The Southwest governors have said that the negotiations on minimum wage between the Federal Government and organised labour should reflect fiscal federalism.

Naija News reports that the chairman of the forum, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, made this known on Monday after a meeting of the Southwest governors in the state.

Sanwo-Olu, in the post via his X handle, said the governors would support whatever outcome of the negotiation on the minimum wage.

He added that various issues affecting the Southwest states were also discussed at the meeting.

He wrote, “After the conclusion of our South West Governors’ Forum meeting today at Lagos House Alausa, Ikeja, I was elected as the new chairman of the forum.

“Today, we honour the memory of our late chairman, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN, CON. May his soul rest in peace.

“During our discussions on various issues affecting our states, we reached the following resolutions: We are grateful to the House of Representatives and South West Caucus for their efforts on the South West Development Commission Bill and urge the Senate to expedite its passage.

“We commend Mr. President, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project and other initiatives, and we call for further road rehabilitation by the Federal Government.

“On the matter of security, we are pleased with the peace in the South West and advocate for the establishment of state police. Collaboration between security agencies and the Amotekun Corps is very important.

“We stand united in supporting ongoing discussions on the minimum wage with an expectation of fair outcomes that reflect fiscal federalism. We endorse the Federal Government’s efforts on mineral resources and urge increased collaboration with states in granting leases to investors.

“We have agreed to bolster the efficiency of the DAWN Commission, with a focus on economic integration. These decisions and more are aimed at advancing the development and prosperity of our South West states.”

The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has summoned the Nigeria Football Federation and demanded a detailed technical report on the Super Eagles’ following their last two disappointing performances during the 2026 World Cup qualifying series in the June window.

The Super Eagles managed to secure only one point from a possible six, following a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo and losing 2-1 to Benin Republic in Abidjan in their third and fourth games of Group C.

These results leave the Eagles with a total of just three points from a possible 12 in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

In a statement shared by the minister’s office, Enoh expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, especially considering the substantial support the NFF had received from President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the positive working relationship between the ministry and the federation.

An attack on a military base at Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State by daredevil bandits terrorising Nigeria’s middle belt region has let at least two soldiers wounded.

The soldiers, who have since been hospitalised, sustained the injuries during a gun duel with the bandits. 

Rafi is one of the local government areas in Niger state battling violent attacks and wanton killings in the bandits.

The troubling security situation has turned the largely agrarian community into a desolate enclave as farmers abandoned farming activities and locals fled for safety.

Meanwhile, one of the bandits’ leaders was also killed in the gun battle in the early hours of Monday

It’s gathered that the bandits were attempting to cross to Mashegu and Wushishi Local Government Areas of the state to rustle cattle when they encountered the soldiers.

The Chairman of Rafi Local Government Arwa, Ayuba Katako, confirmed the incident to newsmen.

Katako said the two shot soldiers were being treated at the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna.

He added that the military, police and vigilantes who are ensuring peace and security of lives and property in the state deserved to be commended.

“It happened in my domain. The two soldiers have been taken to the IBB Specialist Hospital where they are responding to treatment.

“The military, police and vigilantes are trying their best to ensure peace and security of lives and property in the state and they deserve to be commended,” he said.

Katako decried the continuous attacks on security operatives and called for patience, support and prayers to overcome the menace of insecurity bedevilling the state and Nigeria at large.

The state military cantonment in Minna could not be reached just as the police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, could not also be reached at the time of filing the report

An aircraft carrying Malawian Vice President, Saulos Chilima and nine others, has lost contact and gone missing.

According to a statement released by the president’s office, “the Malawi Defense Force aircraft disappeared from radar after departing from the capital city of Lilongwe earlier today.”

The vice president was reportedly en route to Mzuzu to attend the funeral of Ralph Kasambara, a late prominent figure.

The plane, carrying Chilima and nine others, lost contact approximately 10 minutes before its scheduled landing at Mzuzu Airport.

Airport Commandant, Joseph Moyo confirmed the incident, stating that the plane failed to land in Mzuzu and an investigation is currently underway.

The whereabouts of Vice President Chilima and the other passengers remain unknown.

The Southwest governors said on Monday that the negotiations between the Nigerian government and organised labour should reflect fiscal federalism.

The governors said they support whatever outcome of the negotiation on the minimum wage.

This was disclosed by the chairman of the forum, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, after a meeting of the governors in the state.

Posting on X, Sanwo-Olu wrote: “After the conclusion of our South West Governors’ Forum meeting today at Lagos House Alausa, Ikeja, I was elected as the new chairman of the forum.

“Today, we honour the memory of our late chairman, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN, CON. May his soul rest in peace.

“During our discussions on various issues affecting our states, we reached the following resolutions: We are grateful to the House of Representatives and South West Caucus for their efforts on the South West Development Commission Bill and urge the Senate to expedite its passage.

“We commend Mr. President, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project and other initiatives, and we call for further road rehabilitation by the Federal Government.

“On the matter of security, we are pleased with the peace in the South West and advocate for the establishment of state police. Collaboration between security agencies and the Amotekun Corps is very important.

“We stand united in supporting ongoing discussions on the minimum wage with an expectation of fair outcomes that reflect fiscal federalism. We endorse the Federal Government’s efforts on mineral resources and urge increased collaboration with states in granting leases to investors.

“We have agreed to bolster the efficiency of the DAWN Commission, with a focus on economic integration. These decisions and more are aimed at advancing the development and prosperity of our South West states.”

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee has shared the sum of N1.143 trillion to the three tiers of government.

A communique issued at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja, this evening,  indicated that the funds were from May Federation Accounts revenue which stood at N2.324 trillion.

The FAAC meeting was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr  Wale Edun.

The communiqué showed that the N1.143 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N 157.183 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N463.425 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N15.146 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N507.456 billion.    

 Total deduction for cost of collection was N76.647 billion while total transfers, interventions and refunds was N1,104.935 billion.   

Gross statutory revenue of N1.223 trillion was received in the month of May.

 This was lower than the sum of N1.233 trillion received in the preceding month of April by N9.604 billion.  

The gross revenue of N497.665 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in May 2024.  This was also lower than the N500.920 billion available in the month of April 2024 by N3.255 billion. 

The communiqué confirmed that from the N1.143 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of N365.813 billion, the State Governments received the sum of N388.419 billion, while the Local Government Councils received a  total of N282.476 billion.

The sum of N106.502 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting oil producing states as derivation revenue. 

On the N157.183 billion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué indicated that the Federal Government received N61.010 billion, the State Governments received N30.945 billion and the Local Government Councils received N23.857 billion. The sum of N41.371 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue. 

The Federal Government received N69.514 billion, the State Governments received N231.713 billion and the Local Government Councils received N162.199 billion from the N463.425 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue.

A total of N2.272 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N15.146 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL).  The State Governments received N7.573 billion and the Local Government Councils received N5.301 billion.

From the N507.456 billion Exchange Difference revenue, the Federal Government received N233.017 billion, the State Governments received N118.189 billion and the Local Government Councils received N91.119 billion.  A total sum of N65.131 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue. 

According to the communiqué, in the month of May, Companies Income Tax Oil (CIT) and Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) increased significantly while Import and Excise Duties, Royalty Crude and Gas, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), CET Levies and Value Added Tax (VAT) recorded considerable decreases.         The balance in the ECA was put at  $473,754.57

Nigeria’s chance of playing at the 2026 World Cup is in jeopardy, following a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic.

The Super Eagles, looking to bounce back from their 1-1 draw with South Africa last Friday, started on a good note, thanks to Raphael Onyedika’s excellent finish in the first half.

However, Finidi George’s men went into the break behind, as the Beninese scored twice before the interval thanks to Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie.

The result leaves Benin Republic at the top of Group C with seven points, while Nigeria remains fifth with three points.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd, has expressed dismay over reports alleging that it inflated subsidy claims by N3.3 trillion.

NNPC assured that its businesses are conducted in a transparent and accountable manner in line with international best practices.

In a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL denied knowledge of any audit of its subsidy claims nor the probe ensuing. 

Soneye described such reports as ridiculous and products of the febrile imagination of the reporters.

The statement reads: “NNPC Ltd. conducts its businesses accountably and transparently in keeping with international best practices and has, at no time, inflated its subsidy claims with the Federal Government. All previous subsidy claims by the Company are verifiable, as relevant records and documents have been sent to relevant authorities and agencies.

“NNPC Ltd. is neither aware of any audit of its subsidy claims nor the probe ensuing therefrom and wishes to state categorically that both ridiculous claims are products of the febrile imagination of the reporters and their respective media houses.

“NNPC Ltd. will resist any attempt to drag the Company into the apparent politics of fuel subsidy as it currently operates on a commercial basis and the express provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“It is on record that, in line with its Transparency, Accountability & Performance Excellence (TAPE) mantra, NNPC Ltd. has, on several occasions, independently invited external auditors to review its books.

“NNPC Ltd. calls on media practitioners and media houses to exercise restraint and verify information before publication in keeping with the ethics of the noble profession of journalism to avoid misleading the public.”