The Naira raced to N2,000 per dollar at the black market on Saturday despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s sale of dollars to the Bureau De Change operators.
A BDC operator, Dayyabu Ashiru confirmed to DAILY POST that Naira was exchanged for N1,670 per dollar on Saturday from the N1665 exchange rate last Friday.
“We buy at N1665 per dollar and sell at N1670”, he said.
DAILY POST recalls that the apex bank announced that it sold $20,000 each to legible BDC operators at N1580 per dollar rate last week.
Meanwhile, the appreciated last Friday at the official market to close the week at N1593.32 per dollar exchange rate.
The Federal Government and state governors may have agreed to a three-month moratorium on Local Government autonomy, over concerns arising from its impact on salary payments and operational viability, The PUNCH learnt on Monday.
The development means Local Governments may wait till October before the implementation of the law in the direct payment into their respective accounts.
The Supreme Court, on July 11, 2024, gave a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of the 774 LGs in the country and ruled that governors could no longer control funds meant for the councils.
The apex court also directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to pay LG allocations directly to their accounts, as it declared the non-remittance of funds by the 36 states unconstitutional.
Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit issued a regulation, effective from June 1, 2019, which banned transactions on State and Local Governments Joint Accounts. Funds were sent directly to the accounts of the local governments. It also limited cash withdrawals from local governments accounts to a maximum amount of N500,000 per day with penalties for banks that failed to comply. The Nigerian governors under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum kicked against this regulation and the NFIU eventually capitulated.
The status quo was maintained until May 2024 when the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), filed suit marked SC/CV/343/2024 at the Supreme Court to strengthen the autonomy of the local government areas as guaranteed by the constitution. It sought to prevent state governors from unilaterally dissolving democratically elected local government councils and establishing caretaker committees, actions that violate constitutional provisions. The AGF argued that the constitution mandates a democratically elected local government system and does not allow alternative governance structures.
The suit also prayed that the funds from the Federation Account be channelled directly to local governments, bypassing the allegedly unlawful joint accounts managed by state governors. The Federal Government also sought an injunction to stop governors and their agents from receiving or spending local government funds without a democratically elected local government system in place. It contended that the governors’ failure to establish such a system constitutes a deliberate subversion of the 1999 Constitution. The Supreme Court heard parties to the case on June 13, with the state governments, through their respective attorneys-general, opposing the suit.
That was the prelude to the Supreme Court judgment of last Thursday, July 11, 2024, which has now affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments. In the unanimous judgment of its seven-member panel, the Supreme Court upheld the suit brought by the federal government to strengthen the independence of local governments in the country.
A member of the panel, Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the court’s lead judgment, held that the local governments across the country should henceforth receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation. He ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to local government areas in their states.
Many Nigerians, including the LG chairmen, hailed the judgment of the Supreme Court, describing it as a step in the right direction to restructure the country.
Although some governors voiced their concerns, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, speaking through the chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the judgment was a relief from the financial burden to state governments.
AbdulRazaq, speaking to journalists after meeting President Bola Tinubu on July 12, a day after the judgment, said, “The governors are happy with the devolution of power regarding local government autonomy. The public really doesn’t know how much states spend on bailing out local governments.”
PUNCH findings However, The PUNCH observed that more than a month after the judgment, the order of the apex court had not been complied with.
In July 2024, total disbursements by the Federation Allocation Account Committee increased to N1.354tn, with LGs receiving N337.019bn.
At the July meeting of FAAC, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, of the total amount shared to the three tiers of government, the Federal Government received N459.776bn, the states received N461.979bn, the LGs got N337.019bn, while the oil-producing states received N95.598bn as derivation (13 per cent of mineral revenue).
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, however, waited in vain to get the money paid directly into the LG accounts.
The Incorporated Trustees of ALGON accused the state commissioners of finance of conspiring with governors to obstruct the direct payment of allocations from the federation account to the 774 LGs’ accounts.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Forum of State Commissioners of Finance in Nigeria, dated July 30, 2024, and signed by its counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), ALGON threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against the commissioners if they failed to comply with the Supreme Court order.
Ozekhome stated in the letter that his clients’ enthusiasm over the apex court decision had been thwarted by the finance commissioners committee.
Though another faction of ALGON, led by Aminu Maifata, denied issuing a legal threat against the commissioners’ committee, Ozekhome insisted that he was briefed by the ALGON Board of Trustees in a letter signed by the Secretary-General of the board, Mohammed Abubakar.
The PUNCH reported July 25 that the Federal Government confirmed that it had not yet commenced direct payment of the monthly allocations to the 774 Local Government Areas.
Edun attributed the delay to the proceedings of the Supreme Court, which had not been communicated to the Attorney General of the Federation for proper study and implementation.
He said the process was still in its early stages, adding that further steps would be taken once the full details were available.
The minister said the Federal Government was yet to commence direct payment to the respective LGs due to some “practical impediments” and added that a committee had been set up by the FG to look at the practicability of the judgment.
The PUNCH gathered on Monday that the “practical impediments” were creating challenges for the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on LG autonomy.
The Federal Government, it was learnt, faced challenges implementing the ruling on local government financial autonomy, with concerns over its impact on salary payments and operational viability.
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who raised concerns over the judgment, called for a homegrown solution to ensure the people did not suffer.
“The law is the law and when there is a conflict, yes, we should go to the court. But it behoves us to look for our own homegrown solutions that can ensure that we have transparency and that our people do not suffer. This is because when two elephants are fighting, it is the grass that will suffer,” Makinde was quoted to have said.
Also, The PUNCH reported that the National President of ALGON, Aminu Mu’azu-Maifata, called for an increase in the monthly allocation to the 774 LGAs to enable them pay the new minimum wage.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lafia, Nasarawa State, recently, Mu’azu-Maifata said, “Once the new minimum wage is enacted by the National Assembly and becomes a law, every council chairman must obey.
“But how to obey such a law is what we will look into. By sourcing funds to pay salaries, we are also going to find ways to attract and harmonise resources so that we will not default.”
Multiple sources close to the NGF and the Federal Government, speaking exclusively with The PUNCH on Monday, said the Federal Government was in a fix on how to proceed with the implementation of the judgment on the financial autonomy for Local Government Areas.
“From what I know from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Federal Government and the states are looking for a political solution to manage the fallout of the Supreme Court judgment.
“The first step is the three-month moratorium on the judgment. For the next three months, the LG allocation will still be paid into the joint account with the respective states, while a permanent solution that will serve the objectives of financial autonomy as envisaged by the Supreme Court judgment is worked out,” one of the sources told The PUNCH.
He added, “The governors are happy that the judgment came eventually, as it would relieve them of the burden of having to augment monthly FAAC allocation of the LGs to be able to pay local government staff, primary school teachers, and primary health workers, among others.
“However, they are apprehensive that we may go back to the early 1990 era when primary school teachers and other local government members of staff were owed salaries for an average of 12 to 24 months.”
The source expressed the concerns of the governors that only a few local government areas in the country could actually survive and pay bills conveniently from FAAC allocation and internally generated revenue.
“The issue of financial autonomy per the Supreme Court judgment is not as rosy as it looks. Only a few local governments in Lagos, Rivers, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory can comfortably cover their expenses using only monthly FAAC allocations and their IGR.
“For other states, governors augment their allocation with state funds to be able to pay salaries. That is why the salary of primary school teachers and primary health workers, which are the responsibilities of LGs, is taken as first line charge through the joint account with the state.
“It is clear to both the Federal Government and the governors that there will be a problem with the Supreme Court judgment and the local governments will be rocked by industrial action by workers,” he added.
When reached on Monday by The PUNCH, Ozekhome said he had only seen the alleged agreement between the Federal Government and the states regarding the delay of the LG autonomy implementation on the pages of newspapers.
He said his client, ALGON, did not give him such information.
The constitutional lawyer said he was also not aware that the July allocation for LGs had been paid to the finance commissioners in states.
“If that were done, it would be a frontal attack on the valid and subsisting judgment of the apex court and there are serious legal consequences for such indiscretion,” Ozekhome said.
He added that there was no ultimatum given by ALGON through his chambers for the initiation of contempt proceedings against the finance commissioners of the 36 states of the federation if they did not pay the allocation to the 774 LGs immediately.
Efforts to reach the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), through his spokesperson, Kamarudeen Ogundele, on the AGF’s position on the LGs July allocation paid to state finance commissioners, contrary to the Supreme Court Judgment, proved abortive as he didn’t pick his calls or respond to messages sent to his phone as of the time of filing this report.
Also, attempts to reach the Ministry of Finance for comments were futile as the Director of Press, Mohammed Manga, didn’t respond to phone calls made to his line.
LGs confirmation Chairperson, National Union of Local Government Employees, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Mrs Anestina Iweh, on Monday, confirmed that the July allocation of the 774 LGAs was sent to state commissioners of finance in the respective states.
Iweh, who spoke with one of our correspondents in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, said the allocation was paid to the commissioners because the FG had yet to get to get the account details of the 774 LGAs.
“The Federal Government does not have the account details of the 774 LGAs. They have not done anything, no procedure, no process, even up till date, to update the account details of the 774 LGAs.
“We can’t keep quiet and allow workers to stay without salaries, so money must come for salaries to be paid. If they are ready to act according to the Supreme Court judgement, they will get account details of the 774 LGAs and do the needful.”
However, the Chairman of Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State, Dr Wali Ahmed, justified the disbursement of the July allocation to the commissioners, saying there was a 90-day window for the implementation of the judgment.
Ahmed confirmed that the councils had been told to update their account details with the Treasury Single Account.
Speaking in a telephone chat with one of our correspondents on the supposed illegality of disbursement to states’ accounts, Ahmed said, “They wrote a letter that within 90 days, all LG signatories should ensure they link their accounts with TSA. So, it’s not yet over.”
In Plateau State, an LG boss, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the FG gave a three-month period before the implementation of the judgement.
“Don’t forget that after the Supreme Court judgement, the Federal Government passed a circular giving a three-month window before the commencement of the implementation. As it is, the period has not elapsed and so there is no cause for alarm,” our source said.
“We at the local government areas are not complaining that our monthly allocations are still channeled through the state government. We receive the allocations due to us as LGs. I don’t know of other LGs but we in Plateau are receiving ours accordingly and the state government does not tamper with it.”
The PUNCH gathered on Monday that all the members of the executive councils of the LGs from Katsina State had relocated to Abuja, though it was not clear who they went to meet as a follow-up to the LG autonomy.
Another LG chairman in Katsina State, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said all chairmen, together with the state ALGON chairman, Bello Kaita, were in Abuja for a meeting on Monday.
“We are all here in Abuja to push for our autonomy, because the Supreme Court judgement ought to be respected, but you see, even the Federal Government allocation was not given, let alone our legal mandate of a four-year tenure. So, we are in Abuja for the issues.”
Efforts to speak with the ALGON chairman, Kaita, were unsuccessful as his telephone number was not connecting as of the time of filing this report.
‘Court ruling belated’ In another twist, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Augustina Wandamihya, described the Supreme Court judgement as “belated”, saying LG autonomy had long been implemented by the state.
The commissioner told The PUNCH on Monday that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, in his policy of transparency and accountability, granted local government autonomy during his first tenure in office.
“Since Governor Fintiri took over the mantle of leadership he granted autonomy to the 21 local governments in the state. All the local governments since then get their Federal Government allocation directly, their monies don’t come through the state account,” Wandamihya said.
“If this interview was in the office, I would have shown you all the documents. So, in Adamawa State, the Supreme Court judgement was belated.”
Also speaking on the issue, the state Secretary of ALGON and Chairman, Song Local Government Area, Alhaji Idris Yahaya, said confirmed that the July allocation came directly to his council account.
“Our governor, because of his transparency and his interest for the people at the grassroots, granted local government autonomy long before we came into office,” he stated.
Yahaya said the autonomy had brought rapid development to the grassroots following the financial freedom of councils in the state.
He urged other governors in the country to emulate Fintiri and grant local governments autonomy for speedy development at the grassroots.
#EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protesters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital have on Monday warned business owners in the city not to open for business tomorrow, Tuesday, else risk possible attack.
The protesters issued the warning at Lagos bus stop, where several businesses were opened amid the nationwide protest.
The protesters who converged around Aggrey road, Port Harcourt old township around 8am, marched the adjoining streets with placards calling for improved governance in the country.
The irate youths, including men and women, chanted “Tinubu must go, Wike must go, Akapbio must go, hunger too much.” among others as the trekked.
The protesters, who observed several businesses opened around the Lagos bus stop area including shops, banks and filling stations, perceived the development as lack of solidarity for the ongoing protests, saying the business owners ought to have joined their voices to their demands, rather than staying back to trade.
Speaking in pidgin English, the protesters said, “We dey do protest, you dey do your business, tomorrow you better not open your shops, if you open you will see what will happen.
“You better come out and protest against bad governance with us, we must protest against all our bad leaders, they must go.”
Most vehicles plying roads in the state capital have attached plucked leaves in front of their vehicles, a sign that indicates solidarity with the protests.
Meanwhile, another group of protesters have blocked the Akpajo section of East-West Road near Indorama Petrochemical gate in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.
The youths in their thousands have stopped motorists from moving forward or backwards, as they continued their 10 days protest to press home their demand for better governance in the country.
However, the protesters did not attack residents or businesses as they were escorted by operatives of the Rivers State Police Command.
The sons of the late singer, Onyeka Onwenu, Abraham and Tijani Ogunlende, have spoken out following her sudden demise on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
In a statement, they revealed that she was rushed to the hospital after a performance, where doctors made every effort to save her life but she passed away last night.
They also expressed gratitude to the governor of Abia State, Alex Otti and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi for their support.
They said: “It is with heavy hearts that I and my brother wish to announce the passing of our mother, the much loved Onyeka Onwenu. She passed away last night, Tuesday July 30 2024, in Lagos Nigeria.
“She was rushed to the hospital after an amazing last performance, where doctors made every effort to save her life… sadly she passed. “Onyeka Onwenu was a national treasure, an icon and legend, who inspired multiple generations of Nigerians and people around the world with her music, acting, philanthropy and humanitarian efforts. She is greatly loved and missed.
“We would like to extend our thanks to those who were with her in her final moments. And to the general public for their concern and support.
“Specifically, we are deeply grateful to Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. and Mrs. John Momoh and Mr. and Mrs. Okonkwo as well as Messrs Ajayi and Mr. Okpara all of whom were with her during her last moments. Governor Alex Otti joined to condole us soon after her passage.
“We are also appreciative of Reddington Hospital and all their staff for their efforts. As we take the time to make the necessary plans, we would like you all to take the time to remember her life, the contributions she made and the impact she made on so many lives, including ours.”
Dangote Cement Plc, the most capitalized stock on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), recorded a 9.99% decline on the NGX today, resulting in a N1.12 trillion loss in its market value.
The massive decline was responsible for the NGX posting a 1.94% decline, as the All-Share Index closed at 98,201.49 points, its lowest since May 27.
The drubbing of Dangote Cement’s stock in the NGX is the latest in a series of events that have pitted the industrialists against the Nigerian government.
On Tuesday, the senate and house of representatives passed the new minimum wage bill.
The bill scaled first, second and third readings — all within an hour — in the upper and lower legislative chambers.
The legislation amended two key issues in the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, increasing the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 and shortening the review period from five to three years.
Speaking at plenary after the bill was passed, Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, claimed that Nigerians can no longer pay any domestic worker below N70,000.
“The bill says that if you are a tailor and you employ an additional hand, you cannot pay the person below N70,000. If you are a mother and you have a newborn child and you want to bring in a housemaid to look after your child, you cannot pay that housemaid below N70,000,” Akpabio said.
“It is not maximum wage. It applies to all and sundry. If you bring in a driver, if you bring in a gateman — you cannot pay that gateman below N70,000. So, I am very delighted that this has been passed and we now look forward to employers of labour going ahead to improve on what has been set as a benchmark for all and sundry to follow.
“So, I congratulate the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), I congratulate all Nigerians, and I congratulate the senate and the national assembly in general for this epoch-making legislation which has even reduced the time of negotiation from five years to three years in view of the soaring effect of foodstuff. It is now necessary that we review it every three years instead of five years.”
Akapbio’s remarks have elicited a series of reactions on social media, especially on X, with many questioning his claim.
“This is a joke of the highest order. You might want to check some of the laws governing minimum wage,” Tohluh Briggs said in the comment section.
“Really? What happened? What changed?” Philemon Kuza asked.
WHAT IS MINIMUM WAGE?
The minimum wage is the least amount that employers are obligated to pay their employees. It is established by the National Minimum Wage Act to ensure that workers earn a basic standard of living and to prevent unfair treatment.
The current minimum wage in the country is N30,000 per month. The rate was previously reviewed every five years to reflect changes in living costs and economic conditions. It was last reviewed in 2019 during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
On June 3, Nigeria’s economy came to a standstill as labour unions staged a nationwide strike over the wage dispute.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) initially demanded N494,000, citing inflation and worsening economic conditions.
Following intense negotiations with federal government representatives, the unions scaled down their demand to N250,000.
On July 11, President Bola Tinubu met with labour leaders over the matter.
After further negotiations on July 18, the unions agreed to the N70,000 proposed by the president.
VERIFYING AKPABIO’S CLAIM
To verify Akpabio’s claim, TheCable reviewed the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 to determine who is obligated to pay the minimum wage and who is exempted.
Section 3 (1) of the act states that every employer shall pay the national minimum wage to every worker under his or her establishment.
According to the law, any agreement for the payment of wages less than the national minimum wage is void.
But there are exceptions.
Section 4 of the act stipulates that the minimum wage requirement does not apply to employers with fewer than 25 employees.
According to the law, an establishment with the following employees is exempted from the minimum wage: (a) part-time basis, (b) commission or piece-rate; (c) establishment employing less than 25 persons; (d) workers in seasonal employment like agriculture; and (e) any person employed in a vessel or aircraft to which the laws regulating merchant shipping or civil aviation apply.
VERDICT
Based on the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, Akpabio’s claim that any employer who hires a maid or gatekeeper will pay N70,000 minimum wage is false.
The law mandates employers with more than 25 workers to pay the minimum wage.
With respect to dormant account, what I found personally if you leave account dormant in banks, sometimes more than when you don’t leave them dormant in banks. In fact, most times, they are more susceptible to fraudsters copying your identity and trying to gain hold of the system to grab your money. So, that is a problem I think most money banks face”
“The policy and the directive is meant to ensure that all those monies come to the Central Bank for safe keeping and it is at zero cost to the beneficiaries. All that will happen is that the central bank will manage the money within our possession and when the rightful owner surfaces, the money is returned plus whatever income is accrued to you.”
In June 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 34.19% relative to the May 2024 headline inflation rate which was 33.95%. Month on Month Inflation rate was 2.31%
Gunmen have abducted three staff members including the acting Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Dr. Emmanuel Barki.
According to a report, Barki, two other management staff of the institution and their driver were kidnapped on their way to Ugbokolo after an official assignment in Makurdi, the state capital, on Thursday.
It was gathered that the abductors kidnapped them along the Otukpo/Otukpa Road.
However, one of the victims was released due to ill health.
A source close to the rector’s family who did not want to be mentioned as he was unauthorised to speak on the matter, said the kidnappers made contact with the family and demanded a N70 million ransom.
The immediate past Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter, Augustine Leva visited the family of the acting rector on Friday as he prayed for the immediate release of the victims.
The former CAN chairman called on the state government to improve the security situation of the state so that residents of the state can heave a sigh of relief.
The spokesman for the state police command, Catherine Anene confirmed the abduction of the rector and two others and said that investigation was ongoing.
“Incident confirmed and investigation is ongoing,” Anene said in a terse statement.
Also confirming the kidnap, the Security Adviser to the state governor, Joseph Har said he was not aware of any ransom demand.
Har said, “The incident happened but I’m not aware they demanded ransom but security men are combining the bushes to rescue them.”
In late May 2024, two female students of the Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture, Makurdi, were kidnapped by gunmen, as confirmed by the state police command.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, says the federal government is considering the relocation of the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and other facilities across the country.
The minister spoke on Monday during a visit to the Ikoyi prison in Lagos.
Tunji-Ojo said urbanisation has caught up with the prison, noting that “there is no reason for this facility should still be here”.
He added that there is no adequate “buffer zone” as stipulated in the constitution and described the Ikoyi prison as “a security threat.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike on Friday declared it is not President Bola Tinubu’s responsibility to identify where criminals are.
Wike said Tinubu would provide security tools but the security agencies are saddled with the responsibility to confront criminals.
He spoke while presenting 50 operational vehicles fitted with communication gadgets to security agencies in Abuja.
Wike, however, assured that security is one of Tinubu’s key priorities.
He said, “For us as a government, it is not the responsibility of Mr President to go and identify where the criminals are; it is not my responsibility or the minister of state’s responsibility to go and engage criminals.
“It is our responsibility to provide the tools for the security agencies to confront these criminals and make sure we sleep with our two eyes closed.
“If we do not play this role, it will be difficult for our security agencies to be effective and to be able to carry out this function of securing lives and properties.”
He urged residents to support and pray for the security agents “who sometimes lose their lives in the line of duty”.
Members of the organised labour comprising both the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, have convened an emergency meeting over the decision of the Federal Executive Council to step down the memo on the minimum wage.
The meeting, according to a top official at the NLC headquarters, will be held at Labour House at 10:00am on Wednesday.
The official said it is meant for discussion on the decision of FEC to step down the memo on minimum wage.
Daily Trust had earlier reported that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said all 39 items on the agenda of the meeting were all taken except the memo on the minimum wage.
Idris had disclosed that there was a report by the Tripartite committee which comprises of local government, States , NLC/ TUC and the federal government, adding that the committee submitted its report, and there was a memo to that effect.
The minister, however, said Council could not take a decision on it because it involves Local Government, states, FG, Organized Private Sector and Labour unions.
He, therefore, said the memo on the new minimum wage was stepped down so that the President, Bola Tinubu could consult widely before a final submission is made to the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the NLC official, who spoke to Daily Trust Tuesday night said the entire leadership of the two labour centres would meet and take a unanimous position before the President takes consultation to them.
“Even though we had a position already, we will meet tomorrow morning, (Wednesday) to fine-tune our position before we’re consulted. It is important for us,” the top official said anonymously because he wasn’t authorised to speak to the media.
Members of the organised labour had earlier this month paralysed economic activities of the country with its indefinite strike that lasted only two days which declared to press home their demands on minimum wage.
In his earlier comments on X, the former DG Obi/Datti Campaign Organisation advocated Nigeria's pulling out of OPEC before facing a barrage of attacks
No matter d insult, intolerance &display of uncouthness,I will remain what I hv always been. A TRUE NATIONALIST. We hv invested too much in each other to go back on commitment to brotherhood & national unity. This new wave of bigotry will not undo d friendship already established.
Is it a coincidence that nearly 80% of those who insult, abuse,disparage & are intolerant of my views on this platform are frm one ethnic nationality? Wow!I hv been a nationalist all my life & politics.Freely I went out of my way on principle to support d SE quest for Presidency.
I supported Shagari when Awolowo was a candidate. I supported Tofa when Abiola was a candidate.I supported Jonathan when d mainstream SW supported Buhari.More recently I supported Obi even when Tinubu was a candidate. My past records of a detrabilised politician is unassailable
Amidst the upcoming Eid-El-Kabir festival, ram sellers in Badagry, Lagos State, are grappling with sluggish sales as costs increase to as much as N750,000 for a large ram.
This is according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, showing the current realities of the bellowing economic hardship in the country.
In places such as Alaba, Ajibade, and Agbalata ram markets there are significant variations in the cost of rams, leaving both sellers and buyers frustrated.
In the Alaba ram market, a large ram sells for a hefty price of N750,000, while medium-sized rams range between N350,000 and N400,000.
Smaller rams are priced from N150,000 to N200,000. The situation is slightly different in the Agbalata market, where big rams are sold for N400,000 to N450,000, medium-sized rams for N250,000 to N300,000, and smaller ones for N120,000 to N150,000.
What the ram sellers said Reports show that in Ajibade ram market in Aradagun, another seller, Belawu Ajadi highlighted the compounded costs of feeding and transporting the rams as factors contributing to high prices.
“Customer turnout is low compared to last year. By this time in 2023, I had sold over 50 rams; this year, I’ve sold just ten,” Ajadi said. Despite the economic downturn, he remains hopeful that sales will pick up as the festival approaches.
The buyers, too, are feeling the pinch. Yusuf Ajadi, shopping at Alaba market, recounted how prices have more than doubled.
“In 2023, I bought two rams for N280,000. Today, a medium-sized ram costs me N400,000, making it unaffordable to buy two,” he said. Another buyer, Alhaji Taoreed Ajape, expressed shock at the inflated prices. “I came from Ikoga, Badagry, expecting better deals. The ram I bought for N100,000 last year now costs N220,000,” he shared, indicating that he might have to return after securing more funds.
Economic strain and buyer hesitation Alhaji Abdul-Salam Hassan, a ram seller at Alaba market, attributed the steep prices to high transportation costs. “I spent N1.5 million transporting my rams from Sokoto State. I need to recoup these costs to make a profit,” he explained. Despite bringing 300 rams to the market since June 5, Hassan has sold fewer than ten. “Many buyers inquire about prices but fail to return,” he lamented.
Hassan also noted that while last year’s prices were considered high, this year’s have skyrocketed due to the removal of fuel subsidies, which has significantly increased transportation costs.
Context The situation in Badagry reflects broader economic challenges affecting Nigeria. Nigeria currently battles a cost of living crisis with inflation at a 28-year high of 33.69% and food inflation almost at 34%.
Prices of staple food across the country, especially grains, have seen an almost 100% increase since last year because of disruption in global supply chains due to conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.
In July last year, Russia withdrew from the United Nations Black Sea grain deal that allowed free passage of grains to Sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria. Furthermore, the disruption of cargo traffic around the Black Sea by Houthi rebels also contributed to an increase in food prices.
Furthermore, the removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu earlier in his administration significantly increased transport prices across the country which contributed in no small measure to the rising food prices.
Also, the depreciation of the naira following the unification of the foreign exchange market in June contributed to the high inflation levels as food imports became more expensive.
The naira has depreciated by over 100% on the official market since the unification of the forex market in 2023.
The Nigerian minimum wage negotiations were going to be unnecessarily difficult because FG "poisoned" the atmosphere for responsible negotiations by approving a reckless N90bn Hajj Subsidy, Luxury SUVs for Legislators etc thereby creating the false impression that FG was rich
Government and other public activities were shut down in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital as workers across all sectors of the economy joined the nationwide NLC, TUC new minimum wage industrial action declared by Organised labour.
As early as 8am in the morning, some labour officials stormed the state secretariat complex, Ovom, to lock the gate and turn back some uninformed workers who went to work.
Though public schools were shut, students writing the West African Examination Council, WAEC, examination were not affected as they went ahead without any interference, it was however observed that some private schools were in session across Yenagoa just as several others were on mid term break.
While the strike recorded total compliance in the banking sector, leaving several customers stranded, the various markets in Yenagoa were opened for business.
There was also heavy security presence led by the Nigeria Police Force and men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps around the State Secretariat Complex.
NLC and TUC leaders and officials of affiliate labour leaders were stationed in key government offices, establishments and parastatals to enforce full compliance.
However, the state TUC chairman, Comrade Julius Laye who spoke with Vanguard in Yenagoa expressed delight over what he described as total compliance in the state.
He said: “The compliance level is total here. If you go to the Nigerian Content and Development Monitoring Board, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal and State Secretariat they were under lock and key. The banks are also complying with the strike directive.”
Vanguard News
Strike: Fed, State secretariats, banks, schools, others shut in A’Ibom
ORGANISED Labour came out early to ensure compliance as both federal and state secretariats, public schools, banks and other businesses were shut as the indefinite strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over disagreement with federal government on new Minimum Wage commenced Monday.
Vanguard monitoring team observed that commercial banks located along Ikot Ekpene Road, Abak Roads and Udo Udoma Avenue which host a number of financial institutions within Uyo capital city were under lock and key.
Federal workers at the Federal Secretariat along Abak Road and their state counterparts at the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat thronged out as early as 7:00am to picket both complexes, disrupting movement in and out.
A female civil servant who works at Itu Local Government Secretariat told Vanguard she left Uyo early for work but met the council secretariat gate locked, saying “I had to return to Uyo. I didn’t know the strike is going to be serious”.
However among private schools within the state capital, some did not comply with the NLC directive as their students and pupils were seen out for school with the notion that they were not alerted to stay home as a result of the strike.
Vanguard
Federal workers in Oyo State comply with action
AIT News
Students of the Kaduna State Polytechnic have been locked out of their campus by labour officials in compliance with the nationwide indefinite strike declared by the NLC, TUC.
Union officials stormed the Unguwan Rimi Campus of the Polytechnic and drove the students out of the school before locking the gate.
On Friday, the organised labour announced that they will be commencing a nationwide indefinite strike due to the refusal of the Federal Government to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
Airports, banks and other government institutions across the country have shut down over the ongoing nationwide strike.
Punch
There is total compliance by Imo State workers with the directive to commence a nationwide strike by organised labour
Some civil servants who tried to resume duty this morning met the gates of the State Secretariat under lock and key.
The Labour leaders in the state, who barricaded the entrance of the Secretariat, were also seen chanting solidarity songs in support of their demands for a new national minimum wage.
TVC
The nationwide strike action declared by the organised Labour has crippled economic activities in Edo State.
The strike action was declared following failure by the federal government to reach agreement with the labour unions over the minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
Gates to all banks in Benin city, the state capital, Federal establishments, Departments and Agencies were under lock and key in compliance with the directive of the NLC and TUC.
Workers of Edo State civil service who were recently paid the new minimum wage of N70,000 introduced by the state government also joined the strike action, as the State secretariat along Sapele Road where all the state ministries and Departments were located, was deserted.
The Federal Secretariat building located at Aduwawa was taken over by operatives of the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
All public primary and secondary schools in the state capital were also closed.
Air travellers were also stranded as gates to the Benin Airport were shut.
Members of the statement by the Academy Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Benin and the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, also joined the strike.
Chairman of ASUU, UNIBEN chapter, Mr Ray Chikogu, in a statement directing its members to join the strike, said: “We have now received official directive from our National Secretariat to join the NLC indefinite nationwide strike over the failure of the federal government to conclude the upward review of the National Minimum Wage and reverse the hike in electricity tarrifs.
“We consequently direct all comrades at ASUU UNIBEN Branch to comply fully with immediate effect.
“While the strike lasts, there shall be no teaching, supervision, conduct of any examination, attendance of board or senate meetings.”
Also, the Chairman, Ambrose Alli University (AAU) ASUU chairman, Mr Cyril Onogbosele, confirmed that the strike was total, adding that all academic activities had been grounded in the institution.
Skeletal services were observed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), as workers said they were waiting for further directives from their various Unions in the Hospital.
At the Edo State Children Hospital, few workers were also seen rendering skeletal services to the few patients in the hospital.
Commenting on the action, the Chairman, Edo State chapter of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Asemota, noted that the organized labour has many demands that have not been met.
He addad that the strike action was as a result of the inability of the federal government to met the N495,000 minimum wage and the hike in electricity tarif.
According to Asemota, “the union arrived at N495,000 due to the high cost of commodity prices and hardship in the country, but, the federal government was insisting on N60,000.
“The union is obeying national directive in the state despite the fact that Edo state governor is implementing the N70,000 minimum wage for its workers.
“We are in solidarity with the Edo state government but this is a national directive from the national and we have to comply.”
Lawyers and litigants in Lagos State on Monday were affected by the indefinite strike action declared by the Organised Labour over its dispute with the Federal Government on the new minimum wage as courtrooms in were shut down.
A visit by our correspondent to courts revealed that most of judicial workers stayed away from work, while lawyers and litigants were turned back at the gate by members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
Some of the staff of the Federal High Court in Lagos who showed up for work in the early hours of the morning later returned home due to the closure of the courtrooms.
The same thing was noticed at all the divisions of the Lagos State High Court, the Court of Appeal, the National Industrial Court and all the Magistrate Courts across the state.
GRID SHUT DOWN : UNION DELIBERATELY SHUT DOWN THE NATIONAL GRID.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in black out nationwide. The national grid shut down occured at about 2.19am this morning, 3rd June 2024.
At about 1:15am this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control room and that staff that resisted were beaten while some were wounded in the course of forcing them out of the control room and without any form of control or supervision, the Benin Area Control Center was brought to zero.
Other transmission substations that were shut down, by the Labour Union include the Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba and Osogbo Transmission Substations. Some transmission lines were equally opened due to the ongoing activities of the labour union.
On the power generating side, power generating units from different generating stations were forced to shut down some units of their generating plants, the Jebba Generating Station was forced to shut down one of its generating units while three others in the same substation subsequently shut down on very high frequency. The sudden forced load cuts led to high frequency and system instability, which eventually shut down the national grid at 2:19am.
At about 3.23am, however, TCN commenced grid recovery, using the Shiroro Substation to attempt to feed the transmission lines supplying bulk electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. The situation is such that the Labour Union is still obstructing grid recovery nationwide.
We will continue to make effort to recover and stabilize the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission of electricity to distribution load centres nationwide.
Impeached Deputy Governor of Edo, Mr Philip Shaibu, said on Tuesday that he would challenge the emergence of Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for the upcoming state election to the highest judicial level.
DAILY POST recalls that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday dismissed a suit filed by the impeached Deputy Governor seeking to nullify the February 22 governorship primary that produced Ighodalo as the PDP candidate.
Justice James Omotosho, in the judgment, held that Shaibu lacked the legal right to challenge the outcome of the primary on the grounds that he did not fully participate in the exercise.
Omotosho also held that the impeached deputy governor was not equally present at the venue of the primary the day it was held.
However, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Shaibu said he would continue to challenge the emergence of Ighadalo because he did not win the primary.
“I won the election with the authentic delegates. I am sure and confident that the court will do the right thing.
Concerning what happened on Monday (Abuja High Court ruling), my lawyers are looking into it, and by the grace of God, I can bet you, because I believe in the judiciary, that justice will be served.
‘’I believe that the judiciary is not what they say it is. I believe that we have a judiciary that will deliver justice in the issue between Ighodalo and me, and the issue of my impeachment,’’ he said.
Correspondents assigned to cover the Ministry of Works were shocked on Tuesday, when the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, walked out on journalists invited for a media parley.
The press conference was scheduled for 2pm but Umahi came 48 minutes after the scheduled time to hold the briefing.
Umahi, who arrived 48 minutes late to the event he scheduled for 2pm said there was no press in attendance, therefore he would not address the media.
“There is no press here, this meeting will not be held today until another time.”
Enraged by the comment, the over 40 journalists from the traditional platform and online protested the comment but the minister who came in with the permanent secretary of the Ministry, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata ignored their protest and walked off.
Chairman of Munya local government council of Niger state, Malam Aminu Najume, has cried out for the rescue of his people from incessant terrorists’ attacks.
Najume stated this at the weekend while confirming the invasion of Kuchi communities Friday night during which seven people were killed and 150 others abducted.
Najume also confirmed that those killed included four security personnel, vigilantee and other villagers.
However, he said the security personnel in the area displayed gallantry by killing over 25 of the terrorists in a gun duel.
He disclosed that the gunmen invaded the community at about 7:00pm in groups, numbering about 300. “They moved from house to house and dispossessing people of their belongings. They also abducted about 150 villagers, including women and went away with them inside the rain. Honestly the council is overwhelmed with the current situation. I am not thinking straight as I speak with you because my people have lost their sleep, they have been forced out of the community,” he said.
The council boss blamed the continuous onslaught by the terrorists on communities in his local government area on failure of the Kaduna state government to flush them out of the forest bordering the area.
He said: “These people usually come from Kaduna state to operate in Niger state and return back. They move in their hundreds and yet the security agents don’t see them, even when the villagers alert them, no action is taken.
“Look at yesterday’s attack, (Friday night), the bandits operated for over three hours, there was no reinforcement from anywhere. They outnumbered the Joint Security Taskforce and succeeded in killing four of them, including some villagers. We cannot ascertain the number of people that were injured because some are still in the bush, they slept there,” Najume explained.
Speaking further, he said: ”They went from house to house selecting those they wanted to go away with, including women. They looted all the shops in the community and went away with all the goods and drinks.”
The terrorists, according to him, stormed the community with about 100 motorcycles with each carrying at least three people, and “were all heavily armed.”
Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, former Emir of Gaya, says he has accepted his removal as an act of God.
The former Emir is among the five first-class kings who were affected by the repeal of the law which balkanised Kano Emirate and elevated them.
Ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had appointed new Emirs in 2019 and dethroned Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano the following year.
But after signing the new law on Thursday, Governor Abba Bichi Yusuf sacked all the emirs appointed by Ganduje, giving them 48 hours to vacate their palaces and hand over to the Commissioner of Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs.
Reacting to the action of the governor in an interview with BBC Hausa, the dethroned monarch said he bore no grudge against anybody.
He added that he had no plan to challenge the action in court and was read to serve in another capacity if given the opportunity.
Former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, has again expressed backing for the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
At the inauguration of the Omoku-Egbema Road in the state on Saturday, Odili told Fubara not to be apprehensive of anyone as the people of the state are with him.
Odili urged Fubara to remain focus on his “people-focused objectives”, saying the projects so far embarked upon by the present administration are enough to secure the support of the people for the 2027 election.
Odili, who was Rivers governor from May 1999 to May 2007, said, “Don’t be afraid because when the people are with you, be assured that God is with you and no man can shake you.”
Fubara and his immediate predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have been embroiled in a protracted conflict in the last one year.
In April 2024, Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said he no longer had a smooth relationship with Odili whom he had frequently referred to as his “father”.
Wike was the governor of the oil-rich South-South state from May 2015 to May 2023 before he was appointed minister by President Bola Tinubu.
The convoy of the deposed emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, has been withdrawn by Kano State government, following his alleged plan to return to his palace on Thursday evening.
Mr Bayero was in Abuja when the government dethroned him.
Credible sources said the dethroned monarch was trying to return to the palace to pack out his property and other personal belongings, availing himself of the 48-hour deadline given by Governor Abba Yusuf.
But sources said the state government stopped the emir’s move and asked security operatives to stop him from boarding flight to Kano.
A source in the state government told DAILY NIGERIAN that the government halted the move to avoid breakdown of the law and order in the state.
“When we learnt of his plan to return to the palace, we ordered all the vehicles in the convoy to return to the palace. The vehicles were already in the Kano airport awaiting his return.
“And we also drew the attention of security agents to thwart his plans of flying back to Kano at the moment,” said the source.
Earlier on Thursday, the state governor assented to Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment number 2) Law, 2024.
The amended law had abolished the establishment of 5 Emirate councils of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya in the state.
The governor signed the bill into law at the presence of the deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, Speaker, Isma’il Falgore, the SSG, Abdullahi Bichi.
Speaking after the signing, the governor announced the reinstatement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi ll, who was deposed by former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje in 2019.
The governor gave 48 hours to the deposed emirs to vacate their palaces.
Some operatives of the Department of State Services were spotted at the palace of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on Thursday, amid growing rumours of the Emir’s imminent deposition.
This development follows the passage of the Kano State Emirates Council Amendment Law (Repeal Bill), 2024, by the Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday morning.
Newsmen who visited the palace around 11 am saw some DSS operatives stationed in the palace.
The Kano State Emirates Council Amendment Bill was considered on the floor of the House after scaling second and third reading on Thursday morning.
The assembly dissolved all four newly created emirate councils in the state.
Rumours suggest that this move could pave the way for the return of the deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido II.
One continues to be disheartened by the persistent reports of terrorist attacks across Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country. The recent reports of an attack in Zurak village in Wase LGA of Plateau state which has left about 40 people dead and many others hospitalized, remains a very sad one, which must be condemned in strong terms.
This adds to the growing number of these heinous attacks. These repeated attacks particularly in Plateau have become too many to make any discerning mind worrisome. Again, I call on the government to rise to its responsibilities of securing the lives and property of Nigerians with corresponding actions. Above all, we must take every necessary measure to drastically reduce insecurity in the nation by investing in the critical areas of human development; education, health, and lifting people out of poverty. I sincerely condole with the Governor of Plateau, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the government, and the people of Plateau State, especially the bereaved families, over this tragic occurrence.
May God grant eternal rest to the dead and quick recovery to the hospitalized. -PO
Governor Similanayi Fubara of Rivers State has said he started taking decision as a governor in February, 2024.
Fubara, who spoke on Tuesday at Egbeda Community Secondary School field, venue of the inauguration of some internal roads project in Emohua Local Government Area, inaugurated by Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, reiterated that the projects people were seeing were accomplishments of four months.
He said good governance, service and projects were being delivered at a cost-effective rate.
He said, “We are just starting but I assure you of more attention. If in four months, we can do this, and we are getting this level of applause, you can imagine what will happen when we do one year of our record time, two years of our own record time, Rivers State would have experienced something different from the regular governance.
“I know why I said four months. We started full governance in February, 2024. That was when we started taking decisions, when we started confronting governance. And I am proud to say that our people are happy with what we have done.
“What we want to do is to bring governance to our people, service delivery at record time, and in a cost effective way.
“Everything that we are doing is in my white paper. I carry it along, so, there is no issue of any manipulation. Call me any day, anytime, it is there. Even the ones I did before this time, I still have all the records.
“If you call me any day, I will bring the records of all my activities in government, because I know that as a civil servant, what is most important is record keeping; so that if you are not there, and something happens, it is just for somebody to pick up the file and he will see the history.
“That is how I am trained, and I have that in my mind before I do anything. So, I am not scared of anything. Anybody who calls me any day, anytime, I have my records to show. I have all the approvals to show that I acted based on approval and not personal decision.”
The governor assured that his administration would continue to deliver projects that impact positively on the people directly while also empowering them to live better lives.
He stated that the Egbeda Internal Roads Project had been accomplished to both satisfy the needs of the people by making them happy and solving the perennial flooding problems experienced in the area.
The Governor acknowledged the support of the people before, during and after the elections, saying what his administration owes them is the dividends of democracy that included projects and social service delivery.
Performing the inauguration of the project,Oborevwori said he drove with Fubara on the road while accessing the venue of the event, and can testify of the commitment of his brother governor to sustain infrastructure development in the State.
He said, “This road project at Egbeda bears true testimony of the commitment of the Rivers State Government towards fulfilling its promise of sustainable infrastructure development of the State.
“It is reassuring that these all-season roads will economically empower, not only the people of Egbeda, but the entire Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.”
Politics / Naira Nears N2000/dollar Exchange Rate At Black Market by References1: 8:46am On Sep 08