WE’LL NOT PAY MORE THAN ₦57,000 – GOVS REJECT FG’S ₦62,000 NEW MINIMUM WAGE State governors and the private sector have reportedly rejected the ₦62,000 new national minimum wage proposed by the federal government. The Federal Government had increased its new national minimum wage offer from ₦60,000 to ₦62,000, while organised labour has also reduced its demand from ₦494,000 to ₦250,000. However, findings …

WHY NIGERIA DOES NOT NEED REGIONAL GOVT, BY DR. AKALI Barely 48 hours after the reintroduction of the old colonial national anthem by President Tinubu in cahoots with the Akpabio-led National Assembly, a so-called ‘bill’ for an act to replace the 1999 Presidential constitution with a regional government has surfaced online. The social media was awash with the controversial proposal. …

HOUSE OF REPS TURNS DOWN BILL ON REGIONALISM The House of Representatives in Nigeria has taken a firm stance on the contentious bill seeking to reinstate regional governments in the country. Following extensive deliberations and consultations, the House has officially rejected the bill, citing concerns over its potential implications on the nation’s unity, governance structure, and socio-political dynamics. In a …

COWS NOT NIGERIAN CITIZENS – AKPABIO AS NORTHERN SENATORS OPPOSE MOVE TO BAN OPEN GRAZING Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has argued firmly that cows are not citizens of Nigeria as senators from the northern region opposed moves to ban open grazing in the country. In a viral video, the legislative session on Wednesday was marked by a heated debate and …

JOURNALISTS BARRED AS TINUBU INAUGURATES N21B VP’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE The federal government has blocked journalists from covering the inauguration of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s official residence. The edifice, valued at N21 billion, has been subject to criticism. Eugenia Abu, the moderator of the inauguration ceremony stated on Friday that the Vice President’s official residence is a private space and coverage …

UNN GETS ACTING VICE CHANCELLOR Professor Romanus Ezeokonkwo, the incumbent Deputy Vice-chancellor, Administration at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), has been elected as the Acting Vice-chancellor of the university. Chief Okwun Omeaku, the Public Relations Officer of the university, made the disclosure in a statement issued at the end of the 422nd session of the Senate in Nsukka on …

MINIMUM WAGE: NEGOTIATIONS HIT ANOTHER BRICK WALL After two days of waiting, the negotiations over the national minimum wage hit another brick wall yesterday. At the end of yesterday’s meeting, the Federal Government negotiating team raised its offer by N2,000 bringing its total minimum wage offer to N62,000 while the Organised Labour reduced its demand to N250,000 from N494,000. The …

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) …

REP MEMBER, UGOCHINYERE, FACES PROBE OVER VISIT TO RIVERS GOVERNOR, SIM FUBARA The House of Representatives has referred its member, Ikenga Ugochinyere, to the Committee on Ethics for probe over his solidarity visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. The lawmaker is facing the probe after leading about 50 lawmakers to attend the first anniversary of the governor in …

MINIMUM WAGE: GOVS OPT FOR N70,000, REJECT N100,000 Governors from across the 36 states in Nigeria have said that a minimum wage higher than N70,000 is not affordable or sustainable for the states. The governors made the remarks when they met under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), to discuss the economic situation and the ongoing debate around the minimum wage. …

NAIRA CRASH: NIGERIA SECURES FRESH $925M LOAN Nigeria has secured an additional $925 million loan from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to help stabilize the country’s economy. In a statement on its website on Thursday, Afreximbank announced an additional disbursement of $925m under the syndicated $3.3bn crude oil-backed prepayment facility sponsored by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. Its latest …

LAGOSIANS IN NORTH AMERICA SUPPORT REGIONAL GOVT Indigenes of Lagos State residing in North America have voiced their support for a regional system of government in Nigeria. In a statement issued on Wednesday by Balogun Olaseni Borokini on behalf of the group, they asserted that a regional system would acknowledge Nigeria’s diverse cultural, economic, and political identities, enabling more effective …

NIGERIA JOINS LIST OF HUNGER HOTSPOTS ~ UN REPORT Data from the UN Humanitarian Aid shows that at least 18 crisis locations—which are already experiencing food insecurity—may experience a “acute food insecurity” if help is not delivered quickly. The report noted that since October 2023, Nigeria and some other countries have joined a host of others on the list of …

I REMAIN COMMITTED LABOUR PARTY MEMBER – PETER OBI The 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Thursday, took to Twitter (X) to affirm his commitment to the Labour Party. “For the avoidance of doubt, I remain a committed, loyal Labour Party member,” Obi posted, addressing any uncertainties about his party affiliation. This declaration is expected to quell rumours …

SHUTTING DOWN NATIONAL GRID, TREASONABLE – SGF The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on Thursday, condemned the shutdown of the national grid during the suspended industrial action by organised labour. He described the action as a treasonable felony, adding there was nowhere in the world that organised labour had shut down a country’s national grid. The …