News
Strike: Parliamentary staff may delay 2023 budget passage
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), and the National Assembly Chapters had concluded arrangements to delay the 2023 budget defence and passage from the usual January – December circle over threat of strike action, and their endless demands for allowances.
The strike is billed to begin on Thursday, 20th October, 2022 as contained in the Communique released by the Union after its meeting with the Commission and Management of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate on Tuesday, 11th October, 2022.
This is coming according to sources after the National Assembly Service Commission NASC had obliged to the demands for payment of leave allowances, hazard allowances, arrears of minimum wage and peculiar allowances after they embarked on strike in June, 2022, as part of the conditions that ended the industrial action.
Investigations carried out by our reporter both at the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission revealed that the Commission had already requested and tabled all the demands of the Union before the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission through a correspondence demanding the implementation of minimum wage/ Consequential adjustment in the staff consolidated legislative salary structure, and some allowances approved in the Conditions of Service for Use in the National Assembly Service.
More revelations also confirmed that the efforts towards realising the demands of PASAN was already forwarded to the Presidential Committee on Salaries and Wages, whose duties is to look into and ratify issues relating to salaries and Wages in the Public Service.
It was also reliably gathered that the National Assembly leadership had proactively intervened for accelerated actions and approval of the proposed allowances, conscious of the threats from the parliamentary union.
The threat to embark on an industrial strike by the Union will not only affect the National Assembly and National Assembly Service Commission, but with multiplier effects on the economy, activities of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Nigeria already preparing to defend their proposed 2023 budgets.
According to the Labour laws and the Trade Dispute Act, this action by the Union negates smooth activities, privileges, rights among others under the Legislative Houses which fall under Section 16, 21 that remained unambiguous.
It should be noted that any attempt to continue with the proposed strike, may disrupt the activities of the 9th Assembly, and create uneasy calm both at the Assembly and the nation at large.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
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