ORGANIZED LABOUR GIVES FG MAY 31 DEADLINE FOR NEW MINIMUM WAGE

Published

1 year ago

May 2, 2024

The Organised Labour has handed the Federal Government May 31 deadline to come up with a realistic and reasonable new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

Labour made this known during the Workers’ Day celebrations at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Wednesday.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero; and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo were unanimous that the N30,000 current minimum wage has been grossly insufficient for Nigerian workers in the light of current economic realities and inflationary pressure including food inflation, hike in energy and transportation cost, amongst others.

They insisted that a new living wage of ₦615,000 be expeditiously approved by the President Bola Tinubu administration before the end of May.

On his part, Osifo asked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and power distribution companies to immediately reverse the current increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers.

Nigerians mark this year’s May Day amid spiralling, and unending snake-like queues at filling stations as scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol worsens across the Federation.

Although there have been assurances by the major oil supplier in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to alleviate this issue, however, the queues have persisted for over one week.

Addressing Nigerian workers, Onyejeocha said although the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage was yet to conclude its negotiations, workers will not lose anything as the new minimum wage will take effect from May 1, 2024.

She said it was regrettable that the new national minimum wage was not ready before the May Day celebrations but that a wide consultation is ongoing to ensure that the document is out together as soon as possible.

The President, represented at the event by his deputy, lauded the contributions of workers in Nigeria to the growth of the country.

He said the Federal Government can’t wait to receive the recommendations of the committee on the new national minimum wage.

One dies as vigilantes raid Fulani village in Kwara

Published

2 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

At least one person has been confirmed dead and several houses razed following an attack on Fulani settlements in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State by a group of vigilantes and local hunters.

According to a post on Friday by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, the attack occurred at about 3:40 p.m. on Thursday, when the assailants, numbering around 100, stormed Fulani settlements in Latayi, Onashi, and Rogua villages under the guise of fighting kidnapping.

“The attackers reportedly set houses and food storage facilities on fire, killed a yet-to-be-identified Fulani man, and looted property including N1 million in cash and six motorcycles,” Makama wrote.

Sources said a joint team comprising military, police, and civil defence personnel has been deployed to the area to maintain peace and prevent any retaliatory attacks.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to apprehend the rogue vigilantes behind the assault and recover the stolen money and motorcycles.

EFCC Declares Managing Director Of Oil Firm, Seun Ogunbambo Wanted Over Alleged N976million Subsidy Fraud

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

His co-defendants, Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor, were convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the Managing Director of a firm, Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited, Seun Ogunbambo, wanted for defrauding the Nigerian government in an alleged oil subsidy scam involving about N976,653,110.28.

According to a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Ogunbambo was standing trial before the Lagos State High Court but he disappeared after being released on bail.

His co-defendants, Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor, were convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

“Light complexioned Ogunbambo speaks English and Yoruba. His last known address is 2 Olamiyuyan Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos State.”

“Anybody having useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the Commission in its Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Gombe, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Benin, Kaduna, Sokoto, Makurdi, Ilorin, Maiduguri, Uyo and Abuja offices.”

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Nnamdi Kanu is a terrorist – DSS witness tells court

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Nnamdi Kanu

A prosecution witness identified as PW4-DDD, on Friday described the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, as a terrorist.

PW4-DDD, an agent of the Department of State Services, DSS, testified while being cross examine by the defence during the resumed trial of the IPOB leader at the Abuja Federal High Court.

Kanu is facing trial on terrorism-related charges before Justice James Omotosho-led court.

The IPOB leader was first arrested in 2017 but was later released. He subsequently eloped to Europe after Nigerian soldiers invaded his residence in Afaraukwu, Abia State.

In June 2021, Kanu was rearrested in Kenya and subjected to extraordinary rendition back to Nigeria where he has remained in DSS custody.

During Friday’s proceedings, the prosecuting counsel asked PW4-DDD, “Do you know who Kanu is?”

He responded: “Yes, he is IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been calling for the break up and secession of the South-East from Nigeria. He is a terrorist.”

When the prosecuting counsel asked how he got to know the IPOB leader, he said: “I knew him when he was arrested in Lagos and he incites people through Radio Biafra.”

The DSS operative who was shielded also commented on where Kanu kept the transmitter used in airing Radio Biafra.

Speaking on where the transmitter was recovered from, the prosecution witness said: “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu kept it in one Benjamin Madubugwu’s house at Ubuluisiiuzo.

“I was to carry out the search, locate the transmitter and retrieve it.”