society
Wale Adedayo: Living up to his dark antecedents
Wale Adedayo: Living up to his dark antecedents
By Eniolorunda Michael
CHARACTER, say the Yoruba, is a flame. It cannot be hidden. Because appearances can be deceptive, the Yoruba say you cannot determine a person’s character from his looks (oju o se fi m’owa eda), the same thought that the Bard of Avon expressed in Macbeth, where King Duncan, enquiring about the execution of a thane, says “there’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.”
If you have ever had to engage questions of the darkness of the human mind, like the British Nobel Laureate William does in the epochal novel Lord of the Flies, you cannot help but see how certain persons, in placing themselves on a pedestal above their peers, actually only succeed in hastening their own tragic fall. Which brings us to the ongoing drama of the absurd in Ogun State where a serial blackmailer and turncoat, Wale Adedayo, is being hailed as a hero by certain pernicious individuals.
Adedayo, the chairman of Ijebu East Local Government and member of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), pointedly accused the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, of diverting the funds meant for the running of local councils in the state without providing any evidence to back up his claims. As it turned out, Adedayo only acted a script for which he has been known since the onset of the current Republic in 1999. His stories made the front pages of the nation’s newspapers given its salacious nature, but then, barely 12 hours later, he quickly rallied his colleague chairmen on a pleading mission to the same governor he had just branded a thief before the whole world. He quickly recanted, apparently knowing that the governor had legal options to defend his name and image. Now, contrary to Adedayo’s claims, local governments in the state had actually been receiving their allocations, and in fact had shared N5.2bn in the month of August, the same month during which he made his unsubstantiated allegations.
During the meeting, held at the Governor’s office at. Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta and attended by 18 out of the 20 Chairmen, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, who also doubles as the chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Mr Babatunde Gazal, acknowledged that in May, N4.5 billion was shared by the 20 council areas.First line charges, including primary school teachers salaries and check –off dues, came to about N2bn; payment of retired primary school teachers (about 1bn), retired local government teachers and chairmen’s imprest, which is N60m per month, among others. In June, N4.4 billion was shared, while July also saw the sharing of N4.4 billion. In August, N5.2bn was shared, out of which over N2bn was devoted to the payment of teachers. Coming to Ijebu East Local Government specifically, a total sum of N1.547bn was released to it in 2021. In 2021, the figure rose steadily 1. 955bn, a difference of N408million. In the current year, as of August ending, the council has received a total of 1.257bn. This is quite apart from the gratuities of local government workers that the state government paid on their behalf. Given these figures, how could Adedayo have made such transparently bogus claims?
In unpacking the ongoing macabre drama, a bit of context is necessary. Going by his antecedents, Adedayo is no stranger to character assassination and blatant falsehood. Just like the metaphorical leopard that never changes its spots, he is just living up to his history and image. While working at The Punch, Adedayo was on several occasions accused of character assassination, blackmail and manipulation, and his unceremonious exit from the reputable media house was only a matter of time. For purely political reasons, the then Governor Gbenga Daniel accepted him, rehabilitated him and made him Chief Press Secretary, giving him all the freedom in the world, and an imprest far larger than a commissioner’s. But what did our man do? He allowed all those things to get to his head and came to see himself as being bigger than his boss.
And when he realized that he had played himself out of favour by squandering/diverting the money his boss gave him to do media work, he went on a character assassination overdrive, declaring that his boss was after his life. He would later go on to write a controversial book where he maligned his boss and so many people. In the book, Micro-seconds away from death, Adedayo wrote: “On 10 January 2009, six assassins engaged me in a shoot-out. I managed to kill three of them and barely escaped from the scene. Being Chief Press Secretary to the Governor at the time, I knew it was my immediate boss, who arranged the failed assassination bid, given information at my disposal.” In this fantastic narration, the super hero was driving with one hand and gunning down the two OPC assailants allegedly sent after him by Governor Daniel with the other. He also claimed to have used the car to jump over the median along the expressway.
While pointedly accusing Governor Daniel of maintaining a killer squad, he volunteered the unsolicited information that in his family, people usually died at a very young age, and that his father never attained the age of 40. He went on to add that his (Adedayo’s) attaining that milestone was due to the sacrifices he had offered to the gods. The people he maligned in the book also include the current Aare Onakakanfo, Iba Gani Adams, a man at whose wedding he had served as best man. He claimed that Adams was collecting money across the South-West, and was one of the assassins sent against him. He said his friend a former Editor, failed a security test when he wanted to get him a job with the then Oyo State governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and that his former boss, Chief Abiola Ogundoyin, must have slept with his wife when he was in detention! The book, Micro-seconds away from death, painted everyone else as a devil, providing ample evidence of a troubled soul, a man under heavy spell, and with a penchant for blackmailing anyone who tries to help him.
Is it any wonder, then, that the governor who chose to be magnanimous and made him consultant on media and later caretaker chairman of Ijebu LG, at his own request, is now the target of his latest attacks? As caretaker chairman, Adedayo contested and won election with the support of the structure that Governor Abiodun had built. Curiously, however, even in his local government, information emerged that he had begun hobnobbing with the opposition and working against his own party. Given his political prostitution, it was no wonder that during the March 18 governorship election, the governor lost woefully in his local government.
When you look at Adedayo’s trajectory and character, the fact emerges that he is not somebody that can be trusted, or that you can say has a stable mind. He is only consistent with blackmail, with no trace of omoluabi qualities, and the lesson for people like Governor Abiodun is that choosing to magnanimous in politics can have terrible drawbacks. Interestingly, though, the professional accuser is now being accused by his own council legislators of perpetrating monumental fraud, and has been handed a three-month suspension. The council says the disgraced chairman withdrew millions from the local government account for empowerment in 2022, but no empowerment was done to date; wasted N2million on August 20, 2022, on Isese festival; and N250,000 duty tour allowance in June 2023 and another N250,000 duty tour allowance for the chairman and other top officials engagement. The list of allegations is long, and he is definitely entitled to the fair hearing he grants no one, but the fact is that people who try to set a state on fire with false allegations ought to be made to have their day in court.
Anywhere Wale Adedayo goes, a dark cloud follows him, and one can only hope it does not push him to an ignoble end.
Information Minister Did Not Dismiss Governor Zulum’s Security Concerns
The Office of the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation has noted a misleading caption by an online publication suggesting that the Honourable Minister, Mohammed Idris, (fnipr), dismissed the recent concerns raised by the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, regarding the security situation in the state.
This is categorically false and a gross distortion of the Minister’s remarks. At no time did the Honourable Minister say “Ignore Zulum, Boko Haram is not taking over Borno.” Such a headline is not only sensational but deliberately crafted as a deliberate act of misinformation to stoke public misunderstanding and distract from the serious work the Federal Government is doing to address security challenges.
In his response to media inquiries on Governor Zulum’s remarks, the Honourable Minister acknowledged that while the Federal Government has made significant progress in restoring peace and security across many parts of the country, some areas continue to face security challenges.
He emphasized the ongoing efforts by the military and security forces, the sustained investments in security hardware and intelligence, and the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and banditry under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
The Minister further called on all stakeholders, including state governments, to continue partnering with the Federal Government to bring lasting peace to affected communities.
His comments were intended to provide context on the progress made, not to dismiss or downplay legitimate concerns.
We urge media platforms to uphold the ethics of responsible journalism by avoiding sensationalism and publishing only verified and accurate information. The task of rebuilding peace and security in our nation is a collective one that must not be undermined by reckless and irresponsible reportage.
Rabiu Ibrahim
Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation.
10th April, 2025
society
Broken Promises and Broken Backs: The ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Law and the Betrayal of Nigerian Workers
“Broken Promises and Broken Backs: The ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Law and the Betrayal of Nigerian Workers”
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In a nation where the cost of living rises faster than hope, Nigeria’s workers remain the punching bag of economic mismanagement, political indifference, and institutional hypocrisy. It is nothing short of a national disgrace that almost a year after the Federal Government passed the ₦70,000 minimum wage into law in June 2024, only 16 out of 36 states have bothered to implement it. That leaves 20 states—more than half the federation—brazenly violating a law meant to protect the most vulnerable: local government workers, primary school teachers, cleaners, and support staff who keep the wheels of governance turning.
A Law Betrayed
The passage of the ₦70,000 minimum wage law was hailed as a necessary step to cushion the blow of the floating naira, spiraling inflation, and the withdrawal of fuel subsidies. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the bill into law amidst fanfare and political grandstanding, declaring that “no worker in Nigeria should earn below a livable wage.”
Yet, in reality, those words have rung hollow. In states like Kogi, Bauchi, Zamfara, and even oil-rich Delta, the new minimum wage remains a cruel illusion. Workers still earn the outdated ₦30,000 or, in some cases, even less. Local government employees and primary school teachers in these states have become beggars in a country they serve diligently.
Economic Injustice in Broad Daylight
What exactly does ₦70,000 buy today? In 2025, ₦70,000 is barely enough to cover rent in most urban centers, let alone feed a family, pay for transportation, school fees, or basic healthcare. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average monthly cost of living for a Nigerian family of four is now over ₦180,000. So even the ₦70,000 wage—far from generous—is the barest minimum needed to scrape by.
Yet many state governments are dragging their feet, citing “inadequate funds” and “bureaucratic delays.” These are tired excuses from administrations that continue to waste public resources on bloated convoys, foreign trips, and frivolous allowances. Economist Dr. Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, remarked in a recent interview, “State governments crying about affordability should look inward. There is enough waste and duplication in their budgets to fund this minimum wage if fiscal priorities are restructured.”
Where is the Accountability?
It is important to ask: why are these states not being held accountable? The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has issued threats, organized protests, and released statements, but what has changed? Why has the federal government, which passed the law, not enforced it with the same zeal it uses to collect taxes or chase debtors?
It is yet another example of Nigeria’s selective enforcement of laws—one for the elites, another for the poor. If a citizen fails to pay taxes or utility bills, the system comes down hard. But when governments fail to obey a law passed by their own legislature, silence and complicity reign supreme.
Voices from the Ground
Workers across the 20 defaulting states are speaking up—but who’s listening? Mr. Musa, a local government clerk in Gombe State, says, “I have not been able to pay my children’s school fees since last term. They keep telling us they are ‘working on it.’ Since June last year? My salary is ₦28,000. What can I do with that today?”
Mrs. Onome, a primary school teacher in Edo State, adds, “They want us to teach with passion, but they don’t pay us enough to eat. The government talks about education reform while starving the educators.”
The Hypocrisy of Governance
This situation reveals a deeper malaise—Nigeria’s chronic hypocrisy when it comes to governance. Governors are quick to increase their own allowances, fund their re-election campaigns with public money, and host lavish state dinners, but suddenly become frugal when it concerns paying the minimum wage.
As respected economist Prof. Pat Utomi rightly put it, “A nation that fails to prioritize the welfare of its workers is a nation preparing for social implosion. Wage justice is not a luxury—it is a foundation for peace, productivity, and patriotism.”
Political Will or Political Wickedness?
Some states like Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Enugu have implemented the new wage and are adjusting their budgets accordingly. This proves that implementation is not about resources—it’s about political will. The states that have refused to comply are not necessarily the poorest; they are the most irresponsible.
The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) reports that all 36 states received an average of ₦60 billion each in federal allocations between July 2024 and March 2025. If even 10% of that allocation were directed toward wages, most states would easily meet the minimum wage threshold.
The Role of Civil Society and Media
Civil society organizations, labor unions, and the media must do more than issue statements. There must be coordinated action, legal battles, and naming-and-shaming campaigns. Let every Nigerian know which governors are breaking the law. Let them be exposed in every forum, from town halls to social media.
In the words of Femi Falana (SAN), “Workers must rise to defend their rights. When government disobeys the law, civil disobedience becomes duty.” Falana further suggested that workers should sue non-compliant states and seek judicial enforcement of the wage law.
A Call to Action
Enough is enough. This is not the time for diplomacy or patience. The Nigerian worker has endured decades of deception, delay, and disdain. We must demand a national audit of state compliance with the minimum wage law, backed by sanctions for erring states.
Let the governors who refuse to pay their workers feel the pressure. Let every non-compliant state be exposed. Let labor unions organize strategic strikes. Let civil society file class-action lawsuits. And let the international community take note that Nigeria cannot claim to be democratic while treating its workforce like slaves.
Conclusion: Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
The refusal of 20 states to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage is not just an administrative failure—it is a betrayal of trust, a violation of human dignity, and a ticking time bomb. The poor cannot continue to subsidize the waste and luxury of the rich.
We cannot claim to build a prosperous future on the backs of underpaid, disrespected workers. If the government is serious about peace, progress, and productivity, it must start by paying its debts—starting with the most basic one: a fair wage.
And to those governors still playing politics with the lives of workers, remember this: history never forgets. Nigerians are watching, and justice may be slow, but it always arrives.
Uniqueness, Raw Talent, Creativity distinguishes Femi Trinity among Colleagues .
One of the famous Music Act making waves in the entertainment industry with dynamisms and ability to translate Songs into creativity is no other person than the famous Falade Oluwafemi aka Femi Trinity of Trinity Rhythmic band,
He is Good,Talented, Handsome, Creative and very humble to all his fans across the globe
He has created a niche for himself, therefore His name is now a household name in the entertainment world Particularly Fans and lovers of Live Bands.
Femi Trinity Talents to sing creative songs is beyond any ones imaginations, full of Power he has the ability to transfer any one from a stage of helplessness to a full stage of hope, his songs give hope, rethink, and melodious.
Without mincing words Femi trinity is a talent full of great unique experiences, His Christian choir background page way for him in the music industry and stands him out among his colleagues in the industry, when Femi Trinity sings, he takes full charge, releasing messages to all his fans and making sure they get the best of him at all times
The jeka a baa na owo e crooner recently shake the federal capital city of Abuja with the best of his songs along side his crew members, it was really a moment where Society meets music, it was never a dull moment,a fans who witness the show remarked
This is why I said Femi Trinity remains the best, heaven is just his starting point, he has a very big hidden Talent, when well exploited will make him a popular Music Act across the Globe,
If you want the best of Music, Femi Trinity is the talent that can give you good music for your money
Watch out for Part 2, more of Femi Trinity
Packaged by
Hon Babatunde Samuel Seidu
Youths Ambassador
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