The federal government has asked labour leaders and other stakeholders to return to the negotiating table and continue discussions on the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

Naija News understands the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, Bukar Goni, sent a letter of invitation to labour leaders dated May 16, 2024 for a meeting on Tuesday, 21st May.

This development comes barely 24 hours after the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) stormed out of a meeting of the minimum wage negotiation committee on Wednesday over what they termed a ridiculous offer from the government.

It would be recalled that the government offered ₦48,000 as the new minimum wage while the Organized Private Sector (OPS), proposed N54,000 during the meeting while the labour maintained its stand on a ₦615,000 minimum wage for workers.

In a statement released after the meeting, the labour leaders expressed disappointment, saying the federal government has shown its unseriousness with the amount it proposed.

They described the ₦48,000 proposed new minimum wage by the federal government as an insult to the sensibility of Nigerian workers.

However, according to Punch, there are indications the government may review its proposal upward during the fresh meeting.

The tripartite committee chairman, in his letter, is understood to have indicated the willingness of the government to shift grounds on its ₦48,000 offer.

The letter was titled, ‘Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage: Negotiation.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved part payment of all power sector debts, estimated at N3.3 trillion.

Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, disclosed this at Thursday’s 8th Africa Energy Marketplace in Abuja.

He noted that the federal government’s N1.3 trillion debt to power-generating companies would be paid via cash injections and promissory notes, while about $1.3 billion (N1.994 trillion using the current official closing rate) owed to gas companies will be paid via cash and future royalties.

Adelabu stressed that the federal government had commenced payment of the cash part of the N1.3 trillion debt owed Gencos and concluded plans to settle the second part via promissory notes within two to five years.

“The debt for the power-generating companies is N1.3tn. I can also tell you that Mr. President has consented to pay on the condition of reconciling these debts between the government and the power-generating companies.

“It is true that I mentioned that Mr President has approved the submission of the Hon. Minister of State Petroleum (Gas) to defray the outstanding debts owed to the gas supplying companies to the power sector operators.

“The payments will be in parts. We have the legacy debt and the current debt. For the current debt, approval has been given for a cash payment of about N130bn from the Gas Stabilisation Fund, which the Federal Ministry of Finance will pay if it hasn’t already,” he said.

In March, the government paid $120 million out of the $1.3bn indebtedness to gas companies.

On different occasions, Adelabu has blamed indebtedness to gencos for the epileptic power supply in the country.

Recall that on April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission approved a 230 per cent electricity tariff hike for band A customers, who receive a 20-24 power supply.

A month later, the government slashed the hike by N18.2 to N206.8 per kilowatt-hour from 225kwh.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and other Nigerians have kicked against the hike, calling for its complete reversal.

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje has said that the decisions, policies and programmes introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will take the country out of the woods to progress and prosperity.

He gave the assurance on Thursday night when he hosted officials at the Forum of APC Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

While commending the leadership virtues of Tinubu, the APC Chairman noted that the President, unlike his predecessors, took bold decisions to give the country the push that will usher her into the next level of prosperity and development.

“I assure you that our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is also a grassroots politician, tested and trusted. He is great, because he is bold enough to take some decisions which the previous administrations could not take and very soon, you will start seeing the positive effects of the reforms that he’s introducing.

“Our refineries will soon be producing abundant fuel. It is all over the world now that the narrative is changing about the use of petrol, CNG vehicles will soon be on ground where transportation will be cheaper.

“The reforms Asiwaju is introducing will take Nigeria to the next level,” Ganduje said.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has held that a Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, regulation, which requires financial institutions to demand and collect the social media handles of their customers, as part of the standard Know-Your-Customer procedure, is not a breach of the right to privacy.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba dismissed a suit filed by a Lagos-based lawyer, Chris Eke, demanding a declaration that the regulation as contained in Section 6(a)(iv) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Customer Due Diligence) Regulations, 2023, is undemocratic, unconstitutional, null and void, to the extent of its inconsistency with Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The applicant had also prayed the court to grant an order of perpetual injunction, barring CBN from enforcing the regulation which requires financial institutions to request customers’ social media handles as part of normal bank customer due diligence requirements. 

The CBN, in its response to the suit, filed a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the competence of the suit. The apex bank also disagreed that the said regulation constitutes any interference with the private life of the applicant, as claimed.

In his judgment, Justice Dimgba held that the notice of preliminary objection had merit, and he subsequently struck out the suit.

The judge said in his view, the provision of a social media handle is the same as the provision of email address, phone numbers and other means by which a potential customer of a bank can be contacted and or due diligence, to determine if the person is a fit and proper person for the bank to do business with, and as such, the regulation does not amount to an infringement on the right to privacy.

Justice Dimgba held that the essence of having a social media account was for one to be publicly visible communication-wise, and it would be highly unreasonable to hold the CBN in breach of privacy for it.

According to the judge, “the Applicant claims that the requirements on the CBN Regulations for financial institutions to request and collect the social media handle of its customers as part of KYC infringes on his right to privacy.

“This claim is very ambitious and amounts to a very far throw. The said Regulations are directed to and apply to financial institutions. It does not apply to private individuals such as the Applicant.

“Even if, as appears to be argued, that the Regulations itself would inevitably affect the Applicant, this claim is speculative for the simple reason that in nowhere in the affidavit in support was it stated that the Applicant operates an account with a financial institution and that the said institution had demanded his social media handle. So the suggestion that he would be affected by this Regulation, albeit negatively, is very speculative and at large.

“There is also no deposition to the effect that any financial institution had begun to implement this Regulation and that its implementation had begun to create disruptions and inconvenience against the general population, in which case one could infer that the suit should be legitimated as a public interest litigation.

“Assuming even that the banks had begun to implement these regulations, the applicant assuming he maintained any bank accounts or sought to open one, but is being hindered or irritated by the requirement of the Regulation to avail his social media handle as part of KYC, the Applicant still had a choice, which is to refuse to do business with any bank insisting on the information as part of its social media handle, but to seek other alternatives.”

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Friday urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the political crisis currently ravaging Rivers State to avoid possible bloodbath.

Primate Ayodele warned that the crisis may lead to political assassinations and bloodbath if it is not well handled.

In a statement by his media aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Ayodele urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, to sheath his sword as a matured politician because fighting his successor, Governor Sim Fubara, is totally wrong.

He said Fubara is God’s project and cannot be removed from his seat because God is fighting for him.

According to Ayodele: ‘’President Tinubu should intervene in the Rivers’ politics so that it won’t lead to political assassination and bloodbath. The president should do the right thing without being partial because any insurrection in the state will have a huge impact on Nigeria as a country.

‘’Wike is old enough to calm down, he is doing the wrong thing fighting Fubara because he can’t win. Fubara is God’s project and cannot be removed by anyone because his maker is fighting for him.’’

He described the crisis as an unnecessary comedy that will take a new turn soon if not managed.

The prophet called on both parties to sheath their swords to avoid a situation they will not be able to control.

Furthermore, he asked Fubara to stop replying to Wike but focus on governance and delivering the dividend of democracy to the people of Rivers State.

Primate Ayodele also warned the governor to be careful of people surrounding him currently because they will be used against him.

”Fubara shouldn’t reply to Wike, He has overcome him already. He should focus more on governance and watch his back because those that are aligning with him will still be used against him,’’ he added.

Conference of Speakers from 36 State Houses of Assembly has urged President Bola Tinubu to make sustainable policies that would end the suffering of Nigerians.

The conference made this call in a communiqué signed by its chairman and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, at the end of a meeting attended by 29 speakers in Abuja.

It also called on the Federal Government and State governments to enact sustainable policies with equal measure of courage to ameliorate the sufferings of the people. 

This is also as they have admitted that the economic challenges faced are due to the removal of petroleum product subsidy by the Federal Government and the floating of the exchange rate, which has led to harsh consequences for the populace.

The meeting had deliberations on a wide range of issues concerning good governance in the country.

According to the communiqué, “While the Conference acknowledges the courage of Mr President in his economic policies taken so far, such as the removal of petroleum product subsidy and the floating of the exchange rate, the unintended consequences of these policies are too harsh on the populace.”

Speaking at the conference, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations, Hon Mark Esset, stated that the issue of state legislative autonomy will be prioritized in the ongoing constitutional review, adding that it will be part of the key issues that will be on the front burners.

While speaking on the merits of the forum, Esset explained that the forum symbolizes a vital convergence of minds dedicated to advancing democratic processes and promoting good governance.

“In this critical time that the 10th National Assembly is undertaking the review of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and knowing the important role the State Houses of Assembly plays, one of the key issues that is on the front burners of the constitutional review is the enactment of the state Houses autonomy, which is the key issue or key point the Houses of Assembly seek to achieve.

“The National Assembly has done it before; unfortunately, it was lost, but I assure you that the National Assembly under the leadership of Tajudeen Abbas, the state parliament autonomy will be a reality.

“In today’s interconnected world, the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation cannot be overstated. Through collaborative efforts, shared experiences, and mutual support, we can address common challenges and work towards sustainable development and prosperity for our people,” he said.

Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has described himself as the most abused person in the State but has remained calm in the face of serious provocations.

He, however, urged people of the state to remain calm and allow peace to reign because he is against trouble.

The governor’s remark came on the bedrock of his rift with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Fubara and Wike have been at loggerheads over the political control and resources of the state.

Amid the cold war, despite President Bola Tinubu’s intervention, the governor declared that his enemies had been defeated.

He noted that his political rivals in the state now sleep with their eyes open and are restless.

However, speaking during the flag-off of the construction of Elele-Omoku Road on Thursday, Fubara said: “As a matter of fact, I am the most abused, ‘mumu governor wey no know wetin to do with power,’ Is it not?

“Have I said anything? So, please just endure until when you finish you go your way, I don’t want any trouble.”

The governor vowed never to allow his detractors to cause political tension in the state.

Fubara disclosed assuring Tinubu that he would take the path of peace and not renege on the promise.

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, on Thursday, announced May 24, 2024, as the official date for “the opening of the portal for student loan applications.”

The announcement was made in a statement by the media lead for the NELFund,  Nasir Ayantogo.

Ayantogo, in the statement, said the opening of the application portal marked a significant milestone in the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to “fostering accessible and inclusive education for all Nigerian students.”

On June 12, 2023, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, 2023 into law to enable indigent students to access interest-free loans for their educational pursuits in any Nigerian tertiary institution. 

The move was in “fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to liberalise funding of education,” a member of the then Presidential Strategy Team, Dele Alake, said.

The Act, popularly known as the Students Loan Law, also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to process all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.

Although the government initially announced that the scheme would be launched in September, it suffered several delays leading to an indefinite postponement in early March.

The Presidency had linked the delay to Tinubu’s directive to expand the scheme to include loans for vocational skills.

After receiving briefing from the NELFund team led by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, on January 22, the President had directed the Fund to extend interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skill-development programmes.

Tinubu based his decision on the need for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue a university education, noting that skill acquisition is as essential as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications.

“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.

“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.

“In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFund to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,” he had said.

Through the portal, students can now access loans to pursue their academic aspirations without financial constraints.

The portal, according to the statement, provides a user-friendly interface for students to submit their loan applications conveniently.

“We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation.

“Students can access the portal on www.nelf.gov.ng to begin application,” the statement said.

The details of the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and his Senegalese counterpart, Bassirou Faye have emerged.

Recall that the Senegal President arrived in Nigeria on Thursday and met with President Tinuhu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

A statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, quoted President Tinubu saying that countries in West Africa must unite to defeat the scourge of terrorism, human trafficking, and poverty in the region.

He urged leaders in the region to make the people the focal point of governance, noting that the essence of democracy is lost when citizens are not enjoying dividends.

The president emphasised that democratic values and constitutional order are sacrosanct and must be protected.

He added that critical institutions like the judiciary must be respected and obeyed for the sustenance of democracy.

He said: “Constitutional democracy is what Senegal proved to the rest of the world and Africa. It is a joy to have you here and to meet the hope and aspirations of our youths. You fit in perfectly well.

“A critical time it is in the history of constitutional democracy, particularly in West Africa. What you have embarked upon, a struggle couched in freedom, is remarkable.”

The president described Nigeria and Senegal as brotherly nations, recounting both countries’ long history of cooperation.

He added: “We are brothers. We have shared an interest in democracy. To make democracy sustainable in the interest of our people, we definitely must work hard.

“I am glad that you are a shining example of patience, perseverance, and commitment to democratic values.

“We must partner to make our people the focus of our democratic commitment. Your belief in the sovereignty of Africa is shared by all of us.

“But how can we work for our people and make them the focus of our democracy if we are violating the rule of law and promoting an unconstitutional takeover of government?

“As the chairman of ECOWAS, I am inviting you to collaborate and meet those other brothers. To persuade them to come back to the fold.

“We will continue to work together. We share good backgrounds, and we will continue to embrace and promote democratic governance.

“We must be able to partner and build the freedom we believe in – in economic growth, development, and other spheres of governance. It is left for us to provide assurance to our people and walk our talk.

“We must defeat human trafficking; we must defeat terrorism, banditry, and poverty in our society. That must be our focus and commitment.”

Speaking during the meeting, Faye acknowledged Nigeria and Senegal’s shared values and challenges, noting that both nations have always had good relations since the 1960s.

He called for the reactivation of the Nigeria-Senegal joint commission to strengthen bilateral relations across the areas of diplomacy, trade, and other spheres.

On ECOWAS, Faye said with Tinubu’s wisdom and experience, relations among member states can be strengthened for the advancement of the community.

He said: “The good relations we have and the relations between our private sectors should be beneficial to our countries.

“ECOWAS is the beacon of successful regional integration in Africa and globally. It is something we owe to the founding fathers of the community.

“I have no doubt that you want to continue this legacy of integration. The union is going through a rough patch, but not everything is lost.

“I know I can rely on your wisdom and experience, as the leader of this great African nation.

“Your wisdom and your democratic values should be an asset to that vision, and my youth and determination can also be an asset.

“If we come together, with all these assets and advantages, I am convinced we can open a window of opportunity to discuss.

“United, we are stronger. Faced with common challenges, such as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and all other challenges, we need to show resolve to confront these challenges so that economically we can thrive and satisfy the wishes of our people.”

Elder statesman, Atedo Peterside has berated the federal government over the payment of N90 billion to subsidise the cost of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.

The founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc said the Bola Tinubu-led federal government has continued to repeat the mistakes of past administrations, thereby sending a conflicting signal to Nigerians.

Recall that Vice President Kashim Shettima announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved N90 billion to subsidise the cost of the 2024 hajj pilgrimage.

Shettima made this known on Wednesday during the 2024 inaugural hajj airlift at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi capital.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Peterside said the government continues to make the mistakes of past administrations in terms of spending public funds.

He said the government keeps saying it inherited a difficult economy, while its expenditure does not show the seriousness required to rescue the economy.

Peterside, however, said he has no personal issue with pilgrimage, noting that the religious tradition is a privilege.

He said: “I have nothing against pilgrimage. Our economy is in big trouble. The government is trying to convince people that it inherited a difficult economy, and that is trying to correct the mistakes of the past.

“It gets very worrying when you say you are trying to correct the mistakes of the past, and every now and then, you repeat another mistake of the past, thereby sending a conflicting signal.

“That perhaps you are not serious about trying to correct all past mistakes. As soon as investors and everybody is about to take them very seriously they do something else that causes everybody to worry.

“This is not the first item. It is one in a series. You remember the luxury SUV cars, jamboree trip to New York and Dubai, and supplementary budget that came out with items nobody understood why they were priority. It is part of the trend.

“It is not about religious pilgrimage; it is a setback for the economy by sending the wrong signal. It is an own goal.”