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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, which will focus on the current situation in the Middle East.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Saturday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024.
It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.
During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.
The statement added: “Nigeria will also advocate for renewed efforts to revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region.
“Key officials including the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, will accompany the President. Other members of the entourage are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed.
“After the conclusion of the summit, President Tinubu will return to Abuja.”
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has confirmed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current director-general, as the sole candidate for the position.
According to a statement from the organisation on Saturday, Okonjo-Iweala confirmed her willingness to serve a second four-year term on September 16.
The WTO formally began the process to appoint its next director-general on October 8, allowing members until November 8 to submit nominations.
In a message to members, Petter Olberg, chair of the WTO’s general council, announced that no additional nominations were received by the November 8 deadline.
“Under the procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509), I am required to communicate to Members a consolidated list of candidatures received for the post of Director-General immediately after the close of the nomination period, in this case 8 November 2024,” the statement reads.
“I would like to advise members that at the end of the nomination period the only candidacy received for this post is from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent director-general.
“The notification received from Dr Okonjo-Iweala pursuant to paragraph 12 of the Procedures in WT/L/509, was circulated to all Members together with my communication in document JOB/GC/406, dated 16 September 2024.”
The organisation noted that the general council chair would communicate the next steps in the process soon.
WTO added that Okonjo-Iweala’s current term will come to an end on August 31, 2025.
On February 15, 2021, Okonjo-Iweala was appointed as the director-general of the WTO.
She made history as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO.
Okonjo-Iweala’s second-term bid had been in doubt after Donald Trump’s victory in the United States presidential election on Wednesday.
Trump’s administration blocked her nomination in October 2020, in support of Yoo Myung-hee, former South Korean trade minister.
However, after losing his second-term presidential bid in November of the same year, Joe Biden’s administration backed Okonjo-Iweala for the WTO DG job.
Musiliu Akinsanya, former chairman of the Lagos chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has been elected as the national president of the union.
Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, was the sole candidate in the election which took place at the union’s zonal secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun state.
Delegates from the four south-west states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti participated in the election.
The election, which was held during the union’s quadrennial delegate conference, was monitored and observed by Aliyu Issa-Ore, the acting national president of the transport group.
Speaking with the delegates, Issa-Ore said the union’s constitution stipulates that the zone permitted to fill the national president’s position would elect its preferred candidate and present them to the national body.
The acting NURTW president, represented by Adedamola Salam, head of finance at the national headquarters in Abuja, said the south-west zone has fully complied with the constitution in electing Oluomo as president.
The delegates also elected Tajudeen Agbede as vice-president, south-west, while Akeem Adeosun was chosen as trustee from the zone.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, Akinsanya said members of the NURTW must ensure that they are committed to the preservation of the union.
“I have forgiven everyone who has offended me, and I hope those I have offended will forgive me as well,” he said.
“This is our union, and we must be committed to preserving it. We will not allow anyone to destroy our means of livelihood.”
In 2022, the NURTW suspended Akinsanya over alleged misconduct, insubordination and incitement but the suspension was lifted in 2023.
No fewer than seven states and the Federal Capital Territory have failed to approve the minimum wage expected to commence in October this year.
This is as 25 states have commenced payment or made a pronouncement on the amount to pay as the minimum wage.
The states that have yet to approve a particular minimum wage amount are Zamfara, Sokoto, Osun, Cross River, Imo, Plateau, Taraba, and the FCT.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that paying the N70,000 minimum wage may take a long time in Zamfara, as the state just began paying the old N30,000 minimum wage.
Recall that the N30,000 minimum wage took effect in April 2019, but Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State commenced the payment to the civil servants in June this year.
The state has yet to make any statement on the N70,000 minimum wage as of the time of filing this report.
Also, Sokoto State has yet to commence payment of the minimum wage despite Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s promise that his administration would be among the first states to do so.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, had declared that his administration would pay the minimum wage, but the state has yet to approve any amount or commence payment of the minimum wage.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in the state, Bimbo Fasasi, said the state was about to finalise the implementation process.
Fasasi, a member of the Labour/Osun State Government negotiation committee on the new minimum wage, said, “We are getting there, we are at the stage of comparing tables and exchanging tables between us. I’m confident we will soon have a meeting point and we will be able to make formal announcements and implementation will most definitely follow immediately.”
Cross River State has also not approved the N70,000 minimum wage.
On May 1, 2024, Governor Bassey Otu of the state announced N40,000 as a new minimum wage for civil servants before the national minimum wage.
TUC Chairman in the state, Monday Ogbodum, said labour unions were still negotiating the new minimum wage with the state government.
The minimum wage is also yet to take effect in Imo State, though Governor Hope Uzodimma assured workers that his government was committed to its implementation.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the state government and labour were already discussing the minimum wage.
The Vice Chairman of TUC in the state, Charles Amaru, disclosed that there was no agreement on payment by the state government yet.
He said, “The organised labour is still discussing with the state government on the template for payment. The discussion is prone to having fruitful outcomes and the government has said that everyone will be comfortable with the amount that will be paid.”
There has been grave silence on the minimum wage in Plateau State, just as the Taraba State Government has yet to commence the payment of the N70,000.
On September 5, 2024, Governor Agbu Kefas of the state said he was prepared to pay the new national minimum wage, adding that the Head of Service and the labour were already discussing the implementation.
The FCT has yet to speak on the minimum wage implementation as of the time of filing this report.
However, workers across the country have continued to lament the lingering economic hardship, noting that N70,000 is no longer enough for them.
The workers who spoke randomly with Saturday PUNCH said the fuel and electricity tariff hikes, inflation, and high cost of living have seriously reduced the value of the N70,000.
A staff member of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja, who pleaded anonymity stated that the labour leaders made a mistake by accepting the N70,000 minimum wage without considering the economic reality.
“We were not expecting our leaders to accept the N70,000 as minimum wage because the price of foodstuffs, fuel, electricity tariffs, and fuels continue to go up.
“The amount is not enough for us at all. The living standard in Abuja is high and it is a reality that we cannot survive on N70,000 every month.”
Also, a civil servant at Ayedire Local Government, Osun State, said the N70,000 was not proportionate to the economic hardship, adding that the minimum wage couldn’t feed a family for two weeks.
He queried, “What is the quality and quantity of the foodstuffs to buy with N70,000? How long will it take to exhaust the minimum wage in the face of fuel hikes and inflation? Life is not easy for us.”
Recall that the organised labour said they accepted the N70,000 minimum wage because of President Bola Tinubu’s promise not to increase fuel prices.
But the fuel price was increased in September and has continued to increase since then, a development that made the Nigeria Labour Congress declare that the president betrayed the labour unions.
The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, on September 20, said Tinubu betrayed the organised labour, using fuel as bait.
Ajaero noted that the cost of petrol has undermined the benefits of the N70,000 national minimum wage, urging the government to urgently address the pressing issues of hunger, poverty, and frustration affecting Nigerians.
Ajaero recounted discussions with Tinubu before the acceptance of the N70,000 minimum wage, stating that during negotiations, the president offered the option of accepting the N70,000 wage without further increase in fuel prices.
The Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical is set to begin fuel exports to South Africa, Angola, and Namibia, Saturday PUNCH can confirm.
A highly credible source, who confirmed this exclusively to one of our correspondents on Friday, said the management of the 650,000-barrel per-day capacity refinery was at advanced stages of talks with the countries to start lifting fuel.
Our correspondents gathered that four other African countries – Niger Republic, Chad, Burkina Faso and Central Africa Republic – had also started negotiation with the refinery.
Saturday PUNCH was reliably informed that more countries were being expected to signify interest in lifting fuel from the refinery in the coming months.
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Ghana was recently reported to have expressed interest in buying petrol from the $20bn Lekki-based refinery.
The Chairman of the National Petroleum Authority, Ghana, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, said the arrangement with Dangote refinery would end his country’s monthly $400m fuel imports from Europe.
“I can confirm to you that talk is actually at advance stage with Ghana, Angola, Namibia and South Africa, while initial discussion is coming up with Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic,” the source said.
When asked why marketers are insisting on not buying from Dangote despite the refinery’s capacity, the source said the dealers had hidden agenda.
“However, between now and January 2025, their plan would be exposed. Dangote refinery remains the hope of this country for a sustainable supply of petrol and the refinery has the capacity to serve the entire country,” the source added.
Meanwhile, local marketers have resolved to import fuel from outside the country.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria last week insisted on fuel importation after accusing the Dangote refinery of selling fuel to Nigerians at an exorbitant price.
The marketers are awaiting the approvals of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to import cheaper petrol.
The marketers argued that importing more affordable petrol would offer relief for consumers still adjusting to the price surges following the removal of fuel subsidy.
However, to proceed, the marketers requested access to foreign exchange from the CBN, and permits from NMDPRA to ensure compliance with fuel quality and regulatory standards.
The NMDPRA has, however, refuted claims that IPMAN and PETROAN were allowed to obtain petrol import licence as associations.
An official of the NMDPRA, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the agency could not approve the request of oil marketers to obtain import licence as an association, but based on individual requests.
The source added that individual application was the stipulated law and could not be shelved.
“The truth of the matter is that they can’t apply for petrol import licence as a body or association. Individual marketers have to apply by themselves before they can be granted that licence. They have to apply by themselves. We are not going to give the permit jointly so they can’t apply as an association.
“So, this also means that if individual marketers don’t apply for it, we can’t approve it.”
Responding, the National Public Relations Officer of PETROAN, Dr Joseph Obele, said the association applied for the import licence about one month ago through its newly incorporated trading wing.
He described Dangote as an “aggressive competitor” who would go to any length to monopolise the market.
“You should know that Dangote is just out to close all the doors and windows so that no person enters the market. He is determined to ensure that nobody enters the market as a competitor. We assure Nigerians that as soon as the regulatory agency approves our authority to import, this price of PMS that is causing pain to Nigerians right now will crash to the barest minimum.
“The product we are planning to import is one of the best products so far, far better than his (Dangote) own, but he is just telling Nigerians that any product that is coming into the country is not better than his own.
“We call on Nigerians to support the call for dismantling monopolies so that we can liberate the market; otherwise, we will remain in the trap we are. We are trapped at the moment; we are trapped with exploitation and the only way out of the trap is to dismantle every dimension of monopoly and we are calling on Nigerians to support us,” Obele said.
President Bola Tinubu has approved that ministers of state be given full powers to supervise the agencies under them, TheCable can report.
Until now, files pertaining to departments and agencies under their supervision were sent by their permanent secretaries to the senior ministers.
With the new dispensation, ministers of state can now grant all necessary administrative approvals on the governance process of these agencies and departments.
According to a source in the office of the head of service of the federation, “the president was not pleased with the prevailing governing framework in which ministers of states were just ministers in name”.
This, Tinubu reportedly said, led to the “underutilisation of the expertise and capabilities” of most ministers of state.
“The president believes ministers of state should have the right to make decisions and direct action within their areas of responsibility,” the official added.
The source said the idea — first mooted by Hadiza Bala Usman, special adviser to the president on policy coordination and head, central delivery coordination unit — got an instant buy-in from the president.
With the new directive, the administration hopes “to unleash” the potential of all the ministers, the source added.
Tinubu’s cabinet is made up of 48 ministers, but 16 of them are junior.
Ministries with ministers of state are: agriculture and food security, defence,education, FCT, foreign affairs, health, petroleum (oil), petroleum (gas), humanitarian and poverty reduction, and women affairs.
Others are: works, regional development, labour and employment, finance, trade and investment, and housing and urban development.
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that Nigeria is undergoing a fundamental and disruptive reset, following the removal of subsidies by President Bola Tinubu.
Soludo made this remark during Veritas University’s 13th convocation lecture in Abuja, on Thursday.
The lecture, titled ‘Let Us Make a New Deal for Nigeria’, explored ways to address the country’s challenges.
Soludo noted the need to transition from subsidies, which largely benefitted the urban elite, to a productive social contract that creates opportunities for all.
He explained that the country has ended the harmful fuel, foreign exchange, and electricity subsidies.
“We have entered a ‘muddling-through’ phase that requires careful navigation,” Soludo said.
He acknowledged that, despite other issues, the military regimes invested in education during Nigeria’s early oil booms.
Soludo urged Nigerians to craft a pragmatic new deal for the country, as well as an emergency national infrastructure plan, similar to the United States Marshal Plan used to rebuild Europe after World War II.
He encouraged Nigerian leaders to draw inspiration from the marshal plan to implement public works projects, financial reforms, and regulatory changes that could transform the nation.
He also highlighted positive signs, such as the minimum wage legislation, the draft tax reform bill, and planned cash transfers.
He called for historic coordination between federal and state governments to ensure swift implementation of these reforms.
Soludo urged the graduating students to actively contribute to the country’s future.
He said, “The future you seek is in your hands. Only those who plan can control the future. While Nigeria may not have given you much, you are expected to give more than you have received.”
He encouraged them to participate in shaping the nation’s destiny.
The United States President Joe Biden has asked Americans to accept the victory of Republican Party candidate Donald Trump in the presidential election.
On November 6, Trump won the presidential election after exceeding the magic number of 270 electoral college votes.
Trump defeated Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party, who has 219 electoral college votes.
Harris has congratulated Trump on his electoral victory.
During a speech on Thursday at the White House Rose Garden, Biden said, “We accept the choice the country made.”
“I know for some people, it’s time for victory to state the obvious. For others, it’s a time of loss,” the US president said.
“Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other.
“I’ve said many times, you can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbour only when you agree.
“I will do my duty as president. I’ll fulfil my oath and honour the Constitution. On January 20, we will have a peaceful transfer of power here in America.
“Remember, defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dream is calling for you to get back up.
“The America experiment endures. We are going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. Above all, we need to keep the faith.”
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, urged chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party to ensure unity within the party by not allowing individual presidential ambitions to cause division.
The two party leaders made this appeal during the official inauguration of the Board of Governors and the unveiling of the roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
This appeal follows growing concerns that the presidential ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, and Makinde himself could escalate internal divisions within the party, potentially derailing the ongoing reconciliation efforts led by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led committee.
In recent months, the PDP has become divided into factions loyal to Atiku and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Tensions heightened when Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, expressed his interest in running for the presidency in 2027.
Saraki, addressing the gathering on Thursday, said that the PDP, once the party of the masses, had come a long way and should not be sacrificed for individual aspirations.
“The party was built on ideas, philosophies, and policies. Let us move away from building ideas on personal ambition. We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts. This is the foundation,” Saraki said.
He continued, “Let us stop talking about who is running for councillor, governor, or president in 2027. Let us focus on what the PDP represents. What are the issues and policies that we must address? This is what Nigerians want to know. That is why I support this institute. I hope others will too, because this is the foundation.
“I have travelled to several places, and when people meet us, even in Europe, they ask where our institute is. It is an embarrassment that, as a major political party, we did not have one until now. But today, we are closing that chapter. The message we send to Nigerians is that this is a serious party. We are leaders. Let PDP lead in that way.”
While expressing gratitude for the opportunities his political success has afforded him through the party, the Oyo state governor urged every PDP member to strive to be remembered for helping revive the party’s fortunes.
“A lot has been said about the PDI and its origins. But what do we want to be remembered for? This is the essence and significance of today. Abba Moro has said that since 1998, he has benefitted from the PDP. I too have benefitted since 2019. I want to thank our great party and all the stakeholders here today for giving me the opportunity to secure not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella,” he stated.
Makinde added, “The only thing I can promise is that, having drawn from this well, I will not pollute it when it is time for me to leave office. The journey here has not been easy, but I am grateful that we have overcome many obstacles. However, since the 2015 elections, things have only gone from bad to worse. As we face the next level of economic instability and renewed troubles, the PDP must offer real hope for Nigeria. Our country needs direction, and Nigerians are looking to the PDP for an ideological foundation.”
The governor continued by pledging support for the PDP’s governorship candidate in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, stressing that victory in the state requires unity.
“As we head to Ondo State, we need true reconciliation and unity to overcome the APC there. We know we are more popular. You saw the debate, and our candidates are the only ones with a clear vision for governance in Ondo. So, we must work together to ensure that no form of rigging, either institutional or propagated by the ruling party, succeeds.”
He concluded, “We must go to Ondo as one united party and resist any attempt to undermine the will of the people. The PDP is the only party in Nigeria that has allowed youth to be part of the political process, and I know that the PDI will only expand this space. I am not too old; my mind and body remain youthful, and I will be part of the effort to give youth opportunities in politics.
“This unveiling marks the renewal of PDP’s pledge to start planning for governance and create a blueprint to rebuild our nation. The PDP can and will do everything it can to fix Nigeria. We will fix the PDP, and then the PDP will fix Nigeria. That is the foundation of real hope for the people of Nigeria.”
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the rise of a new terrorist group called ‘Lukarawas’, which is further escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest region.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this during a military briefing on Thursday in Abuja, where he provided an update on ongoing military operations.
According to Buba, the group originated from the Republic of Niger following the recent coup that disrupted military cooperation between Niger and Nigeria.
He noted that after the political upheaval in Niger, the group began infiltrating northern areas of Sokoto and Kebbi States, exploiting routes from Niger and Mali.
Buba highlighted that before the coup, joint border operations with Nigerien security forces were effective in curbing terrorist activities.
“The terrorists capitalized on the lapse in collaboration between the two nations and leveraged challenging terrains to penetrate remote regions of certain northwestern states and propagate their ideology,” he said.
He further explained that some local communities initially welcomed the group, mistaking their intentions, and failed to alert the military or security agencies about their presence.
Maj.-Gen. Buba assured the public that military forces had intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) efforts to weaken the group.
He also mentioned that the terrorists continue to exploit under-governed spaces to evade capture, hide, and intimidate residents.
“Troops are tracking them down and neutralizing the threat,” Buba added.
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[PRESS RELEASE] Oyebanji Approves Another N1Billion For Gratuities, Pays Two Months Pension Arrears to LG Pensioners
Admin![[PRESS RELEASE] Oyebanji Approves Another N1Billion For Gratuities, Pays Two Months Pension Arrears to LG Pensioners](/media/k2/items/cache/9e36a5e0b299b85c89efddf0790f12ec_XS.jpg)
...releases subvention to higher institutions
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has approved the release of the sum of one billion naira as gratuity to State pensioners.
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of two months pension arrears to local government pensioners.
This is coming barely a month after the Governor distributed a total N3.5 billion in gratuity cheques to retirees in the state, in a bold effort aimed at offseting the backlog of outstanding gratuities.
Additionally, Governor Oyebanji has also approved payment of two months outstanding subvention to Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti and one month outstanding subvention each to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti; Bamidele Olomilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti; and College of Health Science and Technology, Ijero- Ekiti.
Also, approved for release is one month outstanding subvention to the Judiciary.
The payments are in fulfilment of the Governor’s promise to priortise welfare and wellbeing of workers and retirees and ensure that all outstanding entitlements of workers and pensioners owed by previous administrations are paid to them in line with the continuity and shared prosperity agenda of the administration.
The Governor urges workers in the state to remain focused on excellent service delivery, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to their welfare as well as payment of all their entitlements.
Yinka Oyebode
Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor
07-11-2024
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has congratulated Vice President Kamala Harris for her resilience in the last US presidential election.
Peter Obi said Harris contested with courage and strength, even though the will of the American people prevailed.
In a statement, on Thursday, the Labour Party chieftain stated that the peaceful conduct of the US presidential election should inspire Nigeria to abandon outdated electoral practices.
He added he was optimistic that Donald Trump‘s victory would reinforce democracy worldwide and contribute to fostering global peace.
Obi said, “Yesterday (Wednesday), I extended my congratulations to President Donald Trump on his successful return as the 47th President of the United States.
“I am optimistic that his victory will reinforce democracy worldwide and contribute to fostering much-needed global peace.
“I also congratulate Vice President Kamala Harris on her resilience and dedication throughout this political journey.
“She contested with courage and strength, yet in the end, the will of the people prevailed.
“The peaceful conduct of these U.S. elections, along with the efficient transmission and release of results, should serve as an example and an inspiration for us here in Nigeria to abandon outdated practices such as electoral malpractice, vote-buying, election violence, and network disruptions that continue to hinder our democratic process.”
The former governor of Anambra State added, “No democratic election is complete unless the people’s will is genuinely reflected through the ballots.
“As a nation, let us collectively work to restore the integrity of our electoral system and ensure that our process for choosing leaders is free, fair, and reflective of the people’s true desires.”
For the second time in less than 48 hours, the national grid has collapsed again, plunging the country into another round of darkness.
The system glitch, which happened around 11:28am on Thursday, is the second this week and 10th incident in 2024.
A check on Independent System Operator, an autonomous arm of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) showed only 3.7 megawatts of electricity was on the grid by 12 noon this Thursday.
The ISO’s website showed the generation plants produced an average of 2,709.45 megawatts of electricity around 11am.
As of the time of filing this report, TCN was yet to state the reason for the latest grid collapse.
Confirming the development, Jos Electricity Distribution Company stated that the current outage being experienced within its franchise was a result of loss of power supply from the national grid.
“The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred this morning at about 11:28 hours of today, Thursday, 7th November 2024, hence the loss of power supply on all our feeders.
“We hope to restore normal power supply to our esteemed customers as soon as the grid supply is restored back to normalcy,” JEDC stated.