Author: Editor Francis

The Committee of Youths on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to align its minimum wage demand with the government’s ability to pay sustainably. Its director-general, Obinna Nwaka, made the call during a thanksgiving service to mark the end of the 2024 Youths’ Week at the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Nyanya, Abuja on Sunday. The theme of the thanksgiving service was, “Promotion of Peaceful Coexistence and Religious Co-creation in our Nation”. Mr Nwaka said that considering the current economic challenges in the country, “the federal and state governments may struggle to pay, if…

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Nkiruka Maduekwe as the director-general/chief executive officer of the National Council on Climate Change, which is pending confirmation by NCCC’s Supervisory Council. Presidential aide Ajuri Ngelale announced the appointment in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. He said the appointment was in accordance with the president’s commitment to actualising Nigeria’s green industrial vision. Mr Ngelale said it boosted investor confidence and unlocked sustainable economic value through various climate finance instruments. He said the president also approved that Ms Maduekwe, 39, would serve as the co-chairperson of the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon…

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The Nigeria Customs Service on Sunday said it reduced checkpoints on the Lagos Badagry Expressway by 50 per cent. The Controller, Seme Area Command of the service, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, disclosed this during an interview in Seme near Badagry. According to the controller, this is something the service identified as inimical to trade. “When I first came here, what I did was to drastically reduce the number of checkpoints by Nigeria Customs from my command because I believe we have to deploy our men more strategically. There is no need to just proliferate the road with personnel without thinking of…

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In the Jabaliya refugee camp, families line up for hours under the sun, in front of water barrels waiting to fill up their buckets and containers with water. Every single drop is precious and is carefully rationed. Gaza’s entire potable water infrastructure has almost all been destroyed by Israel. “There is no water or food. Our children died of dehydration. We can’t wash up or use bathrooms. I can’t find any water to drink,” Bassam Abu Rokba, a disabled displaced living in Jabaliya said. Israeli forces entered Jabaliya weeks ago, and have subsequently pulled out after weeks of fighting. Israeli…

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In a decisive operation, troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation UDO KA conducted a raid on an Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) camp in Igboro Forest, Arochukwu LGA, Abia State. The raid, aimed at apprehending the killers of five soldiers at Obikabia junction in Aba last week, resulted in the deaths of six IPOB members. According to a statement posted on social media platform X by the Nigerian Army on Sunday, the troops engaged in a fierce battle with IPOB militants during the operation. “In order to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack on our troops at Aba last week,…

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the naming of the M18 road infrastructure in Guzape District, Abuja, after renowned novelist Professor Chinua Achebe. This decision reflects his administration’s commitment to people-focused development through essential infrastructure and amenities aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens. During the commissioning of engineering infrastructure in Guzape Lot 11 District, Tinubu praised Minister Nyesom Wike for his exceptional leadership during challenging times. “You have demonstrated the capacity to build a team, lead a team, and deliver on promises. I commend you, well done,” Tinubu stated, emphasizing the need for development that prioritizes economic prosperity…

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed the receipt of the Olubadan-in-Council’s recommendation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan. Governor Makinde assured that due process was adhered to during the selection process and announced that Oba Olakulehin would be enthroned once he is in good health. Governor Makinde made this announcement on Saturday during the final burial ceremony of the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Oke-Ado, Ibadan. The event was attended by traditional rulers, title holders, religious leaders, top government officials, family members, and numerous other guests. Despite heavy rain midway…

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A tourist from Shenzhen has alleged being overcharged by a Hong Kong taxi driver, claiming he was asked to pay HK$600 (US$77) for a trip that should cost nearly three times less. This incident occurred on the tourist’s first day in town for the Dragon Boat Festival long weekend and has added to ongoing complaints about taxi services in Hong Kong. The tourist voiced his frustration on Xiaohongshu, a popular Chinese social media platform similar to Instagram. He detailed his HK$600 journey from Shenzhen Bay Immigration Control Point in Tuen Mun to Hong Kong International Airport, a route of about…

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Sunny Onuesoke, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, has proposed deflation as the solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges, rather than increasing the minimum wage. In a phone interview with our correspondent, Onuesoke responded to the ongoing conflict between the federal government and labor unions over wage increases. Onuesoke argued that raising wages would exacerbate the country’s economic problems rather than solve them. He explained, “Nigerians are getting it wrong. What Nigeria needs is deflation. If you increase the salary to one million Naira today, the prices of goods and services will keep increasing.” He…

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Socio-political analyst and writer Reno Omokri has urged the Nigerian government to consider adopting a multiple minimum wage system, similar to that of the United States. Omokri shared his views on Saturday via his official X account in response to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) declaring its inability to meet the proposed N60,000 minimum wage. On Friday, the NGF reiterated that state governors could not afford to pay a N60,000 minimum wage. This stance comes amid ongoing negotiations, with the federal government proposing a minimum wage of N62,000 and organized labor reducing its initial demand from N494,000 to N250,000. Meanwhile,…

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 The Federal Government increased its proposed national minimum wage to N62,000. This development follows a significant reduction in the organized labour’s demand, which was lowered from N494,000 to N250,000. Despite these adjustments, the Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage has not reached a consensus and has decided to adjourn the meeting. Interestingly, the organized private sector has expressed agreement with the government’s N62,000 proposal. More details to follow…

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The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), representing the governors of the 36 states of the federation, has rejected the ₦60,000 minimum wage proposed by the federal government, deeming it unrealistic and unsustainable. In a statement released on Friday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Hajiya Halimah Salihu Ahmed, the governors expressed their agreement that a new minimum wage is due and sympathized with labor unions in their push for higher wages. However, they cautioned that any agreement should be sustainable and realistic, taking into account the consequential adjustments across all cadres, including pensioners. The NGF stated,…

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