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The joint labour unions have vowed to enforce the new N70,000 minimum wage in all states, warning that any state that fails to comply will be shut down.
The warning was issued by the Osun Chapter Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Christopher Arapasopo, in an interview in Osogbo.
Arapasopo revealed that the joint labour unions had agreed to accept the N70,000 minimum wage as a sacrifice to prevent a hike in fuel prices.
He explained that during the NEC meeting, all members unanimously agreed to enforce the minimum wage in all states and that any state that failed to pay would face severe consequences.
“The governors were present when this agreement was reached, and they were the ones who initially suggested N70,000 as the minimum wage. We, as labour, had suggested N250,000, but they brought it down to N62,000 before finally settling on N70,000, which we accepted,” Arapasopo said.
According to him, labour unions would not negotiate on this matter.
He said, “For any government or governor that fails to pay, we will shut that state down. It is a must for them to pay. It is a no-go area.”
Arapasopo noted that if the union had insisted on the N250,000 minimum wage, it would have led to an increment in fuel pump prices and inflation.
The Osun NLC chair assured that the N70,000 minimum wage was still a fair deal, as it would be the least salary paid to workers in the lowest cadre. He added that consequential adjustments and benefits attached to the levels would even increase the wage when implemented.
Arapasopo confirmed that the Osun chapter of the union would meet with the state government to discuss some allowances for workers, but reiterated that the minimum wage stands non-negotiable.
[PoliticsNigeria]
The Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association (NDICA) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to hasten project execution in the region.
The contractors also threatened to drag International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the region to court for failing to remit their three per cent dues to the commission for more than five years.
They decried the situation saying the attitude of the IOCs had retarded implementation of projects to facilitate the Niger Delta development.
The contractors in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the weekend said there was an urgent need for President Tinubu to exempt NDDC from the TSA.
Darlington applauded Tinubu for appointing technocrats and people of good character to serve on the board of the commission.
The contractors said: “It is through their leadership that Niger Delta has seen positive developments and progress within the region.
“While we reflect on the outcomes of the summit, it is evident that there is still much work to be done to address the challenges facing the Niger Delta region.
“In this regard, we call on Mr. President to consider exempting the NDDC from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system. Such an exemption would enable the NDDC to operate more efficiently and effectively, thereby enhancing its performance and impact on the region”.
Darlington urged the NDDC to prioritise payment of contractors, award of signature projects of high importance to the region, mobilisation of contractors for timely execution of vital projects.
He insisted that such priorities were essential for the sustainable development and prosperity of the Niger Delta region.
He expressed gratitude to the critical stakeholders, who graced the just-concluded NDDC Summit with their presence, especially former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President, Godswll Akpabio and governors of the Niger Delta states among other key dignitaries.
Also a prominent member of NDICA, Kelvin Gigi, urged the IOCs and the Ecological Funds to remit their contributions and monies due to the NDDC promptly.
He said the funds were essential for the NDDC to carry out its mandate and implement crucial projects that would benefit the people of the Niger Delta region.
He said: “As a concerned association, we will not hesitate to institute a legal action against the IOCs if at the end of August this year they refuse to remit their dues to the Commission.
“It is very clear that contractors are being owed by the commission because of the inability of the oil majors to pay their dues to the commission”.
[TheNation]
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Congratulates Justice Stella Anukam On Re-Election To African Court On Human Rights
Admin![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Congratulates Justice Stella Anukam On Re-Election To African Court On Human Rights](/media/k2/items/cache/7bb54b1d17227389244c70852971b6a7_M.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Justice Stella Anukam on her re-election as Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for another term of six years.
Justice Anukam was re-elected at the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting Executive Council in Accra, Ghana, on Friday.
The Nigerian obtained her law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (formerly known as University of Ife), Osun State, Nigeria, in 1984, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in August 1985.
She is also a chartered secretary, chartered arbitrator, and seasoned administrator.
Justice Anukam has served as former Director of Special Programmes at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in Abuja, Nigeria, and as former Director of the International and Comparative Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice.
President Tinubu commends Justice Anukam for her contributions to the development of human rights jurisprudence on the continent and enjoins her to continue to bring her invaluable knowledge and insights to the African Court.
The President states that his administration will continue to support the candidature of competent and qualified Nigerians for international positions, noting the country’s strategic importance in the global community.
The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights is a continental court established by African states to ensure the protection of human and peoples' rights in Africa.
It complements the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
The court is composed of eleven judges nominated by member states of the AU and elected by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
Nigeria is a state party to the Protocol establishing the Court, having ratified it in 2004.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
States across the federation have been unsettled by the ongoing plan by some faceless Nigerian youths to begin a 10-day nationwide hunger and hardship protest to draw the federal and state governments’ attention to the worsening plight of the citizens.
LEADERSHIP Weekend’s investigation in some states showed that the governors and security agencies are not comfortable with the plot and, therefore, appealed for dialogue with the government at all levels.
According to media reports, the organisers of the protest have slated August 1 to August 10, 2024 to begin the mass action across the country.
Citing the loss of life and property that characterised the #EndSARS protest in the country, the governors and other stakeholders pleaded with the organisers to shelve their plan, adding that the issues raised by them were already being addressed.
The rally organisers say “this hunger is too much.”
The federal government confirmed knowledge of hunger rally plan on Thursday when it said the “identities of many of the brains behind the protest are known, along with their collaborators who are safely residing abroad, and the government is taking necessary actions to stop their subversive plans.”
The director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, said the agency’s nationwide structure had identified the sponsors of the proposed protest and likely flashpoints.
He said the government will take measures to forestall any violent occurrences in the identified locations.
He stated that the intentions of those behind the planned protest were not about governance or the state of the economy but a decoy to destabilise the country, cause mayhem, and carry out arson, killings, and maiming of innocent citizens for narrow political reasons.
In his reaction to the planned national protest against hunger and hardship, Gombe State governor Inuwa Yahaya admonished the youth in the state not to join it.
He gave the charge when he addressed the youth at the flagged-off dredging exercise of drains in the state capital to avoid flooding, where many youths were recruited to conduct the exercise.
The governor urged the police to enforce law and order and stop any demonstrations in the state.
His Yobe State counterpart, Mai Mala Buni, urged the youths, especially in the North East region, to stop planning nationwide protests, saying such a move would be dangerous and counterproductive.
Buni said this during the launch of the Ethical and Re-orientation Campaign tagged ‘Operation Gyaran Hali’ organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ethical Re-orientation in Damaturu, the state capital.
The governor advised the youths on the responsible use of social media to shape a positive narrative about the state and the country.
He said, “No Nigerian youths, especially from the North East in their right senses will stage a protest that will disturb the hard-earned peace that people are enjoying in the North East after years of Boko Haram insurgency.”
He said the North East was yet to recover from the impact of the deadly Boko Haram insurgency, which has left the region in ruins, with millions of people’s lives and property worth billions destroyed.
“We all have not forgotten what we have gone through during the dark days of the insurgency. Only those who have no senses will pray to go back to those years when people were running for their dear lives, not to talk about what to eat.”
He said another round of protests would worsen the precarious security situation and economic hardship currently bedevilling the region and the country.
The Kano State commissioner for information, Baba Dantiye, said the state will monitor the situation and ensure all proactive measures are taken appropriately.
The executive director of Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, a civil society organisation in Kano, called for calm among Nigerians, saying street protests aren’t the best option to address the dilemma.
He said the economic challenges in Nigeria are enough to motivate the citizens to take to the streets to show their anger. Still, the low level of civilisation and exposure and the conflicting sentiments around religion and ethnicity may not allow for well-coordinated protests, which could translate into something else, just like the EndSARS protest.
In Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Thursday extracted a commitment from youth organisations and organised labour not to participate in the hunger protest slated for next month.
Consequently, the governor approved a N2 billion bursary for Niger students in tertiary institutions, up from an initial N500 million.
At an expanded security council meeting, the governor echoed the position of labour and youth organisations regarding their resolve not to join in the 10-day nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship in Nigeria.
He said, “We, as youths of Niger State, have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquility. You can start demonstrations, but you cannot end demonstrations. To youths agitating for this protest, let us end this agitation and communicate and dialogue on the best way forward.”
“The food I am giving out at 50 percent subsidy was originally meant for export, but due to the hardship faced by the people, we have opened our warehouses to feed Nigerlites,” he added
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi and the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev Dr John Bogna Bakeni and other stakeholders appealed to the citizens of Borno and the country at large to shelve the planned hunger protest and embrace dialogue.
At a stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Zulum at the Government House, Maiduguri, the governor said he was appealing to the people of Borno State and Nigerians to shun any protest that would bring hardship to Nigerians.
The stakeholders meeting comprised the members of the state executive council , traditional rulers, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the state, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ), the Nigerian military, and the police, among others.
The Shehu of Borno, Dr Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, joined Governor Zulum in appealing to the people of the state and the country at large to shun the proposed protest and embrace constructive engagement.
Also, Bishop John Bakeni, the chairman of CAN in the state, said what dialogue and constructive engagement cannot do, protest cannot solve.
“This is because even after the protest, we will still come back for dialogue, so why waste energy taking part in destruction when there is constructive engagement? Issues are not resolved in protest but in dialogue. The issue at hand is a wake-up call to us. We as leaders must work for justice,” he said.
In Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru, the minister of works David Umahi and the senior programme manager of Development Integrity Intervention Goal, DiG Foundation, Mr. Anele Okoro-Agha, declared that Ebonyi youths and CSOs will not take part in the proposed prrotest
Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, the chief press secretary to the governor, Dr. Monday Uzor said the federal government is working assiduously to end the hardship being experienced in the country and called on the people of the state to be patient with the President.
Similarly, Umahi urged the people of Ebonyi and Southeast to reject calls for protests against the current government.
The minister made this appeal on Wednesday during the unveiling of Tinubu’s legacy road projects to stakeholders and residents of the state.
In Akwa Ibom State, the commissioners for information, Iniobong Ememobong; agriculture, Offiong Offor, and economic development, Emem Bob, said the administration of Governor Umo Eno, through various food and agricultural interventions, had reduced tension and given people hope of a return of normalcy in the food price regime.
Mrs Offor said the government had set up a Bulk Purchase Agency (BPA) to purchase food in large quantities for onward free disbursement to the very poor with government vouchers in the 2,272 gazetted villages across the 31 LGAs.
Demonstration Is A Constitutional Right – CSOs
Reacting to the planned protest, the chief executive, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Debo Odeniran, declared that protest is a fundamental human right that the government should not deny.
He stated, “Everybody has a right to peaceful protest as this a fundamental right that should not be disputed. However, the protest has to be structured, and there will be a demand that will be understandable to the target audience.
“The protest should be itemised and directed to the government stating what they want. And there should be suggestions or demands for what they want and ways how the government can attend to it, as there should be a spokesperson for negotiation.
“If it’s a 10-day thing, it should be stated; and you don’t just put a mark on the endpoint without stating the objective before arriving at the protest days, because: what if all the demands were met on the second day?”
Adeniran told the protesters not cause a breakdown of economic activity as people are already facing hardships. He, however, said CDHR and another CSO, CACOL, were yet to decide whether they would be joining in the protest.
On his part, the Ebonyi State senior programmes manager, Development Integrity Intervention Goals, Mr Anele Okoro-Agha, said the CSOs had not been notified of the planned protest, adding that the organisation will mobilise for the protest.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday, the director/CEO of AHDC, Prof Gabriel Umoh, lamented the pains Nigerians have to go through by a single pronouncement of Mr President that “fuel subsidy is gone”, knowing fully well that everything in Nigeria – transportation, production and every other businesses – depend on energy.
He signed on to the action but kicked against it being used as a weapon to drive destructive causes. He advised the demonstrators against destroying public assets established with taxpayers’ money.
“The whole problems stem from a single pronouncement by the President that subsidy has been removed, and the sector is the engine room driving the economy. If the oil sector is stable and the government fight corruption sincerely, recover the stolen funds and plough it back into the economy, the system will be fixed,” Umoh, a Professor of Agricultural and Development Economics at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), explained.
On its part, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) declared support for the protest and called on security agencies to respond to Nigerians’ yearnings with civility.
Its national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, urged the citizens not to allow the planned peaceful protest to be hijacked.
Gabam highlighted that the struggle for a better Nigeria is a collective responsibility, regardless of political differences and dispositions.
The senior special assistant to the governor of Delta State on civil society and NGOs, Comrade Victor Ojei, popularly called Wong Box, has said rather than engaging in potentially dangerous protests, youths must advocate for systemic change via alternative means and hold leaders accountable for creating a Nigeria that prioritises the welfare and security of its citizens.
Ojei, who is the facilitator of the Young Nigerian Rights Organisation (YNRO), said there is no need for a protest, considering the severe insecurity prevalent in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
“We face numerous threats from hoodlums and criminals who exploit such platforms to engage in robbery, looting, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
“What we need as a nation is not more protests but a focused effort on researching alternative solutions to our current challenges. The government must create a functional welfare system and study other countries with people-oriented systems to ensure the welfare and security of our citizens.
“However, history has shown, as with the ENDSARS protest, that such mobilizations can result in unnecessary loss of life,” Ojei advised.
On its part, a Bauchi State-based rights group, Prison Inmate Development Initiative (PIDI-Nigeria), said that youths’ planned protest against the current hunger and hardship in the country is aimless without a rigorous blueprint for authorities to use to end the crisis.
The group leader, Mr Mbami Sabka, stated this in an interview on Friday with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Bauchi.
He said while it is a constitutional right of citizens to peacefully protest to air their grievances over issues they feel are not going well in the country, such moves must have a clear-cut design to achieve the desired results.
Northern Students, Others Pull Out
Meanwhile, Arewa Concerned Citizens Forum (ACCF) has condemned the planned August nationwide protest, describing it as an attempt by desperate politicians to undermine President Bola Tinubu-led government.
The group, in a statement by National Coordinator Matthew Victor Bobai and general secretary Hon. Rabi Aminu Zaria, said the protest was ill-timed, misguided, and potentially harmful to the nation.
The duo said, “These protests are not only synchronised and well-coordinated but also have the potential to cause collateral damage and distract the Tinubu government from its efforts to rebuild the nation.”
The Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) has also dissociated itself from any upcoming protest seemingly directed against the administration of Governor Uba Sani.
The union’s national president, Tabara Kato, revealed this during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Thursday in Kaduna.
He expressed deep satisfaction with Governor Sani’s administration’s policy trajectory and lauded the equitable and inclusive execution of projects across the state.
The Confederation of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups (CASG) has cautioned Nigerians regarding the upcoming nationwide protest saying such protests may lead to anarchy.
The CASG warns that advocates.
In a press conference held yesterday, the director-general of CASG, Kailani, proposed peaceful and constructive engagement instead.
Another group known as Concerned Northern Youths and Students called on youths and students across northern Nigeria to withdraw from the nationwide protests.
Students National Senate President Jibril Sani Bello, who also serves as the group’s coordinator, made the call at a press conference following a general meeting of student leaders from the north on Wednesday in Kano.
He also called on the students to appreciate President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s plans for Nigerian students who enjoy interest-free loans to support their education.
Youths in Kwara State may not participate in the hunger protest that some youths in the country are planning.
The chairman of Kwara State’s chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ali Nasir, indicated this during an interview with our reporter in Ilorin, the state capital.
Nasir said the youths in the state believe in the principles of dialogue as against protests and would only participate if dialogue failed to produce the desired results.
Security Agencies Place Personnel On Alert
Meanwhile, security agencies have mobilised the personnel to put the situation under control.
The Nigerian Air Force suspended “passes and leaves” for its personnel following the nationwide protest.
A circular cited by LEADERSHIP Weekend asked Commanders to step up security measures, monitor the situation and train personnel on crowd dispersal methods.
The circular reads: “Intelligence suggests likely nationwide protests and breakdown of law and order due to unresolved issues of minimum wage, hence the need to emplace strict security measures across all units.
“Furthermore, commanders are to review and forward complaints against violent protests. Commanders are to monitor and forward situation reports daily to acquit all personnel with complaints and train for crowd dispersal scenarios in line with the rules of engagement.”
When contacted, the director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said the ban on leave and passes in the NAF is not unusual during perceived threats.
In Akwa Ibom State, the commissioner of police (CP), Waheed Ayilara, reiterated his zero tolerance for violence and his determination to sustain the state’s peaceful ambience.
In Ebony State, the police public relations officer Joshua Ukandu said the command had yet to receive a letter on the protest, adding that if the letter were brought to the command, modalities for the protest would be issued to the organisers.
In Sokoto, the police spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai, said the Command planned to engage stakeholders in dialogue to reach a compromise.
“We plan to hold a dialogue with stakeholders, starting Monday, with community leaders throughout the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commandant-general of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC), Dr Abubakar Ahmed Audi, said he had already deployed undercover officers nationwide to monitor and curb violence during the planned nationwide hunger protest.
The NSCDC boss, who spoke through his national spokesperson, CSC Babawale Afolabi, stressed that the Corps will stop at nothing to secure all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of government (CNAI)
While highlighting their major mandate to include safeguarding CNAI, disaster management, training, supervision, and issuing practicing licences to Private Guard Companies (PGCs), he added that their role had further been expanded to include the protection of farmers and mining sites, amongst others.
Audi, who further revealed that his men would be deployed strategically to identify flash points, said that in view of the foregoing, all zonal commanders, state commandants, component commanders and special forces across all formations had been directed to be on red alert.
“Our synergy with other sister security agencies remains strong and undiluted as we continue to ensure the peace and stability of the nation without compromise,” he said.
[Leadership]
There are concerns over the incessant attacks and humiliation of Nigerians in foreign lands.
This is as citizens continue to move out of the country in droves amid the prevailing hardship in the country.
In the last few months, there have been reports of maltreatment of many Nigerians abroad, even by fellow African countries.
However, despite the cries for justice from their loved ones, they hardly get one.
Reports show that over the past seven years, more than 350 Nigerians have been murdered extrajudicially in foreign countries.
Most of them fell victim to non-state actors with no justifiable reason for their deaths.
Most recently, precisely on June 26, 2024, a wave of protests broke out outside the Republic of Benin Embassy in Abuja, as Nigerians, particularly youths, rallied to demand the release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji.
The Nigerian cleric, who is a native of Cross River State, has been detained in Benin for over a year.
Pastor Egbaji, who heads a church, Église De Miracle Et Action Du Saint Esprit in Benin, was accused of rape by Pede Victoire, a citizen of Benin.
Egbaji has remained in detention without trial. He is said to be subjected to harsh conditions, including being chained in a hospital.
The protesters decried the prolonged detention of Pastor Egbaji without due process and the lack of a fair trial.
Recall that in response to these injustices, the previous administration under President Muhammadu Buhari established the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), tasked with addressing the mistreatment and welfare of Nigerians abroad, with a particular focus on those unjustly imprisoned.
Chronicles of Nigerians killed in foreign lands
NiDCOM’s chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in 2022 revealed the alarming rate of killing of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus.
According to her, over a span of six years, 13 Nigerians had been slain.
In July 2022, the murder of 39-year-old Nigerian, Alika Ogorchukwu, by an Italian man shocked the nation.
Ogorchukwu was beaten to death on a busy street, in full view of onlookers.
In the same month, two Nigerian security guards, Tosin Amos-Arowoshegbe and Chibueze Momah, were gunned down while on duty in Vaughan, Canada.
Another citizen, Chizoba Favour Eze died in an Ethiopian prison after being brutally beaten by prison officials. Chizoba was left untreated for days, eventually succumbing to her injuries.
Nigerians in South Africa have faced relentless xenophobic attacks. Since 2016, over 200 Nigerians have been killed extrajudicially.
Others remain in jail without trial
Sadly, many Nigerians have continued to languish in various prisons abroad due to minor offenses or no offence at all.
In 2021, data published by Patriotic Citizens Initiatives, a civil society group, indicated that 170,000 Nigerians were serving terms for drugs/human trafficking and other minor offences across the world.
This reflected a sharp rise from the 16,300 recorded in 2012, out of which 6,500 were on death row.
PCI also said that as many as 8,000 Nigerians were incarcerated in Chinese prisons, 3,719 in Canadian prisons, while British jail houses were home to some 750 Nigerian inmates.
India also held about 1,000 Nigerian prisoners. Indonesia imprisoned 200 Nigerians, with 40 of the inmates on death row.5 Oct 2023.
Even in neighbouring Benin Republic, over 3,000 Nigerians are being held behind bars.
Ayobamidele Kehinde, the International Director for Dynamic Ambassadors For Social Transformation and Orientation Initiative, told DAILY POST that the story of Benjamin Egbaji is one of many among the attacks on Nigerians in the neigbbouring West African nation.
He said, “I want the Nigerian people, the good people in Benin Republic and indeed the people of the world to rise up; this thing I am telling you is not just about Benjamin Egbaji, but Benjamin Egbaji’s case is just like a case that is opening up a can of worms that we have.
“There are thousands of Nigerians in Benin Republic prisons who have not committed any offence or committed minor offences and they are sentenced to prison just because they are Nigerians.
“I want to give you an instance; when this whole thing started, I called a prominent businessman in Benin Republic and said please one of our prominent brothers is having a case, how can you help.
“The man pleaded with me, he said ‘here, don’t just by mistake get into any trouble, they will finish you and every of your investment they will go with it’”.
Also speaking with DAILY POST, Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun of the Media and Public Relations Unit of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, attributed most of the cases to what he described as “communication gap” and lack of respect for rules to foreign lands.
According to him, “Whenever we hear of any case, we link up with our embassy’s interesting countries.
“And then to do a total investigation. Because in most cases, like I said, we discover that some of our nationals are at fault. In some cases we discover that it is a communication gap.
“Look at the case in Dubai. There was a law that says you should not be taking pictures of the airport.
“A lady got there and saw a scene and started recording. They got her arrested and sentenced her to prison.
“They have their own law and if you get there, you have to obey.”
In the case of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, Balogun said the Nigerian government was interested in the case and was making necessary efforts to make sure his rights were not trampled upon.
“Yes, we received a letter dated March 5, 2024, from his lawyer over the issue. We reached out to our ambassador in Benin Republic, who is also on the matter.
“The matter is already in court. But notwithstanding, we sent some lawyers there to make sure they didn’t trample on his fundamental human rights,” he revealed.
When informed that the pastor is currently being chained to bed and his health is failing, Balogun said he was just hearing that for the first time
“Well, I am just hearing that for the first time. He has a lawyer. It is when you don’t have a lawyer that you will panic.
“Apart from his lawyer, we also supported him with two lawyers,” he added.
[DailyPost]
The joint committee of the House of Representatives investigating arbitrary rise of cement price in the country, has asked major producers in the industry to tender documents on cost production to justify the price of cement in the market.
The committee resolved to visit production plants of the companies after going though their books to ascertain the cost of production with a view to determine a fair price of cement for all Nigerians.
The Chairman of the joint committee, Jonathan Gaza (APC-Nasarawa) made the demand on Friday at a public hearing while quizzing Dangote Cement Company and Lafarge Africa Plc in Abuja.
He said that the committee is interested in the cost of production from 2020 to date that justified the current price of cement which is over N10,000 in most parts of the country.
He said that the companies should give its average daily consumption of coal, gas, gypsum, limestone, clay, laterite and the average daily production of cement from 2020 to date.
Gaza said that the companies should provide details of all imported components for the production of cement and their prices from
2020 to date.
The lawmaker said that the companies should also provide details of local components for the production of cement and their prices in naira and dollars if any in the period under review.
He said that the companies should provide a summary of the monthly prices and guantity of cement produced from 2019 to date as well as their audited accounts of the company, bills of ladan and duties paid to customs within the period under review.
Gaza also said that the companies should provide details of tax waivers and other incentives enjoyed plus gas and explosives contract details.
Dabo Ismail (APC-Bauchi state) a member of the committee said that Dangote Cement Company had continued to make increasing profits in the country despite being able to source most of its raw materials locally.
He said that in 2022, the company declared a profit of N524 billion, N553 billion in 2023 and have so far made N166.4 billion in 2024.
The lawmaker said that there is no reason why the price of cement will keep rising in the market to the detriment of Nigerians while producers are smiling to he banks.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Company, Arvind Pathack, said that 95 per cent of production cost are either imported or linked to forex.
He explained that there had been between 100 to 333 per cent increase in the price of major cement input materials like gas, AGO, gypsum, imported coal, spare parts, new trucks, tyres, petrol among others.
Pathack said that company is made to pay in dollars some of its contracts to access gas and explosives saying that the provision made by the Central Bank of Nigeria was not enough to meet demand so the engage in international sales also sauce from the parallel market.
According to him, logistics issues such as deplorable state of key roads, creates several issues including longer time to deliver, increase in truck maintenance and delivery cost.
The GMD explained that lack of sufficient forex to settle trade obligations had resulted to huge forex losses to a tone of N150 billion a per annum while paying 30 per cent interest rate on loans.
He said between May 2023 and June 2024, there has been over 220 per cent devaluation of the Naira among many other challenges like insecurity and public power supply.
Pathack said that the cost building materials like reinforcement, granite and aluminum window had increased by 177 per cent to 283 per cent while cement had increase by 166 per cent between 2023 and 2024.
He said that cement was being sold at average cost of 7,200 saying that any price over N10,000 was the handwork of retailers which the company had no control over.
According to him, when converted to dollars a bag of cement is said at $7.8 dollars in Benin, $6.6 in Togo, $7.8 in Ghana, $4.4 in India while that of Nigeria is $4.43, making it one of the cheapest in Africa.
The committee admonished the companies to look into their policy and operations with a view to reduce the price of cement in the country.
In an interview with newsmen, the chairman of the committee expressed hope that the engagement will lead to a reduction in the price of cement.
He blamed high price of the commodity on the inaction of Federal Competition Consumer Protection Commission.
Gaza said that as an agency responsible for the protection of consumers, they failed to protect Nigerians against middlemen who sold the commodity for as high as N14,000 after purchasing it for N6,000 at the factory.
“We are extremely hopeful that this engagement will lead to a reduction in the price of cement.
“FCCPC has slept on their functions so far, their inactivity and none responsiveness to price is what has put Nigeria where we are today,” he said.
[NAN]
A federal high court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the national voter register for Rivers to the state electoral body.
Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, gave the order on Friday after a motion ex parte filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The INEC, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), attorney-general of the federation (AGF), inspector-general of police (IGP), and Department of State Service (DSS) are 1st to 5th defendants, respectively.
In the application, the APC asked the court to restrain INEC from releasing the national voter register to RSIEC for the conduct of the Rivers LGA election.
The APC said releasing the register to RSIEC will contravene “Items 11 and 12 on the concurrent legislative list in Part II of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, sections 28, 29, and 103(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022”.
The party also asked the court to restrain the IGP and DSS from providing security cover or participating in the Rivers LGA elections that would be conducted by RSIEC.
“AN ORDER directing the 1st to 5th Defendants to maintain the status quo ante bellum and not to do any act or take any further steps in furtherance of the conduct of the Local Government Elections in Rivers State that are, by virtue of Sections 13 and 20 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law of No. 2 of 2018, in contravention, breach or violation of items 11 and 12 on the Concurrent Legislative List, Part II of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Section 28, 29 and 103(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, pending the hearing and determination of the Plaintiffs’ Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction,” part of the application reads.
The judge granted the prayers of the APC and restrained INEC from releasing the voter register pending the determination of the suit on August 2.
In the same vein, the judge also ordered that the defendants in the suit be served with court orders and processes via substituted means.
He directed that the service of the court process should be published in two national dailies.
In June, RSIEC fixed October 5 for the LGA election in Rivers.
[TheCable]
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Welcomes Proposed Investment by ENI, Says Reforms Will Make Nigeria Globally Competitive
Admin![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Welcomes Proposed Investment by ENI, Says Reforms Will Make Nigeria Globally Competitive](/media/k2/items/cache/8c5c18d548f3284dea3d35fe18205c93_S.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu on Friday in Abuja commended international energy company, ENI, for its proposed new investment in Nigeria, reiterating his vision of making the nation more globally competitive and an investment destination.
The President said that by exploring the possibilities of innovative thinking, strategic planning, new technology, and research into best practices, his administration's reforms will reposition the nation’s economy.
Receiving a delegation from ENI led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Claudio Descalzi, at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu said the vision of his administration remains to turn the country into an investment destination, with strategic thinking, planning, and implementation.
“ENI, we welcome your team again. Claudio, it is an honour for me to welcome you back to your second home, Nigeria.
“Welcome back after many years. Nigeria has improved, and I am glad that you noted that we are making changes, not because of anything else but because of a very long-term vision on our investment strategy.
“Gone are the days when we feel like the captain in several ships. We have seen conflicting strategies around the world, and we are determined to champion these changes or take ourselves ahead of those changes and make reforms a priority.
“We cannot grow today’s seed with yesterday’s belief system. We have to continuously be intellectually inquisitive and reform ourselves and our way of doing things. We count on your efforts.
“And we see the effect of your belief in our partnership, not for exploitation, but for investable development. Africa is not in a begging mode but in an accelerated mode to compete and take its place with the rest of the world,’’ the President stated.
President Tinubu also said the reforms will be sustained for the mutual benefit of investors and Nigerians.
“I have seen the need for us to continue to be leaders in this reform and create opportunities for attracting investments because the basket is getting bigger, and the participants are getting larger and more resilient. The fossil fuel problem is there; science and technology is taking over.
“We will still continue to assure you that we are going to be the global investment destination and I will encourage you, as one of the progressive leaders in the industry, on what our reforms have achieved.
“Please, put a timeline on that investment strategy. It will be a stimulant for the rest of the world when you put a timeline on it,’’ the President added.
President Tinubu commended ENI's confidence in the country for many years and for diversifying into other areas like agriculture.
“We are open; we are ready. We are working hard on infrastructural development and to make arable land available for planting, and we are ready to partner you in every aspect of that and in innovative research,’’ the President stated.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of ENI said the energy company will invest more in the country, particularly in the agricultural sector.
"First of all, there are lots of reasons to thank you. The first is that after 9 years, you allowed me to come back to my country. It is quite emotional. Secondly, not only because you found time to stay with us, but especially because you promoted a new era for Nigeria.
“You want us to attract investment, and I think that you are following the right track with your leadership. We want to come back and demonstrate that what somebody in Europe says about Nigeria, that everybody is leaving, is not true. We want to be the champion of this new era.
"We want to stay close to you; to learn and to help you in your endeavour and renew our efforts to create again a new Nigeria for everybody and I think that we trust you, and we want everybody in Europe and in different countries and everywhere to trust you and your leadership. You know that we work everywhere. And we can be a good ambassador of Nigeria, not just in Europe, but in other countries,’’ Mr. Descalzi said
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu to Attend Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in Ghana
Admin![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu to Attend Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in Ghana](/media/k2/items/cache/88bb99009a450c278a507236a9b72867_S.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu will on Saturday, July 20, depart Abuja for Accra, Ghana to participate in the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union Member States.
In his capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Tinubu will address the meeting on the status of regional integration across various areas in Africa, highlighting the achievements and challenges encountered in West Africa since the last meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2023.
The President and Chairman of ECOWAS will present the '2024 Report on the State of the Community', focusing on peace, regional security, governance, economic integration, humanitarian and social development, energy, mines and agriculture.
The meeting will be convened under the AU theme of the year 2024: 'Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century.'
The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting was conceptualized in 2017 as the principal forum for the AU and the RECs to align their work and coordinate the implementation of the continental integration agenda, replacing the June/July summits.
In July 2023, President Tinubu, who was then elected as the Chairman of ECOWAS, delivered his maiden speech at the AU Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, where he affirmed Africa's strength and the need for unity.
In Accra, the items on the agenda will include evaluating the AU's early warning and conflict prevention mechanisms and promoting cooperation among regional economic communities to accelerate integration.
A declaration will be adopted at the end of the meeting.
President Tinubu, who will be accompanied by senior government officials, will return to the country at the conclusion of the meeting.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
rejects new Senate position
The ousted Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has rejected the chairmanship of the Committee on Tourism offered him, saying he is not a tourist.
Ndume also said only his constituents, who elected him, can ask him to leave the All Progressives Congress, APC, for another party.
Furthermore, he lauded President Bola Tinubu on the N70,000 new minimum wage but said it was little compared to a 50kg bag of rice.
Recall that the National Working Committee, NWC, of APC had removed Senator Ndume (APC, Borno South) as Chip Whip over his comments on President Buhari.
However, reacting on Friday, the politician said he stood by his comments but had accepted his removal.
Tourism Committee chair
Ndume spoke to journalists at his residence in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on Friday. He was home for the third day prayers for his late sister-in-law.
He said: “As for the Chairman Senate Committee on Tourism offered to me, I want to say that I am not a tourist and not good in tourism.
“As it is, I have spent over 10 years without going to any foreign countries. I have never been to the United Kingdom, UK. Even the United States of America which I went was when I was schooling there.
“I am happy; yesterday the President approved the minimum wage to N70,000 only. It is a good move. But the minimum wage is still minimal compared to a 50kg bag of rice which costs over N70,000.”
On his removal, he said: “I had wanted to react. But I was mourning. I now deem it feet to do so.
“I am a democrat and a realist, and someone who always says the truth no matter whose ox is gored.
“According to former US President, Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, and I quote ‘Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else’.
‘I stand by my words’
Ndume continued: “Therefore, I have not regretted what I said during my interview with Arise TV. I thank all Nigerians who took to their social media platforms and groups who issued a press statement aligning with my statement regarding excruciating hunger and insecurity under President Bola Tinubu.
“Secondly, the NWC of our great party, APC recommended to the Senate that I should be removed, which they did, I took that as an act of God. Because it is God that gave me that mandate as Chief Whip.
“So I bear no grudges about what transpired. After all, I did not contest to be the Chief Whip or to be the Vice Chairman of the Appropriation Committee. Rather, I contested to be a senator representing southern Borno and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“So it is not that am desperate. I am over 64 years old now, and I thank God.
… on joining PDP
“On the advice(s) that I am free to join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or any political party of my choice, I want to reiterate that, I am one of the Founding members of the APC.
“It is my people, my constituency and teaming supporters, that will decide for me whether to stay in APC, join another party or quit politics. Whatever their advice, is what I will work with.
“On whether I will take the matter to court, I want to say that, I will not go to court. I surrendered my case to Almighty Allah (God),” Ndume stated.
However, Ndume called on his supporters and teaming Nigerians to continue to pray for God to have mercy on the masses, restore peace in the land, and to remain calm and law-abiding always as things unfold.
More...
Philip Shaibu, reinstated deputy governor of Edo, says he is now “an unofficial member” of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Shaibu spoke in a chat with Arise TV’s Good Morning Show on Friday.
On Wednesday, a federal high court in Abuja ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement as deputy governor of Edo following his impeachment in April.
In his first public appearance after the judgment, Shaibu’s convoy was attacked in Benin City by suspected gunmen, with one police officer killed.
Shaibu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was with Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate for the September 21 governorship election in Edo, when the incident occurred.
Asked about his relationship with the APC governorship candidate, Shaibu said his “spirit” has left the PDP.
He added that he is “as good as being a member of APC” and “the only thing is that I have not officially left PDP”.
“For now, I am PDP. But going forward, if I declare for APC, it means that I have declared full support for Okpebholo,” Shaibu said.
“I am as good as being a member of APC, I can tell you that. I have two legs in APC. The only thing is that I have not officially left PDP. I am an unofficial member of APC. My spirit has left PDP.”
Shaibu was impeached after falling out with Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says President Bola Tinubu agreed to a N250,000 minimum wage proposal on the condition that the pump price of petrol would be increased.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, Joe Ajaero, NLC president, said labour leaders rejected the president’s condition because it would exacerbate the current hardship.
On Thursday, Tinubu approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers.
The approval was announced after Tinubu met with Ajaero and Festus Osifo, president of the TUC, at the presidential villa in Abuja.
The federal government will send a minimum wage bill to the national assembly next week.
Speaking on the development, Ajaero said labour leaders accepted the N70,000 offer because of the other benefits attached, and the three-year review period.
“Accepting N70,000 was the best way to make sure that we save Nigerians from further hardship,” Ajaero said.
“At the last meeting, the president brought a proposal that ‘I will give you guys N250,000, if you allow me to equally increase the pump price of petroleum products’ and we said no that we need to go and consult.
“Today, we went there to tell him ‘no’ and that the labour movement can make sacrifices without allowing Nigerians to suffer further on the increase of pump price of petroleum products.”
The NLC president said the current minimum wage regime became invalid on April 18, 2024, and that government will pay the arrears when a new wage regime kicks in.
BACKGROUND
Over the past few months, federal and state governments, organised labour, and the private sector have been negotiating a new minimum wage.
Initially, organised labour proposed N615,500 and N494,000 as the new national minimum wage, citing inflation and the prevailing economic hardship.
The federal government proposed N62,000, which was rejected.
The labour unions had insisted on N250,000 as the living wage.
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The federal government asked the labour unions to demand a more realistic and sustainable minimum wage.
On Thursday, the tripartite committee agreed on N70,000 as the new minimum wage.
Cement distributors in Lagos have stated that prices of the commodity might rise to levels seen earlier in the year during the next dry season when demand increases.
A review of prices across major cement distribution outlets reveals that prices have remained stable in the past four months following intervention from the federal government and the National Assembly. The price of a 50kg bag of cement ranges from N7,500 to N8,200.
Speaking on prices of the product, Ms. Halimat, a major cement distributor in Ikorodu said, “Now, we sell Elephant cement at N8,200 per bag and that’s the price for like two to three months now. No big difference between the price for Dangote and Elephant Cement for some time. I think it’s because of government intervention and the rainy season. Normally, demand is low during the rainy season as most construction work stops.”
Ms. Halimat’s views were confirmed by Mr. Idowu, who not only sells cement but also general building materials. He said that although prices are stable now, they are expected to rise when the dry season comes, and construction work picks up.
He said, “The drop in demand does not only affect cement but building materials in general but as construction works begin from maybe October or November, we’ll begin to see prices increases- that is how the market usually works but the one early this year was shocking and unexpected. I have been in this business for almost 20 years and I’ve not seen such a quick increase in cement prices. We have learnt now.”
N8,000 cement prices are not still cheap
However, another cement seller, Mr Enuwa disagreed that reduced demand for cement was due to the rainy season. According to him, reduced demand was caused by an increase in prices beyond the reach of average people to embark on large scale projects.
He said, “N8,000 for 50kg of cement is not cheap and that is not a stable price. How many people can build a house or any project at that price? We were selling cement around N5000 per bag this time last year and it increased to around N12,000 but dropping to the current price, that is not stable.”
He explained that the high prices of cement might deter developers from building at the regular full scale expected during the dry seasons.
Speaking on the cement price projection for the dry season, an official of the Dangote Group who requested anonymity said there is no reason to believe the opinions of cement distributors on the projected price increase.
According to him, prices are determined by different factors, not only demand, and it is difficult to project with certainty any increase in prices.
In his words, “What the distributors are telling you is what they think. It doesn’t mean it will happen. I cannot say for certain what will happen to cement prices when the dry season comes. It depends on different factors, and we have no control over some.”
Cement price increase earlier in the year
In February 2024, Nairametrics reported a spike in the price of cement from around N5,000 for 50kg bag to over N10,000 sending panic waves across the construction industry. It took the intervention of the federal government to rein on manufacturers that saw prices drop to N8000 after deliberations between the federal government led by Minister of Works led by Sen. David Umahi.
Prior to the hike, analysts at Cardinal Stone had projected that cement prices in 2024 would remain high due to the elevated inflationary environment, volatility in the foreign exchange market and high operational cost.
Nigerian businesses have not had it good with the foreign exchange market in 2024. The naira started the year trading at under N1000/$ and closed the first quarter at N1309/$ despite exchanging for as high as N1600 on the official window during the quarter.
The Cardinal report then diminished the likelihood of a price war between industry players in response to BUA’s price reduction in October 2023, stating that while it is slim, it is not impossible. It is worth knowing that in October 2023, the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu stated his cement company will peg the price of cement at N3,500. The declaration proved to be mere lip service as neither developers nor distributors were able to buy at that price.
Impact of cement price increase on the housing sector
As hinted earlier by Mr. Enuwa, the cement distributor, the impact of the high cement prices could deter developers from starting new projects.
An earlier report by Nairametrics revealed that the 130% increase in building materials has stalled housing projects across the country with builders most hit due to the decline in jobs.
Furthermore, the increase in building materials like cement has negatively impacted the real estate sector as developers face losses over an unprecedented increase in the cost of building materials which impacts the entire real estate development sector.
[Nairametrics]
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has told the National Assembly to stop enabling the recklessness of the executive arm of government, following the Senate’s sacking of Senator Ali Ndume as Majority Whip for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Atiku, who also cited Senator Abdul Ningi’s suspension earlier this year over claims of budget padding, said the health of Nigeria’s democracy is being compromised by the unholy alliance between the executive and the legislature which portends to a dictatorship.
Recall that Ndume from Borno South Senatorial district was replaced with Senator Mohammed Monguno from Borno North as the Senate Majority Whip.
This decision was conveyed through a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, signed by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and the national secretary, Ajibola Bashiru.
The letter, titled “Complaints Against the Unbecoming Utterances of Sen. Ali Ndume,” was read by Akpabio during the plenary session.
Atiku, while reacting to Ndume’s ordeal, said it is uncharitable for senators, on the floor of the red chamber, to be immediately reprimanded for performing their statutory duty of calling the executive to order.
He said in the evolution of systems of government, the legislative arm of government was conceived as a means of protecting the people from the authoritarian tendencies of wielders of state powers by ensuring the executive does not go overboard in the application of its powers.
The 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said, “Regrettably, however, the democracy in Nigeria in the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has become an anathema to that general principle of democracy as providing primary protection for the people against executive excesses.
“This ugly tendency is being manifested by the steady posturing of our National Assembly, especially the Senate, of taking a reverse course in its core function and becoming a puppet in the hands of the President.
“It is uncharitable that whenever members of the Senate stand on the floor of the red chamber to perform their statutory duty of calling the executive to order, they are immediately reprimanded for doing so.
“When Senator Abdul Ningi called attention of the country to the incident of budget padding in the 2024 Appropriation bill, rather than calling for a thorough investigation into the observation, the reaction of the Senate was to hand him a suspension.”
He added that Nigerians became victims of an ambiguous budget framework upon which appropriations for the current fiscal year are hinged in the face of multiplicity of appropriations.
“Only yesterday, Senator Ali Ndume called for the President to wake up to his responsibilities and provide succour to address the biting hunger and poverty in the country. Ironically, the response of the @NGRSenate to his patriotic warning is to relieve him of his principal office as the Chief Whip of the Senate.”
Atiku said despite persistent solicitations for government to put its priorities on canceling the excruciating hardship in the land and suspend plans of spending scarce resources on the purchase of new aircraft for the presidential fleet, “the Senate took a stand against the people and ignored the voices of altruism by decorating the President with controversial purchases of an aircraft and a yacht amidst the worst material conditions of the average citizen in the history of our country.”
The former Vice President added, “We are, therefore, beginning to see a pattern in which the National Assembly has become an enabler of executive recklessness, and the concerns of the people stand in the nadir of priority list of the legislature.
“This emerging reality must stop. The health of our democracy is being compromised by this unholy alliance between the executive and the legislature and portends a dictatorship that will worsen the lot of the people,” Atiku said.
[Leadership]