Our Reporter 

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has disclosed that his administration has spent over ₦16 billion on retirement and death benefits since assuming office in May 2023.

The Governor made this known on Thursday while delivering his address at the opening ceremony of the Workers’ Rights Summit, held to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the legalization of trade unionism in Nigeria (1938–2026). The event took place at the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi.

Governor Idris stated that, in line with his administration’s strategic plan for sustainable economic growth, numerous transformative projects have been executed across the state.

“These monumental achievements, alongside many other reforms still in the pipeline, are a testament to the deep commitment of this administration to the dignity and well-being of every worker in Kebbi State,” he said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to people-oriented policies and appealed for the continued support and cooperation of the people to ensure the success of his government.

The Governor emphasized that his administration has consistently prioritized the welfare of civil servants and the entire workforce.

“We are prepared to collaborate with all stakeholders—including trade unions, civil society organizations, and the organized private sector—to enhance the welfare, safety, and protection of workers’ rights,” he added.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and State Head of the Civil Service, Tpl. Mallam Shekare mni, highlighted the achievements of the Kauran Gwandu administration, particularly its commitment to workers’ welfare. He noted that more than ₦16 billion had been expended on retirement and death benefits from May 2023 to date.

The Head of Service commended Governor Nasir Idris for his unwavering support for civil servants, citing the construction and furnishing of the ultra-modern State Secretariat Complex, the implementation of the ₦75,000 minimum wage, and other welfare initiatives.

In his remarks, former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, commended Governor Idris for the remarkable achievements recorded within three years in office. He said the summit was aimed at strengthening workers’ rights and promoting good governance.

He urged participants to emulate the Governor’s commitment to building a better future for workers.

Also speaking, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, represented by the President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Titus Amba, applauded Governor Idris for delivering over 80 percent of his campaign promises. He also commended the organizers for hosting the summit.

He encouraged workers to remain committed to their duties and disclosed that the NLC was working towards a review of the national minimum wage through continued engagement with the Federal Government.

Comrade Amba further thanked the Nigerian Bar Association and the Human Rights Institute for organizing the summit, describing it as a strategic gathering focused on labour, social justice, and democracy at a critical time in the nation’s history.

The Chief Judge of Kebbi State, Justice Umaru Abubakar, also commended the theme of the summit and reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of civil servants.

He stated that the government would continue to partner with relevant organizations to improve workers’ welfare, noting that the dedication of the state’s civil servants has been instrumental to the success of the present administration.

By Umar Musa

A former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Babatunde Ogala, on Thursday insisted that President Bola Tinubu is qualified to run for the presidency in 2027.

Ogala said Tinubu is qualified by virtue of his age and the fact that he is a Nigerian.

He made this known on Channels Television’s Politics Today while reacting to the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s qualifications.

Tinubu did not submit his primary and secondary school certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This has led to widespread controversy among Nigerians.

However, Ogala said: “What does the Constitution say about qualification for office? Because I hear things like: Who are his parents? Who is his father? Who is his mother? Who is his sister? And who is his brother?

“Is he a Nigerian? The answer is yes, unless otherwise proven or determined through a judicial process. Is Tinubu qualified to run for the presidency age-wise? The answer is yes, by constitutional provisions.

“Does he have the minimum educational qualification as prescribed by the Constitution, which says educated up to School Certificate level, interpreted to mean Primary Six and the ability to read and write?

“The man says, ‘I have a degree.’ Babatunde Ogala is sitting here. I’m a Senior Advocate, and you are asking me to prove if I’m a lawyer. You want to know which primary and secondary schools I attended, where I did my A-Levels, and all of that.”

By Our Reporter 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the neutrality of Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, insisting that the cleric was not impartial during the 2023 general election.

Wike made the remarks during his media parley on Tuesday while reacting to the controversy that followed Onaiyekan’s comments after a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

Following the meeting, the cardinal said in an interview that people around President Tinubu were presenting a “rosy picture” of the country to him and suggested that the President was focused on securing victory in the 2027 presidential election.

The Presidency subsequently faulted Onaiyekan for disclosing details of the closed-door meeting, describing the action as an abuse of privilege.

Responding to the development, Wike argued that public comments from religious leaders should reflect balance, warning that persistent criticism without acknowledging government achievements could be viewed as politically motivated.

“If a religious leader is perceived or seen to be taking a side, which is very clear, it is very difficult for people to begin to see those comments as being helpful,” he said.

“I am aware of the position of Cardinal Onaiyekan; all of us know, it’s not hidden, whom he supports; everybody knows that.”

The FCT minister said while it was appropriate to criticise government where necessary, leaders should also recognise areas where progress had been made.

“It’s not every time you say things are bad; nobody has heard you say government has done this well,” Wike said.

“The point I am trying to make is that, as a leader, commend government when government has done well in certain areas; criticise government and say, look, you have done this well, but you should improve in these other areas.”

He added that if public interventions from a respected figure were consistently negative, the government would naturally conclude that the criticism stemmed from political opposition rather than objectivity.

When reminded that the bishops’ position was not partisan, Wike disagreed, insisting that religious leaders openly aligned with candidates during the last presidential election.

“Don’t tell me they’re not partisan. You know what happened in the 2023 election. People took sides, religious leaders took sides, it was very open,” he said.

“I would be stupid to sit here for anybody to tell me this person is impartial. No. We know ourselves in this country; we know who belongs to where. Who did they support in 2023? It was very obvious,” he added.