News

OPINION: Trodding On The Winepress: All Hail The Nigerian Workers

Published

8 months ago

May 7, 2025

By Israel ADEBIYI

_“Yeah, we’ve been trodding on the winepress much too long… Rebel, rebel!”_ — Bob Marley, Babylon System, 1978.

May Day came like a thief in daylight—ceremonial, subdued, and almost perfunctory. The speeches flowed from Aso Rock, the governors’ lodges echoed with empty praise, and the workers—oh, the workers—stood at the square once again, beneath sun-faded banners, to be reminded of how far they’ve fallen.

It was Bob Marley who sang with prophetic angst against oppression, warning against systems built to suck men dry. Decades later, his lyrics find a second home in the hearts of Nigerian workers, who have for generations been crushed beneath the boots of indifference, bad governance, and systemic wickedness.

From the builders of the pyramids to the weavers of silk, the factory hands of the industrial revolution to today’s tech developers—workers have always been the heart of global progress. They till the earth, teach the children, drive the buses, heal the sick, and keep the wheels of civilization moving. But while the world has evolved, in Nigeria, workers remain stuck in the gears—underpaid, undervalued, and overworked.

In Nigeria, being a worker is synonymous with sacrifice. The minimum wage, recently pegged at ₦70,000, appears like a breath of fresh air on paper. However, reality says otherwise. While a handful of states have adjusted upward, the majority still grapple with the outdated ₦30,000, barely enough to survive a week, let alone a month. And even then, the payment is erratic—an outright violation of the National Minimum Wage Act, Section 3(1).

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: [OPINION] Delta: When The Vultures Gather

The conversation must now shift from minimum wage to living wage. A wage that reflects the economic realities of food, shelter, transport, healthcare, education, and dignity. Anything less is a starvation sentence.

There was a time in Nigeria when a middle-class worker had a shot at life. With a decent civil service job, one could build a modest house, own a car, send children to private schools, and retire with some honour. That class—the buffer between the elite and the poor—has been drained into extinction.

Today, what remains is a trinity of economic extremes: *_The Very Rich, The Poor, and The Very Poor_*. According to recent NBS data, over 63% of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. Food inflation is at over 37%, transportation costs have doubled, and electricity tariffs have skyrocketed. How then can a ₦30,000—or even ₦70,000—wage be called minimum, let alone dignified?

While workers beg for survival, politicians swim in opulence. A senator earns ₦13.5 million monthly plus perks. A worker, meanwhile, earns less than a senator’s wardrobe allowance in a year. It is moral decay in high definition.

Worse still, political officeholders send out May Day messages steeped in sympathy and false promises. These speeches are ritualistic distractions—reminders of their distance from the real issues. Many of these leaders have failed to implement wage policies, yet posture as friends of the worker.

The warning signs are glaring. If the plight of Nigerian workers remains unaddressed life expectancy will further drop; Nigeria is already among the lowest globally; the workforce will shrink—as young talents migrate or burn out; and the country will collapse into a cycle of survival slavery—a people working endlessly, not to live, but merely to exist.

Already, Nigerians are working two to three jobs, trading health and family for scraps. The concept of retirement is becoming mythical. The youth no longer dream, they hustle. The present is bleak, and the future is being bartered away.

Yet, despite it all, the Nigerian worker remains. Faithful. Resilient. Defiant. From teachers to drivers, nurses to cleaners, they carry the nation’s burden. They deserve not just applause—but justice. They have rebelled, not with arms, but with service.

But how long shall they tread on the winepress?

The time for sweet-tongued May Day speeches is over. What Nigeria needs is an immediate implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage across all states; a structured path to living wages indexed to inflation; full enforcement of labour laws and penalties for violations; and rebuilding the middle class through economic policy, credit access, and housing support.

Until then, the nation will continue to lose its soul. And Bob Marley’s cry will remain our eternal lament:

_“We refuse to be what you wanted us to be…_
_Yeah, we’ve been trodding on the winepress much too long… Rebel, rebel!”_

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

6 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

7 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

21 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.