Contrary to its beginnings, the Organised Labour Unions have fallen into a pattern of protests that collapse quickly with little concession on the part of the government,  as they often worry about themselves without considering the plight of over 240 million Nigerians, whom they represent.

The public must resist support for unnecessary labour agitation. The various state governments are yet to pay the N30,000 minimum wage demanded by the labour force about five years ago. Therefore, it will be difficult for the government to meet the current demands (N615,000) amidst the downturn economy.

The recent International Workers Day reopened the long discourse about the status and welfare of the Nigerian worker, which, in our country, largely begins and ends in debate over the minimum wage.

There is no gainsaying that the minimum wage is long due for a review. Worse, the current socio-economic realities in Nigeria make the N30,000 minimum wage look utterly ridiculous, if not pitiful. It is worrying the delay in arriving at an agreement while the living situation in the country worsens.

At the federal level, discussions are ongoing to review it, as stated by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, last week while addressing Nigerian workers at the May Day celebration in Abuja.

She said the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage is yet to conclude its negotiations, adding that workers will not lose anything as the new minimum wage will take effect from May 1, 2024.

Meanwhile, last December, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, said a new minimum wage regime would come into effect on April 1, 2024.

He said the current N30,000 minimum wage would expire at the end of March 2024.

The minister stated this while responding to questions on the 2024–2026 Fiscal Framework budget, which indicated that the government would spend N24.66tn on salaries in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

The federal government had agreed to pay N35,000 to each of its workers to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.

The organised labor insisted that the N35,000 wage award was a temporary measure, adding that the minimum wage should be reviewed in 2024.

The federal government’s team and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council on October 18, 2019, agreed on the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage after months of negotiations.

However, discussions have since deadlocked over labour’s proposal of N615,000 as the minimum wage. The union, pressing its case, gave a breakdown of how it came about this figure, arguing that as much as it was stringently conservative, it wouldn’t let its members collect an impoverishing wage.

The federal government insists it cannot pay what labour is asking. Reports, however, indicate that the government and the private sector’s counteroffer of between N60,000 and N70,000, was what led to the stalemate in negotiations.

The state governors, last week, said they would review the report of the tripartite committee when submitted and that each state would reach a decision on what it can pay.

However, in some states, the minimum wage was reviewed, albeit variedly. While the Lagos State government said it had doubled the minimum wage since January by an additional N35,000, the Edo State government declared N70,000 as the minimum wage in the state.

The Cross Rivers State government also announced a N40,000 minimum wage while in Ebonyi State, an additional N10,000 was added to their pay.

As a newspaper, we consider this gesture commendable even though it is not a favour by any of the governors. If anything, we believe that, in light of current realities, the workers should get more at a time when all safety nets seem to have been removed.

While grappling with fuel subsidy removal, the electricity tariff hike came. For a long time, workers have had to pay for their security, which is supposed to be the major responsibility of the government. With public housing gone, private estates now employ security agents. What’s worse, the cost of food has been on a steady rise for years now.

Yet, political office holders who have access to the Commonwealth have, without inhibitions, amassed public wealth to themselves.

Of course, the ripple effect has been that some public workers have since learned to adapt by pilfering from the public to make ends meet. Hence the scramble for juicy public and political offices continues to spike. Still, this ugly trend is highly condemnable as it is not justifiable in any way and by any stretch of the imagination.

At this juncture, it’s important that Nigerians must think differently to ensure that the government meets their needs, the labour demand is unrealistic, and may drag millions into a deadlock for months.

As the rainy season looms ahead, a palpable sense of concern grips the nation.The recent cautionary message from the                      Federal Government to 31 state governors  regarding the looming threat of floods from April to November serves as a wake-up call, demanding swift and concerted action from both state and federal authorities.

Presented by Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Joseph Utsev, the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook paints a bleak picture, underscoring the urgent need for preemptive measures. It is not merely an emphasising advisory; it is a resounding call to arms.

The spectre of past flood calamities in Kano, Taraba, Lagos, and other states still haunts our collective memory.

The haunting images of devastated homes, displaced families, and shattered livelihoods serve as poignant reminders of the human toll exacted by our complacency.

It is imperative that we glean lessons from these tragedies and take proactive steps to forestall the impending catastrophe.

The warning issued by the Federal Government is crystal clear: floods are imminent, and the time to act is now.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency’s classification of 148 local government areas across 29 states, including Lagos, Kano, and Delta, as high flood-risk zones emphasising the gravity of the situation.

Every moment of inaction heightens the risk to countless lives and properties. State governors, local authorities, and relevant agencies must set aside differences and collaborate effectively to implement robust flood preparedness and mitigation measures.

From infrastructure reinforcement to early warning systems and community awareness campaigns, a comprehensive approach is imperative to safeguard vulnerable communities.

As responsible stewards of our nation’s welfare, we cannot afford to be caught off guard. Let us heed the warning, unite in purpose, and proactively address this looming threat.

The cost of inaction is too grave to contemplate, and the time to act decisively is now. This is not a drill.

The minister’s revelation that 31 states face high flood risks, while all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory will experience moderate flooding, demands immediate attention and collective action.

“The high flood-risk states are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe,” the Minister said.

We cannot afford to wait until the waters rise and lives are lost. The time to act is now. It’s imperative that federal and state governments, agencies, and local communities join forces to mitigate the impact of floods.

This requires a coordinated response, including public awareness campaigns, infrastructure upgrades, emergency preparedness plans, and investment in flood mitigation projects.

The future of our nation depends on it. Let us heed the warning and take proactive steps to build a more resilient Nigeria, where lives and properties are protected from the ravages of flooding. The clock is ticking; let us act now to avoid a catastrophe.

While 31 states face high flood risks, the remaining five states must also be proactive in their preparations. It’s not enough to simply warn residents to relocate from flood-prone areas; state governments must provide safe and conducive spaces for relocation, complete with essential services like relief materials, healthcare, and security.

This will help mitigate the trauma faced by displaced families. Citizens, too, have a critical role to play. They must be willing to relocate from their homes and comfort zones to prevent avoidable deaths and losses. The stark reality is that flood disasters are devastating, as seen in 2023 when 45 lives were lost, 171,545 persons displaced, and 22,666 homes partially damaged, with 5,358 others completely destroyed.

The economic toll was equally staggering, with a $4.6 billion bill that significantly dented Nigeria’s GDP. Let us learn from the past and take collective responsibility for flood preparedness. State and federal governments, agencies, and citizens must work together to build a more resilient nation, where lives and properties are protected from the ravages of flooding. The time to act is now.

In 2022, flooding claimed 662 citizens; 2.43 million others were displaced and 3,174 were injured nationwide, per NEMA.

The financial losses were estimated at $9.12 billion by the Federal Government, and by a United Nations agency at $7 billion. A UN report stated that food insecurity was aggravated in the country as 569,000 hectares of farmland were destroyed by the flood.

According to the then Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, 178 LGAs in 32 states were declared “highly probable flood risk states.”

Although climate change remains a global concern, leading to flash floods, droughts, forest fires, and cyclones, the government must not make excuses.

They need to take lessons from previous floodings and replace their nonchalance with strategic actions and campaigns. They must do all they can to avoid the repetition of losses of lives and properties.

The citizens must play their part by clearing drainage in their vicinity, cultivating good waste disposal and environmentally friendly culture. To entrench this, the government must place strict surveillance and enforce stiff penalties against erring residents.

State governments should demolish structures erected on flood paths to enable rainwater to drain appropriately.

NGOs in the environmental niche should activate campaigns distilled in local languages through the media to prepare citizens for the flood.

The federal and state governments should be proactive in the deployment of ecological funds to provide guardrails against natural disasters. This must be used for pre-emptive measures like building bridges, desilting rivers, evacuating canals and drainage, and building dams and levees. The dams would help preserve excess rainfall to irrigate farmland during the dry season.

The government must fully embrace its onerous duty to safeguard lives and properties.

As the farming season beckons, Nigerian farmers are bracing themselves for a turbulent ride. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet) forecast of a delayed and shorter rainy season has sent shockwaves across the agricultural community, threatening to upend the delicate balance of our food security.

With millions of farmers poised to plant their crops, the clock is ticking. Will our policymakers and stakeholders rise to the challenge, or will we reap a harvest of regret? According to NiMet, this year’s rainy season will commence later than usual, with the central states expecting the onset of rains around May 29 and the northern states around June 13.

Moreover, the season is predicted to end earlier than usual, between October 6 and November, in many states. This forecast raises concerns for farmers, as a shorter rainy season can lead to reduced crop yields and increased risk of drought.

To mitigate these challenges, NiMet advises planting early-maturing crop varieties at the beginning of the season. This is a wise recommendation, as it allows farmers to adapt to the predicted weather patterns and minimize potential losses.

With predictions ranging from October 6 to November, regions including Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Lagos are bracing for a shorter agricultural window. This forecast emphasised the critical importance of proactive planning and early adoption of fast-maturing crop varieties.

The essence of NiMet’s warning is clear: farmers must act swiftly to secure the necessary resources for a successful harvest. From fertilizers to seeds, the time to procure vital inputs is now, to mitigate potential setbacks and ensure a fruitful season. Traditionally, this period marks the commencement of government initiatives to facilitate the purchase and distribution of agricultural inputs. However, the silence on this front is deafening.

Instead of prioritising the long-term sustainability of agriculture, many officials seem fixated on short-term palliative measures, neglecting the imperative of future agricultural prosperity. As the countdown to the abbreviated season begins, the call to action grows louder. Farmers must seize the moment, equipping themselves for the challenges ahead, while policymakers must refocus their attention on fostering a resilient agricultural sector for generations to come.

Only through collective effort and foresight can we navigate the uncertain terrain ahead and ensure a bountiful harvest for all. As the federal government pledges to revamp the textile industry, Nigerian farmers are grappling with a more pressing concern – the exorbitant cost of fertilizers and other essential inputs. A bag of fertilizer now costs a staggering N48,000, forcing farmers to either purchase substandard products or resort to traditional alternatives, resulting in poor yields and revenue losses. The high costs of seeds, herbicides, pesticides, labour, and fuel have pushed small-holder farmers to the brink.

Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assurances of support, including a promise to release 225,000 metric tons of fertilizers, seedlings, and other inputs in August 2023, concrete actions are yet to be seen. With food prices soaring nationwide, it is imperative that the government takes immediate steps to address the plight of farmers, who are crucial to the nation’s food security.

We urge the government to translate its promises into tangible support for farmers, including affordable access to quality inputs, to ensure a bountiful harvest and a food-secure future for Nigeria. We commend the Central Bank of Nigeria’s release of 2.15 million bags of fertilizer to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. However, it is alarming that there has been no update on the distribution of this vital commodity since the handover over a month ago.

Furthermore, we urge state governments to take their responsibilities in ensuring adequate input supply to farmers more seriously. We also call on the federal government to implement policies that facilitate the supply of fertilizers, seeds, and other inputs to the markets, thereby controlling rising prices.

The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative needs to be reviewed to ensure fertilizer blending plants resume production. Our farmers urgently need government support to access necessary inputs for successful cultivation. As the rains continue to falter, Nigerian farmers face an uphill battle. We urge the government to seed hope by providing essential resources – quality seeds, fertilizers, and equipment – to help them weather the storm.

Climate-resilient agriculture initiatives and weather insurance schemes will also help farmers adapt and thrive. But, there’s a greater challenge to tackle – the menace of bandits and militias terrorizing farmers, forcing them off their lands, and threatening our food security.

It’s time for decisive action! The government must act swiftly to protect our farmers, their farms, and our collective future. Let’s join forces to cultivate a brighter tomorrow, where our farmers can plant, grow, and harvest without fear. The time to act is now, for the sake of our nation’s food security and stability. Let’s sow the seeds of resilience and reap a bountiful harvest for generations to come!