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Governor Sanwo Olu Emerges New Chairman,  South West Governors Forum

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Southwest Governors Forum

By Akinwale Kasali

After a closed door meeting that lasted for several hours, Lagos State Governor, Babajide  Sanwo-olu, has been elected as the Chairman of the South West Governor’s forum.

The election had in attendance  Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Sanwo Olu and Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State.

Sanwo-olu is expected to lead the six South West States namely, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos. He succeeds the late Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who served as the Forum’s Chairman until he passed away in December 2023.

Governor Akeredolu who died of  cancer was a notable figure among others who fought for the establishment of Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), also known as “Amotekun.

Akeredolu, during his tenure as the Forum’s Chairman stood his ground and championed the establishment of Amotekun to address the security challenges in South-West states, even getting collaborations with the government to make the security outfit more effective.

Several regional groups has urged the South West Governors to sustain Amotekun in order to immortalise Akeredolu’s legacy and make sure that his efforts are not in vain.

Sanwo Olu will lead the affairs of the South West Governors Forum for the next three years.

Why We Cannot Declare Strike Now  – NLC President, SGF Receives Report Of Wage Committee

By
Ayodele Oni
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Joe Ajaero - NLC President

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced that it will not embark on a strike action on Tuesday in demand a new national minimum wage.

This decision was made known by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, at the ongoing International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ajaero said: “We cannot declare strike now because the figures are with the President.”

He added that the Tripartite Committee’s proposals are awaiting the President’s decision, and the NLC’s National Executive Council will deliberate on the new figure once it is announced.

“During the tenure of the immediate past President, the figure that was proposed to him was N27,000 by the tripartite committee but he increased it to N30,000.

“We are hopeful that this President will do the right thing. The President had noted that the difference between N62,000 and N250,000 is a wide gulf.”

Ajaero berated governors who declared that they wouldn’t be able to pay a minimum wage of N62,000.

He said, “How can any governor say he cannot pay? They cannot also be calling for the decentralization of the minimum wage.

“Are there wages decentralized? Governors whose states are not contributing a dime to the national purse and who generate pitiable Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) are collecting the same amount as governors whose states are generating billions of dollars into the FAAC.

“They should decentralize their salaries and emoluments first.”

He praised Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who is paying a minimum wage of N70,000, as an example to be emulated.

Meanwhile, the 37 member Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage has concluded its assignment and submitted Report to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) on Monday.

A statement from the office of the SGF on Monday stated that “A formal presentation of the Report will be made to Mr. President for appropriate action, when the leadership of the Organised Labour as well as representatives of Government and Organized Private Sector, who are presently in Geneva, Switzerland for the ongoing International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference, return to the country.

“The SGF thanked the Chairman of the Committee, Bukar Goni Aji and members for their commitment and sacrifices.”

2026 FIFA World Cup:  Qualification Hope Dims For Nigeria, As Former Coach, Rohr Laughs Last

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles
Super Eagles

By Akinwale Kasali

The possibility of the Super Eagles of Nigeria qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup looks uncertain following the abysmal display of the Coach Finidi George-team leading to their 2-1 loss to the Squirrels of Benin Republic.

Many soccer fans had thought that Super Eagles would redeem its image after playing a 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Godswill Obot Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. Surprisingly, a compact Beninoise team came all out for the Super Eagles and showed that they are no pushovers.

Nigeria had taken the lead in the 24th minute courtesy of a powerful strike from Raphael Onyedika, but the Benin Republic team equalized through Jodel Dossou, before Steve Mounie added the second in stoppage time to give the less fancied West African side the lead.

At the resumption of the second half, the Super Eagles managed to create some chances after the introduction of Victor Boniface and Paul Onuachu, but this did not metamorphose into anything meaningful as the Beninoise team defended well and curtailed the excesses of the Super Eagles.

The match ended 2-1 as former Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, who is the coach of the Squirrels of Benin Republic was lifted shoulder high for recording a famous victory.

With the victory, Benin Republic has gone top of the Log with Seven Points, awaiting the outcome of the other two matches between Zimbabwe and South Africa; Lesotho and Rwanda.

Nigeria still remains on Fifth position but could go bottom of the table depending on the outcome of the other matches to be played Tuesday.

The qualification of the Super Eagles now hangs in the balance.

CBN: No Plan To Take Over More Banks

By
Ayodele Oni
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Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

By Ayodele Oni

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, says it has no plan to take over more Commercial Banks in the country.

The clarification comes on the heels of suggestions that the Yemi Cardoso-led government bank has axed the Boards of some money banks.

Similarly, Union Bank has assured its numerous customers on the financial position of the bank.

The clarification follows rumours of possible take over of the bank as it happened to Heritage Bank.

A statement signed by Union Bank Chief Executive officer, Yetunde Oni, stated that Union Bank is presently “robust and fully operational.”

This is just as the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) dismissed the fears over possible liquidation of more banks in the country.

The CEO explained that CBN intervention early this year was to enhance “governance and operational efficiency.”

On its part, the CBN  stated that it was not contemplating any action against any Bank in the face of the stability of the banking system.

This cleared the air over the fate of some banks following the revocation of  of Heritage Bank Plc’s license.

The apex bank has therefore faulted reports of impending action against Unity, Fidelity, Wema and Polaris Banks.

The Bank’s Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, faulted the reports that the CBN was considering revoking the operating licences of Fidelity, Polaris, Wema, and Unity Banks.

She also clarified that a circular issued by the Bank on January 10, 2024, notifying the public about the dissolution of the Boards of Union, Keystone, and Polaris Banks, is currently being circulated as though it was issued on June 10, 2024

In a chat with newsmen, Mrs. Sidi Ali emphasized that Heritage’s case was isolated, adding that allegations of further revocation of licences prior to the completion of the bank recapitalisation exercise were mere fabrications aimed at creating panic within the system.

She said customers, particularly those of Heritage Bank, needed not worry about the safety of their deposits, adding that the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) had commenced payment to the bank’s insured depositors.

Mrs. Sidi Ali, therefore, urged the public to continue their regular banking activities without concern, dismissing any false reports regarding the health of specific Deposit Money Banks.

She confirmed that the CBN, with its robust regulatory framework, is proactively ensuring the stability of Nigeria’s financial system, thereby guaranteeing the safety of depositors’ funds in all Nigerian financial institutions.

While reiterating the assurances of the Governor,  Olayemi Cardoso that the recapitalisation of banks in Nigeria was intended to bolster the banking system and safeguard the sector against risks, Sidi Ali urged all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring the success of the process, which she noted would be for the overall growth of the Nigerian economy.

“Without prejudice to the ongoing recapitalisation process, I want to restate that the Nigerian banking industry remains resilient. Key financial soundness indicators remain within current regulatory thresholds.

“Customers are, therefore, encouraged to proceed with their transactions as usual, as the CBN is committed to ensuring the safety of the banking system.”

Katsina To Construct 102 Health Centres In 34 Local Councils, Gov Radda Releases Over N10bn Naira

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Umar Dikko Radda - Governor of Katstina State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

To bring health care delivery system closer to the people, the Katrina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda, on Monday June 10, 2024,  announced that his  administration has released funds in excess of N10bn  to the 34 Local Councils of the State for the  purpose of building health centres.

Three Health Centres are to be constructed in each Local Council,Governor Radda stated.

The Governor who spoke at an interactive session with the press ,noted that the primary objective is to ameliorate the difficulties usually encountered by rural dwellers in accessing health care facilities.

“The aim is to reduce child and maternal mortality rate and other difficulties being faced by rural people whenever they are sick .

Besides,the health centres, he insisted, will go a long way in reducing pressure on hospitals in the urban areas of the state .

“When  I came on board, I talked about the World Health Organization’s WHO resolution on the need to have functional primary health care centres in rural areas that can work 24 hours” Governor Radda stated .

According to him the health centres will be adequately equipped with sufficient drugs, medical personnel, regular power and water  supply among other necessary facilities.

The Governor assured that there will also be adequate accommodation for all categories of health care workers,as well as other incentives.

When operational the health care centres through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA will be provided with running costs ranging from N250,000 to  N400,000 .

Governor Radda however said at present ,there are not enough medical personnel to run all the health centres .

“We have over 5,000 casual staff. And if we are to confirm them, their salaries would double those of the 7000 teachers we recently recruited.

This is because the salary of some health workers is almost triple that of teachers . That is the challenge we are having now,and I hope we will recruit health workers in due course.” he stated

NUJ To Boycott All Kano State Govt Activities Alleges Intimidation Harassment Of Journalists

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Rising from an Emergency Congress Meeting on Monday, June 10, 2024, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ,  Kano State Correspondents Chapel, moved to boycott the coverage of all activities related to the Kano State Government citing ill- treatment, harassment, intimidation and physical assaults of members as reasons.

A statement issued by the Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed Garko, said the decision to shun all Kano State Government activities was a last  resort ,after several futile efforts to resolve the issues.

” The decision was taken in response to the persistent and unacceptable maltreatment of members of the Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ in the State by the Kano State Government  its officials, and agents in the course of discharging their duties .

“Despite our efforts to engage the Government and its agents, we have seen no improvement in the situation.

“Our members have continued to face harassment, intimidation, and even physical assaults while performing their duties .

“It Is particularly worrisome that the Government has prioritized non-professionals over trained journalists, making it a state policy to sideline those who are best equipped to handle the job.

“As a result ,we regret to announce that we will no longer participate in press conferences, coverages of Government activities, and/ or conduct interviews with State Government officials until there is a tangible commitment to press freedom and safety of journalists operating in Kano state .

“All members, by this development, are directed to comply fully with this resolution, and join us in this protest against the ill treatment of NUJ Correspondents Chapel members in Kano state .

“We believe that a free and Independent press is essential to the survival  and sustenance of democracy and we will not stand idly by,while working journalists are maltreated” part of the statement reads.”

Parties In Rivers Assembly Court Case Give Different Interpretations To Judgement

By
The Source
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Rivers State House of Assembly
Rivers State House of Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

There are discordant tunes over Monday’s judgement by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt which, dismissed the suit seeking to declare the seats of 25 Rivers House of Assembly Lawmakers opposing to Governor Similayi Fubara vacant.

The 25 Assembly members, who are loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the heat of the political crisis in the oil rich state.

In their letter of defection read on the floor of the Assembly, on the 18th of December, 2023. They cited the division in their party and lack of interest of the PDP leadership in resolving the matter in Rivers State as the reason for their defection.

However, delivering judgement in the suit, today, 10th of June, Justice Okogbule Gbasam held that the lawmakers are still members of the PDP after he said the claimants failed to provide proof as required by law that the defendants are members of the APC.

The court held that defection from a political party cannot be proven through media reports, including newspaper articles, radio broadcasts, or online news stories, but rather requires more substantial evidence.

The court ruled that a lawmaker’s defection from a political party can only be established through official party records, specifically: the party membership register and a valid membership card in fulfillment of all membership requirements, as stipulated by the party.

“Any other means, including media reports, are insufficient to prove defection,” the judge ruled.

Recall that a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Friday, May 30, declared the seats of the 25 lawmakers vacant pending the determination of a suit before it.

However, Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, said that there was no declaration to the effect that Martin Amaewhule and 26 others are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA).

Iboroma stated that there is already a misleading news in circulation on social and conventional media that Amaewhule and others are members of the PDP and RSHA, stressing that the information is meant to deceive the public.

The Rivers State Attorney-General, therefore, urged members of the public to disregard such news already making the rounds on social, print, and electronic media, emphasizing that the entirety of the news is not true and has no basis in law.

Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Rivers State, the Attorney-General said, as the 3rd defendant in Suit No. DHC/20/CS/2024, his attention was drawn to a recent judgment of the court to that effect.

But Iboroma explained that the suit in question did not seek to declare the seats of Martin Amaewhule and 26 others in Rivers State House of Assembly vacant.

Rather, he said: “The suit of the claimants was struck out for want of locus standi and jurisdiction and also for being an abuse of court process which robbed the trial court of jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.

“As you all know, Martins Amaewhule and 26 others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on the 11th Day of December, 2023, and stated that much in affidavit evidence deposed to by Martins Amaewhule for himself and on behalf of 26 others in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1681/CS/2023 before Hon. Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division. The Suit is still pending in Court.”

The Rivers State Attorney-General explained further: “By Section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it is only the Federal High Court that can determine whether Martins Amaewhule and 26 others are still members of Peoples Democratic Party and also members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This much was held by the trial court.”

CBN Axes Boards, Management Of Three Banks

By
Ayodele Oni
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Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Indications emerged on Monday that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), may hit more Commercial Banks in the country following a clampdown on the Management and Boards of three more banks.

The Apex Bank had, last week, withdrawn the operating licence of Heritage Bank and handed its operations to the Nigeria Deposit Insurañce Corporation, (NDIC).

The CBN, on Monday, announced the immediate dissolution of the Boards and Management of Keystone, Polaris and Union Banks.

This was contained in a statement by Mrs Sidi Ali Hakama, Acting Head of Corporate Communications of the CBN, stating that the decision of the Apex Bank was based on the non-compliance with regulatory institutions and specifically on Sections 12 (c), (f) (g) (h) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.

The CBN specifically said that the Banks infractions vary from regulatory non-compliance, corporate governance failure, disregard of the conditions under which their licences were granted, and involvement in activities that pose a threat to financial stability among other.

The CBN however assured the public of the safety and security of depositors’ funds, stressing that it remained resolute in fulfilling its mandate to uphold a sound, safe and robust financial system in Nigeria.

The CBN also assured that the Nation’s banking system remain sound and resilient.

Ondo NSCDC, In Joint Operation, Arrests Suspects With Adulterated Petroleum Products

By
Ayodele Oni
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NSCDC arrest Suspects

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced the arrest of five suspects in connection with an alleged illegal transportation of 250,000 litres of adulterated petroleum products along Ondo waterways.

The Command, in a statement on Monday in Akure, explained that the arrest followed a joint operation with a private Security Services and Nigeria Army along Igbokoda watereay.

The statement, signed by the NSCDC spokesman, Aidamenbor Daniel, gave the names of the suspects as

Orofin Olorunjuwon, Enigbewo Sunday, Ayeyiwa Ilumaro, Owoyemi Ete and Okorisa Noah.

It stated that the suspects were arrested on Sunday, at Igbokoda waterways of Ondo State with two large wooden boats filled with about 250,000 litres of adulterated petroleum products, three  outboard boat engines and two  pumping machines.

“The joint task force set the illegally acquired petroleum product ablaze on the high sea, while the suspects and other exhibit are in custody for prosecution.

“Commandant Ibiloye assured that the joint operation and routine patrol of the waterways will be a continuous exercise to rid Ondo state of economic saboteurs, while the suspects will be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to other criminal elements.”

SDP Chairman Advocates For N100,000 Minimum Wage, Says It Will Make Workers Breath

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Shehu Gabam

By Akinwale Kasali

Shehu Gabam, Social Democratic Party, SDP, National Chairman has called on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration not to pay Workers less than N100,000 as Minimum Wage.

Gabam made the appeal to the Federal Government in the wake of a possible nationwide strike following the failure of the FG and the Organized Labour to reach a compromise on the minimum wage, as negotiations are still ongoing.

The SDP Chair said this when he featured as a guest on the Sunday edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Gabam insisted that the Government will do itself a favour by settling for a reasonable wage that is above N100,000 to avoid civil servants sabotaging the system.

He said, “For me, what I think at this stage is that the government should do something above N100,000. It is reasonably okay. It makes a little bit of sense. People can breathe, and people can go to work without thinking of sabotaging the institutions.

“You are paying civil servants and other private employees just N30,000. And then when you go to the market, there is nothing of the lowest that you can get at the cost of N30,000.”

The SDP chief also chided Nigerian Governors for announcing that payment of any minimum wage higher than N60,000 was not sustainable. This is even as he appealed for a review of the fuel removal subsidy policy.

“Any serious Governor that can put his priorities right can pay N60,000 comfortably,” Gabam insisted, noting that if ghost workers are purged from the system, States can pay it. The tragedy is that the majority of the problems we are having today are from the states. The Governors are contributing largely to the problem.

He added, “They have to consider reviewing this subsidy. I’ve mentioned this severally, you can get it right with the rate of subsidy the way it is. This Government initiated this crisis by removing the fuel subsidy and naturally, they don’t need to be told that there are consequences that will follow.

“What we expected is that by the time the Government made up its mind to remove the fuel subsidy and the pains that would follow thereafter, the consumption rates, the supply rates, and the demand rates of the nation, no one can stand it,” he concluded.

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