Author: Editor Francis

The national minimum wage negotiations reached an impasse yesterday as Labour representatives walked out after the Federal Government proposed a new monthly wage of N48,000. Labour leaders decried the offer as effectively a pay cut and far from a living wage. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) emphasised that the government’s proposal did not match the current N77,000 federal workers receive, which includes the N30,000 mandated by law, a N12,000 peculiar allowance, and a N35,000 wage award. The contentious proposal was presented during a virtual meeting of the tripartite committee on the new…

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Victor Uzor, a Nigerian national, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $1 million in restitution for his role in a $1.1 million business email compromise scheme. The sentence was delivered by United States District Court Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge. The sentencing was announced on Tuesday by United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero via a statement on the Department of Justice website. Uzor had pleaded guilty on January 2, 2024, to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The scheme involved conspirators posing…

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 Organised Labour has withdrawn from the ongoing minimum wage negotiations with the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS). The walkout occurred after the Federal Government proposed a wage of N48,000, and the OPS suggested N54,000, which labour representatives deemed “ridiculous.” The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) spokesman, Benson Upah, confirmed the withdrawal to DAILY POST via a telephone call, stating, “Yes, we are out. We are about to address the press and you will get the details then.” Sources indicate that the Federal Government did not provide supporting data for its proposal, unlike Organised Labour. Meanwhile, OPS claimed that…

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 The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represents the Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, citing alleged anti-party activities. The suspension was initiated by the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward 11 in Okitipupa Local Government Area. The notice of suspension was signed by several ward executive members, including Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju, and Fabioye Ajoke. This disciplinary action follows Senator Ibrahim’s recent defeat in the party’s governorship primary election in the state. Further details on the…

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 The Rivers State Executive Council has been hit by a wave of resignations, as three loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stepped down from their positions. The commissioners for Housing, Dr. Gift Worlu; Environment, Austin Ben Chioma; and Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom, resigned on Wednesday, May 15. The resignations come amid an unresolved crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his benefactor, Nyesom Wike. Although each commissioner cited different reasons for their departure, their collective exit underscores the growing tension within the state’s administration. The political fallout from these resignations is expected to further impact…

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 An unidentified man set a mosque on fire early Wednesday morning at Laraba Abasawa in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, leaving several worshippers injured. The attack occurred during the ‘Subh’ prayer, with around 40 members of the community present. According to an anonymous community member, the assailant used petrol to ignite the fire and then locked the mosque doors, trapping the worshippers inside. “It took time for people outside to become aware of the incident and rescue the victims who were struggling to break out,” the source said. At least 20 worshippers sustained serious injuries and have been…

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on charges related to the approval of printing N684.5 million at a cost of N18.96 billion. Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge during his arraignment before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja. The EFCC’s charges against Emefiele include allegations of disobeying the direction of law with the intent to harm the public while implementing the naira swap policy under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Additionally, Emefiele is accused of unlawfully approving the withdrawal…

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The All Progressive Congress (APC) has announced the fees for its local government election forms, with chairmanship forms pegged at N25 million and councillor forms at N210,000. This was revealed by the party’s state chairman, Stanley Emegha, in a statement from the state capital, Abakaliki. According to Emegha, the Expression of Interest form for the chairmanship position will cost N5 million, while the Nomination Form will cost N20 million. He emphasised that the party has prepared thoroughly to ensure a strong showing in the upcoming election, highlighting APC’s positive performance and its appeal to the electorate. The APC secretariat has…

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The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced plans for petrol stations to introduce points of sale for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The agency’s Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, shared the news following a meeting with major petroleum product suppliers in Abuja, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s CNG initiative to offer a cheaper energy alternative. Ahmed emphasised the proposal’s aim to integrate CNG facilities into petrol stations as a new regulatory requirement for new applications. “We will require that CNG add-ons be included at petrol stations. This will ensure that CNG is available to consumers at a competitive…

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Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, warned that reversing the recent electricity tariff hike would impede the ongoing transformation efforts in the energy sector. Speaking after a two-day Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at Aso Villa, Adelabu appealed to labour unions to cooperate with the government, emphasising that reforms are necessary for improving electricity supply across the nation. On Monday, labour unions organised a one-day protest, picketing the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) offices in Abuja and various distribution companies (DisCos) nationwide. The unions demanded a complete reversal of the tariff increase before continuing negotiations. Adelabu reassured reporters that the…

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President Bola Tinubu has suspended the contentious 0.5% cybersecurity fee on electronic banking transactions. The suspension order was issued following deliberations by members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), according to Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. Idris announced the decision at the State House in Abuja after the FEC meeting on Tuesday.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a warning of a potential nationwide strike to protest the absence of governing councils in federal universities, among other issues. ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, made the announcement during a press conference at the union’s national secretariat in Abuja. Prof. Osodeke criticised the dissolution of the governing councils, labeling it illegal and contrary to the principles governing Nigerian universities. He also condemned the Federal Government’s perceived indifference to academic concerns within federal universities. Additionally, ASUU expressed dissatisfaction with the recent salary increments, describing the 35 percent increase for professors and the…

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