₦airaland Forum

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Sunday said Nigeria needs sacrificing citizens to fulfil the dreams of its founding fathers.

The president stated this while addressing journalists after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Dodan Barracks, Lagos.

President Tinubu stressed the need for the people to follow the path of sacrifice to make the nation great.

According to him, citizens also needed to show more care for their neighbours and extend charity to all in the spirit of the Eid-el-Kabir.

"Being a very good citizen comes with responsibility. As citizens, what do you do to be a very committed member of our society? Go and sacrifice. Love your country, love your neighbours, share what you have with one another and be thankful to Almighty God. That’s all,” said the president.

Earlier, while addressing the worshippers, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamza harped on perseverance and patience.

Hamzat enjoined the Muslim faithful to understand the reason for Eid, which he described as sacrifice and endurance.

"I urge you all to live in peace and harmony. Be patient and persevere in order to enjoy the good of the land.

"Also, let us be good Muslims and good citizens of Nigeria. This is what Almighty Allah expects of us”, he said.

Delivering the Eid-el-Kabir message, Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Suleiman Abou-Nolla, who made reference to Chapter 3 Verse 102 of the Qur’an, said all believers should fear God as He should be feared.

Abou-Nolla said all the prophets of God sent to mankind with their messages from Adam to Noah, to Ibrahim, Isah and Muhammad (S.A.W.) came with the message of sacrifice.

He recalled that former Nigerian leaders from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola, Madam Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and others, sacrificed their knowledge, wealth, sweat resulting in the growth and development of the country.

Shettima prays for bumper harvest

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to pray for peace and hope for a bumper harvest to address the challenges facing the country.

He made this appeal yesterday after observing Eid-El-Kabir prayer at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri.

In his Sallah message, Shettima emphasized the critical link between peace and development.

“We urge Nigerians to pray for peace in the land and prosperity. This is agricultural season, and we pray and hope that we get a bumper harvest that would address some of the challenges we are facing,” he said.

Following the two Raka’at prayer, Imam Idaini of Borno, Mamman Shettima Saleh, delivered a sermon encouraging Muslim faithful to foster harmonious relationships and peaceful coexistence among different groups in the country.

Acting Borno State governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, in an interview with newsmen after the Eid-El-Kabir prayer, also called for support and prayers from all Nigerians. “Let’s pray for peace, social harmony, and development of our country,” Kadafur said.

Barau observes Eid prayers in Kabo

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, yesterday, joined fellow Muslims in observing Eid prayers in his hometown of Kabo, Kano North Senatorial District.

Speaking to reporters after the prayer, he stressed the significance of connecting with his constituents—relatives, friends, and supporters.

He also used the opportunity to reiterate the federal government’s commitment to addressing current national challenges.

During the sermon after the prayers, Malam Ja’afaru Mustapha, the Chief Imam of Kabo, advocated tolerance and unity while encouraging prayers and support for leaders.

Buhari warns against unchecked population expansion

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented the uncontrolled population growth in the country, saying the situation has become a matter for concern.

The immediate past president, however, said in spite of this particular challenge, he is pleased that more Nigerians have taken to the farm to grow more food so as to bring down the prices of the commodities in the country.

Speaking to journalists shortly after joining the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk to observe the Eid prayer, he said there was “need for greater discussion and awareness about this problem (uncontrolled population growth) as well as a need to invest more in education and health.

"Let us grow our own food. We have shown that we can do it. This is not the time to relent when we see prices going up. Let us buy what is produced in the country.

“The foundation of a prosperous and stable country has been laid by successive governments, and I encourage our youths, in particular, to continue to play an active role in various nation-building efforts,” he said.

Peace, crucial for Nigeria’s development – Abdulsalami

Also, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has underscored the critical role of peace in Nigeria’s development trajectory.

Speaking to journalists after performing the two Raka’at Eid-el-Kabir prayer in Minna, Niger State, General Abubakar urged Nigerians to prioritise prayers for peace across the country.

He was at the eid ground together with Senator Mohammed Sani Musa of Niger East Senatorial District, Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, and the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, among others.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented by SSG Usman, encouraged Muslims to maintain steadfastness in their faith and celebrate the festive season with love and harmony among all.

Sultan urges leaders to address hardship

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111, has called on governments at all levels to do more to address the current hardship in the country.

In his Sallah sermon shortly after observing the two units Eid prayer at the Fakon Idi, the monarch said Nigeria was grappling with a lot of challenges, while its citizens were facing untold hardship.

According to him, a lot needed to be done to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

He also called for concerted eefforts to address the current security challenges in the country, saying no meaningful development could be achieved without security.

“Leaders must be God-fearing and must work to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the governed,” he said.

He counselled Nigerians to be peace-loving and patriotic.

He further called on them to continue supporting and praying for the success of the leaders.

The Kwara state Independent Electoral Commission on Sunday released the timetable for the state’s local government elections scheduled for September 21,2024.

A statement signed by the Chairman of KWASIEC, Alhaji Mohammed Okanla, noted that the activities for the election will commence on Friday, June 21, 2024 with a meeting with the leadership of the registered political parties.

"Following the recent announcement of September 21, 2024 as the date for the conduct of elections for the offices of chairmen and councillors for the 16 local government areas of Kwara State, the Kwara state Independent Electoral electoral commission on Sunday released the timetable of activities leading to the exercise,” [/b]the statement read.

It said that the primary elections of the political parties would be held between Monday, June 24 and Sunday, June 30,2024.

[b]"Political parties will obtain and return nomination forms KWSIEC 01 and KWSIEC 02 for Chairmanship and Councilorship Elections between Monday July 1st– 5th July, 2024, while the “Verification of Candidates’ credentials will hold between Monday 8th — Friday 19th July, 2024,” it added.

The statement further said that “Display of names of Candidates Nominated by Political Parties to be posted on KWSIEC notice board between Monday July 22nd and Friday 26th July ,2024.

“Training of Ad-hoc Staff in all the three senatorial Districts will hold between Saturday July 27th and Wednesday July 31st, 2024.”

It also said that the last day for withdrawal of Candidate for the election by the political parties if the need be is Monday August 5th, 2024.while the last Day for publication of list of nominated candidates is fixed for Tuesday, August 6th, 2024.

The statement added that campaign for the elections by the political parties will start on: Monday August 19th and end on the midnight of Thursday 19th September, 2024. while the election day for chairmanship and councilorship positions is scheduled for September 21, 2024.

The statement also said that collection of certificate of returns by winners of the elections at the KWASIEC office will hold on Monday, September 23rd, 2024

The 16th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, is currently holding Sallah durbar.

The Emir had earlier led Eid prayer and sermon at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at mosque.

The Eid prayer was observed at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at mosque due to heavy rain that flooded the premises of the Eid ground which could not be used.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and other cabinet members observed prayer with the Emir.

The Army, Police, Civil defence and others provided security.

Emir Sanusi took the usual route back home and casually stopping along the way to receive greetings and homage from individuals and groups riding on a horse.

Daily Trust reports that the Kano Police command had announced a ban on Sallah durbar after a joint security meeting in the State.

However, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, faulting how the police arrived at such without consulting him as the Chief Security Officer of the State.

Meanwhile, the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero observed his Eid prayer at the Nassarawa mini palace as earlier announced.

The embattled Emir had also announced cancellation of durbar activities during the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

New minimum wage bill will be watertight, must be obeyed by all – Senate

Labour hails NASS, OPS asks N’Assembly to create good environment for businesses

The National Assembly has resolved to ensure that states, local governments, and the Organised Private Sector stop defaulting in the payment of the approved minimum wage.

The National Assembly may even consider seizing allocations of states and local governments that fail to comply with the new minimum wage, says a source who spoke anonymously with Saturday PUNCH, because he was not authorised to speak on the matter.

This is as the National Assembly announced plans to include a clause that will provide clear sanctions for defaulters of the new minimum wage bill that will be passed after receiving the Wage Award Bill from President Bola Tinubu.

This was made known by the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, who explained that lawmakers would expedite the passage of the Wage Award Bill once President Tinubu sent it.

He also hinted that the President would send the bill after the National Assembly resumed from the Sallah recess on July 2.

In his Democracy Day broadcast on Wednesday, the President had promised to forward a bill on the new minimum wage to the National Assembly soon.

The Federal Government and labour unions have been at odds over the new minimum wage, with union leaders demanding N250,000. Meanwhile, the Federal Government and the OPS countered with an offer of N62,000, while state governors maintained that they could not sustain a minimum wage higher than N60,000.

Labour unions have repeatedly dismissed the government’s offer, labelling it a “starvation wage”.

The Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, Chris Onyeka, stated that Organised Labour would not accept the latest offer of N62,000 or the N100,000 proposal suggested by some individuals and economists.

Expressing concern over the labour leaders’ demands and the potential economic repercussions, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated on Wednesday that the N250,000 minimum wage proposal could destabilise the economy, lead to mass layoffs, and jeopardise the welfare of Nigerians.

Despite labour’s firm stance on the N250,000 minimum wage, the President emphasised that the government would pay workers what it could afford.

Addressing concerns about compliance, especially given that some states still pay the old N18,000 minimum wage, while others comply with the current N30,000, Adaramodu assured that the new bill will be “watertight”.

He added, “We will ensure it is strictly adhered to as law. The bill will include provisions for sanctions against non-compliance.”

"We are going to produce a watertight bill that we are proposing for the President to sign to ensure that it is strictly adhered to as law. For now, let’s not speculate on the details that the Federal Government will include in the bill to be submitted to the National Assembly.

"But, when it comes, whatever is there and whatever is not, we will ensure that it’s watertight and obeyed by all,” Adaramodu emphasised.

He added, “When we talk about the minimum wage, is it just about the Federal Government? It seems like it’s a fight between the Federal Government and labour. That’s the way everybody is looking at it. We keep mentioning the Federal Government, President Tinubu, and labour. We don’t even talk about the Organised Private Sector or the sub-nationals. The NLC, which recognises the workers in the organised private sector and the sub-nationals, needs to advocate for them.”

"The issue of some states still paying N18,000, though I don’t know because I don’t suspect that to be happening. If some states are paying that, what have the labour unions in those states done to ensure compliance with the N30,000 minimum wage? We need to ask them too. But, like I said, the National Assembly will make this law seriously watertight, with sanctions for non-compliance, whether at the state, sub-national, or organised private sector level,” Adaramodu stated.

The Senate spokesperson added that if such measures were not taken in the past, the 10th Assembly would ensure sanctions for defaulters of the newly agreed minimum wage. “That’s how it’s going to be done this time around. But the labour centres also need to protect the welfare of their members, not only with the Federal Government,” Adaramodu reiterated.

Speaking on the possibility of sanctioning state governors, Adaramodu noted that the National Assembly makes laws for the entire country. “The National Assembly makes laws for Nigeria, not just for President Tinubu,” he stated.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to present the cost implications for a new minimum wage within two days.

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

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in an interview with correspondents after the closed-door meeting on Tuesday.

Idris said the President had a meeting with the representatives of the Federal Government in the negotiation with the labour on the minimum wage.

He noted, “The president has just summoned a meeting of all those who negotiated on behalf of the federal government led by the secretary to the government of the federation, the minister of finance was there, the minister of budget planning, the minister of information, the minister of budget and national planning, the minister of labour, and the NNPCL GMD.

“We were all there to look at all issues and the president has directed the minister of finance to do the numbers and get back to him between today and tomorrow so that we can have figures ready for negotiation with labour.”

Reinstated Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, on Saturday called on parents to be relentless in moulding their children for a prosperous future.

Lamido Sanusi, also known as Mahammadu Sanusi II, spoke through the Wazirin Kano, Sa’adu Gidado, at the main palace when he received Interim Management Committee chairmen, Local Governments Councils, District Heads, Village and Wards heads and imams of 15 local government areas that make up Kano Central Senatorial district.

The visitors were on homage (allegiance) and blessing seeking visit.

The Emir told his guests that parents have enormous task in ensuring proper upbringing of their wards, urging them to remain vigilant and proactive towards curtailing drug abuse and other unwanted attitudes by the youth in the state.

He also tasked them to be just, with the fear of God in their undertakings.

Dahiru Lawan, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Kano State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in a statement, added that the State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and Interim Management Chairman of Tarauni Local Government, Abdullahi Maikano said they visited the Emir to register their homage and unflinching support.


Alhaji Maikano added that “having Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano is a divine gift which, if fully utilised, would be of immense benefit to the state in view of the Lamido’s influence globally.

The local government chairmen commended Governor Abba Yusuf for assenting to the Repeal Law 2024 that paved the way for the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi, adding that the development is happily welcomed by well-wishers of the state.

The Kogi State Police Command has disclosed that 14 of the abducted students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Okene, have been rescued.

Some bandits abducted the students who were reading for their upcoming examination on Thursday night.

The bandits reportedly came in through the bush, went into three lecture halls, and began to shoot into the air to scare the students.

However, when contacted via a telephone call by our correspondent on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya said, “So far, 14 of them have been rescued, Our men are in the bush trying to find the rest.”

Meanwhile, the state government, through a statement issued earlier on Sunday by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said some of the abducted students had been rescued.

While the number of rescued students wasn’t stated, the government attributed the rescue operation to the dominant show of firepower by security operatives and local vigilante men over the kidnappers.

The statement read, “This is to inform the general public that some of the students abducted by gunmen at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, have been rescued safely by local hunters and other security agents.

"Local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers succumbed to superior firepower and escaped with gun wounds, leaving the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange.

"Many of the students kidnapped and even other people in captivity have been rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention, while many others were also rescued in the early hours of today.”

The commissioner noted that “in the sporadic gun battle to rescue our dear students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries and they are currently receiving medical attention.”

"The success recorded so far is a clear testament to the readiness of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to ensure adequate and uncompromising security for the people of Kogi State. We urge residents to report anyone with gun wounds found in their communities to law enforcement agents,” Fanwo added.

However, in a statement on Friday, Ododo had assured the safe return of the abducted students, adding that the government had “activated the security architecture to track the kidnappers and ensure the abducted students are rescued and the abductors apprehended.”

On his visit to the school campus, Ododo alleged there was an insider collaboration in the abduction of the nine students.

He said, “We installed CCTV cameras in all the classrooms and the entire perimeter of the university campus yet on the day of the attack, our investigation so far revealed that all the cameras were switched off and this can only be attributed to sabotage by internal collaborators.”

A man, Babatunde Olaoluwa, who specialises in stealing of phones from worship centers has been apprehended by the men of the Ekiti State Police Command.

Olaoluwa was arrested on Saturday after he allegedly stole seven different phones belonging to members of Christ Apostolic Church, Ayegbaju-Ekiti in Oye local government area of the state.

The suspect, it was gathered, had gone to the church pretending to be one of their members and made away with the seven phones while the worshippers were in praises euphoria.

Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu, in a statement said that the suspect has during interrogation, confessed to have been operating around Oye and Ayegbaju-Ekiti with churches as his targets.

Abutu said that the suspect further confessed to have stolen a lot of phones from the Redeemed Christian Church of God and New Reality Christian Center, all in Oye-Ekiti.

“Investigation revealed that the suspect, after meeting his victims, normally send the stolen phones through motor park to Lagos where his friend will assist him to sell them and send the proceeds back to him through online transfer,” the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the seven stolen phones during his last operation have been recovered from him and some of victims of his atrocities have showed up to identify the suspect and their phones.

He said that the suspect will be arraigned immediately after the conclusion of investigation.

Immediate past deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, bares his mind to ADEYINKA ADEDIPE, on his impeachment, and his next move ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, among other issues

When you accepted to be Governor Godwin Obaseki’s running mate, did you envisage that things could end this way?

I envisaged that things would end this way and that things were not going to be fine. That was why I was the last person within our group to accept Obaseki when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole put him forward. Out of respect for Oshiomhole, I accepted. We were also told that he was coming in with private-sector ideas and that there was likely going to be a recession which we would need Obaseki to help us battle. But I warned that this man was going to destroy the house, and it eventually happened.

When I was nominated to be Obaseki’s running mate, I was not interested but people in our team like Chris Okaeben, Washington Osifo, Larry Aghedo, Andrew Momodu, and Abbas Braimoh and other young people came to talk to me to accept the offer. They said if I refused the offer, we (the young people) would not have a representative in the government. I accepted reluctantly but I told them that I see a fight in the future. The first year was full of tension but Comrade (Oshiomhole) and his former deputy, Pius Odubu, told me that the government had just started and that I had no choice. Comrade told me I had to be loyal to the governor and that I was at his mercy. That was when I knew something would go wrong.

How did you think you could navigate the impending problem you predicted?

First, I told my wife that we were not going to live in the Government House but in our private residence so that when there was a fight, I wouldn’t be told to pack my things out of the Government House because it would be disgraceful. She asked me why I felt that way, and I told her I had a premonition that all would not be well. My wife said we should pray about it, but seven years later, what I predicted happened. [/b]Imagine looking for vehicles to pack our belongings out of the Government House. My office was relocated out of the Government House which was the only thing connecting the governor and me. I am happy that my office was only relocated out of the Government House.

[b]Your alliance with the Legacy Group looks strong. Are you hoping to join another party soon?

First, I am not ready to support the governorship candidate of the party, Asue Ighodalo, and until the PDP does the needful, I may not be able to answer the question. I cannot support him because he didn’t open up to me about his ambition despite asking him several times, including at my house. The last time I asked was in November. So, I was taken aback when he spoke on TV that he was being pushed to run.

I called him and asked who was pushing him to run, but he told me to ignore the report and that it was a social media thing. But his younger brother, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, said that the move to make his elder brother the governor of Edo State started two years ago. Edo State needs a “homeboy” to govern them, not people who will rent houses during their tenure and leave as soon as it ends. We need people who we can relate to and understand the challenges of the people.