The Ministry of Labour and Employment has debunked an online report claiming that President Bola Tinubu will announce wage awards and palliatives to workers during his October 1st Independence Day speech.
Bellnews reports that the report, which is said to have emanated from an interview with the Director of Information in the ministry, claimed that a last-minute meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday between the Federal Government and Labour to avert a proposed strike.
The Ministry of Labour has described the report as “false and misleading” and said it is a “total fabrication of an interview by the reporter to suit the narrative of the interests best known to the newspaper.”
In a statement, the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr Olajide Oshundun, said that the Director of Information at the ministry does not speak for the President and was not involved in writing the speech for the President to warrant him making any categorical statement on its content.
Oshundun urged members of the public to ignore the report and said that if and when the Minister schedules a meeting with Labour, the public will be adequately notified through verified channels.
He said, “The reports were debunked via a statement issued Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour.
“The attention of the ministry of Labour and Employment has been drawn to reports circulating online claiming that the President will announce wage awards and palliatives to workers during his October 1st Independence Day speech.
“The report which is said to have emanated from a purported interview with the Director of Information in the ministry claimed that a last minute meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday between Federal Government and Labour to avert the proposed strike.
“We wish to categorically state that the report is false and misleading as at no time did the Director of Information make such disclosure,” Olajide noted.
He added, “If and when the Minister schedules a meeting with Labour, the public will be adequately notified through verified channels.
“The said newspaper is advised to retract the story and maintain professionalism in its reportage to avoid misleading the public,” Olajide added.