NLC to Push for N250,000 Minimum Wage in Meeting with President Tinubu
Posted on Jul 11, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
3 min read
NLC to Demand N250,000 Minimum Wage During Talks with President Tinubu The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced its intention to demand a minimum wage of N250,000 during a scheduled meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, today. Head of Public Affairs for the NLC, Benson Upah, confirmed that Labour will firmly advocate for the N250,000 proposal during the discussion. "We are going to the table with our demand of N250,000 even as the cost of living has since moved up. We have been very reasonable and patriotic," Upah stated.The meeting aligns with President Tinubu's commitment to further consultations with stakeholders on the minimum wage, following his Democracy Day speech on June 12, 2024, where he promised to submit...
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NBA Clarifies: Samoa Agreement Respects Nigeria's Sovereignty, No Imposition of LGBTQ Rights for $150 Billion Loan
Posted on Jul 09, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
2 min read
In response to the controversy surrounding the Samoa agreement, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has clarified that Nigeria does not recognize same-sex marriage and that the agreement does not impose LGBTQ rights as a prerequisite for accepting a $150 billion loan. NBA President Yakubu Maikyau emphasized in a statement that the agreement respects Nigeria's local laws and sovereignty, including the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2023 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). "The agreement was expressly made subject to the local laws and the sovereignty of the contracting nations," Maikyau stated. "It recognizes Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2023, and of course, the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)." Maikyau...
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Abuja Federal High Court Voids PDP Primary Election of Asue Ighodalo for Edo Gubernatorial Race
Posted on Jul 04, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
2 min read
A federal high court in Abuja has invalidated the People's Democratic Party (PDP) primary election that selected Asue Ighodalo as the candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial poll in Edo State. In the ruling delivered on Thursday, Judge Inyang Ekwo stated that the PDP primary held on February 22 did not comply with the Electoral Act 2022 and the party’s constitution. Ekwo noted that the returning officers who prepared the result sheets falsified the outcome by only sitting in one place. He emphasized that excluding the 381 delegates, including the plaintiffs, violated the law. The judge also remarked that although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) filed a memorandum of appearance in the suit, the commission did not submit any process in the...
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N35 Billion Found in Mompha's Accounts, Witness Reveals in Court
Posted on Jul 02, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
2 min read
In a significant development in the trial of Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, the sixth prosecution witness, Idi Musa, disclosed on Monday that N35 billion was discovered in two bank accounts linked to the defendant. The revelation was made before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on January 12, 2022. They face an eight-count charge that includes conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activities, retention of criminal proceeds, failure to disclose assets, and possession of documents containing false pretenses.One of the charges stated: “Ismaila Mustapha, Ahmadu Mohammed (at large), and Ismalob Global...
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INEC Chairman Announces 142 Key Recommendations for Electoral Reforms
Posted on Jul 02, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
2 min read
Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), revealed that the commission has proposed 142 recommendations to enhance future electoral processes in Nigeria. This announcement was made on Monday in Lagos during the opening of a two-day induction retreat for resident electoral commissioners (RECs). Yakubu noted that INEC had published a comprehensive review of the 2023 elections, now available on the commission's website. He stated, “There is also the outcome of the retreats and engagements with stakeholders, which is now being published. I can tell you that the commission has made 142 recommendations on the improvement of the electoral process in Nigeria.” The INEC chairman mentioned that the public would be informed about the reforms once the report is finalized....
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President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima Meet with Governors to Discuss New Minimum Wage
Posted on Jun 27, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
1 min read
President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kassim Shettima met with governors of Nigeria’s 36 states and ministers on Thursday to discuss a new minimum wage for workers and other economic issues. The discussions took place during the 141st meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held in the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja. Vice President Shettima chaired the meeting with state governors, deputy governors, and ministers before President Tinubu’s arrival. This meeting followed the Federal Executive Council's (FEC) decision to step down a minimum wage review memo to allow for further consultations. On Wednesday, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) assured Nigerians that ongoing negotiations between the government, private sector, and organized labour would result in better wages. In his Democracy...
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Tensions Rise in Port Harcourt as LGA Chairman Faces Resistance Amid Heavy Shooting
Posted on Jun 18, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
2 min read
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – A tense standoff erupted at the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA) premises on Tuesday morning as heavy shooting ensued following an attempt by the LGA Chairman, Hon. Allwell Ihundah, to access his office.Businesses in the area swiftly shut down as panic spread. The incident began when Ihundah, accompanied by his security personnel, arrived at the council secretariat but was blocked by youths who had occupied the premises since Monday. The turmoil follows the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors on June 17, as stipulated by the Constitution. Despite this, the LGA officials have refused to vacate their offices, citing a purported amendment to the Local Government Administration Law...
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Former President Obasanjo Visits First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for Sallah Celebration
Posted on Jun 18, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
1 min read
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid a visit to First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday to mark the Sallah celebration.The First Lady's spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, shared this news along with a photo of the two leaders on her X handle. Kukoyi stated, “Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, after receiving the former President who came felicitating on the Sallah celebration on Monday, June 17.” Obasanjo's visit comes after his recent critique of the Tinubu administration. On May 27, Obasanjo criticized the government's implementation of key economic policies, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira. He acknowledged the necessity of these policies but...
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President Bola Tinubu Falls at Democracy Day Event in Abuja
Posted on Jun 13, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
2 min read
In an unexpected incident at Eagle Square, Abuja, President Bola Tinubu slipped and fell during the Democracy Day celebration in the Nigerian capital. The 72-year-old President stumbled while climbing the steps to an official vehicle meant to take him around the square. Aides quickly helped him back to his feet, and he continued with the festivities. "He immediately went on with the ceremonial rounds. No issues," Dada Olusegun, a presidential aide, wrote on X. Earlier in the day, President Tinubu addressed the nation via live broadcast, commemorating 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria. In his speech, he honored both the deceased and living heroes who fought for the return to civilian rule from military dictatorship. Among those he mentioned were the...
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Organised Labour Stands Firm on ₦250,000 Minimum Wage Demand Amidst Negotiations
Posted on Jun 11, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
2 min read
Organised Labour maintains its stance on the proposed ₦250,000 minimum wage, rejecting offers below what it deems adequate, as negotiations continue. Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), emphasized that the latest offer of ₦62,000 and a ₦100,000 proposal from certain quarters were unacceptable to labour. NLC President Joe Ajaero reiterated the union's position while speaking to journalists during the ongoing International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage submitted its report to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday, following the conclusion of meetings with the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector last Friday.While the government and the private sector proposed ₦62,000, labour insisted on ₦250,000. However, the Nigeria...
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Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima Reported Missing as Military Aircraft Disappears
Posted on Jun 11, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
1 min read
Malawi's Vice President, Saulos Chilima, is missing after the military aircraft he was traveling in failed to make a scheduled landing yesterday morning, according to the government.Despite efforts by aviation authorities to establish contact with the aircraft since it vanished from radar, no communication has been established thus far, the government stated in a released statement. The plane, which departed just after 9:00 am local time (0700 GMT), carried 51-year-old Chilima along with nine others. President Lazarus Chakwera has instructed regional and national forces to commence an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the aircraft. In light of the situation, President Chakwera has cancelled his planned trip to the Bahamas for a working visit.The disappearance of Vice President...
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“N20.11bn Disbursed to 402,283 Beneficiaries in Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme: Ministry Report”
Posted on May 30, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
2 min read
The Federal Government has allocated a substantial sum of N20.11 billion to 402,283 beneficiaries as part of the N50,000 Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme. These beneficiaries, carefully chosen from the 774 local government areas, received direct payments to their bank accounts linked to their Bank Verification Number (BVN). This information was revealed in an exclusive document obtained from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment on Wednesday. Initiated under the Ministry of Trade and Investment, the scheme, which began on March 9, 2024, extends financial grants of N50,000 to eligible small business owners across diverse sectors such as trading, food services, ICT, transportation, creatives, and artisans nationwide. The aim is to provide support without repayment obligations, particularly targeting 70% women and youths,...
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Tinubu-led FEC Awards N6.27tn Contracts for Infrastructural Projects Across Nigeria
Posted on May 28, 2024 | By Shola Akinyele
Politics
2 min read
Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has sanctioned a total of 51 contracts valued at N6.27 trillion for the procurement, construction, and development of various infrastructural projects nationwide over the span of eight months. These contracts, awarded between October 16, 2023, and May 14, 2024, encompass a diverse range of infrastructural endeavors crucial for national development, including road construction, bridge building, railway systems, and airport infrastructure enhancement. Among the allocated contracts are 43 road projects and three contracts for airport development, among others. The FEC, constituting the highest executive body in the Federal Government system, consists of senior government officials, including ministers and other high-ranking cabinet members. Its constitutional role involves formulating policies, executing government projects, and...
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Politics not evil, governance not dirty, PFN tells Christians
Posted on May 17, 2024 | By Nathaniel
Politics
1 min read
The National Director, Directorate of Politics and Governance, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Reverend Femi Emmanuel, said good Nigerians have abandoned the political affairs of the country to “moneybags” and “political gladiators.”The PFN chair also urged Christians to take part in Nigeria’s political equation saying that politics is not dirty, and it is not evil.Speaking at a two-day train-the-trainer summit titled, ‘Raising a New Generation of Political Leaders,’ Emmanuel told the Christian community that politics was not evil, nor was governance dirty.The training was held at the international headquarters of The Gospel Faith Mission International, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
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