NLC Raises Concerns Over Proposed Electricity Tariff Hike Amidst Economic Hardship

April 3, 2024

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised alarm over the proposed 300% increase in electricity tariffs, cautioning against its implementation amidst the current economic challenges facing Nigerians.

With rising food prices and widespread hunger, the NLC warns that such a hike would exacerbate the hardship experienced by citizens.

Acting Deputy General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Ismail Bello, emphasized the need for the government to prioritize addressing immediate needs rather than imposing additional financial burdens on the populace.

The NLC’s stance reflects a broader call for social responsibility and consideration for the welfare of the Nigerian people during these challenging times.

Hardship: Humanitarian Aid Dwindling – UN

Editorial staff

April 3, 2024

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) has lamented that major donors who provide funds for humanitarian assistance are cutting down on their funds.

The head of the office in Nigeria, Trond Jensen, made this known when he visited the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, in Abuja.

He said that the development has made it imperative for both agencies to pull their resources together and work smarter to provide solutions to the humanitarian issues.

He said that this year UN-OCHA is looking for 20 per cent fewer funds to meet the needs of almost 300 million people globally, and that due to such challenges, there is the need to be in partnership with NEMA and draw strengths from each other to solve humanitarian issues.

He explained that the partnership meant there should be effective and efficient means in solving problems, underscoring the need to tap from local resources.

Jensen said that various humanitarian issues including increased temperatures and irregular weather patterns, stressing the need to find ways to prevent and mitigate natural disasters.

On her part, Mrs Umar said it was on record that “we have worked tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of people affected by disasters and build the resilience of communities in Nigeria to enable them develop their capacity for adaptation to ongoing and emerging hazards.

“This, we have done through the improvement of our early warning systems, sensitisation and awareness campaigns, development and review of plans and policies, regular stakeholders’ engagement and the prepositioning of relief materials for deployment in the event of sudden onset disasters.”

She said that the collaboration between NEMA and UN-OCHA had been instrumental in enabling the agency to enhance its response capabilities and reach out to more people in need.

Marketers Embrace Dangote Refinery, Begin Lifting Oil

Editorial staff

April 3, 2024

Oil marketers in Nigeria have commenced the lifting of diesel and aviation fuel from the Dangote Refinery, signaling a significant development in the domestic fuel market.

The move is expected to enhance supply and distribution efficiency, ultimately benefiting consumers across the country.

With discussions between marketers and financial institutions advancing, the stage is set for increased accessibility and affordability of petroleum products.

The collaboration between industry stakeholders and the operation of the Dangote Refinery herald a new era of growth and stability in Nigeria’s energy sector, offering hope for improved economic prospects and livelihoods.

Igbo Community Asks Wike To Apologize Over Property Demolition Slur

Editorial staff

April 3, 2024

The Igbo Community Assembly has demanded accountability and respect from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, following the controversial demolition of a property belonging to Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu.

Expressing outrage over derogatory remarks allegedly made by the minister during the enforcement action, the Igbo community called for a public apology within seven days.

The incident has reignited discussions on land rights, rule of law, and ethnic relations in Nigeria, highlighting the need for transparency and justice in governance.

As tensions escalate, the demand for accountability underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles and protecting the rights of all citizens.

Ex-President Buhari Grieves Over The Death Of Ex NLC President, Ali Chiroma

Greenbarge Reporters

April 3, 2024

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his grief over the death of veteran labour leader and former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ali Chiroma.

In a condolence message issued by his spokesperson when in office, Garba Shehu, the former President said that the deceased left behind notable contributions to the economy and the labour movement well beyond the borders of the nation.
“Ali Chiroma was indomitable. Full of life, insightful and fearless as a leader. He leaves behind a notable contribution to the labour movement and to my political career as an ardent supporter who stood by me before and during my years in the office of president.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family, the government, and the people of Borno State. May Allah give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Ali Ibrahim Ciroma died at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State capital yesterday, April 2.
A family statement read: “it is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of Comrade Ali Ciroma, former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“The sad event occurred this evening (Tuesday, April 2) at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
“The burial for the repose of the deceased will be held tomorrow Wednesday 4pm at the residence of the deceased No.7A along Galadima Road near Muhammadu Shuwa Memorial Hospital (Nursing Home), Maiduguri.”
Ciroma was the president of the NLC from 1984 to 1988 when he was forced out of office by the then military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, which dissolved the union.
The Sani Abacha administration brought him back into unionism, appointing him as the Sole Administrator of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.

None Of 4 Kids I Raised With My Wife For 16 Years Is Mine, Man Laments After DNA Test

Greenbarge Reporters

April 2, 2024

A middle aged man, Oriyomi Hamzat has lamented that none of the four children he raised with his wife for 16 years is his biological kid.
The Oriyomi Hamzat said that he confirmed the truth after a DNA test he conducted on the children, aged 16, 12, 8 and 5 years old.
He said that his wife’s younger sister assisted with the shocking discovery.
“I wouldn’t have known if not for my wife’s younger sister. Sadly, my wife never saw it as something evil.”

JAMB Uncovers 1,665 Fake A Level Results, Over 140 Of Them From BUK

Greenbarge Reporters

April 2, 2024

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered at least 1,665 fake Advance Level results, out of which over 140 are from Bayero University Kano (BUK). The discovery was made during the Direct Entry registration process that had just been concluded.
The board’s weekly bulletin, made available to newsmen in Abuja today, April 2, said that the Registrar, Professor Is’haq Oloyede made this known when he received officials of the National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students in his office.
Professor Oloyede was quoted as saying that the A level results verification was occasioned by the endemic corruption associated with the system and the need to restore the integrity of the admission process.
He said that JAMB was dumbfounded by the startling revelations from Bayero University, Kano, where out of the 148 Direct Entry applications to the institution, only six of the certificates forwarded for processing were genuine.
According to him, out of the fake results, 397 were from Colleges of Education, 453 university diplomas and the rest for other A’level certificates.
He advised the institutions to take measures to safeguard the integrity of their certificates.
He said that JAMB would continue to scrutinise the certificates through measures that would stand the test of time.
The registrar recalled that in the past, when a candidate applied for Direct Entry, the Board would simply ask awarding institutions to do the necessary screening and due diligence.
He said said that it was the discovery of this monumental fraud that prompted the meeting of critical stakeholders, who met to chart ways of combating the menace.
Part of the measures suggested, he said, was the constitution of an A’level result verification task force as well as the creation of a common platform for the verification of A’level results and certificates.
He said that the platform is reliable and user-friendly as it only takes five minutes to verify any certificate.
Professor Oloyede said that the board had adopted “No verification, No admission” policy.
The registrar said that 15 institutions have not sufficiently complied with the verification requests from the board, adding that more than 20 unverified candidates were affected.
He said that the board would have to pre-verify candidates applying with the certificates of the 15 institutions before they could complete their DE registration process.
According to him, in the ongoing DE registration, candidates could go ahead and register while the school verify them at the backend.
He said that the 15 institutions, which are yet to fully comply, would have to pre-verify holders of their certificates before they complete registration process.
Source: NAN.

Easter Tragedy: Deputy Police Commissioner Dies Mysteriously, Source Of Death Yet Unknown

Greenbarge Reporters

April 2, 2024

A 50-year-old Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Gbolahan Olugbemi has been found dead in mysterious manner in his country home at Ogbomoso, Oyo State, where he had gone for the Easter holiday.
The body of DCP Olugbemi, who was serving at the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (FCIID), Alagbon, Lagos, was reportedly found alone in his mansion.
Police authorities are yet to disclose their findings.
A senior police officer said the Force was investigating to unravel the mystery behind his action as he left no suicide note.
Until his mysterious death, the DCP served at the FCID Annex Alagbon close, Ikoyi Lagos.
But the police through the FCID spokesperson, ASP Aminat Mayegun have said that they were going to investigate his death and that the former Personal Assistant to late DIG Israel Ajao and late CP Young Arebame couldn’t not have committed suicide.
The police said they would probe who first saw his body, where he was coming from and who was with him at the time he entered his room including who had his two handsets as of the time of death.
They said that DCP Olugbemi, from enlistment into the police Force had juicy postings and was gradually nearing his retirement and that his death has left much to be desired.
Insider sources said the
A United Nations medalist in Law Enforcement and Administration, Olugbemi had served as the ADC to the late Oyo State Governor, Alao Akala.
He was DPO at Ilupeju, Area Commander at Ajah in Lagos, and he had earlier served as Personal Assistant (P A) to two Lagos State Commissioners of Police, the late CP Young Arebamen and the late DIG Israel Ajao. Olugbemi, who had received training in Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Operations, had received several awards in Nigeria and abroad, and he had been celebrated in the media for several good deeds in the course of his career.
He was a graduate of the University of Lagos and the Olabisi Onabanjo University respectively.

Senegal Swears in 44-Year-Old Faye as Fifth President

Editorial staff

April 2, 2024

In a historic moment for Senegal, opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aged 44, has been inaugurated as the nation’s fifth president.

Faye assumed office today, April 2, succeeding former president Macky Sall, in a ceremony held in the new town of Diamniadio, near the capital Dakar.

The event, attended by African leaders and dignitaries includin, marks a significant milestone for Senegal and the African continent.

Among the distinguished guests was Nigeria’s President and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of States and Government, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscoring the regional importance of Faye’s inauguration.

As the youngest elected president in Africa, Faye’s ascent to power signals a new era for Senegal, characterized by promises of radical reform and visionary leadership.

Religion Cannot Divide Us, Akpabio Swears, As He Hosts Muslims At Iftar

Greenbarge Reporters

April 2, 2024

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has made it clear that religion cannot and will not divide Nigerian.
Hosting Muslim colleagues at Iftar (breaking of Fasting) yesterday evening, April 1, in Abuja, Senator Akpabio declared: “religion cannot divide us.”
According to him, it is not a mere coincidence that the Christian Lenten and Muslim Ramadan periods came up again the same time, adding that it shows that even though Muslims and Christians have different religions, they both have only one God, the Supreme God.
“I want to congratulate all of us for breaking fast today and thank Almighty Allah for keeping us alive to see this day and pray that He will continue to protect us and continue to look after our health, look after our families through this Ramadan period and also use this opportunity to congratulate you on the Easter celebration.
“It is not a coincidence that God is merging the fasting of the moslems and that of Christians together. This is about the second or third time it is happening.
“The intention is to show that we may have different religions, but we have only one God and that God is the Supreme God that looks after all of us.
“So to the glory of God, the invitation was for those of us who are still around. Those who have not yet gone to Saudi Arabia particularly for these last 10 days of Ramadan, that we should meet and break the fast together.
“And of course, we also invited the Christian Senators to come. For them, it’s a celebration of the Easter period. Coming together is all that we need. We need to continue to work together as brothers and sisters of the one Almighty God, for the benefit of our dear country. Religion cannot divide us.
“No matter the turmoil, no matter the political disagreement, even families do disagree. But we must bear one thing in mind, that we are serving humanity and we are serving humanity through Almighty God and that one day, we shall leave this world to go and account for our deeds while we were on earth. I think that is the guiding principle.
“For every human being, there is a time to be born. There is a time to go. And this period of Ramadan, this period of Easter, reconnect us with God so that we know that we are not in this world for nothing.
“He sends us here for a purpose and that purpose is to live in peace with one another, love one another, pray together, work for one another to ensure progress for humanity.
“So, on departing, we would have left legacies, an imprint that yes, we were here and others will take over from us. My prayer tonight is that God should enable us to leave a better future for all Nigerians.”
Responding on behalf of other Senators present, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, thanked the Senate President for inviting them to have Iftar with him.
“We are really grateful. This invitation is a demonstration of the care that you have for all Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We all know you as a very caring leader, someone who cares about the welfare of all Senators.
“This invitation has reinforced what we know about you. There is an adage in Hausa language that says: Inviting you to come is more delicious than the food.
“So when we heard about the invitation, we were very happy that you have us in mind and that you are very caring. So we thank you very much.
“May the Almighty Allah continue to be our guide, continue to support us as we work with the Executive arm of government to face the challenges we have and by the grace of God, we are going to change our challenges to prosperity. Within a short time by the grace of God, this country will become a land of eldorado.”

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