Bashir Ahmad, a former Media Aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has faulted the alleged decision of organizers of the August 1 protest to add the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, to their demands.

Ahmad vowed never to join the protest if Kanu’s unconditional release was part of the demands of the protesters.

Posting on X, the former presidential aide wrote: “You should not expect me to join a protest where the unconditional release of terrorist Nnamdi Kanu is listed as one of the non-negotiable demands. Never!”

Popular activist and convener of the nationwide protest, Omoyele Sowore, had unveiled the key demands to be tabled to President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Daily Post reports that the nation’s economic situation has propelled citizens, particularly the youths, to stage a mass protest nationwide.

Despite efforts by the government to quell the move, Nigerian youths have insisted on embarking on the protest in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

The looming protest titled, ‘Days of Rage’, or ‘EndBadGovernance’, is aimed at drawing the attention of the Federal Government to the unfortunate economic situation of the country.

Part of the demands listed by Sowore is the unconditional release of Kanu.

The IPOB leader has been locked up by the Nigerian Government despite courts granting him bail.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it is fully capable of managing the conduct of local government elections if tasked with the responsibility.

The chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu said this on Thursday, July 25, when he appeared before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

He said INEC has the capacity to handle the local government elections but that would only be possible pending when the law is amended to permit it to do so.

He pointed out that the Commission had been conducting area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory which has been devoid of the problems associated with the conduct of local government elections.

He pointed out some advantages of INEC handling elections to include that there are regular elections as when due, stability of tenure, and also that there has never been a caretaker committee in the FCT.

He noted that there has never been a time one political party has won all the seats at the elections as is common in the states.

He said if INEC handles the election, it would be better for democracy.

He, however, said this can only happen if the constitution is amended to take the responsibility from state electoral commissions.

Details shortly…

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, on Thursday declared its support for theplanned August 1 nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu.

Afenifere’s Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, however, said the body would not be part of the protest.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Faloye warned against violence during the nationwide protest.

According to Faloye: “Afenifere is not planning to be part of the protest but we support the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, however, we have been warning against the hardship. You can’t tell a hungry man not to wait.

“Afenifere has been saying we need economic and political restructuring of this country; but all we have is palliative, which are superficial moves.

“We acknowledge their rights, we saw this, but you, the government, don’t want to take responsibility for your economic policies. Tinubu imposed the 10 days of rage on himself due to his policies. It’s not that we support the protest, but we understand that it’s an organic reaction.

“We support anybody who wants to support the protest against government policies, which we understand are anti-people.

“We don’t support violence but peaceful protest to voice your concerns, in most cases; it’s not the people that are the problem but the government and the political thugs that are the issue. We support the protest.”

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has appealed to residents of Abuja not to partake in the planned nationwide protest against hardship.

Wike made the appeal while interacting with residents after he inspected the ongoing construction of a 5-kilometre access road to Saburi 1 and 2 in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, in Abuja on Thursday.

Some unidentified Nigerians have planned to embark on a peaceful protest over hunger and insecurity in the country beginning on August 1.

However, the minister said that President Bola Tinubu is aware of the concerns of Nigerians and is working hard to address the challenges.

Describing the current hunger and suffering as a temporary situation, the minister said that the ongoing reforms and policies would soon yield the desired results.

He alleged protest is being organized by some politicians in a bid to destabilize Tinubu’s administration.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has directed its 104 affiliated youth organizations to remain on standby consultation ahead of the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.

Frustrated Nigerians, who are dissatisfied with the state of the economy and the hardship in the land, have vowed to hit the streets in protest.

The youth body stated it would, in the next four days, consult widely with various stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues.

However, the federal government has warned that there would be dire consequences for the stability of the country if the nationwide protest being planned by some Nigerians goes ahead.

In a communiqué issued on Thursday following an emergency meeting of its National Executive, 36 State Chairmen, and other stakeholders held via Zoom from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday, the NYCN expressed concern over the severe socio-economic challenges and widespread hardship faced by citizens, especially the youth.

The communiqué, signed by its President, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, stated that the youth body would hold a world press conference on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, to address the nation on current issues and its stance on the upcoming protest.

The communiqué reads: “On July 24, 2024, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) convened a crucial meeting with its National Executive, 36 State Chairmen, and other key stakeholders to deliberate on the state of the nation and the looming nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024.

“The meeting was held via Zoom and lasted for several hours, addressing the urgent concerns of Nigerian youths and the overall socio-economic and political climate of the country.

“NYCN leaders acknowledged that the current socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria, including rising inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and the general hardship experienced by citizens, particularly the youth, have reached alarming levels.

“After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were adopted: The NYCN commits to, in the next four days, consult widely with various stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues.”

NYCN reaffirmed its commitment to representing the interests of Nigerian youths and advocating for positive change in the nation.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will begin their quest for a podium finish at the 2024 Olympic Games when they confront Brazil in their opening Group C fixture on Thursday (today).

The encounter is slated for the Matmut Atlantique Stadium, Bordeaux. It will kick-off at 6pm.

The Super Falcons are back to the Olympics after a 16-year absence.

Tonight’s encounter will be the third meeting between Nigeria and Brazil.

Brazil won their first meeting 4-3 at the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The South Americans also claimed a 3-1 victory the last time both countries met at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Brazil will be led by the legendary Marta, who has scored 118 goals in 183 appearances for the Samba Girls.

The Super Falcons will also face current world champions Spain and former world champions Japan in the same group.

Randy Waldrum’s side lost 1-0 to Canada in their only friendly before the Olympics.

The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, has warned residents to avoid violent protests similar to the 2020 #EndSARS protests.

She urged residents to avoid the destruction of public properties.

Salu-Hundeyin gave the warning while addressing newsmen after a routine security meeting with the secretaries to the local governments at the state secretariat in Alausa, Lagos.

Naija News reports that during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, several public properties, including a Bus Rapid Transit terminal, were set ablaze by hoodlums, and lives were reportedly lost.

Due to the rising cost of living and staple foods, some Nigerians are planning another protest expected to kick-start on August 1, 2024, and run till August 10.

Speaking on the planned protest, the SSG affirmed that every Nigerian has the right to express themselves through protest, but warned residents to avoid violent demonstrations that would disrupt the peace of the state.

She said, “This is the state that does not owe any pensioner a Kobo. If you retired today, you should be expecting your pension immediately. The Lagos State Government is doing so much.

“Is it the Ilera Eko, the New Insurance Medical Schemes, the university we are building, the blue line rail, and others?

“It is a legitimate right for citizens to protest; there’s nothing wrong with it. The only thing people should worry about is that we do not want violence because the nascent peace we enjoy in Nigeria now and the development we are seeing, particularly in Lagos State, should not be truncated.

“We do not want anything to tamper with all that the state is currently enjoying. During the last protest (EndSARS), we saw the destruction that happened. They have a right, but their rights should not be for destruction.”

The chairman of Scribe 57 and Ikeja SLG, Akeem Dauda, raised the same alarm and described the planned protest as “unnecessary,” noting that local people would be engaged to discourage participation.

“We have resolved that the protest is uncalled for and unnecessary based on what Lagos State, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has done in the last year. We feel strongly about educating them about why the protest in Lagos is unnecessary,” he said.

…Labour Ministry, NSIWS get power to exempt employers

As workers anxiously look forward to the commencement of the N70,000 new minimum wage any moment from now, unfortunately not every worker will be paid the new wage.

Who are those that fall below the minimum wage threshold, and why?

Vanguard’s investigation revealed that the Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage, before it ended its works on June 5, 2024, recommended the categories of workers who are not eligible to receive the minimum wage.

Vanguard’s investigation shows that the 10-man sub-committee of the Tripartite committee comprising the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Onyejeocha Nkiruka, Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, labour leaders, private sector operators, four from National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission among others, in a report recommended employer with a minimum of 10 employees as against the 25 employees contained in the now repealed 2018 Minimum Wage Act, among other categories of workers exempted from the national minimum wage.

According to the investigation, “the committee after careful considerations, consultation and survey, including reports of the public hearings, as well as to provide the solution to issues and concerns raised, noted that to avoid unreasonable or unfair exclusion of many poor workers from the right to a decent earning, this sub-committee tried to take a different approach to determine who should be exempted.

“Rather than exemption based on capacity to employ, the exemption should be based on revenue or net income, either quarterly or annually. Enforcement mechanisms should be able to access accounts of employer organisations to determine compliance.

“Rather than focus mainly on monthly salary, which is only applicable to government and organised private sector employment, an hourly, daily and weekly minimum wage should be introduced to establishments or businesses that either pay after work or those that may opt to pay weekly, in addition to monthly payment that’s prevalent in organised private sector and the governments. This will take care of part time and piece-rate employees.”

It equally recommended the introduction of flexibility to exemption, by making it possible for organisations to be able to apply for exemption. To encourage startups and entrepreneurship, years of starting business could be factored.

Criteria for Exemption

In the opinion of the committee, to qualify for exemption from the mandatory payment of minimum wage, a business must fall under a Nano business(Business managed by 1-3 persons with capital below N50,000) and micro business enterprise, has 10 or a smaller number of employees, startup businesses, legal or statutory exemption and commission contract

Others include establishments that have less than N50-million revenue per quarter or N200 million revenue per annum, organisations with less than 10 staff, establishments of not more than three years in existence, industries which have their staff remuneration and compensation regulated by other Acts of the National Assembly or any other business which the Minister of Labour and Employment or the Executive Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission finds to be reasonably justified to be waived or exempted, provided that such waiver shall not be given unless the reason for its application is based on evidence of lower revenue, insolvency, debt crisis or other justification that threaten the existence of the establishment, which shall not apply to governments or their ministries, departments and agencies.

Before arriving at its recommendations, the committee took note of the exemption of workers on seasonal employment such as agricultural farmlands, exemption of any person working in a vessel or aircraft to which laws regulating merchant shipping or civil aviation applies.

The committee also noted that “The formal sector wage pattern: governments, corporate organisations and other organised private sector businesses. The wage pattern in this category is mainly every month. Workers and their employers in this category are usually the focus of the national minimum wage laws.

There is yet, a serious challenge when it comes to coverage of or compliance with, as the case may be, the national minimum wage even amongst this category of employers.

Therefore, it is difficult to have an accurate assessment of the pattern either because some establishment shortchanges by strategically avoiding the threshold or, in the case of state governments, refusing to comply with the law.”

It pointed out “the informal sector wage pattern, in which workers do not have any earning yardstick, wages in this sector are multi-dimensional. Compensation and remuneration in this category range from commission, to piece-rate. Some are paid daily after close of business which might be dependent upon daily sales. Some are employed on apprenticeship, to work and learn, while helping to build or grow the business with the agreement to get settlement by taking a share of the business, becoming partners or receiving settlements after some agreed years.

Justification for exemption

The sub-committee considered the rationale, justification and objective for excluding organisations from mandatory compliance with the national minimum wage laws based on the number of their employees.

The sub-committee considered that many organisations with supposedly slim workforces earn multi-billion naira in annual revenue, and yet do not on their own volition find it fair to commensurately compensate their junior staff with an amount above the minimum wage standard.

The sub-committee also found that this idea of exemption is even discouraged by the International Labour Organisation, describing it as unfair to the lowest earners of the society.

The sub-committee argues that even if this form of exemption becomes necessary, 25 employees as the baseline for such exemption is unfair and unrealistic.