Labaran Maku, a former minister of information, says President Bola Tinubu should make decisions that will give Nigerians respite from the economic hardship.

Maku spoke in Abuja on Thursday after he was conferred with an honorary fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

The former minister said monetary policies are crucial to the development of the country’s economy.

“I will particularly call on him to do everything possible to review and bring to fruition economic policies that will bring some level of respite to the people of Nigeria,” he said.

“I believe that you have to manage the policies of a developing nation to bring about development, and managing the policies calls for special attention to monetary policies. It is very important for the country.

“If the value of the naira continues to go down, the consequences will be that nobody will produce in Nigeria.

“We are a capital goods importing country, and whatever you want to do for the country, you must have imported machinery. We don’t produce machinery.

“If the value of the naira is up, a lot of companies will be in Nigeria, and I believe a lot are doing so. The president needs to look critically at those policies.

“I believe he has the experience and strength to pull Nigerians together by managing politics and the economy.

“I believe that under the current dispensation, we are looking forward to the proper management of the economy of this country.

“We need this. I was the Minister of Information, and I knew how difficult things could be.”

Emmanuel Osodeke, president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), says governors are establishing state universities they cannot fund.

Speaking during ‘The Morning Brief’, a Channels Television programme on Thursday, Osodeke said most governors duplicate universities in their states to get a “piece of the pie” from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

“Any governor today establishing a university is eyeing TETFund as a source of funding,” the ASUU president said.

“TETFund was created as an intervention fund, not the major funding. The universities belong to the federal government, and the government is supposed to fund them, while states are supposed to fund their own.”

“It is an intervention fund, but there are people who want to have access to that money from the political circle, from the bureaucratic circle, at all costs. We are struggling with that.”

The ASUU president said a structure should be created to carry stakeholders along on how the fund is allocated and spent to enhance transparency.

“There should be a stakeholders’ meeting to assess what you want to do with the funds,” he added.

“You see today where somebody comes from the TETFund and says, ‘I have a project for you, and I am going to be the contractor. We want an open project.

“Every university council should be allowed to run their projects with the stakeholders involved.”

Nigeria Governors’ Forum or NGF, after its meeting that ended on Thursday morning failed to agree on minimum wage, unlike the proposition from the federal government.

Instead, the NGF pleaded with Labour for more time for expanded consultation to arrive at what would be payable to all.

The federal government had said it was willing to pay N62,000 as minimum wage for workers but deferred a final resolution on the wage it would pay at the last federal executive meeting.

Although the organised labour said it would only take N250,000 as the minimum, it was agreed at the last FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu that more consultation was needed.

It was expected that NGF would make its position known with the least likely being an endorsement of the Federal government proposition of N62,000.

However, rising from its meeting on Thursday morning, the forum via a communique signed by NGF acting Director, Media, Ahmed Salihu, equally said more time was needed for consultation to arrive at a payable wage.

The communique read, “The Forum received a presentation from the Minister of Women Affairs on the World Bank-Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up, along with other activities of the ministry.

“Members noted the importance of the project and emphasised the need to implement it at the state level as initially conceived, as the states are the primary obligors of the project.

“The governors acknowledge the work and contributions of the Ministry of Women Affairs in promoting gender equality, empowering women, and advancing social development across Nigeria.”

On the issue of the wage, it said, “The Forum discussed the new National Minimum Wage. The governors agreed to continue engaging with key stakeholders to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

“We remain dedicated to the process and assure that better wages will result from the ongoing negotiations.”

The 36 state governors highlighted the significance of the World Bank-Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up and stressed the necessity of implementing it at the state level as originally intended, given that the states are the primary entities responsible for the project.

“We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, deliberated on issues affecting the country,” it added.

It stated further that, “Members received the Acting Country Director of the World Bank, Mr Taimur Samad, and his team to discuss the bank’s various programmes currently being implemented in the states, including HOPE Series of Projects: Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equality, Food and Nutrition Security, NFWP-SU: Nigeria For Women Project Scale Up, NG-CARES: Nigeria Community Action (for) Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme SABER: State Action on Business Enabling Reforms Program, SPIN: Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project.

“Members expressed willingness to continue to provide the much-needed support to ensure programme effectiveness across the country.

“Members received a briefing from Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee. He highlighted the progress made regarding the ongoing Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. He sought the input and support of their excellencies on a number of proposals which would directly impact the subnational level of government.

“Members pledged their support for the Committee to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms and to collaborate closely to address any challenges that may arise.”

A suspect, Raman Akande, arrested in connection with the death of a commercial sex worker in the Ifo area of Ogun State, has narrated how he and two others allegedly killed the victim for ritual purposes.

Akande, in a confession video made at the police station, and obtained by PUNCH Metro from a source who pleaded anonymity on Wednesday, disclosed that he participated in the killing of the commercial sex worker after one person identified as Ifa promised him a reward of N100,000.

He said following the agreement with Ifa, he went and engaged the services of the victim with an agreement to pay her N3,000 if she slept at his place overnight, which the victim obliged.

Akande narrated in Yoruba (now translated) that after she had gone with him to his home, he engaged the services of one of his friends identified as Ijebu in carrying out the killing.

He narrated further, “It was Ijebu who hit her with a wood on the head, and she collapsed. After she collapsed, I dragged her inside. I was the one who held her legs while Ijebu held her hands before Ifa slaughtered her.

“After Ifa had slaughtered her, he used a calabash to collect her blood. I agreed to participate in the process because Ifa promised to pay me N100,000.

“The lady is not my girlfriend but a commercial sex worker that I have always engaged her services in the past. I usually paid her N1,000 before, but I promised to pay her N3,000 when I went to pick her up.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, proved abortive as she had yet to respond to messages and calls made to her line as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer privy to the incident but not authorised to speak with the media confirmed the arrest to our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Wednesday.

The senior officer also disclosed that the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

“He was arrested in Ifo, and he has been transferred to the state CID for further action,” the police officer said.

PUNCH Metro reported on Tuesday that a man, Lekan Akinyemi, was arrested by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly exhuming and beheading a corpse for ritual purposes in the Itoko area of the state.

The state’s PPRO, Odutola, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, had disclosed that the suspect was arrested on Monday after a resident had alerted the police to suspicious activities around his father’s grave.

Kenya President William Ruto has been given a 48-hour ultimatum by the public to step down, as citizens demand a new government committed to “transparency, accountability, and good governance.”

The call for resignation has gained significant traction on social media, with a viral Twitter statement asserting, “We no longer recognise William Ruto as the President of Kenya. We recall his presidency and urge him to immediately resign and surrender his office to the Kenyan people.”

This statement has garnered thousands of engagements, reflecting widespread discontent.

Despite President Ruto retracting a controversial finance bill that proposed tax increases, public outrage continues to simmer.

The bill, which was intended to address Kenya’s debt of approximately 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), or roughly 70% of GDP, faced fierce opposition.

Ruto highlighted that without the tax increases, there would be a significant funding shortfall for critical development programmes, including those supporting farmers and teachers.

However, the economic challenges under Ruto’s administration have been profound. Kenyans have struggled with economic instability, rampant corruption, and governance issues, leading to escalating living costs and high unemployment rates.

The public’s frustration has culminated in protests and a fervent demand for change.

Dozens of protesters took to the streets, expressing their dissatisfaction with the administration, which they describe as plagued by “incompetence, mismanagement, and a persistent failure to address the nation’s pressing needs.”

The demonstrations in Nairobi were met with a heavy police response.

According to AFP journalists, Kenyan police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators, while soldiers were deployed and roads leading to Ruto’s office at State House and parliament were blocked by police in anti-riot gear.

Australia has unveiled plans to implement revisions to visa conditions for skilled workers visa holders, offering a six-month renewal window aimed at enhancing labour market mobility and addressing unfair labour practices.

These changes, effective from July 1, 2024, will impact visa conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs

The revised conditions apply to holders of the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457), Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494).

The new regulations grant these visa holders up to 180 days at a time, with a cumulative maximum of 365 days during their visa period, to secure new sponsorship, apply for a new visa, or arrange to leave the country if they cease employment with their sponsoring employer.

During this grace period, skilled workers visa holders in Australia are permitted to work for other employers, even in occupations not listed in their most recent sponsorship nomination.

This provision allows them to sustain themselves while seeking new sponsorship or making other arrangements.

Australian authorities emphasized that the new regulations aim to support the integration and contribution of skilled migrants to the workforce, providing greater job security and flexibility.

“The changes apply to existing visa holders, as well as those granted a visa on or after 1 July 2024. Any periods a visa holder stopped working for their sponsor before 1 July 2024 will not count towards the new time periods outlined above,” the Australian authorities stated.

By implementing these measures, the government hopes to make Australia a more attractive destination for global talent, ensuring skilled migrants can continue to contribute to the economy while enjoying improved job security and flexibility.

The former Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Konga, one of Nigeria’s e-commerce giants, Mr Nick Imudia, has allegedly committed suicide in his home.

According to reports, Imudia, who was until his death, the CEO of D.light, a leading innovator in the distribution and financing of residential solar energy solutions and transformational household products, killed himself on the night of Tuesday, June 25, by jumping from the balcony of his Lekki, Lagos apartment.

The report said: “Before making the jump, he had called his US-based brother to give him instructions on how to distribute his wealth should anything happen to him.

“He also called his young daughter from a previous relationship and told her he would always be there for her and that all she needed to do was to look in the sky and he would see her.

“His friends, family and associates are in shock as to why he would commit suicide.
No one is sure why he took his own life.

“From the Ika South local government area of Delta State, Nick was previously married to the mother of his young daughter who was also from the same local government with him. The marriage ended due to irreconcilable differences.”

Before Konga, Nick had stints with TCL/Alcatel as a regional director and Microsoft Device and Services as the GM/MD for West and Central Africa.

A city council in South Korea said Wednesday, June 26, that their first administrative officer robot was defunct after throwing itself down some stairs, with local media mourning the country’s first robot suicide.

South Korea’s Gumi City Council announced the robot was found unresponsive after apparently falling down a two-meter staircase last week.

Witnesses saw the robot officer "circling in one spot as if something was there" before the accident occurred, but the exact cause of the fall is still being investigated, a city council official told AFP.

"Pieces have been collected and will be analysed by the company," the official said.

The official added that the robot had "helped with daily document deliveries, city promotion, and delivered information" to local residents.

"It was officially a part of the city hall, one of us," another official said. "It worked diligently."

The robot, made by Bear Robotics, a Californian robot-waiter startup, was appointed in August 2023.

It worked from 9 am to 6 pm and had its own civil service officer card.

Unlike other robots, which can typically only use one floor, the Gumi City Council robot could call an elevator and move floors on its own.

Headlines in local media questioned the apparent robot suicide, saying: "Why did the diligent civil officer do it?"

Others asked, "Was work too hard" for the robot?

South Korea is one of the most enthusiastic users of robots globally.

It has the highest robot density in the world, with one industrial robot for every 10 employees, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

Gumi City Council is currently not planning to adopt a second robot officer at this moment, it told AFP.

The Yobe State Police Command said it has arrested a 22-year-old housewife for allegedly stabbing her husband to death in the Abbari area of Damaturu metropolis.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

“On 26-06-24, at about 1000hrs, the C Divisional Police Headquarters received a complaint from a neighbor in Abbari Ward, Damaturu, about a couple, Ibrahim Yahaya, 25 years old, and Zainab Isa, 22 years old. The couple had a violent argument on the same date at about 0900hrs, which escalated into a scuffle.

“The wife used a knife to stab the husband in the chest, and he subsequently died from his grievous injury before the police rescue team arrived,” the statement said.

The suspect was arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for discreet investigation and subsequent prosecution.

The Police spokesman added that the housewife confessed that she did not intend to kill the husband, but stabbed him in self-defense during what she described as domestic violence against her.

“She further stated that their marriage had been marred by violence from the outset, often occurring when she requested food or money, and had continued even after the birth of their first child and the arrival of their second child, despite her husband’s inability to provide for their needs.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, Garba Ahmed, has urged couples to report cases of abuse to the authorities for a durable solution or file a complaint with the nearest Sharia or family court for possible redress.

A judge on Wednesday found a woman guilty of killing her three children and sentenced her to 18 years imprisonment.

The convicted woman in New Zealand, Lauren Dickason, will begin her sentence at a mental health hospital for the triple killings, according to a Christchurch High Court official.

In a statement to local media after her sentencing, remorseful Lauren Dickason said, “I take responsibility for taking our three beautiful girls from this world.” 

She said that with particular reference to her husband, identified simply as Graham

“I would like to take this opportunity to convey the deepest and most sincere remorse for the extreme pain and hurt caused to my children and my family by my actions,” she added.

Laueen Dickason, a South African woman, was found guilty last August on three counts of murder after she was said to have smothered her two-year-old twins Maya and Karla and first daughter Liane who was six years old.

The killings took place in September 2021 while her husband was out to dinner with colleagues in Tamaru, New Zealand. 

He found the bodies of his children when he returned home.

The husband has since returned to South Africa from where the family had moved to New Zealand only a couple of weeks before the bloody act of his wife.

At a point during trial last year, Dickason admitted killing the girls but had pleaded infanticide, a defence in New Zealand for a mother blamed for the killing of her child if the balance of her mind was considered disturbed at the time of the killing.

The prosecution, however, contended that she fully knew what she did and knew that it was wrong while she was doing it.

A majority verdict by a jury of eight women and four men reportedly said Dickason was not insane at the time of the killings and was guilty of murder.

She, nonetheless, escaped life imprisonment, usually the penalty for murder in New Zealand.

Many women around the world have over time admitted to killing their own children, some of them advancing laughable reasons for the act.

Somewhere in England last year, a woman reportedly told a jury that she went into a rage and killed her two children because she did not want her husband to have the children.

Veronique John, 50, told Nottingham Crown Court that she stabbed her son Ethan John, 11, severally, and inflicted brain damage on her daughter Elizabeth John; after which she went for her estranged husband and almost also killed him.

The couple lived separately, as they had been having issues for a while, including a dispute over who should keep the children.

In Nigeria’s Kano city, a story emerged in 2020 about a mother who allegedly stabbed her children to death because her husband married a second wife.

It was established that she became mad with jealousy and set about eliminating her own children while the husband was having what he believed was a good time with his new wife in another house.

In Kaduna two years ago when one Faith Hassan was arrested by the Police for allegedly killing her one-year-old daughter, she said it was for a chance to marry her boyfriend.

The boyfriend, she said, did not want her to come to him with another man’s child.

She made the confession while crying out her heart, moaning that she did not realise what she was doing until her baby became a lifeless body.