News
Governor Namadi Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage and N5 Billion for Retirees
Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has officially approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants in the state.
This announcement was made by Hon. Bashir Ado, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Salary and Pension and a key member of the committee responsible for implementing the new wage structure.
Ado shared the news during an interaction with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Kanya Babba.
Ado explained that while the governor had already given the go-ahead for the new minimum wage, the final implementation was awaiting the completion of the committee’s work.
He noted that the committee had made significant progress, with about 90 percent of the work completed.
Once finalized, the report will be submitted to Governor Namadi for his approval, ensuring that the new salary structure is put into effect.
The state currently operates with nine different salary structures, and those earning on special scales, which are already above the minimum wage, will still benefit from a consequential adjustment.
According to Ado, even the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed satisfaction with the wage increment, as the committee’s template has clearly outlined how much each civil servant will receive based on the new structure.
Ado highlighted that the civil servants in the state will likely be pleased when they see the increase reflected in their paychecks.
He added, “I’m certain that civil servants will appreciate Governor Umar Namadi’s efforts to improve their welfare, and they’ll be grateful for the salary increment.”
The decision to increase the minimum wage was part of a broader initiative aimed at improving the lives of civil servants and pensioners in the state.
Earlier, the Jigawa State Executive Council, under the leadership of Governor Namadi, had formed a 10-member committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the new wage policy.
The committee, chaired by the State Head of Service, Muhammad Dagaceri, includes the Permanent Private Secretary to the Governor as the Secretary.
In addition to the minimum wage increase, Governor Namadi has also taken steps to address long-standing concerns regarding retirees’ benefits.
He has approved over N5 billion to clear outstanding payments for retirees whose benefits had been delayed for more than 20 months.
This gesture has been widely praised as a much-needed relief for retired civil servants who have been waiting for their entitlements.
The governor’s initiatives have been viewed as part of a comprehensive effort to enhance the well-being of both active and retired government employees in Jigawa State.
By approving the new minimum wage and addressing pension arrears, Governor Namadi has demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of civil servants, a key priority of his administration.
His administration’s focus on improving the livelihood of workers has been widely commended, positioning the state as a leader in ensuring fair wages and timely payments to public sector employees.
News
Naira Among Sub-Saharan Africa’s Weakest Currencies in 2024, Depreciates by 43%
The Nigerian naira has been named one of the weakest currencies in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024, depreciating by 43% year-to-date, according to the World Bank’s Africa’s Pulse report.
This decline is due to high demand for U.S. dollars, limited inflows, and slow forex disbursements from the central bank. Despite reforms, broader economic challenges, including low reserves and inflation, continue to weigh on the naira.
However, the currency saw some recovery on October 14, appreciating by 5.69%. The World Bank projects Nigeria’s economy will grow by 3.3% in 2024.
News
Shehu Sani Accuses World Bank of Prolonging Nigeria’s Hardship
Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani accused the World Bank on Wednesday of worsening the hardships faced by Nigerians. He claimed the organization plans for Nigeria’s struggles to continue for another 15 years before any relief is seen.
In a post on X, Sani wrote, “The World Bank wants hardship to last for 15 more years before we reach the promised land. But how many people will still be around to benefit? And how many African countries has the World Bank actually helped reach the promised land?” His remarks came after the World Bank reported that the Nigerian Naira was among the weakest currencies in sub-Saharan Africa by August 2024. The Naira, which declined by 43%, dropped alongside the Ethiopian Birr and South Sudanese Pound due to high dollar demand and low dollar inflow.
News
Tragic Jigawa Tanker Explosion Claims 90 Lives With 50 Injured
A tragic petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Taura local government area of Jigawa State claimed the lives of at least 90 people on Tuesday night.
The devastating accident occurred near Khadija University when the driver of the tanker lost control around 11:30 p.m.
The vehicle, which had departed from Kano and was en route to Nguru in Yobe State, exploded shortly after the crash, engulfing the area in flames.
According to the police spokesperson in Jigawa, Mr. Shi’isu Adam, 50 individuals who sustained various injuries are currently receiving treatment at Ringim General Hospital.
Many of them are in critical condition, with some facing life-threatening burns.
Mr. Adam revealed that the high number of casualties was largely due to the crowd that gathered around the site of the crash despite repeated warnings from authorities to avoid accident scenes involving fuel tankers.
He expressed concern over this persistent disregard for safety precautions, stating that it was the primary reason for the massive loss of life in this incident.
“We’ve consistently advised the public to stay away from such sites, but unfortunately, many people rushed to the scene, leading to these tragic deaths,” Mr. Adam said.
The scale of the disaster has left the community in shock. Families who lost loved ones are in deep mourning, while others anxiously await news about their hospitalized relatives.
In response to the large number of victims, local officials have scheduled a mass burial for Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., with families and community leaders expected to attend.
The tanker explosion has raised concerns about the frequency of such accidents in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where emergency response is slower and where residents often approach accident sites unaware of the dangers.
Safety experts have called for more public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
This heartbreaking event highlights not only the risks associated with fuel transportation but also the importance of educating the public on how to react in emergency situations.
The people of Jigawa are now left to pick up the pieces from this horrific event while hoping for the recovery of those still fighting for their lives in the hospital.
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