The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has jerked its demand for new monthly minimum wage for workers in Nigeria to one million Naira. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in an interview on Arise Television today, February 12, said that the earlier N200,000 which the labour gave as acceptable new minimum wage is no longer adequate to meet the needs of an average worker. He insisted that the new minimum wage must reflect the country’s economic conditions and other economic indicators. “This N1 million may be relevant if the value of the Naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues to depreciate. “The demand of Labour is equally dependent on what is happening in society. “You will remember that by the time we contemplated N200,000, the exchange rate was about N900. Today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more. “Those are the issues that determine the demand, and they are equally affecting the cost of living, and we have always said that our demand will be based on the cost of living index. “You will agree that a bag of rice is about N60,000 to N70,000. Foodstuff is getting out of reach. “Now, will we get a minimum wage that is insufficient for transportation, even for one week? “We have to factor in all these issues. And that will determine the federal government’s commitment to these negotiations.” He confirmed that the organized Labour is meeting with the Federal Government today to discuss resolutions around the strike notice issued by the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) last week.
A bowl-full of African star apple, known in Yoruba language as agbalumo and Udara in Igbo language cost N250 at Owo in Ondo State of South West Nigeria. Though the bowl is padded, you are sure to get at least 12 pieces in a bowl. We bought two bowls of agbalumo and they tasted so sweet to the extent of us regretting not having bought more. Earlier in the journey, I observed an 18-seater bus loaded with agbalumo heading towards Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, from Ondo State. As we arrived in Abuja, the nation’s federal capital, we found the same agbalumo being sold at N100 per piece, and if you are lucky, you get three pieces at 200 (meaning that a bowl goes for between N1,000 and N1,200). One then wonders why are there price discrepancies between what it is the South West and the North, a distance of barely six hours journey. You begin to hear all sort of stories, starting from market unions where the goods are being loaded from. We are told that tickets for loading fruits such as agbalumo could cost the owner of the goods as high as 40,000 naira. Such tickets are said to have been classified as levies charged for loading out any produce from the local market . On the high way while conveying these goods, extortions of various types know no bounds. The extortions are the handiwork of customs officers on the road, the police, the road safety officers and even army personnel. Drivers are made to pay all sort of unauthorised monies in the name of levies. Of course, all such taxes and levies add up to the high cost of such goods in the retail markets. The same story goes for all other food items coming from the hinterlands to the cities across the country. The question is that for how long should this be allowed to continue? We should not forget marketers who are in the habit of reaping where they do not sow. They would take great delight in selling old stocks at the rate of new prices. However, luckily, on February 8, the federal government ordered the release of 102,000 metric tonnes of rice and maize from the grain reserves to avert the hunger that is already in the land from biting harder. Strategic grain reserve is a government stockpile of grain for the purpose of meeting future domestic or international needs. After the announcement of the release of grains by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idtis, critical look should be made on the reason why there have been wide margin in prices of food commodities between the local markets and end users in the cities. There should be a look into the reason why ogbono (sorrel), for instance, in Ogoja, Cross Rivers State costs far lower than what obtains in Lagos or Abuja. At what point are the citizens themselves jeopardising the process? Agreed that transportation cost is a major determinant of how much these items will cost but government should therefore, do something drastic and practical to reduce the cost of transportation of, especially, agricultural products. One of the options can be the gas powered vehicles that are waiting to be implemented in full. Afterall, in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, we have been made to enjoy palliative measures that has remained so far only on paper: not many have seen or experience such palliative and where they are distributed publicly around town to the hungry populace. We should understand that while the majority in the country are living in poverty, not many have the endurance spirit to bear it for too long without succumbing to other shortcuts.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has fallen for second best to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, losing the final match in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) this evening, February 11, by 2 goals to 1. The Ivorians came from a goal down in the final match to score two goals to win the trophy. Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, had put his team ahead in the 38 minutes play of the first half from a corner kick. But two second half goals ensured that Cote d’Ivoire, which came out as the fourth best among the third placed teams in the group phase, won the trophy.
The House of Representatives has made it clear that it had not gone outside the provisions of the Nigerian constitution on the issue of the TETFund Interventions that had caught media headlines in recent times. Reacting to media outcry on alleged extortion against the House Of Representatives by Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts of the tatiary institutions in the country, the Reps described the allegation as being ignorance of the constitution. In a statement today, February 11, the Reps Spokesman who doubles as Chairman, House Committee on Media & Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi Jr. said that legislative oversight or directives over monies appropriated by parliament for a public institution neither constitutes “unwholesome overbearing influence” in the management of the schools nor “breaches their autonomy,” as reported in the media outfits. Akin Rotimi said that section 80 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), clearly spells out that: “No monies shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation unless the issue of those monies has been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly. “Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution also give the National Assembly powers to direct or cause to be directed, investigation into the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly. “The Nigerian Constitution serves as the Supreme Law of the Land, and every legislation or action remains subordinate to the provisions of the constitution even in the case of a seeming contradiction. This is by virtue of Section 1 of the same constitution and there have been a plethora of the apex court’s affirmations of this principle. It is essential to recognise that the Constitution acts as the litmus test for the validity of every other law or action in the country, ensuring adherence to constitutional principles. In light of this constitutional imperative, it is our firm belief that the TETFund Act, like any other legislation in Nigeria, should be interpreted and applied in harmony with the Constitution. “While Section 7(5) of the TETFund Act may not explicitly mention National Assembly approval, it should be read and understood within the broader context of the Constitution, which mandates such approval for withdrawals from public funds. The absence of an express statement in the TETFund Act for National Assembly approval does not imply an exemption from constitutional provisions. “Rather, it can be interpreted as an inherent understanding that all legislation, including the TETFund Act, is subject to the overarching principles enshrined in the Constitution.” The spokesperson said that the directive by the House Committee on TETFUND in its letter to the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), requesting a suspension of the implementation of the 2024 Intervention Fund pending its approval is within constitutional bounds and in line with the need to ensure accountability. He said that for any one or entity to “resort to blackmail of the Committee with allegations of extortion, they must understand that such an action is libelous and necessary legal action would be taken. “Not forgetting that the content of these reports raises fresh fears about the falling standard of journalism in our dear country; given especially that mere insinuations (rather than statement of proofs) could be elevated in such manner by any national daily. “Secondly, it is pertinent to add that although an earlier communication on this subject matter was from the House, the scheduled hearing on 27th February 2024 is organised by a Joint Senate and House Committee on TETFund. A similar approach was employed during Budget Defence by the various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Parastatals and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) during consideration of the 2024 Appropriation Bill (now Act). “We believe that the action of holding Joint Committee meetings where necessary, allays whatever fears (due to cost and sundry reasons) such that agencies of government will have to interface with the so-called “duplicated committees,” as insinuated in one of the reports. “Thirdly, it is also well known that there are established channels for these “complainants” to lay whatever complains they may have against the invitation handed them or the content of the letter in itself. In this regard, neither the CVCNU nor TETFund has made any formal complaint or claims against the Committee or the said invitation. “Since we have not received any such complaints, we believe the false narratives being peddled are not the positions of the tertiary institutions’ administrators, but a few among them who have a lot to fear and consequently seek to hide, and have jettisoned formal channels and opted for coordinated sponsored smear campaigns against the Committee. “Finally, it is on record that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) wrote to some universities in July 2023, as part of its investigation into alleged Violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. “The ICPC had in its letter requested these universities to direct some of its staff to refund unutilised funds released to them under Conferences and ensure that the same is paid into ICPC’s TSA Recovery Account through a Remita Platform. “As a legislature desirous of effective service delivery, the Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen-led House believes that such issues are avoidable where strengthened oversight exists. “In line with our 8-point Legislative Agenda, Strengthening Good Governance is the first among the eight priorities of this Assembly so listed. Anti-Corruption and Legislative Oversight are key pillars in these efforts at strengthening good governance. It therefore follows that hearings such as these are to be recognised and respected as part of legislative initiatives to strengthen our oversight functions to combat corruption in Nigeria.”
President Bola Tinubu has said that his government is positioning Nigeria As net exporter of food in no distance future. “Nigeria will become a net-exporter of food” the President stressed, when he received in audience, today, February 11, a delegation from the Global Tijaniyya Movement, led by Khalifa Muhammad Mahe Niass, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Tinubu said that very soon, his government will bring thousands of tractors and that “food production will be greatly expanded through aggressive mechanization.” He enumerated other viable initiatives by his government to bolster agricultural productivity. Such initiatives, President Tinubu said, will include the expansion of farmlands, the provision of low-interest loans to farmers and significant investments in irrigation infrastructure. The President vowed, with emphasis, to revolutionize agriculture to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production and a net exporter of agricultural products “We must be productive as a people. That is the Sunnah and the principles I grew up understanding.” He stressed the need for collaboration between political and spiritual leaders to advance the nation’s interests and promote unity among the people. He thanked the Global Tijaniyya Movement for their support and prayers, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in building a better Nigeria. This was even as the Khalifa of Tijaniyya, Sheikh Mahe Niass, commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s peace, progress and stability. He expressed confidence in the President’s leadership and conveyed the support and prayers of members of the Global Tijaniyya Movement to the Nigerian leader. During their visit, the delegation offered prayers for the nation’s progress, unity and prosperity, and for Almighty Allah to grant President Tinubu wisdom, strength and success.
Ex Super Eagles forward, Osaze Odemwingie has predicted that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will defeat Ivory Coast in today’s (February 11) in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Super Eagles had defeated the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire 1-0 during the group stage of the competition. But Ivory Coast beat defending champions Senegal, Mali, and Dr Congo en route to the final. Osaze said: “Hopefully, history repeats itself and we beat them once again in this tournament, I think we have the upper hand emotionally and maybe mentally because we know we have already had a good performance against them with the support of the crowd,” Odemwinge said to Channels Television. “So I think the boys will have it at the back of their minds that during this tournament, they have already won but you know at the same time you know a very good start is very important. “We have all the talents. We have a team with more talented players than Cote d’Ivoire. If we match them physically, they cannot match us for skill and that would be my hope that all these skills you know come out in the game because we want to unlock their defense. “They conceded four goals against Equatorial Guinea, so there are places to exploit and I am sure they will show them the images of where those goals came from, and hopefully, our boys will do the same thing and use those key weak areas in their team because scoring will be important and if we can score first, obviously it will us you you know to keep their fans and all home support quiet.”
South Africa, last night, managed to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo on 6-5 penalty shootouts to emerge third in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON). The two teams ended goaless after 90 minutes full time and 30 minutes extra time plays. The position match was played at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium. This is even as the Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the host Ivory Coast are set for the final; first and second positions today, February 11.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son and others may have died in a helicopter crash in the United States yesterday, February 9.
Report reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hardcopy magazine today, February 10, said that the helicopter, a Eurocopter EC 130, was carrying six people onboard at the time of the incident, and was headed to Las Vegas when it crashed near a border city between Nevada and California.
In a statement, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said: “We are not able to confirm how many people were on board or their names. No survivors have been located.”
He confirmed that the authorities were aware of the downed aircraft shortly after 10 pm yesterday.
Reports said that others onboard the aircraft included Wigwe’s wife and son and the group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
The media is currently agog with the story of the arrest and detention of a popular social media personality, Malam Mahdi Shehu. Shehu, a Kaduna based quasi-whistleblower, achieved notoriety with series of videos backed by doctored documents which were intended to prove (more appropriately, mislead the public) into believing phantom corruption allegations against former Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, and senior officials of his administration. While it lasted, Mahdi’s solo voyage to fame crashed with as much speed as it gained popularity. The climax of the voyage was when, after appearing in court on a stretcher, wearing neck collar to appear totally incapacitated, he was secretly recorded in his holding cell removing the medical costume he deceptively wore to court for the desperate purpose of dodging the numerous cases of libel instituted against him by Katsina State and some of its officials seeking for redress for being maligned by Mahadi in series of videos backed by doctored documents.
With the viral police – holding cell video showing Mahadi Shehu disrobing and discarding his medical costume, many observers thought the last was heard of “Mahdi Shehu the activist.” Alas, the best for Mahadi’s victims and of course, the worst for him, was yet to come. His chickens finally arrived home to roost precisely Tuesday, 6/2/24. Shehu was caught pants down in a seedy hotel room with tons of documents purportedly supportive of fraudulent activities of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami (SAN). He was there, either daftly or courageously, to bargain with Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as well a former Chief Law Officer of Nigeria, to “help” sweep supposedly damaging documents linking Malami with fraudulent activities under the carpet. This he will do for a kingly sum of $500,000 (N500m in local language). Quite unprecedentedly courageous albeit daft. More than Mahdi, followers of his social media anti-corruption crusade were more rudely shocked by the cheap manner he was nabbed practicing the exact opposite of what he spent a considerable time preaching against. No gainsaying the shameful incident explicitly highlighted the gullibility of Mahadi’s followers as much as it punctured his claim to any moral and intellectual disposition. Always confident and wearing a false mien of righteousness, uprightness and impeccable character, Mahdi is the least candidate for a notorious blackmailer in the minds of his seemingly hypnotized followers, not with his trade mark incantations of verses of the Holy Quran heralding every new “revelation”of one uncovered fraud or another with which he held them spellbound for a very long time while dragging the names of many honorable people in the mud with reckless impunity. Mahdi Shehu is now in jail for a lot less than he accused many of his victims. He’s arrested not only for attempt to blackmail former Minister Malami, he’s in the net for a bigger criminality of hacking bank accounts, social media accounts, e-mails and whatsapp accounts of members of his family. In the petition the former Minister presented to the IGP, he accused Mahadi Shehu of attempting to open a fake bank account with the name of his (Malami’s) wife, Aisha Abubakar Malami, obviously for the purpose of implicating Malami in nefarious financial activities to compliment the “bad guy” image of Malami he (Mahdi) has spent considerable time trying to impress in the minds of Nigerians. And for clarity, Malami and the NPF were not at the Summerset Hotel to arrest Mahadi Shehu. They were their to nab the imposters that have been using different phone numbers, e-mails and social media accounts trying to blackmail the former minister. It’s fate (or is it sheer stupidity) that took the best of Mahadi and had him come personally, instead of sending a proxy, to collect the $500,000 supposedly agreed with Malami as the price for his silence. You don’t blame Mahdi though. $500,000 is quite a big sum to be entrusted with anybody not to mention the fact that a cheat hates to be cheated. Apparently Mahadi lower his guards to avoid having a taste of his pill by being “defrauded.” The irony of it all, in one of his numerous e-mails to Malami, Mahadi Shehu (or is it Col. Kenneth) expressed anger and encouraged Malami to be smarter for what he said were efforts to track his accomplice, an “innocent woman” as he put it. He wrote and I quote: “You’re sounding silly by now. If you know the data’s we got from your deals I don’t think you’ll be tracking an innocent woman. How do you expect us to be so cheap to be tracked?” Unquote. Funnily, Mahadi (Col. Kenneth in this case) was nabbed cheaply like a village crook who missed his way to the city — waiting in a hotel room with a bagful of incriminating documents waiting to collect $500,000 blackmail fees. Isn’t this ironic given how Mahadi’s notoriety and expertise in the game of hide and seek with security operatives? Indeed, there are great lessons for activists as well as “hacktivists” in this saga. May we learn from. Ahmad Usman Mairukubta! can be reached via ahmadusmandkg3@gmail.com
M.E Sheriff, lawyer to the past Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his family, has condemned a press statement by one Mahdi Shehu over his arrest and detection by the police, concerning alleged N19 million online scam. In a statement today, February 10, the lawyer said that the press statement that was made on February 7, 2024 as well as that of 13th January 2021, “is totally not correct, misleading, malicious, and a grossly misrepresentation of the facts leading to the arrest. “We, as solicitors to Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN and his family, noted the said press statement with grave concern.” The legal practitioner said that without prejudice to the police investigation that is ongoing, the true facts had to do with Complaint/Petition “which we wrote to the Inspector General of Police on allegations bothering on extortion, criminal intimidation and attempt to obtain money by false pretence against a syndicate using GSM Numbers and email addresses. This led to the ongoing investigation into the complaint by the Police. “In the course of the investigation, the Police monitored the sustained communications between our clients and the syndicates, wherein the syndicate disclosed and gave Room Number 9, Summerset Continental Hotel situate at No 73 Usuma Street, Maitama, Abuja, as a place where our client would meet the syndicate’s agent for their own payments. “On reaching the hotel and the room number, Mahdi Shehu was found therein at the scene with copies of documents that were used and sent to our client by the syndicate. Some of the documents which the police retrieved from Mahdi Shehu specifically lend credence to yet another petition of our client that bothers on hacking and financial improprieties affecting Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Malami. “On account of the compromise of our client’s emails, sensitive information was unlawfully extracted from an email account, and the sum of over N19,000,000.00 (Nineteen Million Naira) was unlawfully taken out of our client’s account by the syndicate which turns out to be a syndicate of which Mahdi was coordinating, via a group chat which he joined through the following phone numbers, viz: +2348033316644 and +2348096626226. “He came over to the said provided address to collect $500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand US Dollar) at the instance of the syndicate.” Malami’s lawyer said that the investigation and all the documents recovered thus far are there with the Police for any person that cares to verify. “Therefore, we should all encourage, support and allow the police to do their work as it is the outcome of the investigation that can confirm who is culpable and who is innocent. The statement said that at the moment, if Mahdi Shehu has any explanation to make regarding the arrest, he should do so to the police but not to the press or embark on campaign of calumny via the social media.
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With the viral police – holding cell video showing Mahadi Shehu disrobing and discarding his medical costume, many observers thought the last was heard of “Mahdi Shehu the activist.” Alas, the best for Mahadi’s victims and of course, the worst for him, was yet to come. His chickens finally arrived home to roost precisely Tuesday, 6/2/24. Shehu was caught pants down in a seedy hotel room with tons of documents purportedly supportive of fraudulent activities of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami (SAN). He was there, either daftly or courageously, to bargain with Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as well a former Chief Law Officer of Nigeria, to “help” sweep supposedly damaging documents linking Malami with fraudulent activities under the carpet. This he will do for a kingly sum of $500,000 (N500m in local language). Quite unprecedentedly courageous albeit daft.
Rising Prices Of Food And Dilemma Of Citizens, By Rashidat Yusuf
A bowl-full of African star apple, known in Yoruba language as agbalumo and Udara in Igbo language cost N250 at Owo in Ondo State of South West Nigeria. Though the bowl is padded, you are sure to get at least 12 pieces in a bowl.
We bought two bowls of agbalumo and they tasted so sweet to the extent of us regretting not having bought more.
Earlier in the journey, I observed an 18-seater bus loaded with agbalumo heading towards Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, from Ondo State.
As we arrived in Abuja, the nation’s federal capital, we found the same agbalumo being sold at N100 per piece, and if you are lucky, you get three pieces at 200 (meaning that a bowl goes for between N1,000 and N1,200).
One then wonders why are there price discrepancies between what it is the South West and the North, a distance of barely six hours journey. You begin to hear all sort of stories, starting from market unions where the goods are being loaded from.
We are told that tickets for loading fruits such as agbalumo could cost the owner of the goods as high as 40,000 naira. Such tickets are said to have been classified as levies charged for loading out any produce from the local market .
On the high way while conveying these goods, extortions of various types know no bounds. The extortions are the handiwork of customs officers on the road, the police, the road safety officers and even army personnel. Drivers are made to pay all sort of unauthorised monies in the name of levies. Of course, all such taxes and levies add up to the high cost of such goods in the retail markets.
The same story goes for all other food items coming from the hinterlands to the cities across the country.
The question is that for how long should this be allowed to continue?
We should not forget marketers who are in the habit of reaping where they do not sow. They would take great delight in selling old stocks at the rate of new prices.
However, luckily, on February 8, the federal government ordered the release of 102,000 metric tonnes of rice and maize from the grain reserves to avert the hunger that is already in the land from biting harder.
Strategic grain reserve is a government stockpile of grain for the purpose of meeting future domestic or international needs.
After the announcement of the release of grains by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idtis, critical look should be made on the reason why there have been wide margin in prices of food commodities between the local markets and end users in the cities. There should be a look into the reason why ogbono (sorrel), for instance, in Ogoja, Cross Rivers State costs far lower than what obtains in Lagos or Abuja.
At what point are the citizens themselves jeopardising the process?
Agreed that transportation cost is a major determinant of how much these items will cost but government should therefore, do something drastic and practical to reduce the cost of transportation of, especially, agricultural products.
One of the options can be the gas powered vehicles that are waiting to be implemented in full.
Afterall, in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, we have been made to enjoy palliative measures that has remained so far only on paper: not many have seen or experience such palliative and where they are distributed publicly around town to the hungry populace.
We should understand that while the majority in the country are living in poverty, not many have the endurance spirit to bear it for too long without succumbing to other shortcuts.