1999, was remembered by Izeze as “a rare breed of student leader whose life of service was marked by courage, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to the welfare of his fellow students.”
Recalling Oisakede’s 1997 handover speech as Students’ Union President of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Izeze noted that the late activist stood out as the only union leader who boldly invited a probe of his own administration, leaving behind a financial surplus and disciplining corrupt executives.
“His moral courage and transparency remain exemplary to this day,” he said.
The Commissioner described Oisakede as a visionary who championed affordable education, resisted exploitative practices, improved students’ accommodation and welfare, advanced transportation options, and ensured uninterrupted academic calendars through constructive, non-violent resistance.
He also recalled Oisakede’s role in hosting the 14th NANS Convention and honouring fallen comrades with monuments.
Izeze, who was an acolyte of Oisakede during their NANS years, disclosed that he and other friends remained close to the late leader’s family in Otuo, Edo State, ensuring that his mother has never lacked care since his passing.
“Twenty-six years after his death, Moses Oisakede remains not just a leader of his time but a timeless symbol of selfless service, visionary unionism, and ethical leadership.
“His memory will forever inspire generations of Nigerian students and leaders to come,” Izeze declared.
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