Dons Eze58 COUNTRIES BACK OKONJO-IWEALA FOR SECOND TERM AS WTO DG
58 COUNTRIES BACK OKONJO-IWEALA FOR SECOND TERM AS WTO DG Fifty-eight of the 164 member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) members have voiced support for a proposal from the African Group backing incumbent Director General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to serve a second term. The 58 member countries of the trade association made this known at a July 22 meeting of the WTO General Council, according to a statement by the world trade body. “The African Group requests that the current Director-General make herself available to serve a second term, and has proposed that the process of reappointing the Director-General should be started as soon as possible,” the statement partly read. “Fifty-eight members, several speaking on behalf of groups of members, took the floor to comment and express their support for the African Group proposal. They called on DG Okonjo-Iweala to make her intentions regarding a second term known as soon as possible. Most of these members praised the DG’s hard work and her achievements during her first term. Okonjo-Iweala, 70, said she was very grateful for the support from members. “Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together,” she said. The director general said that she took the call of members very seriously and was favourably inclined. She said she would get back to members very soon regarding her intentions. Okonjo-Iweala, the seventh WTO boss, took office on March 1, 2021 for a single term of four years which will expire on August 31, 2025. She is eligible for a second term. The former Nigerian Finance Minister navigated stiff opposition to become the first woman and the first African to serve as WTO Director-General. Before her current appointment, she twice served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015. She also briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions.The skilled negotiator had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the number two position of Managing Director, Operations.
MINIMUM WAGE TAKES EFFECT APRIL 2024 – PRESIDENCY, SAYS WORKERS WILL GET ARREARS
MINIMUM WAGE TAKES EFFECT, APRIL 2024 – PRESIDENCY, SAYS WORKERS WILL GET ARREARS The Presidency has confirmed that the new national minimum wage is expected to take effect from April 2024. The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who confirmed this in a post via X on Tuesday, added that workers will be paid arrears of their increase from this period. Olusegun gave the update while confirming that President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly, seeking their approval for the new National Minimum Wage bill. “President Bola Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives, sending the National Minimum Wage Bill to them for consideration. “When signed into law, the new minimum wage is expected to take effect from April 2024, meaning workers will be paid arrears of their increase from this period,” he wrote. President Tinubu had sent the new national minimum wage bill to the National Assembly for consideration and approval. The President’s letter, conveying his request to the lawmakers, was read during the plenary of the House of Representatives on Tuesday. A similar letter to the Senate was also read on the floor of the upper chamber.The President’s letter to the National Assembly follows his earlier approval of a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers last week.
TINUBU SIGNS NORTH-NORTHWEST, SOUTH-EAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BILLS
TINUBU SIGNS NORTH-NORTHWEST, SOUTH-EAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BILLS President Bola Bola has assented the North-West and South-East Development Commission Bills into law, thereby setting the stage for the establishment of the two interventionist agencies to address development challenges in the North-West and South-East parts of the country, respectively, following years of insecurity. The Deputy President of the Senate and sponsor of the North-West Development Commission Bill, Senator Jibrin Barau, disclosed the presidential assent to the Bill during a chat with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday night. Similarly, the chief press secretary (CPS) to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Levinus Nwabughiogu, took to his Facebook page on Tuesday night to also disclose that President Tinubu had assented to the South-East Development Commission Bill, which was sponsored by his principal, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. “South East Development Commission Bill signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “Ndi Igbo, this government loves us “Congratulations to my principal, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Enyi Abia) who championes this cause. “Congratulations to Ndi Igbo worldwide,” Nwabughiogu wrote. Meanwhile, the Deputy Senate President Barau has commended President Tinubu for assenting the North-West Development Commission Bill, which is now an Act of the National Assembly. Expressing his happiness on the presidential assent to the Bill, the Deputy President of the Senate in a media chat with journalists said the commission, when established, would help to drive development across the seven states in the North-West zone. He explained that he sponsored the Bill as one of the federal lawmakers from the zone as a means of restoring development to the area after years of Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the zone, armed banditry and other anti-development criminalities. He assured that stakeholders in the zone would collaborate to make the commission serve the purpose for which it was intended for and called on Nigerians to continue supporting President Timubu in his development strides across the country. Senator Barau, who represents Kano North, said: “President Bola Tinubu today signed into law, the North West Development Commission Bill sponsored by me. “The Commission will assist in the development of geo-political zone in terms of required infrastructure, production of food, etc. “It would be recalled that Boko Haram, kidnappers and bandits ravaged the zone like the North-East with attendant drop in development indices. “With the assent to the bill, the coast is now clear for rebuilding of the zone.“President Tinubu has no doubt shown that he loves the people and in the light of this, I called on Nigerians to be patient with Mr President.”
WE SEE LOOMING COLLAPSE OF NIGERIA – NORTHERN GROUP WARNS TINUBU
WE SEE LOOMING COLLAPSE OF NIGERIA – NORTHERN GROUP WARNS TINUBU The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, says it has critically reviewed the current situation in Nigeria and strongly cautions against the looming precipitous collapse of the nation. In a statement signed by Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, its National Coordinator, the CNG said it is deeply concerned about the general economic atmosphere, which portends imminent danger. The group said it was imperative for the current administration to address the escalating hardship that has permeated every segment of Nigerian society. “Today, life has become highly unbearable for the overwhelming majority of citizens. The suffering of Nigerians is palpable across every stratum. The CNG holds the present and previous governments responsible for creating this dire situation for Nigerians,” the group said. “Current economic indices and data from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) paint an ugly picture of our reality, as it confirms that 133 million Nigerians are already living inmultidimensional poverty, while 20 million people, mostly young within the bracket of productive age, are either completely unemployed or underemployed. “This is in addition to the social consequences created by insecurity, such as displacement of communities, loss of lives and properties, and psychological trauma. “It is no longer news that pervasive hardship across the country has eroded trust in the present government, and it’s exponentially threatening national unity, peace, and security. “In responding to the current hardship facing Nigerians, the government appears to be adopting a trial-and-error approach to the economy, resulting in further deterioration and further exposing people to avoidable hardship. No definitive and evidence-based solutions are in sight. “In this dire situation, instead of providing relief, the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, announced an increase in interest rates, which will further devastate the economy and diminish the prospects for job creation. “The anti-people policies of the government only enabled the few elites to primitively acquire wealth, while the vast majority of citizens continue to languish in deep poverty. “The CNG shares stakeholder’s concerns that higher interest rates will not only reduce investments and economic growth but also aggravate the daunting challenges, inundating the business environment, leading to factory closures, job losses, and reduced economic activities. “The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) reports that, within two months, over 16 multinational corporations relocated from Nigeria to neighbouring countries, over 300 local manufacturing companies were closed, and over 380 thousand jobs were lost sending Nigerians back to the labour market to search for non-existing employment opportunities. ”The CNG wishes to unequivocally call on President Tinubu to reassess his economic advisers/tax regime committees whose misguided counsel has led to policies prioritizing personal interests over national well-being, entrenching poverty, unemployment, inequality and insecurity. ”These advisers have demonstrated a lack of understanding of our economic realities, perpetuating harmful policies that are disastrous for the country, and squandering the president’s political capital. We urge President Tinubu to purge these advisers from his administration, as their incompetence is strangulating the nation’s economy. ”Additionally, the removal of fuel subsidies has led to a shocking 195% increase in petrol prices, from ₦238 to ₦701 per litre, crippling the mobility of people and goods across the country. ”Despite Nigeria increasing its crude oil production from 1.18 mbpd to 1.28 mbpd and receiving favourable oil prices of $82.57 per barrel above the earlier $76.97, this increase in revenue has, sadly, not benefited the common man nor translated into any benefit for the nation. ”For a long time, the CNG has held the firm view that increasing minimum wage amid rising inflation, devaluation of the naira and pervasive economic crises will never solve the problem of Nigerian workers.“While we appreciate the federal government’s intention to pay a decent living wage to Nigerian workers, we are sceptical over…
SOWORE RELEASES LIST OF COORDINATORS, LOCATIONS FOR #ENDOFBADGOVERNANCEINNIGERIA PROTEST
SOWORE RELEASES LIST OF COORDINATORS, LOCATIONS FOR #ENDBADGOVERNANCEINNIGERIA PROTEST Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has announced the locations of protest coordinators across Nigeria for the upcoming #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstration. The event aims to bring attention to the country’s governance issues. According to Sowore, a former presidential candidate, the protest will take place in 35 states nationwide. He also invited Nigerians who wish to participate in the campaign to add their towns or cities if they are not already listed. According to the activist, the designated locations for the protest in Lagos are Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki/Ajah axis, Badagry, Ikeja and Epe. For Kano State, the location is Kano city; Bauchi State – locations are Azare and Bauchi town. Enugu State – locations are Enugu city and the university town of Nsukka; Jigawa State – locations are Dutse and Kazaure; Ekiti State – locations are Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti; Cross River State – location is Calabar. For the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – locations are Gwags and Central Business District; Imo State – Owerri; Abia State – Aba and Umuahia; Anambra State – Awka and Onitsha; Ebonyi State – Abakaliki; Akwa Ibom State – Uyo; Kaduna State – Kaduna town and Zaria; Kwara State – Ilorin and Offa; Borno State – Biu and Maiduguri; Edo State – Benin and Auchi. Bayelsa State – Brass and Yenagoa; Yobe State – Damaturu; Zamfara State – Gusau and Kaura Namoda; Nasarawa State – Keffi and Lafia; Sokoto State – Sokoto town; Plateau State – Jos; Oyo State – Oyo town and Ogbomosho; Ondo State – Akure, Ondo, Ore and Owo; Niger State – Suleja and Minna; Benue State – Gboko and Makurdi.Delta State – Ughelli, Asaba, Warri, Sapele; Kogi State – Kabba, Okene and Lokoja; Rivers State – Port-Harcourt; Kebbi state – Birnin Kebbi and Gwandu; Katsina State – Daura and Katsina. Osun State – Ile-Ife, Oshogbo, Iwo, Ilesha and Ede; Ogun State – Ijebu-Ode, Shagamu, Ilaro and Abeokuta; Taraba State – Jalingo.
AREWA GROUP SAYS NO GOING BACK ON #ENDOFBADGOVERNANCEINNIGERIA PROTEST
AREWA YOUTH AMBASSADORS SAY NO GOING BACK ON #ENDBADGOVERNANCEINNIGERIA PROTEST The Arewa Youth Ambassadors have announced that the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest is “necessary and inevitable,” criticising the Nigerian government for its economic policies. According to the group, there is “no backing out of it: there is no pulling the wool over our eyes”. In a statement signed by Comrade Yahaya M. Abdullahi on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, the group stated that justice is crucial for national stability, asserting that the “cornerstone of the coherent living of a nation is justice”. “It is the basis for the social system,” it added. The group condemned President Bola Tinubu administration’s recent removal of fuel subsidy, calling it “cruel and irrational” and arguing that it has led to “unspeakable hardships and abject poverty.” They argued that the government’s lack of transparency and consensus is worsening the economic crisis, claiming that “the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy has thrown the masses into a state of misfortune and affliction.” They emphasised that without significant policy changes, the planned protest will proceed, declaring, “The only escape will be as and when the government changes to the contrary for Nigerians to have a sense of relief.” It said, “In order to promote peace and coexistence at ease, a government should be transparently honest and just. Because there is no path to a sustainable future but peace: the link to reason and agreement, the incentive or stimulant for development and the base of remaining alive. “Peace should be taken in tow by justice to achieve the levels of national cooperation, inclusiveness and trust needed for resilience. Otherwise, things will for sure fall apart, with so many avoidable problems to come after in time, here and there. “The current severe economic crisis and the resultant biting difficulties Nigerians are going through are without any doubt caused by the harsh, inhuman and degrading policies imposed upon them by the president Tinubu-led government. But, would it live to see light at the end of the tunnel?“For, of the factors by which good governance is measured, transparency and consensus are no where to be found in this regime of a government that is obviously serious on reducing every individual outside of the powers that are to indigence and beggary.”
DON’T THREATEN NIGERIANS OVER #ENDOFBADGOVERNANCEINNIGERIA PROTEST – ARMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ASKS TINUBU GOVT
DON’T THREATEN NIGERIANS OVER #ENDBADGOVERNANCEINIGERIA PROTEST – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ASKS TINUBU GOVT The Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, had warned Nigerians planning nationwide protests against hardship in the country to stay off the streets. Amnesty International, global human rights body, has lambasted the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government for threatening to unleash mayhem on peaceful #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters. The Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, had warned Nigerians planning nationwide protests against hardship in the country to stay off the streets. Olusegun had threatened that supporters of President Tinubu would resist any attempt to ”burn down the country,” stressing that President Tinubu’s supporters are waiting for the protesters. Reacting to the threats, Amnesty International on Tuesday said that threatening peaceful protesters was not only unlawful but a clear attack on freedom of assembly as guaranteed by international law and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.The international human rights organisation said, “Threatening peaceful protesters is unlawful. It is a clear attack on freedom of assembly — which is guaranteed by international law and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.”
OBI’S LEGAL TEAM ISSUES 72-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO ONANUGA, DEMANDS N5B, APOLOGY
OBI’S LEGAL TEAM ISSUES 72-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO ONANUGA, DEMANDS N5B, APOLOGY The legal team of Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, has given Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, a 72-hour ultimatum to retract his defamatory statement, apologize publicly, and pay N5 billion in damages. Obi’s counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, stated that Onanuga’s allegation linking Obi to the planned mass protest scheduled for August is false and has maligned his reputation. The statement, made on July 20, 2024, claimed that Obi’s supporters were planning mayhem in Nigeria and that Obi should be held responsible for anarchy. The legal team argued that the publication has caused serious emotional injury to Obi, given his decades of stellar stewardship in private and public life. They demanded a retraction of the statement, an unreserved apology in four national dailies (Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch, and The Cable), and N5 billion in damages. “Our client is also making an unequivocal demand for the monetary damage of N5b for the embarrassment your defamatory publication has caused him and his family.”“In the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our client shall be constrained to approach a Court of Competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel,” the counsel wrote.
BREAKING: ATIKU BACKS PROTEST, SLAMS TINUBU’S GOVT OVER PLANS TO SUPPRESS PROTESTERS
BREAKING: ATIKU BACKS PLANNED PROTEST, SLAMS TINUBU’S GOVT OVER PLANS TO SUPPRESS PROTESTERS Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has backed the planned nationwide protests against hunger and widespread hardship in the country, scheduled to begin on August 1. In a statement, Atiku slammed the government of President Bola Tinubu for attempting to suppress the protesters, saying it is an exercise in futility. He noted that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are affected by the hunger, anger, and hopelessness caused by the government’s incompetence and cluelessness. Atiku stressed that the right to protest is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by the courts. He cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association. He described it as ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012. Atiku called on the government to ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest. He warned that any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to democracy. Atiku’s statement reads, “For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are ENSHRINED in the Nigerian Constitution and AFFIRMED by our courts. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association. “Chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government.“It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012. A responsible government must ensure a SAFE and SECURE environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to PEACEFUL PROTEST. Any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to our democracy.”
BREAKING: SENATE PASSES N70,000 MINIMUM WAGE BILL
BREAKING: SENATE PASSES N70,000 MINIMUM WAGE BILL The senate on Tuesday passed the new minimum wage bill for a third reading. The bill passed first (President Bola Tinubu’s request), second (debate on general principles), and third readings on Tuesday — all within an hour. The legislation seeks to raise the country’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000. While leading a debate on the bill, Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader of the senate, said N70,000 was agreed upon by all the parties after negotiations. “This is part of the federal government’s short term measure to mitigate the situation in the country,” Bamidele said. On his part, Tahir Monguno, chief whip, said there is a need to review the minimum wage in line with economic realities. “The review of the minimum wage used to be after every five years. It is now every three years,” Monguno said. “There is a need to review it and bring it in tandem with the realities of society.” Thereafter, the senate dissolved into the “committee of the whole” to approve clauses of the bill. Last week, Tinubu asked the national assembly to increase the 2024 appropriation Act by N6.2 trillion. The president said N3.2 trillion is for infrastructure projects and N3 trillion for recurrent expenditure.Defending the president’s request before the house of representatives committee on appropriations on Monday, Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, said the N3 trillion is intended to cover the new national minimum wage.