Nigerian Civil Defence Officer Murdered By Gunmen

An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Obangede, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State has been killed by unknown gunmen. The NSCDC officer who lost his life was part of the security detail assigned to protect the abducted Chinese road engineer. At the time of reporting, the identities of both the abducted individual and the deceased officer could not be confirmed.  When contacted for confirmation and updates on the incident, the state police spokesperson, William Ovye Aya, stated that he would provide further information later. This incident comes amidst a similar occurrence on February 3, where approximately 14 passengers of God Is Good (GIG) Motors and ABC Transport were abducted in Kogi while en route to Abuja. The incident took place in Inyele Eteke, Olamaboro LGA. The abducted passengers, who were reportedly traveling from the southeast region, were later released after a few days in captivity. Reports indicate that the gunmen intercepted the vehicles and forcibly took the passengers captive, demanding a ransom of N15 million from each individual for their release.

Why FG may Revoke DisCos Licences – Power Minister

The federal government has threatened tough sanctions, including licence revocation, against Distribution companies over epileptic power supply and ‘wilful non-performance’.  It also said Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) are to be held accountable henceforth for poor power supply in the country.  Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu issued the threat in a statement, describing as “disheartening” the decline in power supply despite the concerted efforts to improve the situation. He noted that his Ministry has been exerting pressure on the GenCos to enhance their performance, resulting in a recent increase in generation to over 4000MW. “Moving forward, I’m committed to holding all distribution companies accountable for their performance. “Wilful non-performance will not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including licence revocation, may be imposed,” the minister said in a statement. Expressing concern over erratic electricity supply, Adelabu has summoned the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for an emergency meeting on Tuesday. The supply of electricity has dipped across the country in the last three months, due to many reasons, including lack of adequate gas supply, grid breakdown, low supply from Generating Companies (GenCos), the inability of DisCos to wheel supply from GenCos and sabotage.  The minister also expressed concern over the poor performance of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Adelabu, who tweeted on his X handle, reiterated the reasons for summoning the AEDC and IBEDC chief executives and the TCN Managing Director. He gave the reason as an attempt to find a plausible solution to the power supply in their zones. “Despite this progress”, the minister said, “certain distribution companies are failing to adequately distribute the power supplied by TCN, while vandalism of power infrastructure exacerbates the problem in regions such as Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. “The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the worsening power supply in their respective regions and to collectively find lasting solutions.” The minister threatened to henceforth hold the DisCos accountable for their performance. He said: “Willful non-performance will not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including license revocation, may be imposed. “Additionally, I have instructed TCN to prioritise repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to improve supply in affected regions.” Adelabu recalled that during recent supervisory visits to power-generating plants, he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the sector. He spoke of plans to settle outstanding debts to power generation and gas supply companies, which will alleviate the financial strain and contribute to improved generation levels nationwide. Pleading with consumers for understanding, Adelabu said he and his team had been making frantic efforts to tackle the challenges. “I urge electricity consumers to remain patient as we work tirelessly to address these issues and provide better service to all Nigerians,” he said. It was gathered that the payment of $120 million out of the $1.3 trillion owed to the gas suppliers has unsettled the GenCos. The GenCos are said to be meeting to press for the payment of their outstanding debts. A source from the GenCos, who was privy to the meeting, said: “Since the Federal Government has made $120 million payment to the gas suppliers as part of their debt, we are also meeting to ask the same government to settle us, the GenCos.” Adelabu’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, confirmed the scheduled meeting with the TCN and DisCos.

Minimum Wage: Labour May demand N500,000 instead of #1m Earlier Proposed 

With the public hearing on the new minimum wage, which will be held simultaneously in all six geopolitical zones of the country, it is expected to receive inputs from organised Labour, state governors, ministers, civil society groups, and the organised private sector on a new minimum wage reflective of the current economic realities and the workers’ aspirations. However, a top official of the NLC, who confided in newsmen on Thursday said based on proposals submitted by state chapters to the congress’ headquarters, the organised Labour might push for N500,000 at today’s meeting. The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, had recently stated that if the ongoing inflation continued, organised labour might push for a new minimum wage of up to N1m for Nigerian workers. President Bola Tinubu through his deputy, Kashim Shettima, on January 30, 2024, inaugurated a 37-member panel on the new minimum wage at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja, with its membership cutting across the federal and state governments, the private sector, and labour. The panel, as learnt, is to recommend a new national minimum wage for the country on or before April 1 following the expiration of the current N30,000 minimum wage as provided by the law. However, the President of the NLC, Ajaero, stated recently during an interview on Arise TV that if the ongoing inflation continued unabated, organised labour might push for a new minimum wage of up to N1m for Nigerian workers. According to Ajaero, the demand from organised labour would be influenced by the cost of living which has been increasing since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, notably due to the removal of the fuel subsidy and other policies. He said, “This N1m may be relevant if the value of the naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues unchecked because the demand of labour is equally dependent on what is happening in the society. “You will remember that by the time we were contemplating N200,000 (as minimum wage), the exchange rate was about N800/N900 (to a dollar). As we talk today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more. “Those are the issues that determine the demand and it is equally affecting the cost of living. And we have always said that our demand will be based on the cost of living index. You will agree with me today that even a bag of rice is going for about N60,000/N70,000 or more. “A bag of locally produced corn is about N56,000 or more. Foodstuff is getting out of reach, now are we going to get a minimum wage that will not be enough for transportation even for one week?” Speaking in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, a top official of the NLC said organised labour would insist on any amount slightly above N500,000 as minimum wage based on the analysis of proposals got from state chapters. The official, who spoke in confidence because he was not authorised to speak to the media on the negotiation, explained that the cost-of-living analysis carried out in states was N900,000. “In reality, what they gave us from the states when we deflate inconsistencies is over N500,000, as the cost of living of an average family of six to meet their basic needs, for an average family to survive. “But we know that when NLC deflates it taking into consideration some of the things we think are padded, it will come to around slightly over N500,000,” he said.

Resident doctors in UCH Begin strike over alleged assault

Following an alleged assault on a resident doctor by relatives of a patient, resident doctors under the auspices of Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan in Oyo State have commenced a three-day strike. ARD President, Dr. John Oladapo told newsmen on Thursday that the doctors are demanding a public apology from the people who assaulted their member, inflicting injuries on him on Sunday. He called on the hospital to improve its security architecture to avoid future occurrences in the hospital. “On Sunday, one of our members was the target of a deliberate, premeditated, planned rage and furious assault by a patient’s relation. “The doctor was seeing a known Sickle Cell patient in a painful crisis at the Emergency Department when the two men accosted him in the consulting room and started beating him up. “The mother of the patient being seen who tried to intervene was also beaten up in this assault. In the doctor’s attempt to escape, the men chased him down and beat him up. “The security officers of the hospital intervened and rescued our member, but not before he sustained injuries as well as mental health and esteem”.

How Relocating to America humbled me – Femi Brainard

Nollywood Actor Femi Brainard shared his insights on the realities of living abroad as a Nigerian celebrity. He narrated his experience during an interview with Teju Oyelakin, also known as Teju Babyface, on his podcast Brainard explained the advantages and disadvantages of relocating, emphasising that it’s preferable to be esteemed and respected in Nigeria rather than becoming anonymous abroad. He also said that his wife did not like the idea of living abroad. While speaking with the comedian, Brainard noted that anytime he is driving, his Nigerian passengers in particular can’t help but stare at him in disbelief and wonder if he is the star they know.  The actor added that the curious ones would approach him to be sure he was the famous actor they knew in Nigeria. Brainard said the bills are a lot and he has things like rent to think about while explaining that he was so broke to an extent that he went to the parking lot and burst into tears. He said: “At times it would be so hard, I no go get Money for hand. That day I went to the parking lot of our apartment, I cried, na me bring this woman here. Yankee no know star o… I had to feed my family. I know these couple from the airport, the husband was like, ‘ask him if he is Femi Brainard and I said yes. The husband didn’t know when he reached at me and asked ‘bros what are you doing here”. “As difficult as Nigeria seems to be, I would rather be a prince and a celebrity in a system that is not working than come to this place and be a nobody. I am still bothered about rent.”

Edo Assembly Set To Impeach Philip Shaibu

The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday commenced impeachment proceedings against the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu. The Majority leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, who announced the impeachment notice during plenary, said the petition dated March 5, was signed by 21 out of the 24 members against the deputy governor. Aiguobarueghian stated, “The petition against the deputy governor came in on March 5 and was signed by 21 out of the 24 members. The number of members who signed the petition was more than the two-third requirement stipulated in the constitution.” He also said that the petition was based on two grounds perjury and revealing of government secrets. The speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku who acknowledged receipt of the petition, directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to serve Shaibu the impeachment notice. Agbebaku also gave the deputy governor seven days to respond to the notice of impeachment. The impeachment notice is the latest in the rift between the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, who have been at loggerheads since mid-last year when Shaibu announced his intention to run for the office of the governor of the state.

Another attack, Boko Haram, sets IDP Camp, Many Houses On Fire

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have razed down at least 25 newly constructed buildings meant for returnees in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State. Amid the heat of insurgency, Dikwa residents fled their homes and took cover as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). However, days after abducting IDPs who went into the forest to fetch firewood, insurgents stormed a remote village in Gajibo, shooting sporadically and burning more than 25 newly built houses. According to Daily Trust, Modu Kundiri who was on his to Maiduguri from Gomboru, they were asked by the troops to wait for about 3 hours at Logomani village. “The soldiers informed us that we had to wait for about 3 hours from 11:am -2 pm before we were allowed to leave Logomani. “I saw and counted more than 25 newly constructed houses at Gajibo village in Dkiwa LGA was on fire,” Modu said. A resident of Dikwa town, Sheriff Lawan, confirmed the news to our correspondent via phone. He added that they equally planted many improvise explosive devices (IEDs) in the ongoing construction site to truncate the rebuilding and resettlement processes of the state government. “The soldiers told us that the insurgents planted many IEDs at the construction site and they discovered some bombs already.”Sherrif said. Gajibo town is a some of 110 kilometers away from Maiduguri, the state capital.

Appeal Court Affirms Abure As Labour Party Chairman, Fines Apapa

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court which restrained Julius Abure and two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party. Ruling on an ex parte application on April 5, 2023, Hamza Muazu, the Presiding Judge, had restrained Abure, Farouk Ibrahim, Clement Ojukwu, and Oluchi Opara from acting as national officers of the LP. The court also dismissed the objection raised by Abure challenging his removal as chairman of the LP. The suit which was filed by Martins Esikpali John, Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, John Elomah, and Ayobami Arabambi accused Abure and others of forging several documents of the FCT high court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last elections. The defendants, however, approached the appeal court for redress. Delivering the lead judgement on Wednesday, Justice Hamman Barka held that the high court was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction on the matter. He also awarded N1m in favour of the appellants.

Alleged N7.6B fraud: Appeal court strikes out move to retry Gov, Orji Kalu

The Federal Government move to retry the former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, in the N7.6billion fraud and money laundering, had been strike out. Justice Joseph Kayode Oyewole of the Appeal court, court sitting in Abuja dismissed the suit for incompetent and unreliable for any court to use to grant the request of government. Among others, Justice Oyewole said that the record of appeal was not compiled, signed and certified by any person known to law. Specifically, Justice Oyewole said that the name of the person who compiled, signed and certified the record were not reflected as required by law. Recall that a Federal High Court had on December 5, 2019, jailed the former governor now s a senator representing Abia North for 12 years for stealing N7.6billion from the Treasury of Abia State as a governor. However, the supreme court voided the judgement of the lower court on the ground that Justice Mohammed Idris who delivered it was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal having been elevated. The Apex court, in a judgement delivered by Justice Ejembi Ekwo held that Justice Mohammed Idris cannot operate as a Federal High Judge and Justice of the Court of Appeal at the same. Consequently, the Apex court ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to give the trial to another Judge for a fresh trial. Kalu however went back to the Federal High Court and and Justice Inyang Ekwo granted him an order prohibiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from instituting a fresh prosecution. The Judge held that Orji Uzor Kalu was not expressly stated in the judgment of the Supreme Court. Not satisfied with the decision of Justice Ekwo, the prosecution appeal against the decision of the high court. The matter was Wednesday, dismissed for the failure to produce proper records of proceedings of the high court.

UAE Has Not Lifted Visa Ban On Nigeria – Presidency

The presidency has refuted claims of the United Arab Emirates lifting the visa restriction on Nigerian travellers. The ban was imposed in October 2022 along with restrictions on citizens from about 20 African nations.  Among the affected countries are Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, and others. Reports surfaced on Tuesday that discussions between President Bola Tinubu and his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, regarding diplomatic issues like flight allocations and travel restrictions, prompted the suspension of the ban. However, Bayo Onanuga, senior Special Adviser to President Tinubu on information, clarified that the ban remains in place, stating that the circulating document is unauthorized by both Nigerian and UAE governments. “UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians. The document in circulation is not authorized either by the Nigerian government or the UAE”, he said.