Lalong charged Nigerians to ignore the report, adding that the Director of Information in the ministry did not make any claim related to the report at any point in time.

The Tinubu-led government dismissed reports on Wednesday, that the President would announce wage awards and palliatives to workers on Independence Day, Oct 1.

Naija News gathered that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, made the clarifications in a statement released through the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour, Olajide Oshundun.

Lalong charged Nigerians to ignore the report, adding that the Director of Information in the ministry did not make any claim related to the report at any point in time.

The newspaper involved in the report was asked to retract the report.

The minister said, “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 the 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.”

According to Lalong, for the benefit of the doubt, it is important to stress that the Director of Information at the ministry does not speak for the President.

The statement 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.”