The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero has described the minimum wage negotiation with the federal government and other tripartite committee members, as a “helpless situation”.

Ajaero’s assertion was revealed during a press briefing shortly after an earlier meeting with the federal government which ended in a deadlock in Abuja on Friday.

THE WHISTLER had earlier reported that NLC and its counterpart the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024.

The strike was to press home their demands for a new minimum wage, reversal of electricity hike, and the removal of electricity consumers from various bands announced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

However, Ajaero said “In the meeting today we told them we have to be here and allow them to go and get the mandate and come back to this meeting, we also told them we are ready to sleep here. But they said no, we should allow them that it is difficult to see Mr. President as they don’t have access to him.

When asked if the strike would be called off if the federal government calls for another negotiation with a new proposal, Ajaero responded, “The federal government can only call for a continuation of the negotiation, not by awards.

“You can’t say come we are giving you N10, N20. No, we have to sit down and negotiate, calling us doesn’t mean agreement. Until you sign an agreement to what is mutually agreeable by the parties involved, our action will not stop negotiations.

“Because the two parties are going to negotiate under duress now, that is the meaning of this strike, so the earlier they respond the better for all of us.

“I am not sure where you have the labour centres in a country and they are embarking on a strike for one month and you don’t listen to them.

“So, I think what you will be praying for, is for the people who are suffering so much and these are some of our people, that was why we were reluctant, and why we were virtually telling them that we needed to find a solution.”

South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos has said the Super Eagles are a different team under the new head coach, Finidi George.

Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro was in charge of the Super Eagles the last time the West Africans confronted South Africa at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Finidi took charge of the Super Eagles in an interim capacity in the friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March. 

Broos claimed that he saw a different Super Eagles team from the friendlies compared to the side that played at the AFCON.

The Belgian claimed he has to work out a way to stop the Super Eagles like he did at the AFCON.

“We will try to shock them again. It’s a little bit different than the team of AFCON,” Broos told SABC

“With Finidi George they have a coach who thinks more offensively. Peseiro was a little bit more defensive and I saw that certainly in the game against us, he was always telling the team to go back.

“Also in the final they didn’t really play offensively, they just tried to be good defensively and then hoping on a counterattack or a situation in front of the goal where they could score.

“I saw two games against Mali and Ghana, it’s different. They take a little bit more initiative. It’s not the team anymore who went back and waited.

“They also try to make pressure early in the game and close to the goal of the opponent, so we have to look for something now that we can shock them again like we did for the game in Ivory Coast.”

Bafana Bafana will be up against the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo next Friday.

The Ogun Government has said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is set to begin oil and gas exploration in the state.

In a statement on Friday, the government said the development would make its quest to become an oil-producing state materialise soon. 

The statement noted that stakeholders in the oil and gas industry were received at the office of Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor, and Noimot Salako-Oyedele, his Deputy, to discuss the prospect.

Speaking at the meeting, Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister Of State For Petroleum Resources (Oil), said Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey basin with the prospect of having a huge deposit of hydrocarbons.

“We decided that we are going to resume exploration in the different Basins; we decided to come to Ogun State to reassure the people that we have very high potential of discoveries here,” he said. 

“Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey Basin and our presence underscore the seriousness the federal government attaches to the exploration activities that we want to carry out in Ogun State.”

Lokpobiri said the visit was also to demonstrate the commitment of the federal government to bolster its revenue through the oil and gas sector.

“Today we are here to tell the people of the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that we continue our campaign and exploration activities across the country,” the minister said.

“We are doing this exploration activities in several places across Nigeria and today we are in Ogun after which we will proceed to Sokoto State.”

On his part, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC, said Ogun state is blessed to be in the Dahomey basin corridor, with expected high deposit of oil.

He assured that the company would return in earnest to commence exploration activities.

Kyari also expressed hope that oil would be found in commercial quantity in the state.

In his remarks, Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said the team’s visit was to further indicate the commitment of the federal government to growing oil reserves and enhancing federation revenue.

Komolafe said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) makes provision for funding the development of the frontier basins.

He added that in line with the commitments of the government, the NUPRC is collaborating with the NNPC to leverage on the PIA to carry out oil exploration in the Dahomey basin.

“The Dahomey Basin stretches up to Delta, Edo, Ogun and Ondo states. We intend to in the course of this exercise, cover all those states leveraging on the provision of Section 9, Subsection 4 of the PIA,” he said.

In his response, Governor Abiodun said Ogun state is part of the oil prospecting leases (OPLs) 302, 303, 306, and 307.

He said numerous studies show the potential of the basins, highlighting the state’s potential for commercial success and economic benefits from exploration and production within a short timeframe.

“It is noteworthy that this is a region of the country that provides ease of access, low entry and operating costs, a safe and welcoming community and a very active state government support and participation,” Abiodun said.

“Ogun State therefore presents some unique opportunities towards the realization of the full intentions of the PIA section 9 on frontier exploration as it will contribute to guarantee additional petroleum production of additional petroleum products for the country and afford more supply to potential refineries in the area.”

The Governor said the area presents an opportunity for Bitumen extraction, reducing import dependency and reducing foreign exchange expenditure on a single line item.

Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in Kano State, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa has said detractors can’t stop the destiny of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Dungurawa said those fighting Kwankwaso were behind reports that he’s being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Reports had it that the anti-graft agency was probing Kwankwaso over alleged N2.5 billion fraud.

However, addressing journalists in Kano, the NNPP chieftain described the reports as lies, stressing that Kwankwaso is a man of integrity and capacity.

He said: “We have been seeing this kind of rumour several times on different occasions.

“Let them continue with the rumour. Whether they like it or not, Kwankwaso remains the only person with integrity, respect, popularity, and capacity to govern this country.

“The rumour came from an enemy, shared by ignorance, and accepted by a fool. Thank God that we are not all three. We are his lovers, we are not ignorant of his doing, and we are not fools.

“All these will not stop his destiny. But they should be mindful that rumours don’t add any value; instead, they will generate popularity for him.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, the superstar player for Al Nassr, was overcome with emotion and burst into tears as his team suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 defeat on penalties against Al Hilal in the King's Cup final last Friday.

The defeat means Ronaldo will not win any trophy this season.

Al Hilal have now also completed the league and cup double.

The match in Jeddah ended 1-1 in regulation time and extra time failed to provide a winner.

Aleksandar Mitrovic gave Al Hilal the lead in the seventh minute, before Aiman Yahya levelled the game in the 88th minute.

A feisty game saw the referee produce three red cards, with David Ospina sent off for Al Nassr in the 57th minute before Ali Al-Bulayhi and Kalidou Koulibaly followed late on for Al Hilal.

Al Hilal goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou was eventually the hero as he saved Al Nassr’s final two penalties to secure the trophy.

The Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, has disclosed that electricity distribution companies have disconnected over 100 manufacturing firms.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH at the annual general meeting of the MAN’s food, beverage and tobacco sector, on Thursday in Lagos, he revealed that 10 of the association’s members had been disconnected in Kano.

“We do not favour legal action against the Discos and NERC. We do not want to go there. One of our branches has done so, and that subsists. The Disco in Kano is still disconnecting our members despite the injunction. As an association, we do not want to engage in such (legal action) but it comes as a last resort.

“You can imagine that as of today, more than 100 of our members have been disconnected, which means that their workers have been asked to go home. It means that their production processes have been halted. It means that they are not able to fulfil their obligations to their suppliers, and they have started to lose money,” he explained.

According to the MAN DG, the crux of the matter is that manufacturers are asked to pay electricity bills that will take manufacturers out of business.

“A company told me that it was paying N7-8m before, now it is paying N32m. The calculation is that the profit you could have made, you are not able to make it. So, you need to decide to go ahead and produce and pay an electricity bill that is more than the profit you would have made or shut down.

So, we are gradually seeing a situation where more and more industries are shutting down, because if you disconnect an industry that does not have an alternative source of power, it practically goes out of business,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the immediate past Chairman of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Sector of MAN and Managing Director of Intercontinental Distillers Limited, Patrick Anegbe, stated that the spate of insecurity in the country was hampering backward integration in the food industry.

“How do you backwards integrate when you are talking about insecurity? The insecurity in the country poses a very serious threat to backward integration,” he averred.

He added that multiple taxes had also eaten deep into the profit margins of manufacturers, noting that production costs had continued to skyrocket.

“Multiple taxation is really affecting our business. Taxes here and there. The cost of production has gone up very high to the extent that margins are so low. We are just barely surviving.

“The government should look for a way of reducing these multiple taxations and eliminating some of them,” he asserted.

He revealed that the food, beverage and tobacco sector’s production value rose by 68.2 per cent or N614.0bn in the first half of 2023 compared to N900.45bn recorded in the second half of 2022.

“The sector’s local raw material sourcing for the period under review saw a decline from 70 per cent in H2 2022 to 66.8 per cent in H2 2023, though this is an improvement from 62 per cent in H1 2022 (MAN H2 Economic Review),” he explained.

The newly elected Chairman of the sector of MAN, and Managing Director of La Casera Company, Chinedum Okereke, noted that the importance of the food sector cannot be undermined, as it guarantees the country’s food security and plays a vital role in job creation.

“We will collaborate and engage more with the government. Most time, the government may have good intentions but the lack of engagement with stakeholders is a problem. So, we will not sit back and wait for them to engage with us, but we will proactively go to them for engagement,” he stated.

The Deputy Director of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Olugbenga Aina, who was one of the speakers at the AGM, advised manufacturers not to see regulation as a burden.

He noted that the best form of regulation is self-regulation, adding that manufacturers must be innovative.

“Fostering competitiveness in the food, beverage and tobacco industry with regards to ensuring that local content production meets international best practices for increased export demand and national revenues, is key to the Renewed HOPE Agenda and revitalising the Nigerian economy.

“The significance of the food, beverage, and tobacco sector in Nigeria cannot be overstated. Food, beverage and tobacco is the greatest contributor at N3,814.50bn or 52 per cent of the Nigerian manufacturing sector total in 2013, according to National Bureau of Statistics,” he stated.

According to Aina, aligning with global standards opens up new export opportunities and enables manufacturers to tap into new markets and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification.

Also, the Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Rite Foods Limited, Ekuma Eze, who was one of the speakers at the event, stressed the need for food industries to invest in research and development to create innovative technologies and solutions that differentiate.

He added that they must build strong partnerships to combine strength and resources to create value-adding products.

Renowned singer, Kizz Daniel, has dedicated his latest single titled, ‘Double’, to his wife, who also stars as a vixen in the accompanying music video.

A statement sent to Saturday Beats noted that the new song showcases Daniel’s signature blend of afrobeat rhythms, infectious choruses and soulful melodies, while creating a vibrant and romantic anthem that resonates with fans worldwide.

It added, “The song is a celebration of love, partnership, and the double joy that comes from sharing life’s journey with someone special. The music video, set to premiere on the same day as the audio release, features intimate and joyful moments between Kizz Daniel and his wife, offering fans a glimpse into their beautiful bond.”

Emphasising the reason for dedicating the song to his wife, Daniel said, “I wanted to create a song that not only celebrates my love for my wife, but also speaks to the beauty of partnership and family. Having her grace the screen with me makes this project even more special to me. I hope that song will resonate with everyone who listens to it, and it will remind them of the importance of love and togetherness.”

With over four billion streams under his belt, two Shazam chart-topping singles, sold-out tours across Africa, North America, and Europe, and over 25 million social media fans, Daniel is undoubtedly one of the leading afrobeats artistes in the world.

There was palpable fear in Abia State on Friday following the declaration of the Nigerian military that the killers of five soldiers in the state would not go scot-free.

The five slain soldiers were killed at an Army checkpoint in the Aba area of the state on Thursday in a manner many people have described as wicked and unacceptable.

However, in a press release issued by the Army Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the military authorities vowed that the killers of the slain soldiers would be apprehended and punished.

The military said the slain soldiers, deployed to enforce peace in the state, met their death when some terrorists, who came in three Prado Toyota SUVs, attacked them at the checkpoint.

The Army stated that while investigations have since commenced on the attack, it would retaliate the dastardly act against the troops by launching overwhelming military pressure on the terrorists to ensure their total defeat.

The NA stated, “Troops of OP UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State were attacked and sadly killed by terrorists of IPOB/ ESN.

“The troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were mass-attacked by the terrorists. The terrorists, in three tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint.

“The attack sadly took the lives of five personnel of the armed forces killed in action. The Armed Forces mourn the death of these troops as every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing concerning the attack.

“Overall, it must be reiterated that the lifeline of the terrorists is the people and this situation is no exemption. Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible. The IPOB capitalised on this to perpetrate attacks on the troops. The situation leaves more to be desired.

“Accordingly, it is imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops. The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” it added.

However, the decision of the Nigerian military has thrown the state into deep panic, just as key stakeholders therein have condemned the attack, describing it as wicked and barbaric.

Reacting, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation and former Governor of the state, Dr Orji Kalu, condemned the killing of the soldiers, calling on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the ugly act because “the personnel of the armed forces don’t deserve to be maltreated given the role they play in national security”.

The former governor, while calling on residents of the state to be calm and law-abiding emphasised that peace is a panacea for development and commiserated with the Nigerian army on the sad development.

He said, “The killing of soldiers at a checkpoint in Aba is barbaric. The perpetrators must be identified for appropriate actions. For the sake of growth and progress of the South-East, all hands must be on deck to fish out criminals in the region.”

Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe also described the attack as “disheartening and barbaric”.

In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, Abaribe called on the security authorities to immediately apprehend the killers and ensure that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law.

Senator Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the Senate, said, “There is no justification whatsoever for anybody or group of persons to harm any security officer not to talk of killing any in whatever guise.”

He called on the Army authorities to “mitigate the ugly situation for the sake of other Innocent civilians, who are going about their respective businesses oblivious of the heinous conduct of demented souls that are bent on bringing society to its knees”.

“I am at a loss as to the evil motives of those responsible for the killings. It can never be the character of our people and such devilish tendencies does not reflect who we are. Nothing on earth can justify what has happened. It is sorrowful and stands condemned. However, I appeal to the authorities to look beyond and consider the oblivious innocent civilians while going after the culprits for ultimate justice,” Abaribe said.

Similarly, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa has described the attack as “very unfortunate and regrettable”.

The speaker, in a statement issued by his press secretary, Ujoh Okechukwu, condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric, reprehensible and generally untoward”.

Emeruwa noted that “The administration of Dr Alex Otti would not further tolerate such uncivilised acts”, assuring that efforts would be intensified to fish out the perpetrators of the crime.

The Speaker further added that the state would not be a haven nor henceforth harbour criminals and evil-minded persons or groups.

In his reaction, a member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia at the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha, also described the incident as a “regrettable and unnecessary incident”, saying “It further delays our peace process and efforts aimed at the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”.

Meanwhile, the state government has placed a N25m bounty on the perpetrators.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu.

The statement partly reads, “To underscore its resolve, the state government is offering an N25m reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the location and arrest of any of the criminals connected to the unfortunate killings, and the subsequent state of apprehension across the city of Aba and environs.

Meanwhile, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie has assured that the law will take its course on the perpetrators of the killing of soldiers at Obikabia junction, Aba on Thursday.

Briefing newsmen on Friday after a marathon and expanded meeting of the State Security Council and the newly inaugurated members of the Abia Advisory Council, Onwuemelie described the killing as “unfortunate and condemnable”.

He said, “The point is that it is a very unfortunate incident and it’s highly condemnable and indeed it’s cowardly but it happened yesterday.

“All I can tell you is that the security agencies, the government of Abia State, and all well-meaning Nigerians feel very bad about what happened, and everything that needs to be done will be done to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. And even as it happened that the course of the law will take place”, he added.

Stanley Nwabali is glad to see Maduka Okoye return to the Super Eagles and claims there is no rivalry between them.

Nwabali established himself as the Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Okoye has been recalled to the team by head coach Finidi George after an impressive debut season at Serie A club Udinese.

The former Watford shot-stopper’s return is set to add more competition to the goalkeeping department.

Nwabali, however, said there is no rivalry between him and Okoye.

“There’s no debate. If Maduka can give what he’s giving Udinese to the country, then he should play,” Nwabali told Lagos Talks.

“It’s not like a club side, where you see a new signing and you talk about fighting, No. This is the country we are playing for, we are representing this green white green, and we want to see everyone happy.”

President Bola Tinubu has decried the poor delivery of democracy dividends at the grassroots, calling on state governors to prioritize the needs of local communities.

Tinubu, who made the call when he received the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, also spoke on out-of-school children, security, and the economy.

While noting the lack of attention for the grassroots, where he said the highest number of votes come from during elections, the President said the ACF leadership should intervene by imploring governors to urgently pay attention to the needs of people in the councils. 

Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngalale, said: “We are running a constitutional democracy. I will appeal to you to summon the governors. I am doing my very best to enhance the revenue base of the country. They must equally be sympathetic and urgently consider the needs of the local people.

“People reside in the local communities. That is where they work, farm, and live. If the local governments are not effective in delivering services; as leaders, we must not hang on to the numbers. We have 774 local government areas, but are they truly effective? Do they solve problems for Nigerians? Do they coordinate development programming with the state and federal governments?

“Who is being held accountable for the performance of the 774 local governments? Maybe we should look at recalibrating. What was good four years ago may not be good today. When we want the votes, we go to the locals; when we get the votes, we move to and focus on Abuja.”

Highlighting the significance of education in nation-building, the President described the situation of out-of-school children in parts of Nigeria as unacceptable.

On security, President Tinubu commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his efforts, saying: “Everybody wants to be secure, and we need to invest more in technology. We will do it, I promise you. We will put our heart and soul into ensuring that Nigeria is secure and its citizens are protected.”

Tinubu also used the occasion to appeal for national unity and continued support for his government as it makes effort to address challenges confronting the populace.

He directed the establishment of a committee to follow up on the issues raised at the meeting and assigned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to lead the follow-up efforts.