MINIMUM WAGE: STRIKING WORKERS SHUT DOWN KADUNA, NASARAWA, EBONYI, CROSS RIVER
MINIMUM WAGE: STRIKING WORKERS SHUT DOWN KADUNA, NASARAWA, EBONYI, CROSS RIVER Workers in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, and Cross River states on Monday commenced a one-week warning strike to demand the implementation of the new national minimum wage and consequential adjustments. In Nasarawa State, public offices, including the State House of Assembly, courts, and ministries, were shut down. Stunned by thousands of storks flying over the sky in Gia Viễn dike, Ninh Bình – Nếm TV Comrade Ismaila Okoh, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Nasarawa, said while the government verbally committed to a N70,500 minimum wage, it failed to provide written agreements. He emphasised workers’ readiness to continue the strike if the government does not act. HIV: Nigeria records 42,700 AIDS-related deaths annually – NEPWHANLeadership crisis deepens in Delta APCIn Kaduna State, the state secretariat, court complexes, and other government offices were locked by union officials. The NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) cited the government’s failure to implement wage adjustments despite paying a N72,000 minimum gross salary. Labour unions in Cross River State rejected the government’s announcement of a N70,000 minimum wage, stating that other demands, including the payment of delayed salaries for newly hired workers, remain unmet. State offices in Calabar were shut as labour leaders planned further meetings to decide on the strike’s continuation. Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru threatened to sack and replace striking workers within 72 hours. He claimed to have fulfilled his obligations and warned that only workers present in their offices would receive salaries through table payment. Labour unions in Ekiti State distanced themselves from the strike, citing an agreement with the state government to implement the N70,000 minimum wage starting December 2024. Governor Biodun Oyebanji explained that the delay in implementation was due to budgeting constraints but reassured workers of compliance. Labour leaders maintain that the new minimum wage is non-negotiable and are determined to hold state governments accountable to national directives.
YORUBA, HAUSA LIVING IN ABIA, FAULT REUBEN ABATI, SAY WE’RE NOT DENIED LAND
YORUBA, HAUSA LIVING IN ABIA FAULT REUBEN ABATI, SAY WE’RE NOT DENIED LAND PURCHASE Contrary to the wrong insinuation held by some uninformed persons like Arise TV anchorman, Reuben Abat, that the people of the Southeast do not sell their lands to outsiders to build houses, investigations have revealed the true position. Findings showed that the Hausa and Yoruba, as well as other people from other tribes outside Igbo land, indeed, live, work, do businesses and own property in Abia State. The investigation revealed that in Aba and Umuahia, the two major cities in the state, Muslims of Hausa and Yoruba extractions had bought plots of lands in prime areas of the cities where they built their mosques and dwelling apartments. In Aba, for instance, there is no church that is strategically located than the Yoruba mosque on Azikiwe by Asa Road. The same is with the Hausa mosque on Mosque Street by Hospital Road, Aba; ditto the Mosque in Umuahia, located close to Isi-Gate, the most sought after location in the state capital. On personal level, non-natives own property in choice areas of the state. For instance, Sarika Yaro Danladi is the leader of the Northern community in Abia State and lives in Umuahia. Outside the thriving cattle business he is involved in, Danladi, who has lived all his years in the Abia State capital, built a hotel in Umuahia he is effectively running. Danladi some years back was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State, which made not only him, but the entire Hausa community in Abia State to have a sense of belonging. Danladi who has lived for close of 60 years in Abia State, in an interview enthused that most of his family businesses are in the state. Hear him, “I’m very happy that I’m in Abia, not only in Umuahia. It might interest you to note that at my age, I’m almost 60, my own father was born here, I was born here too, most of our businesses are here, I am married to an Ohuhu (Umuahia) lady. To cap it all, Danladi who is living in a house he bought land in Umuahia to build, feels very much at home in Abia. His words: “I will be proud to tell you that I am an Hausa/Igbo man. I’m happy staying in Abia and I’m going nowhere. Abia State government has been assisting us in various ways and we are happy with that.” Like Danladi, Idris Ibrahim, living in his house, is also doing a thriving business in Umuahia and he is not in any way planning to go back to the North anytime soon. He was born and brought up in Umuahia. “I attended both primary and secondary schools here in Umuahia and ever since I was born, we have been living peacefully with the Igbo people. “I am not planning to go back to the North any time soon; as I have nowhere or home to go to if I leave Umuahia. This is the only place I know because I have not stayed in the North more than one week since I was born. What’s the point of leaving? I am comfortable in Umuahia; I am being well treated by the government and people of the state,” he confessed. Danladi and Ibrahim are not alone in being accorded this sense of belonging in Abia as there are other Northern businessmen who own property and do good business in Umuahia, including Ali and Usman. The duo spoke on how they have been living in the city peacefully and doing their businesses ever since without any molestation from any quarters. They added that their host even encouraged them to buy landed property. Speaking on whether…
EARLY MORNING FIRE KILLS CUSTOMS OFFICER, WIFE, FOUR CHILDREN
EARLY MORNING FIRE KILLS CUSTOMS OFFICER, WIFE, FOUR CHILDREN A fire incident killed six family members in the early hours of Monday in Ede, Osun State. The victims were identified as a Customs officer, Tijani Kabiru, attached to the Oyo/Osun Command, his wife, and four children. The fire reportedly started around 2 am at the family’s residence in the Olowopoku area of Ede. It was gathered that Kabiru, who was in his late 40s, was asleep alongside his wife and five children when the fire, believed to have originated from the solar panel installed on the roof of the house, engulfed the building. “The fire started around 2:09 am from the roof of the house. An electric spark from the solar panel attached to the roof caused the fire. “One of the children, a 13-year-old, was reading when the fire started. He ran to his father’s room and realised that his father and other family members were weak due to the emission of smoke. He ran out of the house to call for help. It was difficult for residents of the house to access the house due to the security of the house, like electric barbed wires and strong doors, among others. “We informed the Fire Service men around 3:10 am. But before they arrived at the scene, Tijani, his wife, and four children were burnt to death,” a source disclosed. The Public Relations Officer of Osun State Fire Service, Dekunle Ibraheem, when contacted, confirmed the incident. “It is true that one Tijani, a Customs officer, his wife and four children were burnt to death. Only one of them escaped the scene. Their bodies were handed over to the men of A Division of the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.
LACK OF AUTONOMY, CORRUPTION, CRIPPLING LOCAL GOVTS – HOUSE OF REPS SPEAKER, TAJUDEEN ABBAS
LACK OF AUTONOMY, CORRUPTION CRIPPLING LOCAL GOVTS –HOUSE OF REPS SPEAKER , TAJUDEEN ABBAS The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen has reiterated that lack of autonomy, corruption, inadequate funding, among others constitute significant challenges to the effectiveness of local governments. He stated this in an opening remark at the ‘National Dialogue on Local Government and Constitution Amendment’ in Abuja on Monday. The Speaker noted that local governments played an essential role in delivering services, fostering community development, and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard at all levels of governance. He said, “Sadly, in spite of the noble intentions of the drafters of our constitution in instituting the local government system, it is evident that there are significant challenges that hinder their effectiveness. Issues such as inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, insufficient capacity, usurpation of its functions by other levels of government, corruption, and many more, have plagued local governments for decades. These challenges not only stifle local governance but also impede national development. The need for reform has never been more urgent. “Inadequate funding remains one of the most significant obstacles. Local governments often operate on budgets that are insufficient to meet their responsibilities. This financial constraint limits their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and sanitation. As a result, many communities continue to suffer from poor living conditions and lack access to basic amenities. “Moreover, the lack of autonomy is another critical issue facing local governments in Nigeria. The current structure often places local administrations under the control of state governments, which can lead to interference in their operations and decision-making processes. This lack of independence stifles innovation and accountability at the local level”.
FG BEGINS ROAD REPAIRS IN ENUGU, EBONYI, ANAMBRA FOR CHRISTMAS
FG BEGINS ROAD REPAIRS IN ENUGU, EBONYI, ANAMBRA FOR CHRISTMAS The federal government says all palliative repairs on bad spots of Federal and state roads within Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu have been ongoing smoothly and seamlessly. The federal controller of Works in Enugu, Smart Okpi, said requests had been made and approval granted for contractors handling various roads to effect repairs on failed spots/portions without further delays. Mr Okpi said that the project tagged ‘Ember Months Repairs’, started some few weeks ago with some bad spots of the single lane of Enugu-Abakaliki Road, which started from the New Market Roundabout, Enugu, being fixed. According to him, when the bad spots on the New Market Roundabout-FRSC-NYSC-All Saints Church axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road were fixed by the contractor handling the dualization of the road, most residents thought it was the state government doing it. “We also have ongoing work on bad spots on 9th Mile-Opi Road, 9th Mile-Nsukka-Obolloafor Road and 9th Mile-Amansea-Awka Old Road, being done by the contractors handling the various reconstructions of these roads.” Mr Okpi said the Ministry of Works remained committed to making all Federal roads in Enugu State good and motorable to ensure ease of travel on the roads before, during and after the yuletide. Enugu works commissioner Gerald Otiji said that Governor Peter Mbah had turned the state into a huge construction and reconstruction site, as the government had embarked on fixing all urban roads. Mr Otiji noted that all bad spots of critical link state roads had been given quick intervention, adding that the government had also given attention to federal roads serving Enugu residents. Some newly inaugurated council chairpersons in Enugu flagged off the construction and reconstruction of rural roads and the expansion of pathways to make them motorable and check insecurity. In Ebonyi, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) said it had launched ‘Operation Connect to your Destinations’ on the Abakaliki-Enugu highway as part of efforts to checkmate the deplorable condition of roads ahead of the yuletide. Akinyemi Ojo, a maintenance engineer for the federal government in Ebonyi, said FERMA was committed to road repairs for expectant travellers as Christmas drew closer. He listed some highways, including Abakaliki-Afikpo and Abakaliki-Ogoja-Cross River border. Meanwhile, the Anambra portion of the dual carriage Enugu-Onitsha expressway has become a one-way movement following the construction of the Enugu bound lane between Onitsha and Immigration junction in Awka. Checks in the area revealed that the Onitsha bound lane remains closed due to ongoing construction work and the total failure of some portions, which had degenerated due to gully erosion. The stretch from Odumodu junction to Igbariam is deserted as a result of total failure, while Igbariam to Ukpo is closed to traffic owing to construction work. From Immigration junction to Amansea, the Enugu-bound lane is closed. Traffic has been diverted to the Onitsha bound lane for about a decade now, while the existing side has collapsed because of excess axial load.
GOVERNORS SAYING TAX BILLS WILL CAUSE HARDSHIP ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR POVERTY IN NORTH – SANI SHINKAFI
GOVERNORS SAYING TAX BILLS WILL CAUSE HARDSHIP ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR POVERTY IN NORTH – SANI SHINKAFI Sani Shinkafi, executive director of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), has criticised the state governors who are opposing the proposed tax reforms. On October 3, President Bola Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills. On October 28, the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) opposed the bills, arguing that the proposed legislation would harm the region’s interests. The governors asked the national assembly to reject the bills, demanding an equitable and fair implementation of national policies and programmes across all regions. Speaking on Monday during an interview with Arise News, Shinkafi said all the controversies around the bills can be avoided if carefully handled. He added that most of the governors who have rejected the proposed legislation have not deeply gone into the details of the bills. “If they had gone deeply into it, they would not be crying foul play,” he said. “The governors saying the bills will increase hardship are responsible for the economic failure, insecurity, chronic unemployment, acute poverty, and educational backwardness in the northern region. “When the president withdrew the fuel subsidy, which of the northern governors complained loudly? When the electricity tariff was being increased, which of the governors cried loudly? The leaders of today are power-drunk. “Because of how the money will be shared based on your performance and contribution, that is why they are complaining. “Most of these states are lazy; most of them are not ready to develop their state to generate revenue; that is why they are complaining.” Shinkafi also reacted to the criticism of the bills by the Northern Youth Assembly, noting that the remarks were politically motivated and uncalled for. “The attack by the Northern Youth Assembly is uncalled for because the deputy senate president was doing his duties,” he said. “Some of these youths were misinformed, and all the attacks, blackmail, and mischief-making are politically motivated against the deputy senate president. “There is no issue of insensitivity against the northern region.”
FORMER CBN GOVERNOR, EMEFIELE, OWNS 753 DUPLEXES RECOVERED BY EFCC – SOWORE
FORMER CBN GOVERNOR, EMEFIELE, OWNS 753 DUPLEXES RECOVERED BY EFCC – SOWORE A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, owns the large estate in Abuja with 753 duplexes forfeited to the Nigerian government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a court ruling on Monday. Human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, confirmed the development in a post on his Twitter. Emefiele is standing trial on several charges bordering on corruption, including in the new naira redesign before the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Maitama, Abuja. Justice Maryann Anenih had adjourned the matter till December 4, 2024, and January 21, 2025 for continuation of trial. Sowore had earlier blasted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for refusing to name the former Nigerian “top brass” who owned the large estate in Abuja with 753 duplexes. Sowore, former presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general elections, had noted on Monday that the EFFC is now afraid of big thieves and has become their public relations officer. In an update, the human rights activist said, “I just heard from the grapevine that the 753 duplexes forfeited by an FCT court in Apo belong to Muhammadu Buhari’s CBN gov, Godwin Emefiele.” Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, on Monday, ordered the final forfeiture of an estate in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments. The EFCC said in a release that this was the single largest asset recovery by the Commission since its inception in 2003. The estate rests on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja. According to Sowore, the same EFCC which deliberately refused to name the seized 753 duplexes Abuja estate boldly and without commencement of court trial, published names and photos of yahoo boys with proud display of laptops and small Nokia phones. Sowore, who said this in a post on his verified social media account wrote, “What is the name of the “former top brass” with 753 duplexes seized by the EFCC in Abuja? “The @officialEFCC is now doing PR for thieves. They seized this large estate with 753 duplexes from a single individual in Abuja but can’t mention his or her name. “If it is Yahoo boys, they will line laptops and Nokia phones in front of them and send their photos globally even before their trial is commenced. The same EFCC is now AFRAID of BIG Thieves!” In another post, Sowore wrote, “They have told you every day since the days of the Structural Adjustment Program of IBB and Co. that the government has no business building houses for citizens, but a “TOP Brass” stole from citizens and built 753 duplexes for himself.” “The forfeiture of the property to the federal government by a former top brass of the government was pursuant to EFCC’s mandate and policy directive of ensuring that the corrupt and fraudulent do not enjoy the proceeds of their unlawful activities. “In this instance, the Commission relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud And Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14, 2006 and Section 44 (2) B of the Constitution of the 199 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to push its case,” the EFCC had said. Ruling on the Commission’s application for the final forfeiture of the property, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the respondent have not shown cause as to why he should not lose the property, “which has been reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, the property is hereby finally forfeited to the federal government.”
Dons Eze
- Biafra News
- December 3, 2024
- 204 views
WHY SIMON EKPA CANNOT BE GRANTED BAIL – FINNISH AUTHORITIES
WHY SIMON EKPA CANNOT BE GRANTED BAIL – FINNISH AUTHORITIES Finnish authorities have given reasons why the controversial pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, cannot be granted bail in Finland. A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, said on Saturday that the Finnish legal system does not permit bail for suspects accused of the kind of offences Mr Ekpa is accused of. Mr Ekpa was arrested alongside four others on 21 November on suspicion of terrorist activities. The Finnish police said Mr Ekpa “has contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in South-eastern Nigeria.” The District Court of Päijät-Häme later ordered that the pro-Biafra agitator be imprisoned “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.” He is expected to face charges in May 2025, according to Finnish authorities. Mr Ekpa was indicted for financing terrorism alongside the four other suspects. The police have a suspicion that the Biafra agitator committed the crime of collecting money in violation of the Finnish Money Collection Act. The Finnish police said he allegedly committed the crimes between 23 August 2021 and 18 November 2024 in Lahti, a town in Finland. IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria. The separatist group has been linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions, although it has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks. Meanwhile, hours after the arrest, the IPOB faction loyal to Mr Kanu disowned Mr Ekpa last Friday, explaining that the pro-Biafra agitator was never their member. When asked if Mr Ekpa’s charges were bailable or if the prosecution was disposed to releasing him on bail, Mr Laaksonen responded, “Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure. Our procedure is based on, depending on the case, remand or travel ban as coercive measures for limiting freedom of movement for persons suspected of offences to which such measures are applicable.” The situation implies that Mr Ekpa will remain imprisoned until May 2025, when he is scheduled to face trial at the District Court of Päijät-Häme in the North European country.
EBONYI GOVERNOR THREATENS TO SACK STRIKING WORKERS OVER MINIMUM WAGE
EBONYI GOVERNOR THREATENS TO SACK STRIKING WORKERS OVER MINIMUM WAGE Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, has given workers in the state 72 hours ultimatum to resume work or face dismissal. The governor also threatened to replace them after their dismissal from duty. Nwifuru’s action followed a seven days warning strike embarked on by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ebonyi State wing. Addressing newsmen on Monday in his office at the new Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, Nwifuru said the state government is not owing any worker. He stated that the state government has approved N75,000 as minimum wage and has already started paying. The NLC, Ebonyi State, had on Sunday commenced a seven days warning strike over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage in the state. However, reacting to the strike, Nwifuru said, “If you don’t go to work, not only that I will not pay you salary, but I will replace you within 72 hours in your office. “If I don’t see you in your office, consider yourself sacked. So far I am not guilty, I am not owing you. “I am paying you what is supposed to be paid. And according to the agreement and the Constitution, I am not owing you. If you don’t go to work within 72 hours I will replace you. “And I have called the state chairman of the Civil Service Commission. I have directed all the commissioners to go to their offices. All the agencies, all the departments of government must be in their office and record the people that come to work. And that is the people I will pay through table payment. “I will pay you by the number of days you attended to your duty in your office. If you don’t want to come to work, you will forget about the state government.”
GUNMEN KIDNAP GOD IS GOOD MOTORS PASSENGERS IN KOGI, DEMAND N100M PER VICTIM
GUNMEN KIDNAP GIGM PASSENGERS IN KOGI, DEMAND ₦100M PER VICTIM A tragic incident occurred on Saturday in Kogi State as gunmen attacked a GIGMobility bus traveling from Lagos to Abuja, abducting all passengers onboard near Obajana, along the Lokoja route. The driver of the bus managed to escape, but the remaining passengers were taken hostage. Reports indicate that the attackers have demanded a ransom of ₦100 million for the release of one of the victims, whose friend shared details of the ordeal on social media. Eyewitness and Victim Accounts A social media user recounted her friend’s abduction, explaining the kidnappers’ ransom demand: “My friend, returning from her convocation in Benin Republic, was kidnapped at Lokoja. The kidnappers are demanding ₦100 million for her release. Please help us!” Another user who witnessed the aftermath shared: “I drove past the scene yesterday. Only the driver was left at the location, and the bus’s windscreens were shattered. It was near Dangote Refinery at Obajana heading to Lokoja. I narrowly escaped as my car overheated at Kabba.” GIGMobility’s Response The transport company, GIGMobility, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday evening, expressing their distress over the attack: “We deeply regret this unfortunate incident and are affected by this as much as the families of the victims. We are committed to supporting the affected passengers and their families in every way possible.” The company has urged authorities to intervene swiftly to secure the release of the abducted passengers. Rising Security Concerns in Kogi State This incident adds to the growing security challenges along the Lagos-Abuja route, with frequent reports of highway robberies and kidnappings. Travelers have called for increased security presence in the region to safeguard commuters. Efforts to contact local law enforcement for updates on the rescue operation have been unsuccessful. Authorities Urged to Act Concerned citizens have taken to social media, demanding immediate action from security agencies to locate and rescue the victims. The attack has heightened fears among travelers and renewed calls for comprehensive measures to tackle insecurity on Nigerian highways.