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Timi Frank Cänvasses For N250,000 Mïnimum Wäge

By
The Source
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Timi Frank

By Ayodele Oni

Bayelsa State born political activist, Timi Frank, has advised the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and Trade Union Congress, (TUC) to reject any minimum wage offer from the federal government that is less than N250,000.00 per month.

Frank, reacting to reports of alleged Federal Government’s offer of N105,000.00  to workers as new minimum wage during their ongoing tripartite negotiation, said: “any amount below N250,000.00 cannot be considered a decent wage for Nigerian workers considering the present socio-economic hardship in the country.”

Federal Government has however denied offering N105,000 as new minimum wage.

In a statement in Abuja, on Friday, Frank accused the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration of double standards in the fixing of salaries, saying what is good for judicial office holders is good for Nigerian workers.

According to him, Tinubu recently sent a Bill to the National Assembly in which he proposed 300 per cent increase in the salaries and allowances of Supreme Court Justices, Appeal Court Justices, President of the National Industrial Court, Judges of the Federal and State High Courts as well as Grand Khadi of State Sharia Courts, among others, in the country.

The former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) noted that the Bill has been hurriedly passed as proposed by the President in both chambers of the National Assembly and now awaiting the assent of the President to become enforceable law.

“How can you increase the salary of an arm of government that is already earning a humongous salary by 300 per cent and add peanuts to the paltry N30,000 that workers have been compelled to live with in this country as minimum wage in the last five years?

“Why did the President send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to effect a 300 per cent upward review in the salaries of Judicial Office Holders but set up a tripartite committee to negotiate a ‘starvation wage’ for suffering Nigerian workers instead of a ‘living wage’ he promised them on assumption of office in May last year?”

He pointed out that the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government ought to reduce their salaries and allowances to accommodate Nigerian workers.

“Nigerians are no fools as they know that the proposed generous increase in the salaries of Judicial Office Holders is meant to pay them for the devious work they did to ratify the stay of key political office holders in this administration.”

He reiterated that workers are the engine room of the nation’s economy and that paying them a living wage will boost their morale to work diligently and even pay the supreme price in line of duty for the country’s development if need be.

He therefore urged the leadership of organized labour to be resolute in their demand to ensure that workers get a deserved living wage at this time in the Nation’s developmental journey.

States Őpt For Minimum Wäge Of N70,000

By
Ayodele Oni
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Hope Uzodimma- Governor of Imo State

By Ayodele Oni

State Governors seem to have taken a stand on the new minimum wage as they are unanimous on paying a wage of N70,000.

This is as they constituted a committee, headed by Governor Hope Uzodimma, to look at all presentations and make recommendations.

The tripartite committee set up by the federal government is continuing with its meeting to agree on a specific figure.

The governors made this disclosure after a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum(NGF) held on Thursday.

The governors who reviewed the economic situation in the country said that any amount of money above N70,000 is not feasible and affordable.

Sources close to the meeting stated that “After deliberation on the minimum wage, we decided to consider options between N60,000 and N70,000 a month. We could not reach a concrete decision on the wage rate for states.

“Eventually, a committee, to be led by Governor Uzodimma, was mandated to look at all presentations and make recommendations.

“The NGF will soon reconvene to consider the Uzodimma committee report.

“No state can afford to pay a N105,000 minimum wage and we have ruled out this benchmark.

“Records available to us indicated that some states are still paying N18,000 because they are unable to afford N30,000 (which came into effect in 2019). Only a state has adopted a N70, 000 wage.”

PSC Appőints Abubakar DIG, Prőmotes Ammani, Dankwara Usaini, Ayinde, Ochalla, Five Others AIG,’ 15 New CPs, 36 DCPs, 61 ACPs Also Apprőved

By
The Source
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Solomon Arase - PSC Chairman

The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment of AIG Yahaya Sahabo Abubakar as Deputy Inspector General of Police. He was until his appointment the AIG in charge of Zone 14 Katsina. He will represent the North East Geopolitical zone in the Police Management Team, replacing DIG Habu Sani who recently retired as DIG Force Intelligence Bureau and representing the Zone.

The Commission also approved the promotion of 122 other senior Police Officers; ten Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General; Fifteen Deputy Commissioners of Police to substantive Commissioners and 36 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners. Sixty-one Chief Superintendents of Police were also elevated to the next rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police.

A statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani, PSC’s Head, Press and Public Relations, said  the decisions were taken at the extraordinary Management Meeting of the Commission held on Thursday,  June 6th, 2024 and presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police.

The 15  Deputy Commissioners of Police; 10 Commissioners  and AIG Abubakar appeared before the Commission in session for the compulsory interactive promotion interview which is one of the requirements for their promotion to the next rank.

The Commission’s Chairman at the interactive sessions told the Officers  that in the emerging dynamic and ubiquity  of crime and criminality  within the revolution in  Information and Communication technology,  ” charting out pathways for effective  policing and internal security management  would have to necessarily  orient from informed crafting  and employment of applicable mix of strategies,  standard operating  procedures  and tactics by the Police, other law enforcement and regulatory agencies of the state, mainstreaming a knowledge driven Police Force staffed by mentally mobile work force refined  for optimum service delivery “.

Dr. Arase charged them to be genuinely committed to their sacred responsibility of securing the Nigerian nation by effectively protecting lives and property, preventing and containing crimes and criminality across the nation.

He pledged the Commission’s readiness to ensure that promotions of Officers and Men are regular and predictable.

The Commissioners of Police promoted to the new rank of AIGs are; Ahmed  Ammani, former CP Enugu and currently in ICT Department, Force Headquarters; Mohammed  Dankwara Adamu  Deputy Commandant Police Academy, Wudil Kano; Gumel Mohammed  Usaini, CP Kano State Command; Hamzat Adebola Ayinde, CP Oyo State Command; Okuoma Idegwu Basil, CP Elections, Force Headquarters Abuja; Achinyan Zachary’s Fera; CP FCID Enugu; Baba Zango Ibrahim, CP DFA, FCID, Abuja; Mohammed  Isyaku, CP Admin, FCID Annex Lagos and CP Margaret Agebe Ochalla, CP Police Special Fraud Unit Annex Lagos.

DCP Bassey Samuel  Ewah, DC Admin, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters; Osagie John Agans-Irabor, SCID, Benue State Command; DCP Edem Ita Selong, Admin and Finance, Zone 9 Umuahia and DCP Monday Agbonika, Interpol Annex Lagos were promoted to the substantive rank of Commissioners of Police.

Other Deputy Commissioners promoted to CPs were Michael Okoh, Department of Operations,  Zone 9 Umuahia; Ayodele Oluyemi Sonubi, State CID, Oyo State Command; Iyama Daniel Edobor, Operations Department,  Bayelsa State Command; Isa Danladi Nda, SWAT, FCID Abuja; Akaniyene Ifebem Ezima Zonal CID, Zone 17 Akure and Livingston  Ikioye Orutugu, Commandant PMF Training School Ende Hills Jos.

Others were, DCP Bello Rashid Afegbua, Admin, Department of Training,  Force Headquarters, Abuja; Hycenth Azuka Edozie Force Operations FCID, FHQ Abuja; Haruna Alaba Yahaya, Interpol, FCID Abuja; Peter Ozigi Umoru, Zonal CID, Zone 8, Lokoja; Ayotunde Godwin Omodeinde, Operations Department, Cross Rivers State Command.

The 36 Assistant Commissioners of Police promoted to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners include; Obo Ukam Obo; Musibau Adeola Adedoyin; Lawal Bamidele  Adeshina and Anthony Okon Placid. Others are Onyeamu Akaeme Onyeamu, AC, Ops, Enugu State Command;  Suleiman  K. Bayonle, Commander PMF 20, Lagos; Asuquo  Effiong, Special  Investigation  Unit FHQ,  Abuja; Mustapha  A. Rufai, Area Commander Auchi; Victor Akongtendor Bepeh, DFA, BPF, Force Headquarters Abuja; Chinedu  Ugwu, Area Commander,  Oji River Enugu Command; Kingsley Ifeanyi  Woke SCID Ebonyi State Command; Issah Onize Lawal, Zonal CID Zone 2 Lagos and Ifeanyi  Aham Ohuruzo, Commander PMF 21 Abuja.

The list of the promoted  Officers has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation and further necessary action.

“Mäny Fuläni Can’t Remember Their Stätes of Origin” – Deputy Senate President

By
James Orji
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Senator Jibrin Barau- Deputy Senate President

Senator Jibrin Barau, Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President says many Fulani herders in the country cannot recognized the states they hailed from.

The Senator made the remark on Thursday during the consideration of a bill for an act to establish the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission, NAHRC, by the Senate.

The NAHRC was sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam, from Benue State.

According to the magazine’s investigation, the bill is seeking to stop Fulani herders from moving around the country by carving out some lands for them to rear their animals.

The bill is also seeking to end the re-current bloody clash between Fulani herders and farmers across the country.

Speaking at the Senate chamber yesterday, Barau said if the bill is passed it will lead to the relocation of Fulani herders across the country, many of who cannot even remember their state of origin.

He said many Fulani herders were born where they are currently living, and will be difficult for them to be relocated to other states because they don’t know their state of origin.

He contended that the bill was in breach of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that the choice of resident by any Nigerian is guaranteed by the constitution.

According to him, Fulani herders should be allowed to live wherever they chose because “you cannot stop any Nigerian from living in any area that he so wishes.”

He said, “the relevant section of the constitution has been read. I saw something just a few days ago: Senator Natasha visited a Fulani settlement in her senatorial zone. Those people do not have any home except that place. They have been there for so long. They have been part and parcel of that society.

“Now, to tell them to move to their state of origin, where is their state of origin?

“Now, for us as political leaders, I would like you to look at that. Who is the current Senator of FCT? She is a Yoruba native, but she has won the election here. Nobody told her to return to her state.

“I won my first election in Tarauni Federal Constituency to the House of Representatives in 1999 from Kano Central, but I am from Kano North. Nobody told me to go back to Kano North, so why do we now tell herders to go back to their states of origin?

“My friend Zam understands that this is not in consonance with our constitution; your bill is good. I like this bill, but this aspect should be removed. We should remove it. I advise my friend Senator Zam to stand this bill down for a consultation, for better drafting, so that it goes in consonance with our constitution.

“Mr President, I will tell you some of these Fulanis, if you ask them where their state of origin is, they have even forgotten; they look at themselves as Nigerians.

“We should address the issue to reflect wherever someone is, it’s his place, and he can do his business there. So, Mr President, I advise this bill to be stepped down for further consultation.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learned that the bill appears to have the support of majority of senators and has now been passed to the committee state after many lawmakers okayed it.

In 2019, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state came under heavy criticism from not a few Nigerians following his remark that the Fulani are stateless.

“The Fulani man is a global or African person. He moves from The Gambia to Senegal and his nationality is Fulani,” Mohammed said.

Southeast To Gët A Nëw Statë Soon

By
James Orji
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0
House of Reps Members

After many years of agitation by the people of the southeast Nigeria for a new state, the House of Representatives has moved to ensure that the region has another state.

The development followed the passage of a bill, on Thursday, seeking to establish a new state in the region.

Sponsored by a member, Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere representing Ideato North South, Imo state, the bill is seeking to create a new state known as Orlu state.

Speaking during the consideration of the bill by the House, Ugochinyere Ugochinyere appealed to other lawmakers to back the legislation to ensure its successful passage.

According to the draft bill, the creation of Orlu State will amend the 1999 Constitution, increasing the number of states in Nigeria from 36 to 37.

The new state, with Orlu as its capital city, will be created from portions of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states.

According to checks by the magazine, the bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution by adding a new paragraph to include 28 local government areas.

The areas are Orlu, Orsu, Oru West, Oru East, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele, Isu, Oguta, Ohaji Egbema, Onuimo, Ihiala, Uga, Uli, Ozubulu, Akokwa, Arondizuogu, Umuchu, Umunze, Umuaku, New Ideato North, Nwabosi West, Nwabosi East, Owerre Nkworji, Alaoma, Amaifeke, and Owerrebiri Umuowa.

Unlike other region with minimum of six states, the southeast has only five states.

Meanwhile, political watchers insist that the creation of another state in the region will reduce the agitation among its people that the region is marginalized.

Kïlling Of Soldiers: We Have Crëdible Intelligënce On The Killërs

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Authority have revealed that they have started receiving credible intelligence as regards the unfortunate killings of five Nigeria soldiers on May 30, 2024 at a Military checkpoint in Obikabia junction in Aba North Local Council of the State, by some yet-to-be identified gunmen.

The State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, who made this known during another lap of his trouble-shooting visits to the 144 battalion of the Nigerian Army   in the Ossisioma area of Aba, however,  appealed to the Military to carry out its investigations into the incident  in a manner that will not lead to innocent people suffering unjustly.

The Source reports that Governor Otti, had, in the wake of the killings visited the Asa Ukwa West Military formation where  he met and  identified with the family members and widows of the deceased soldiers.

In a statement issued on Thursday June ,6 , by his Media Aide  Kazie Uko, the Abia State Governor who was received during the visit by the Commanding Officer of the  14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia Brigadier O O Diya ,said that going by the intelligence at the disposal of the Government, the criminal act may have been perpetrated by people who are opposed to the progress and good things that are happening in Abia state.

” I have come to specifically address you on the unfortunate incident that happened a week ago in Obikabia Junction in Obingwa Local Government Area, very close to Aba.

“My name is Alex Otti, I am the Governor of Abia State. I feel it is my responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the State to speak to you, commiserate with you, and also ensure that your morale is boosted, that you don’t get discouraged and you don’t get distracted by this unfortunate incident.

“The State has already placed a bounty of 25 million Naira on anybody who has information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of people who were involved in this dastardly act, remotely or directly.

“We have started getting very credible information. This intelligence gathering will continue, but I do not want it to dampen your morale. We have all been working together to secure this State in the last one year that I have been the Governor of the State, and I want to encourage you to continue your work, don’t get distracted.

“I believe, from credible intelligence available to us, that this criminal act may have been executed by people who are opposed to the progress and the good things that are happening in Abia. One of the last things we want to do is to humour them by allowing them to distract us.

“So, we will get to the root of the matter, we will arrest everyone that is involved. I have in the last few days also visited the widows of the five gallant officers that were brutally murdered. As a State we have committed to absorbing them, whether they come from the State or not, we have absorbed them as part of this State. All their children are now on scholarship and they will remain on scholarship until they graduate from the university and we will also keep supporting the widows and ensure that they do not lack anything.

“I want to assure you that this State will do everything possible to ensure that all of you are protected.

“I’m also aware that some people have been picked up before now, but when I spoke with the GOC this morning, he told me that virtually everyone that was picked up has been released except for about nine or 10 people who are still being investigated.

“We, as a State, support thorough investigation, but we will also appeal to you that a lot of innocent civilians, who you will encounter may not have been involved. I believe that most of them are not involved. It is even possible that those who committed this crime came from outside the State. So whatever be the case we will not like to punish those who are innocent with those who are guilty because like it is said, two wrongs cannot make a right.

“So, I will like to encourage you, I will like to appeal to your leaders to ensure that people are treated decently, people are given the utmost respect that they deserve while we are doing our job” the statement reads .

Tinubu Took Over Bädly Mismanäged Economy, Zéro Foréign Reservés – SGF Akume

By
Akinwale Kasali
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George Akume

By Akinwale Kasali

Accuses Organized Labour of treason for shutting down the National Grid

As Nigerians continue to lament the pathetic State of the nation’s economy, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the situation as a matter of urgency.

But the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has appealed to Nigerians to be calm amidst economic challenges, while assuring Nigerians that President Tinubu is working diligently to improve the economy.

Akume said this while addressing the National Executive Council of CAN, on Thursday, June 6.

The former Benue State Governor outlined several measures the government is taking to address current hardships and also cautioned labour not to make decision that would jeopardize the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

He hinted that the current administration took over a turbulent country, citing that the country’s foreign reserves and many other sectors were poorly managed.

“We took over in a very turbulent weather. Foreign reserves were zero, but there have been massive reforms carried out by the President. One of them, which appeared to be a little bit tough for people to understand is the subsidy removal of fuel. People should stop shouting; they need to know the actual truth,” Akume stated.

He emphasized that the current administration has taken swift actions in implementing palliatives to cushion the effects of these reforms.

“We are all aware of the 35,000 naira wage award for workers, which means a 30,000 naira minimum wage with 35,000 on top of that. Additionally, 100 billion naira for CNG fuel buses will help reduce transportation costs and food prices,” he added.

Akume also highlighted the government’s efforts in supporting various sectors, including the allocation of 125 billion naira in conditional grants and financial inclusion for medium and small enterprises, and 150 billion naira in palliative loans to states to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

“We are providing 200 billion naira to support the cultivation of hectares of land, which is even more now,” he added.

He condemned the recent disruptions and the shutdown of the national grid by Organized Labour, labeling it  “a treasonable offence”.

“Nowhere in the world has labor ever tampered with the national grid. It is treason! Treasonable felony is economic sabotage, you don’t do that.

“We are trying to rebuild the economy. The president is picking up, and they want to destroy it. Of what use is that to all of us? That is not the way”, he said.

Reflecting on the process of setting the minimum wage, Akume explained, “In 2019, the minimum wage was legislated up to 30,000 naira. It is an exclusive issue in the constitution, not on the concurrent list, but on the exclusive legislative list. That is why it is the federal government, working with organized private sector and labor, that recommends it to the president for the national assembly’s attention.”

Reassuring the public, Akume stated, “It is not that we are not working. We are working, and that is why we implemented the 35,000-naira wage, which is more than the minimum wage. There are buses ready to be distributed, and soon, rice and other essentials will be available.”

He, however, stressed the importance of collaboration between the church and the government in providing essential services such as education, health, and agriculture.

“The Church must collaborate with the government in providing facilities for people whether it is in education, health, or agriculture. We don’t separate; we combine. There is a symbiotic relationship that can never be destroyed,” he said.

He concluded by emphasizing the government’s focus on productivity and economic stability.

“Our people must rise up and have something in their pockets. It is not about demanding 100,000 naira without productivity. We are looking at controlling inflation and ensuring a balanced economy,” he asserted.

National Anthem: “2024 Confab Recommended It”  – Ozekhome  Applauds FG

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mike Ozekhome

By Akinwale Kasali

Mike Ozekhome, Constitutional Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has lauded the  Federal Government for reverting to the old National Anthem, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’.

Ozekhome said the Federal Government is right this time and described the reintroduction as a round peg in a round hole.

He made this statement in an interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday.

He said, “I am not a fantastic fan of the government but if there is one thing I think they have gone right; they have gotten right, and I applaud them for it, it is the reintroduction of this national anthem.

“I know that it was advertised that there would be a public hearing over the National Anthem.

“That was how I heard. Nobody came to invite me specially and if you’re called, you should go and participate. If you don’t participate, you should not cry later.”

He said unlike a change of constitution, having a new National Anthem does not require town hall meetings at the lowest levels.

Ozekhome lamented the lack of patriotism among some Nigerians and hopes the new Anthem will reinstate that in Nigerians.

According to him, the reintroduction of the Anthem was part of the recommendations of the 2014 National Confab.

Ozekhome’s comment came days after Tinubu defended the reintroduction of the anthem which the President described as his “priority”.

It would recalled they the reintroduction of the Old National Anthem generated mixed feelings with some section of Nigerians querying the reason behind its reintroduction.

Former Education Minister, Obiageli Ezekwesili had frowned at its reintroduction, saying of what benefits was it to the Economy of the Nation, vowing not to sing the Old Anthem.

“These Players Made The Nation Proud, They Deserve Our Attention” – Obi, As He Visits Injuréd Ex-Super Eagles Tijani Babangida

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi with Tijani Babangida

The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi paid a sympathy visit to the former Super Eagles winger Tijiani Babangida who was involved in a fatal motor accident last month.

The 50-year-old former National Player who also played for Ajax football Club of Holland, broke his right leg in the accident that claimed the lives of his son and junior brother Ibrahim Babangida who also played for Nigeria in the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning team. Tijiani’s wife was also seriously injured.

Speaking after the visit the former Anambra state Governor said, they made the nation proud, they made us happy with their talents, and in times like this, they deserve our sympathy and attention.

“I came to commiserate with him for the wound, for the lost ones, for the trauma and to show him that he is not forgotten.”

Tijiani who is still nursing the injured leg told the LP standards bearer that he lost his brother, and his son and his wife is still seriously in pain from the ugly accident.

Tijiani who is the President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, told Obi how help has been coming to him through his former colleagues and club in Holland the Ajax football club.

The Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medalist and the General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Babayero who was with Tijiani when Obi visited, thanked him for the pleasant visit and said such a gesture is necessary to encourage the ex-player.

He thanked Obi for who he is and what he has achieved in trying to make society better.

FG Has Not Fixed New Minimum Wage – Presidency

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Bayo Onanuga
Bayo Onanuga

By Ayodele Oni

The Presidency has said that it is untrue that Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, has suggested a new minimum wage of N105,000.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, responded to the report claiming that the Minister had proposed N105,000 as the new minimum wage, labeling the information as incorrect.

“The Honorable Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun has not proposed N105,000 minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false.”

On Thursday, the Minister of Finance, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s earlier directive, presented a template with the cost implications of a new minimum wage to the President.

Recall that after a two-day strike by organized labour seeking an increase in the minimum wage, the President instructed the government team in the tripartite committee to present the cost implications of an affordable, sustainable, and realistic new minimum wage within 48 hours.

He issued the order during a meeting with the government negotiation team, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the presidential villa in Abuja.

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