Dons EzeMANY INJURED AS EXPLOSION HITS ZUNGERU HYDRO DAM, NIGER STATE
MANY INJURED AS EXPLOSION HITS ZUNGERU HYDRO DAM, NIGER STATE An explosion has occurred at the Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam in Niger State, leaving several workers injured and some installations damaged. The dam, yet to be officially commissioned by the Federal Government, is the fourth in the state, following Jebba, Kainji, and Shiroro. According to a reliable source, the explosion happened early morning today, with the cause still unknown. The source confirmed that many workers on duty sustained various degrees of injuries and are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, while those critically injured have been rushed to Minna, the state capital, for further medical attention. An eyewitness reported seeing a severely injured foreign worker, believed to be Chinese, being taken to Minna for treatment.
BREAKING: RESIDENTS PANIC AS NAF HELICOPTER CRASHES
BREAKING: RESIDENTS PANIC AS NAF HELICOPTER CRASHES A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter crashed early Monday morning in Tami village, located in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, reported that the incident occurred around 5:00 am, causing significant alarm among local residents. The helicopter, on a routine operational flight, encountered technical difficulties leading to the crash. The pilot managed to execute emergency protocols effectively, ensuring his own survival. Eyewitnesses stated that the pilot emerged from the wreckage largely unscathed. Local villagers quickly mobilized to the crash site, offering assistance and expressing relief that no lives were lost. “We heard a loud noise and rushed to the scene. We were surprised and relieved to see the pilot alive,” said a local resident. A team of military officers from the Nigerian Air Force promptly arrived at the scene to secure the area and conduct an initial investigation. They cordoned off the crash site to prevent unauthorized access and ensure the safety of the villagers. Preliminary assessments to determine the cause of the crash are ongoing, with the exact cause still unknown. As of the time of this report, the Nigerian Air Force has not released an official statement regarding the incident. Attempts to contact Wing Commander Alaere Eyinimiere Obidake, the Public Relations Officer for the Air Training Command, Nigerian Air Force, Kaduna, were unsuccessful.
BREAKING: EL RUFAI DRAGS KADUNA ASSEMBLY TO COURT OVER N432B PROBE
BREAKING: EL-RUFAI DRAGS KADUNA ASSEMBLY TO COURT OVER N432B PROBE The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a lawsuit against the Kaduna State House of Assembly over the N432 billion investigation findings. El-Rufai’s son, Bello, disclosed that his father filed the suit against the defamation of his character by the state assembly. Posting on X, Bello wrote: “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai filed a lawsuit against the Kaduna State House of Assembly today for Defamation of his Character, amongst other spurious, unfounded allegations levelled against his person. “I advise they start compiling legal fees to defend their lies in court.” Recall that El-Rufai’s administration was indicted to the tune of N423 billion. On March 30th, 2024, Governor Uba Sani revealed during a town hall meeting that the state faced a substantial debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities inherited from the previous administration. Sani had said the debt burden led to over 70% of the state’s allocation being used to service the inherited debt.Following this, the Kaduna State House of Assembly formed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the state’s financial transactions from May 29th, 2015 to May 29, 2023.
CUSTOMS BOSS SLUMPS, DIES IN HOUSE OF REPS
CUSTOMS BOSS SLUMPS, DIES IN HOUSE OF REPS The deputy comptroller of finance administration and technical service at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Essien Etop Andrew, is dead. The customs officer was fielding questions from members of the House of Representatives committee on public account, when he coughed and slumped. Andrew was rushed to the National Assembly clinic where he was confirmed dead.
BREAKING: CHRIST EMBASSY HQRS IN LAGOS ON FIRE
BREAKING: CHRIST EMBASSY HQRS IN LAGOS ON FIRE The headquarters of Christ Embassy Church, located in the Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos State, is on fire. The incident was revealed through multiple videos shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by eyewitnesses present at the scene. One user, Augustine, tweeting under the handle @Chief_Augustin1, shared a video and wrote, “Christ Embassy Church on Billings Way, Oregun, is on fire. Serious fire is raging, and men of the Lagos State Fire Service are working hard to put it off. Thank God service hasn’t commenced fully.” Officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were quickly deployed to the scene and are currently working to control and extinguish the blaze. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and there have been no reports of casualties at this time. Residents and church members have gathered at the scene. The church, known for its large congregation and significant influence in the community, is a landmark in the Oregun area.
BREAKING: GUNMEN KILL ENUGU TOP POLITICIAN, EJIKE UGWUEZE
BREAKING: GUNMEN KILL ENUGU TOP POLITICIAN, EJIKE UGWUEZE Gunmen alleged to be kidnappers have shot and killed an Enugu top politician, Mr. Ejike Ugwueze It was gathered that Ugwueze was reportedly killed on Friday night while driving in a local area, Neke Odenigbo, in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. In a viral video, Ugwueze and his car were shot multiple times, with bullet holes visible in the vehicle. The victim is said to be the immediate younger brother of the late Chijioke Ugwueze, the member who represented Isi-Uzo Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, who in 2020 slumped and died during a plenary session of the House. A source close to the family alleged that they suspected the killing was politically motivated, suggesting that it was an assassination as the victim was becoming influential in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area political circle. “Yeah, I heard he was a strong contender. Aside from having the intention of running for the Local Government election, he was becoming a force in the Isi-Uzo political affairs, standing in for his dear late brother who was one of the most accepted and powerful political stakeholders in Isi-Uzo,” the source revealed.Meanwhile, the police authorities in Enugu State are yet to comment on the incident.
BREAKING: GOVERNORS REJECT N60,000 MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL, ‘IT CAN’T FLY’
BREAKING: GOVERNORS REJECT N60,000 MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL, ‘IT CAN’T FLY’ The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has rejected the N60,000 minimum wage proposed by the Federal Government. This contradicts the federal government’s commitment to a minimum wage exceeding N60,000. According to the governors, N60,000 as minimum wage is not sustainable and can not fly. Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) went on strike on Monday, protesting the federal government’s proposal of N60,000 as the minimum wage, which they deemed unacceptable. Reacting, in a statement released on Friday, the NGF said there is need for a realistic and sustainable minimum wage that considers the broader socioeconomic implications. The statement reads in part, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is in agreement that a new minimum wage is due. The Forum also sympathises with labour unions in their push for higher wages. “However, the Forum urges all parties to consider the fact that the minimum wage negotiations also involve consequential adjustments across all cadres, including pensioners. “The NGF cautions parties in this important discussion to look beyond just signing a document for the sake of it; any agreement to be signed should be sustainable and realistic. “All things considered, the NGF holds that the N60,000 minimum wage proposal is not sustainable and can not fly. It will simply mean that many states will spend all their FAAC allocations on just paying salaries with nothing left for development purposes. “In fact, a few states will end up borrowing to pay workers every month. We do not think this will be in the collective interest of the country, including workers. “We appeal that all parties involved, especially the labour unions, consider all the socioeconomic variables and settle for an agreement that is sustainable, durable, and fair to all other segments of the society who have legitimate claim to public resources.” This decision comes amidst ongoing negotiations between the government and labour unions, who have also expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed wage.
PRESIDENCY DENIES N105,000 MINIMUM WAGE BILL PROPOSAL
PRESIDENCY DENIES N105,000 MINIMUM WAGE BILL PROPOSAL The Nigerian presidency has denied reports that the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, proposed a new minimum wage of N105,000 to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The special adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the report as false. “The Honorable Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun has not proposed N105,000 minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false,” he said in a terse statement. Earlier, there were reports that Edun had submitted a proposal to Tinubu to increase the minimum wage to N105,000 per month. The development comes after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) called off their strike over the government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage to N494,000. The strike was suspended after the government agreed to negotiate a new minimum wage within a week.President Tinubu had mandated Edun to provide a template for the new minimum wage by Wednesday, in fulfilment of the government’s agreement with the labour unions.
MINIMUM WAGE: FG, ORGANIZED LABOUR REACH AGREEMENT
MINIMUM WAGE: FG, ORGANISED LABOUR REACH AGREEMENT A delegation of the Federal Government led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, met with the leadership of the organised labour over the ongoing nationwide strike. At the end of the meeting, which lasted for about five hours, the federal government and the labour unions – Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), reached some agreements on negotiations over a new minimum wage which were documented and signed by all parties. Below are resolutions reached between the two parties: RESOLUTIONS REACHED AT THE MEETING BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ORGANISED LABOUR HELD ON MONDAY 3RD JUNE, 2024 Further to the negotiation by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) and subsequent withdrawal of Labour from negotiation, the Leadership of the National Assembly intervened on 2nd June, 2024. The Organised Labour declared nationwide strike on Monday, 3rd June, 2024 to drive home its demands. 2. The Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action. 3. After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached: 1. The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000; II. Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage; III. Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and IV. No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action. Done in Abuja on the 3rd of June, 2024. Signed For the Federal Government of Nigeria: 1. Mohammed Idris 03/08/24 Minister of Information and National Orientation2. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha Nerf 3/6/24 Minister of State for Labour and Employment For the Organised Labour: 1. Joe AjaeroPresident, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)2. Festus OsifoPresident, Trade Union Congress (TUC)