Tinubu condmns Katsina attacks, gives marching orders to police, others

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent spate of attacks against citizens in Dutsin-Ma and Kankara Local Government Areas of Katsina State. No fewer than fifty farmers were killed by rampaging armed bandits in three villages across Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State yesterday, The gunmen who raided farms across ‘Yargoje, Gatakawa and Dan-nakwabo villages shot sporadically at the farmers most of whom died on the spot. Several eyewitnesses said no less than fifty dead bodies were counted after the mayhem. While describing the latest attacks as grisly and sinister, the President emphasized that more will be done ”to secure citizens and completely degrade terrorists and other harbingers of death and sorrow in any part of the country” President Tinubu directed security agencies to go after the assailants and ensure that they are brought to justice. ”The President condoles with the families of the deceased, as well as the Government and people of Katsina State, and prays for the repose of the souls of the departed,” a statement signed by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale stated.

Strike: No Work, No Pay – OPS Threatens NLC, TUC

The ongoing dispute over the new minimum wage and electricity tariff hike in Nigeria is reaching a critical juncture as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) approach the end of their five-day strike relaxation period. The organized private sector, represented by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), has issued a stern warning to its workforce about the potential enforcement of the ‘No Work No Pay’ rule if the strike action resumes. The Director General of NECA, Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, highlighted this position while speaking at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland. He emphasized that employers are legally backed by the Trade Dispute Act, Section 43, which allows for the withholding of pay for days not worked during strikes. “The employers in the Trade Dispute Act Section 43 have the right not to pay for work not done. It is part of our law,” Smatt-Oyerinde stated. This announcement comes amidst heightened tensions as the labour unions have provided the Federal Government with a five-day ultimatum to meet their demands, which include an acceptable new wage for workers and a retraction of the new electricity tariffs. However, the government’s offer of a ₦62,000 minimum wage has not satisfied union leaders, prompting threats of renewed strike action. Smatt-Oyerinde questioned the practicality of paying employees during a strike, especially when no production activities are taking place. “Where would the employer get the money to pay when work is not done? It is a rule of justice. Where do I get the money to pay from?” he queried. Moreover, the NECA director general pointed out that both international and local industrial laws regulate the right to strike. He mentioned that the issue of strike rights is currently being contested at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) level and has been referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for further interpretation. “The context of ultimatum, context of strikes, these rules were guided by law, were guided by framework, in the ILO, it is the convention. In Nigeria, it is the Trade Dispute Act. We will wait for ICJ to come back.” He said all parties must work within the legal framework, adding that a subsisting order exists at the National Industrial Court (NIC). “We saw the letter by the attorney general of the federation, and our view is this, if you don’t align with it, you will go back to the court where he gets the order to contest it, but the moment I don’t context it, then I have gone way beyond the legal framework,” he said. He said all parties must work within the legal framework to have an equilibrium society devoid of anarchy. According to him, the International Labour Convention 87 gives the right to organise, “but workers felt it includes the right to strike and that is what we are demanding interpretation from the ICJ. “Our position is that we cannot be party to rubbish those institutions created to regulate the industrial process, we have the NIC and the Industrial Arbitration Panel (AIP), we must follow those institutions before escalating issues.” The NECA boss said the employers aligned with the Federal Government on N62,000 because that is what is feasible for the members of the OPS. “After going back and forth, the employers painfully came to N62,000. I say painfully, judging by the current state of employers in the country, business closing shops, business relocating. Two objectives inform our decision, can we afford to pay, jobs and create jobs and three, it is a deeper economic reason for us. “Even in the ILO, the importance is to make sure that the developing economy is not left behind. This is done through transiting those in the informal to formal sector.” Oyerinde said anything above N62,000 would be detrimental to the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) that form the bulk of the informal economy. He said though both the governors’ forum and organised l

Tinubu Govt To Probe Activities Of National Petroleum Company Under Buhari As Audit Reveals NNPCL Inflated Subsidy Claims By ₦3.3Trillion

A renowned global accounting firm, KPMG, has conducted a forensic audit revealing a notable inconsistency in the fuel subsidy claims filed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). According to a report from iWitnessLive, the audit uncovered that NNPCL had inflated its fuel subsidy claims by a staggering ₦3.3 trillion. At first, NNPCL reported spending ₦6 trillion on fuel subsidy, with the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government covering a significant portion of the expenses. NNPCL’s Group CEO, Mele Kyari, claimed that the federal government still owed the company ₦2.8 trillion for petrol subsidy payments, a statement made shortly after President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of the subsidy’s removal As per the May 2024 report, the government has not yet reimbursed NNPCL for this amount. “Since the provision of the ₦6tn in 2022, and ₦3.7tn in 2023, we have not received any payment whatsoever from the Federation. “That means they (the Federal Government) are unable to pay and we’ve continued to support this subsidy from the cash flow of the NNPC. We are waiting for them to settle up to ₦2.8tn of NNPC’s cash flow from the subsidy regime and we can’t continue to build this,” he said. In light of KPMG’s reconciliation, which reduced the claims to ₦2.7 trillion, the Nigerian Government intends to undertake a fresh audit of NNPC Limited’s ₦2.8 trillion fuel subsidy claim. The audit, spanning from 2015 to 2021, seeks to authenticate NNPC’s claims. The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAuGF) will spearhead the audit, with the possibility of enlisting an external firm for supplementary assistance. The resolution was reached at a Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) session in March 2024, where participants deliberated on the necessity of an impartial audit to mitigate conflicts of interest. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to the forensic audit. KPMG’s initial audit prompted the need for further investigation.

BREAKING: Reps seek six-year tenure for president

A group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives are seeking alterations to the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the rotation of the Presidency among the six geo-political zones of the country. They also want an amendment to the Constitution to provide for “A single tenure of six years for the President and Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Speaking on behalf of the group on Monday in Abuja, the member representing Ideato South/Ideato North Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, said, “The reduction in government spending and wastage, efficiency in governance, and national stability by providing a single term of six years for the President and Governors,” will go a long way in cost-cutting measures.”

Labour may resume strike Tuesday after rejecting N62,000, insists on N250,00

The Organised Labour has said it will not accept any N62,000 or N100,000 “starvation wage” as the minimum wage for Nigerian workers. It insisted on N250,000, being its latest demand at the last meeting of the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage on Friday, as the living wage for an average Nigerian worker. This was made known on Monday by Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, while fielding questions on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief show. Onyeka said the one-week grace period given to the Federal Government last Tuesday, June 4, 2024, would expire by the midnight of Tuesday, June 11, 2024. According to him, should the Federal Government and National Assembly fail to act on the demands of workers by tomorrow (Tuesday), the organs of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, would meet to decide on the resumption of the nationwide industrial action relaxed last week. “Our position is very clear. We have never considered accepting N62,000 or any other wage that we know is below what we know is able to take Nigerian workers home. We will not negotiate a starvation wage. “We have never contemplated N100,000 let alone N62,000. We are still at N250,000, that is where we are, and that is what we considered enough concession to the government and the other social partners in this particular situation. We are not just driven by frivolities but the realities of the market place; realities of things we buy every day, bag of rice, yam, garri, and all of that. “The Federal Government and the National Assembly have the call now. It is not our call. Our demand is there for them (the government) to look at and send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, and for the National Assembly to look at what we have demanded, the various fact of the law, and then come up with a National Minimum Act that meets our demands.” He continued: “If that does not meet our demand, we have given the Federal Government a one-week notice to look at the issues and that one week expires tomorrow (Tuesday). If after tomorrow, we have not seen any tangible response from the government, the organs of the Organised Labour will meet to decide on what next. “It was clear what we said. We said we are relaxing a nationwide indefinite strike. It’s like putting a pause on it. “So, if you put a pause on something and the organs that govern us as trade unions decide that we should remove that pause, it means that we go back to what was in existence before.”

Presidency Announces N60m grants for youths

The Presidency on Saturday announced that the sum of N60 million has been disbursed to 120 youths selected from across the country. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (SSAP-TVEE), Abiola Arogundade, made this known in Abuja at the award of grants and Solar Kiosks as well as Certificate of Completion to deserving participants of ‘Unlock Training Programme’. She noted that the programme was the outcome of a six-week campaign initiated by the Presidency during which Nigerian youths were asked to record and submit a one minute video on their current TVET skills, what their plans are for the future on such skills and how they want the government to assist them achieve their plans. Arogundade said during the programme, both online and physical participants were trained on the components of a good business plan including executive summary, business overview and marketing strategies, pricing, money management and risks, among others. The presidential aide added that at the end of the campaign, about 10,000 participants were trained in a 10-day intensive training session on how to write and execute business plans. Her words: “After the course, participants were asked to write and submit business plans. Today, we are giving out N500,000 grants each to 120 winners with the best Business Plans. “We are also giving out honourary awards to 80 persons seen to be doing very well in their Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship skills but need support to upscale their businesses. “As you must have seen on your way in, there are four Solar Kiosks to be given away to winners to support the business development of their TVET skills. They include one designed for hair dressing, one designed for catering and food vending and the other two for general purposes.”

BREAKING: Tinubu names Abuja expressway after Chinua Achebe

President Bola Tinubu has approved the naming of the M18 road infrastructure in Guzape District, Abuja after renowned novelist, Chinua Achebe. The President stated this during his address at the inauguration of the road in Abuja on Saturday, June 8. This was contained in a post by Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, Olusegun Dada. He wrote: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Commissions the M18 road infrastructure in Guzape District of Abuja. Names road after Nigerian Novelist and Poet, late Professor Chinua Achebe.”

Nigeria 2023 elections: a show of shame – Peter Obi

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party and second runner up at the 2023 presidential elections, Mr. Peter Obi has described the 2023 general elections as a show of shame, which he said was plagued by allegations of fraud and irregularities that were widespread. In a series of posts via his X page on Saturday, the former Governor of Anambra State said the election was marred by glitches despite the enormous amount of money that was spent to conduct the exercise. Obi said Nigeria’s election is a sharp contrast to the recent South African election, which he described as transparent and seamless. He added that the differences between the two countries’ electoral processes are lamentable. He wrote: “The outcome of the recent South African election results remains a shining example of what a transparent and efficient democratic electoral process should look like. “With about 60% voter turnout, over 90% of polling open on time, allowing diaspora voting, the results and updates were real-time without any form of technical glitches during the election. “This demonstrated the robustness and transparency of their system. The seamless online dissemination of results further highlights their commitment to democratic principles and technological advancement. “This is in stark contrast to the show of shame that the giant of Africa, Nigeria, gave the World in 2023. Nigeria’s 2023 election, with less than 30% of Voter turnout, over 60% of the polling stations starting late, and no diaspora voting, the elections were plagued by allegations of fraud and widespread irregularities, all forms of glitches, despite an enormous expenditure to the tune of about a billion dollars (direct allocation of =N=313 Billion and donor agencies support). “The process has been widely discredited. The differences between the two countries’ electoral processes are both stark and lamentable. South Africa’s Election Results Centre, with its state-of-the-art electronic board, showcased results with unparalleled precision and speed.” Obi asserted that Nigeria’s electoral process is mired in controversy and lack of transparency, saying that it is a painful reminder of the country’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance. Therefore, he called for urgent comprehensive electoral reforms and for the establishment of a system that would restore the people’s faith in the country’s democracy. He added: “Meanwhile, Nigeria’s electoral process is mired in controversy and lacks transparency. This glaring juxtaposition is a painful reminder of our country’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance.] “It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms to ensure that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must learn from South Africa’s example and strive to build a system that restores the people’s faith in our democracy. “The time for action is now, and we can not afford to delay any longer in addressing these critical issues for a new Nigeria is POssible!”

Finance Minister, Wale Edun, Speaks After Meeting Tinubu over Minimum Wage

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said that “there is no cause for alarm” following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Edun was accompanied by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu. The development comes two days after Tinubu directed the finance minister to present a proposed new minimum wage figure and analysis of associated costs to him within 48 hours. Although the agenda of Thursday’s meeting was not disclosed, it is believed to be connected to the President’s directive on Tuesday. It can be recalled that the Tripartite Committee on new minimum wage met on Wednesday. The meeting was inconclusive due to the federal government team’s failure to present a new figure, despite proposing N60,000 as the new minimum wage, which was rejected by the organized labour. It is understood that the government team is expected to present a fresh figure at today’s meeting scheduled for 2 pm.

10th Senate Passes Anti-Doping Bill

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday, June 6, passed the “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024.” This legislation, requested by President Bola Tinubu, seeks to prohibit Nigerian athletes’ consumption of performance-enhancing substances both during and after sporting competitions. President Bola Tinubu had requested the Senate to enact the law penultimate week in a letter read on the floor by the deputy Senate president, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary. The bill’s passage comes as part of Nigeria’s efforts to align with international sports standards ahead of the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in France. In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigeria to domesticate and enforce the international convention against doping in sports. The bill also proposes the establishment of a Nigeria anti-doping centre tasked with implementing Nigeria’s obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code. The bill was reviewed by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Mohammed Monguno. After thorough consideration, the committee’s recommendations were adopted, and the bill was approved for a third reading following a voice vote led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. This legislative step marks a critical development in Nigeria’s sports governance. It ensures that athletes adhere to fair play and integrity, thereby fostering a clean sporting environment nationally and globally.