Nigeria Times

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has disclosed that notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji is in a state of panic due to heightened military operations targeting terrorists in Nigeria’s North West region. During an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the agency’s inaugural Annual International Lecture in Abuja, Musa attributed Turji’s distress to the recent elimination of Halilu Buzu and other high-ranking terrorist commanders.

Musa’s remarks underline the impact of the ongoing military offensive, which aims to dismantle long-established terrorist networks in the area. He noted that the recent developments have instilled fear within Turji’s faction, prompting signs of desperation from the notorious gang leader.

“The actions he is taking clearly indicate that he is panicking,” Musa stated. “He was previously bold enough to speak as if he was the sole leader, but now he realizes he is not in control. The death of Halilu Buzu, who was his mentor, has sent a strong message to him that his time may be running out.”

The CDS reiterated the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security in the region, emphasizing that operations will continue until many of the terrorists are neutralized. He highlighted that the long-standing insecurity in the North West stems from a combination of poverty, illiteracy, and ineffective governance, which have left many youths vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist groups.

Musa also addressed Nigeria’s extensive borders with Niger and Benin Republic, noting that these porous borders allow for the movement of people and could facilitate the operations of terrorist elements. He assured that efforts are underway to secure these borders and prevent the infiltration of militants into the country.

The situation reflects the Nigerian Armed Forces’ ongoing commitment to combating terrorism and restoring stability in the region, with hopes that continued military pressure will further weaken the influence of figures like Turji and his network.

Federal public workers are voicing their frustrations following the government’s selective payment of the newly established ₦70,000 minimum wage. Many employees across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) report that they have yet to see any increase in their salaries, prompting criticism of the government for what they perceive as insensitivity amidst ongoing hardship.

The new minimum wage, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 18, 2024, came after extensive negotiations involving government representatives, labor unions, and the Organised Private Sector. However, conflicting reports from the Accountant-General’s Office and the Budget Office have created confusion regarding its implementation.

While the Accountant-General’s Office claims that the new minimum wage was applied alongside September’s salary payments, the Budget Office asserts that a flat rate of ₦40,000 was paid to all federal workers, which many affected employees deny receiving.

One frustrated worker stated, “It’s bad enough that the government removed fuel subsidy, causing unbearable suffering. Now, the minimum wage, signed into law months ago, has still not been implemented for most of us. It feels discriminatory and designed to keep us in bondage.”

Despite claims from some workers of receiving an additional ₦40,000 in their September salaries, the government clarified that this amount was a temporary measure pending the finalization of the new minimum wage template. Many employees remain skeptical, expressing their disappointment over the delay and the continuous rise in living costs, including petrol and electricity prices.

Benjamin Anthony, President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, condemned the selective payment, highlighting that most workers have yet to see the new wage implemented. He lamented the impact of these policies on workers’ lives, noting that many children are unable to return to school due to financial constraints.

Leaders from various unions, including the National Association of Academic Technologists and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, echoed similar sentiments, describing the situation as dire and calling for immediate payment of the new wage to alleviate the burdens facing their members.

As public servants continue to grapple with rising living costs and uncertainty surrounding their salaries, the demand for transparency and equitable implementation of the minimum wage remains a pressing issue.

Lagos Moves to Eliminate Single-Use Plastics
The Lagos State Government has announced its plan to ban the circulation of single-use plastics, including sachet water (commonly known as “pure water”), starting January 2025. This initiative, confirmed by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, aims to promote sustainable plastic waste management and protect the environment.

The state had already banned the use of Styrofoam in all government establishments and across Lagos in January 2024, due to growing concerns over plastic pollution and its harmful effects.

Call for Phased Implementation
Stakeholders, including the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), have urged the government to implement the ban gradually to ensure smooth compliance. Mosaku Ololade, the Lagos ATWAP chairperson, emphasized that their association, which has over 2,000 members and 10,000 workers in Lagos, is committed to working with the government and ensuring the transition is manageable during the current economic challenges.