File Photo: Shia Muslims march through the streets of the northern Nigerian city of KanoMembers of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites have promised to stop their mode of practicing Islam if the Nigerian government can prove that what they are doing is wrong.
Chris-NgigeMinister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has said that members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security outfits will benefit from the new minimum wage on the basis of consequential adjustment of workers salaries.
Addressing news men today, October 19, Dr. Ngige said that the agreement reached with organised labour on consequential adjustment of salaries for workers would be communicated to members of the nation’s security outfits.
According to the minister, security personnel are not members of the civil service, their adjustments would be communicated to them through the appropriate channels.
Acting Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi- Esan and Minister of Labour and Employment, signed the new minimum wage on behalf of the federal government while President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba and the Chairman Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Simon Anchaver (JNPSNC) signed for organised labour.
Nige said that full implementation of the new national minimum wage law takes immediate effect.
“It is my pleasure to report to you that the various conciliatory meetings that we instituted since the ninth, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and today (yesterday) had yielded the desired fruit.
“This morning we concluded all our negotiations and produced a Memorandum of Terms of Settlement from the conciliation.
“The terms of settlement is in relation to the consequential adjustment of other wages following the new national minimum wage of N30, 000 as enshrined in the national minimum wage Act 2019.
“For these meetings, I acted as chief conciliator ably assisted by my Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo.
“Today, we have put an end to all the negotiations, we deliberated and we have arrived at an agreement. “The consequential adjustments/ increases agreed upon for now are as follows.
“We have the group one personnel or what we call Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS). The meeting agreed, having reviewed the increase in the lowest paid person in this wage structure at N30, 000 from Grade Level one Step one that the grade level 07 officers should move up by 23.2 percent in their wages.”
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has nominated Edward Onoja, his running mate in the November 16 election, as deputy governor of the state.
Rabiu Isah Ovurevu Ademoh today, October 19, took Fatima to the alter at a grand wedding reception at Lifecamp in Abuja.
Rabiu and Fatima in style.
New couple and parents.
The President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Nigeria Police Force for the discovery of a child-theft racket in Kano State and fake correctional centers in Kaduna and Katsina states, urging them to sustain these good efforts across the country.
The minister of mines and solid minerals development, Olamilekan Adegbite, has said that the Russian government is eager to revive the long-abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Company, using it’s funds.
The minister, at an interactive session with Senate committee on solid minerals, mines, steel development and metallurgy today, October 18 in Abuja, said that the Russians have shown interest to help Nigeria revive Ajaokuta with their own money.
“They want to put Ajaokuta back and we are looking at different methods to engage them.
“Because it is almost completed, they bring in some money to finish what is there and operate it for a while; realise their investment, profit and transfer it back to Nigeria.
“I think this is the best path to revive Ajaokuta and I believe within the tenure of our time, we will achieve this.”
According to the minister, the main feature of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Russia next week is to discuss the reviving of the steel company.
The minister had earlier said that some sections of the Ajaokuta Steel Company would begin operation before the end of the year, adding that the government is making serious effort to see the Ajaokuta steel work and start production.
PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES FMR HEAD OF STATE DR GOWON 3. President Muhammadu Buhari receives former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon during a meeting at the State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. APR 4 2017President Muhammadu Buhari has extolled the simplicity of the civil war Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. General Gowon has just turned 85.
Buhari’s birthday message, contained in a statement today, October 18, the Presen’s special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said:“On behalf of the Federal Executive Council and all Nigerians, President Buhari warmly felicitates with former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on his 85th birthday, October 19, 2019, describing him as a living legend and symbol of national unity.
“As Nigeria’s youngest leader since Independence, President Buhari affirms that Gen. Gowon’s visionary leadership style, wisdom and disciplined outlook kept the country as one, extolling the former Head of State for faith and steadfastness in God in times of adversity, and courageously pursuing the interest of majority Nigerians for a unified and stronger country.
“The President believes the elder statesman laid a solid foundation for the country to thrive, with the creation of federating units, and implementation of futuristic policies like the National Youths Service Corps, that has consistently served the purpose of fostering unity, harmony and expanding the horizons of young Nigerians for lifetime opportunities.
“President Buhari commends Gen. Gowon’s simplicity and humility, leaving the highest position in the country to return to school for further studies, and returning to provide wise counsels to leaders, encouraging good governance and setting up an organization, Nigeria Prays, that consistently upholds the nation in prayers.
“The President notes that the former Head of State has stayed relevant in Nigeria and beyond, and enjoys wide respect from far and near.
“President Buhari congratulates all family members, friends and close associates of the exemplary leader on the auspicious occasion of his 85th birthday, praying that the Almighty God will always remember his sacrifices for the nation, and grant him longer life, good health, and strength to keep working for the good of country and humanity.”
Mrs Aisha BuhariNigeria’s First Lady has unveiled athletes that will compete in the 2020 world para-powerlifting world cup being hosted in Abuja, Nigeria, early next year. She also unveiled the mascot and logo of the competition, at an event which held at the presidential villa, Abuja, today, October 17.
According to Aisha Buhari, hosting the 2020 championship will be an enormous task, with para-lifters coming from Europe, the Americas and Africa to Abuja.
She called on the organizers to put all hands on deck for the ultimate success of the event.
She was represented at the event by wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo.
Aisha Buhari said that unveiling the clothing line is a way to source revenue for retired athletes and called for patronage “so that they will not retire into poverty.”
She vowed that as an advocate for women, children and vulnerable groups, she would continue to champion their cause with all her strength.
“Every cloud has a silver lining, which means every challenge can be turned into a blessing.”
She said that the outing of the team over the last 5 years has brought glory to the nation.
She expressed gratitude to the Federation for naming the event after her and giving her the privilege of being host to the championships.
President of the Nigeria Para Power Lifting Federation, Mrs. Queen Uboh said that the choice of the First Lady to host the event is deliberate, knowing her commitment to the cause of the vulnerable Nigerians.
She said that most of the team members are also female and will get inspired by her involvement.
She said that as a result of the respect which Nigeria has earned in the world of para-lifting, it has able to secured approval to host the global event for the next three year.
She called on Nigerians to support the clothing line initiative which will usher in a new phase of life for retired athletes.
Others who spoke at the event were the Competition Manager, International Para Powerlifting Federation, Mr. Sam Munkley, who voiced the respect Nigeria has earned over the years due to the number of medals being won. He said this necessitated the approval for hosting rights for three years.
Sponsors of the event, National Lottery Commission and Wamco Nigeria Plc., delivered goodwill messages through their Chief Executives, Mr. Bello Maigari, and Chriss Wulff-Ceaser, respectively.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made another intervention of $325.5 million in the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) and CNY14 million in the spot and short tenored forwards segment of the inter-bank foreign market.
This was disclosed by the Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor, who revealed that the intervention was for agricultural machineries and industrial raw materials. The Chinese Yuan, on the other hand, was for Renminbi denominated Letters of Credit.
Okorafor expressed optimism that the stability in the forex market would be sustained and therefore assured the public, particularly genuine foreign exchange users of the commitment of the apex bank towards ensuring adequate liquidity in the market.
It will be recalled that the Bank on October 15, offered authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market the sum of $100million, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the invisibles segments each received the sum of $55 million.
Meanwhile, $1 exchanged for N358 at the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market, while CNY1 exchanged at N48.4m into Retail SMIS.
