…Demands Bette Protection For Journalists Ahead Of Edo, Ondo Elections

The Nigeria Union of Journalists has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to do all within his power, to resolve the minimum wage in tandem with current economic realities of Nigerian workers.

Speaking through its President, Chris Iziguso, the NUJ also asked the president to urgently address the pending issue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, before it snowballs into another major crisis.

At the end of its quarterly meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, the union issued a 17-paragraph communique stating its demands and recommendations.

The union noted that it was important for the government, to look into the recommendation of joint labour on the issue of the minimum wage, and also address the agitations of ASUU to avoid another crisis in the academic sector.

Isiguzo noted that the ₦62,000 approved by the Federal Government as minimum wage, was not in reality with the present economic situation in Nigeria.

As the nation warms up for coming elections in Edo and Ondo states, Isiguzo warned security agents and politicians against further attacks on its members nationwide.

He added that the union would no longer tolerate constant attacks on its members either by security agents, or politicians anywhere in the country.

The communique reads in part, “NEC frowns at the lingering insecurity across the nation, especially kidnapping and violent crimes in the South East, Insurgency in the North East, Banditry in North West and rising militancy in the South-South as well kidnapping in the South West and cattle rustling and attack on farmlands in the North Central by herders.

“NEC calls on the heads of the nation’s security apparatus to rise to the occasion and address the situation.

“NEC expresses dismay at the increasing cost of living conditions, particularly the prices of essential commodities which are becoming unbearable to Nigerians, and called on the Federal Government to come up with immediate measures to ameliorate the sufferings being faced by Nigerians.

“On this, NEC expressed concerns at the delay in production at the Dangote Refinery, which would have eased the present economic hardship in the country

“NEC frowns at the incessant vandalization of power installations supplying electricity to some States of the North East and other parts of the country, and therefore calls on the Transmission Company of Nigeria and Ministry of Power to immediately restore electricity supply to the affected states,’ he added.