Author: Anthony Pratt

President Bola Tinubu has approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.

The agreement was reached at a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday in Abuja.

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris says the Federal Government and the leadership of the Organised Labour have agreed on ₦70,000 as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

“We are happy to announce today (Thursday) that both the Organised Labour and the Federal Government have agreed on an increase on the N62,000 minimum wage.

The new national minimum that Mr President is expected to submit to the National Assembly is ₦70,000,” Idris told journalists.

On her part, Nkiru Onyejeocha, minister of state for labour said Tinubu and the labour leaders agreed that the time limit for the review of the minimum wage should be reduced to three years.

Onyejeocha added that the parties agreed that the time limit of five years for review is too long.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, added: “President Tinubu also promised to find ways to assist the private sector and the sub-nationals to pay the minimum wage.

“The Labour leaders applauded President Tinubu for the fatherly gesture as the President also promised to use his discretionary powers meet the demands of university unions demanding unpaid 4 months salaries.”

Meanwhile, NLC President Joe Ajaero, told newsmen after the meeting that the unions agreed to the offer because of other incentives attached.

He also commended the president for promising a review every three years as against what obtained in the past.

The new minimum wage, when approved by the National Assembly, will replace the N30,000 minimum wage which expired on April 18, 2024

As part of measures to reduce the current food crisis, the Nigerian Government has announced that 740 trucks of Rice will be dispatched to all the state Governors to distribute to vulnerable Nigerians.

This means that each of the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will receive 20 trucks of rice.

Each truck will carry approximately 1,200 25kg bags, totaling 24,000 bags of rice per state.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris announced this on Monday after the Federal Executive Council presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

Idris noted that the measures are to further ameliorate the economic challenges in the nation.

The Information Minister appealed to governors to ensure equitable distribution of the food items to the needy.

“It is expected that the state governors will go ahead and distribute this food item to the most vulnerable,” he said.

The Minister stressed that the government was committed to ensuring food availability for most Nigerians and will continue to work on making food interventions accessible.

“The Federal Executive Council is ramping up all that needs to be done to ensure that food is being put on the table of most Nigerians,” he stated.

Speaking on the much awaited Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles, the Minister said “There is also a discussion on the CNG that the federal government has promised Nigerians. The Federal Executive Council has directed the presidential Committee on CNG to expedite its activities to supply buses, to also make it possible for the conversion kits to be available to most Nigerians.

“Already they have started but the federal executive council asked them to redouble their effort. So that conversion kits that we need for the CNG will be made available.

“Also the conversion centers that had earlier been approved will also be significantly upgraded so that Nigerians will have more conversion centers, more conversion kits. The Federal government has directed this should go up, so as to reduce our over reliance on PMS. And this will in turn also aid our energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy.”

Nigerian passport holders can now obtain visas for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting today, July 15, 2024.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents on Monday after the Federal Executive Council meeting.

Idris said the Federal Government and the UAE authorities have reached an agreement vacating travel restrictions imposed on Nigerians with immediate effect.

“Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders,” he said.

“This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa.

“The resumption of visas will be effective from July 15, 2024.”

The minister also says Nigerians seeking information on the updated UAE visa conditions can visit documentverificationhub.ae for further details.

Idris said details of the agreement will be provided later in a statement.

You will recall that the UAE imposed the visa ban on Nigeria barely two years ago due to various diplomatic disputes.

Also, Dubai’s Emirates Airline halted flights to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria couldn’t remit an estimated $85 million in revenue to the UAE.

After several meetings with the UAE government, the Federal Government assured Nigerians that the visa ban would soon be lifted.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has invited the Attorney-General of the State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, to appear before it.

He is expected to explain the recent Supreme Court judgement on local governments in the country.

This was contained in a statement released by Eromosele Ebhomele, the chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

The lawmakers said there was a need for better understanding of the decision of the apex court in relation to some provisions in the Constitution of the country.

A seven-man panel of the Supreme Court had declared on Thursday that the 774 local government councils in the country should receive their funds directly from the Federal Government as well as manage such funds themselves being a tier of government.

The court further declared that allocations to local government councils run by caretaker committees were illegal.

Ruling after a voice vote by lawmakers at plenary on Thursday, the Speaker of the Assembly, ruled: “There is a need for us to seek clarification and understanding of this judgement. It will be good to invite the Attorney-General to brief us and give his understanding so that we do not run foul of the judgement.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has resolved to write a letter of commendation to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the successful operation by men of the force that led to the elimination of nine kidnappers in the state recently.

A letter of commendation is also to be sent to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Adegoke Mustapha Fayoade, for the efforts of the policemen which led to the fruitful operation.

Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the plenary, said the police and men of the force who took part in the operation needed to be commended.

Dr. Obasa agreed with members of the House that letters be sent to Egbetokun and Fayoade further charging them not to relent in keeping the State safe for residents.

He stressed the need for stakeholders to fast-track considerations for the creation of state police to support the federal police system.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Noheem Adams, had earlier recalled how the police launched the operation against some kidnappers in the Ladipo area of the state and eliminated nine of them.

According to him, there has been calm in the area since the operation was carried out.

Noheem added that the Ikorodu area of the state which hitherto had issues of kidnapping now enjoys relative peace.

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the ruling of the Supreme Court on the statutory rights of local governments.

President Tinubu says the decision of the court only affirms the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.

The President in a statement pointed out that ineffective local government administration has been a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years.

According to him, governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.

The statement, signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale submits that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.

“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” President Tinubu states.

President Tinubu noted that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

The President affirmed that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

President Tinubu also commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.

He said that his administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.

The Nigerian Navy has extended its Operation DELTA SANITY by 90 days.

Operation DELTA SANITY was launched on 6 January 2024 to combat oil theft and related crimes.

This is in line with the President and Commander-in-Chief’s directive to eradicate crude oil theft and ramp up Nigeria’s production for an improved economy.

The extension was approved by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla and announced on Wednesday July 10, 2024, onboard Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA at Onne, Rivers State by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira who represented the CNS.

According to a statement by the Naval Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, OPERATION DELTA SANITY involved the deployment of personnel, platforms, helicopters and UAVs on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta area.

“The successes were immediate and remarkable including the recovery of massive quantities of stolen products, the dismantling of Illegal Refining Sites, arrest of suspects and seizure of stolen products. Hence, the Operation was extended in April 2024 for 90 days,” he added.

While assessing the achievements of the operation during a Press Briefing on Tuesday July 9, 2024, the Commander Task Group, Rear Admiral Samson Bura stated that since the extension in April 2024, a total of 22 suspects have been arrested and about 122 Illegal Refinery Sites were deactivated.

“Furthermore, large quantities of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were seized and appropriately handled.

“Also, a total of 57 wooden boats, 45 dugout pits and 65 storage tanks were deactivated while six vessels were arrested.

“Additionally, several items and equipment used in the construction of illegal refineries were seized. The achievements and successes of Op DELTA SANITY underscore the need for the operation to be extended.

“ Hence the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has approved the extension of Operation DELTA SANITY for a further 90 days .”

In the same vein, the CNS thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces in general and the Nigerian Navy in particular.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, says the Electricity Bill currently before the House is the confirmation of the state government’s zeal to ensure regular and uninterrupted power supply to residents.

This was as the House held a stakeholders’ meeting on the bill which if passed into law, will allow the state government to license, generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to unserved and underserved areas of the state.

The proposed law, according to the Speaker, who was represented by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, “seeks to take care of everything in the electricity sector, majorly by contributing to the sustainable development of the State.”

The Speaker added that the bill establishes a mechanism for electricity planning that promotes off-grid solutions for households and micro, small and medium scale enterprises.

“This bill is most timely because electrification is one of the most important aspects of a viable economy and improvement of the wellbeing of the people.

“Being a responsible Government, the Lagos State government has decided to create an agency, market and fund with the responsibility of ensuring adequate access of electricity with professional standards and modern technology.

“The bill is pursuant to our resolve to improve the electricity situation in the State,” he said, adding that Lagos is proactive by taking advantage of the movement of electricity to the concurrent list.

Speaking further about the bill, the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy, Hon. Sabur Oluwa said the bill establishes a commercial and technical regulatory framework for the Lagos Electricity Market to ensure reliable and universal access to electricity for all residents of the state.

“The bill outlines the creation of the Lagos State Electrification Agency to manage public electricity works and infrastructure as well as the Lagos State Electrification Fund.

“These institutions will play pivotal roles in the delivery of reliable electricity to the unserved and underserved areas of our State.

“Through these initiatives, we aim to bridge the gap in electricity supply and enhance the quality of life for all Lagosians. We understand that reliable electricity is not a luxury but a necessity.

In his comment, the Chairman, South West of the Charted Institute of Power Engineering, Vincent Umoh, urged the Assembly to ensure the bill mandated the state government to appoint technocrats with 15 years experience to head the proposed agency.

Umoh said Lagos State state Government needs about 1,000 megawatts for it to ensure stable electricity supply to residents.

A major drug cartel behind the production and distribution of deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’ has been taken down by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Nigeria.

This follows the arrest of the leader of the syndicate, 42-year-old Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu and his associate in his mansion tucked in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.

In a statement, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi said the cartel, with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state, became a target of the Agency following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of substantial quantity of methamphetamine in South East, South South and other parts of the country.

After weeks of surveillance, Babafemi said officers of a special operations unit of the Agency on Friday 5th July 2024, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges.

Exhibits recovered from the house include: 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate, a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges.

The statement added that the operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideout located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grams of meth.

Another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo state, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items.

While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the federal government.

NDLEA said that Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings.

Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.

Reacting to the successful taking down of the meth syndicate, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men involved in the multi-pronged operation, while he stated that the manner the interdiction was carried out should send a strong signal to other cartels that there’s no hiding place for them in any part of the country.

In what appears to be a different form of protest, a man on Monday, July 8th climbed the mast of a broadcast station in Katampe, Abuja to express his displeasure over numerous challenges facing Nigeria.

The protester, Shuaibu Yusuf who climbed to the top of the mast, threatened to jump down if president Bola Tinubu fails to take urgent steps to address the situation.

Yusuf, who hails from Borno state lamented that he was frustrated by the unbearable economic realities.

He demanded that the President reverses his decision on fuel subsidy as well as tackle insecurity in the country.

Yusuf also wants inflation rate to stop rising while government opens border to allow for importation of food items.

He equally wants the president to declare state of emergency in Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger and Borno states towards ending banditry.

He added that it was Long enough for government to standby and do nothing while Boko Haram, Bandits and Kidnappers continue to kill people in the country everyday.

Rescue team led by Federal Emergency Management Agency later arrived the scene to persuade him not to jump.

The team assured him that his demands will be channeled to the appropriate authority for immediate action.

Yusuf has since been taken into custody by the Nigeria police