Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has inaugurated the 37-man Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, charging the team to come up with a fair and equitable structure for the county.
The panel is to recommend a new National Minimum Wage for the country, as it seeks to change the current N30,000 instituted in 2019.
The Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, who inaugurated the committee at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa Abuja, tasked the members to ensure the timely submission of their recommendations.
The Committee chaired by the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Goni Bukar Aji, is made up of members of organised labour, the private sector and the federal and state governments.
Mr Shettima said the decision to set up the group is a recognition of the need to ensure a decent living wage and in compliance with the existing National Minimum Wage Act of 2019 which will expire in a few months from now.
Membership of the delegation cuts across the federal government, state government, private sector, and organised labour.
Present for the inauguration were some state governors, including Mr Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Mr Mohammed Bago of Niger State; Mr Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, and Mr Bassey Otu of Cross River State.
Members of the team from the federal government include Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State, Labour and Employment (Representing Minister of Labour and Employment); Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Mr Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget Economic Planning; Mrs Yemi Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Mr Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary, GSO. OSGF and Mr Ekpo Nta, Esq, Chairman/CEO, NSIWC – Member/Secretary.
From the states are Mr Mohammed Umar Bago, the Governor of Niger State- the representative from North Central; Mr Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State- the representative from North East; Mr Umar Dikko Radda, the Governor of Katsina State- the representative from North West; Mr Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State- the representative from the South East; Mr Ademola Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State- the representative from South West; Mr Otu Bassey Edet, the Governor of Cross River State- the representative from South-South.
From the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) are Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, the Director-General of NECA; Mr Chuma Nwankwo; and Mr Thompson Akpabio. Members from the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) include Mr Michael Olawale-Cole, the National President; Mr Ahmed Rabiu, the National Vice President and Mr Humphrey Ngonadi (NPOM), the National Life President.
The members from the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) are Mr Abdulrashid Yerima, President & Chairman of the Council; Mr Theophilus Nnorom Okwuchukwu, Private Sector representative; and Mr Muhammed Nura Bello, Zonal Vice President, North West. From the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) are Mrs Grace Omo-Lamai, the Human Resource Director for Nigerian Breweries; Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director-General of MAN; and Mrs Ada Chukwudozie, the Managing Director of Dozzy Oil and Gas Limited.
From the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is Mr Joe Ajaero, the president; Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja; Mr Adeyanju Adewale; Mr Ambali Akeem Olatunji; Mr Benjamin Anthony and Mr Theophilus Ndukuba.
From the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) is Mr Festus Osifo, the president; Mr Tommy Etim Okon, the Deputy President I; Mr Kayode Surajudeen Alakija, the Deputy President II; Mr Jimoh Oyibo, the Deputy President. III; Mr Nuhu A. Toro, the Secretary-General and Mr Hafusatu Shuaib, the Chairperson Women Commission.
