The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the N48,000 proposed by the Federal Government as the new minimum wage, saying  it does not make any sense.

The TUC President, Festus Osifo berated the FG’s proposal while speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

Osifo said the federal government was not being serious in the negotiation with the workers.

According to Osifo, the least federal workers are already earning up to N77,000, saying proposing N48,000 at the moment is ‘abysmal.’

He said, “Before President Muhammadu Buhari left office, the last person in the federal ministry was actually earning N42,000.

“If you now factor in the wage award of N35,000 that was given, N42,000 plus N35,000 will give us N77,000, so as of today what the least federal government worker earns is N77,000.

“So, the question that we now ask is that if the least federal government worker is earning N77,000, why are you now coming to present N48,000? It does not just make any sense,” he said.

Osifor challenged the Federal Government to come forward with data backing the N48,000 proposal and convince the union members on how that amount reflect the reality of the average Nigerian worker.

Recall that earlier on Wednesday, the labour unions walked out of the ongoing minimum wage negotiations with the government and the Organised Private Sector following what the union leaders described as a ridiculous offer by the government.

The TUC leader said that at the meeting, the labour unions proposed a N615,000 minimum wage which they gave a breakdown of how it was arrived at. 

He said that the government on its part presented N48,000 with no breakdown of how it can cater for the needs of the Nigerian workers.

According to Osifo, failure to back the N48,000 proposal up with data shows unpreparedness on the part of the government which was why the union leaders walked out of the meeting.

He said that the union members still maintain that all conversations around a new national minimum wage must be concluded by the end of May.

…He was illegal occupant— ACP Dangana

LAGOS—A team of policemen from the Works Department of the Force Headquarters, in Lagos, has stormed the senior police officers’ quarters at the Government Reserved Area, GRA, Ikeja and allegedly looted and vandalised the residence of a retired Commissioner of Police, Chucks Enwonwu.

Eyewitnesses said the team of policemen numbering over 10 came to the retired officer’s residence at Quarter 33, Flat 2, Oba Akinjobi Street, G.R.A., Ikeja and embarked on massive vandalization and looting of the property inside the residence of the retired Commissioner of Police, who was absent at the time the operation was being carried out.

Speaking to reporters on the destruction carried out in the building, the distraught police officer told Vanguard: “It was my official quarters while I was in service. I had yet to move to the property I bought from Police Cooperative at Bank Anthony Way. The place is yet to be linked with electricity. I went several times to access the flat but I was frustrated.
A flat I paid for in tranches since 2019, so, I could not have dragged the GRA flat since it was to be demolished anytime.

“That particular day, they invaded the flat, I got calls from another retired officer saying that a Superintendent of Police, from the Works Department, led Mallams to eject me from the flat in GRA. I told him to hand over the phone to the officer leading the demolition exercise and I appealed to the officer to wait for me to send two SPOs to see him and pack my things to the new house at Bank Anthony.

“Unfortunately, he did not use his initiative and he went ahead to break into the flat and they began massive looting and vandalism of my items.

“In the end, all my valuables—cash, jewellery, clothes, property documents, NYSC and degree certificates were stolen before the two SPOs I sent to the place could pack my things. The modest estimate of my loss is over N15 million.

“When I tried to speak with the man in charge of the Works Department, he did not pick up my calls. However, he later claimed that he was sick and begged that I should forgive the officers who carried out the exercise.

“It is pertinent to point out that before the willful massive looting and vandalization of my property, no one served any notice on me. I don’t live there but have my loads there since I have yet to access the Cooperative Unit of the police because they are yet to connect light there.

“I have served the Police Force in different capacities and many places, including Commissioner of Police, Oyo State; Commissioner of Police, SPU and retired at 60 years after I was denied the exalted rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, by former Inspector General of Police, because of ethnicity.”

He was illegal occupant —ACP Dangana

However, when Vanguard spoke with an officer said to be in charge of the Police Works Department in Lagos, ACP Dangana, he said: “I was the person that signed the eviction notice. Adebisi Adesola, a Superintendent of Police, led our men to the location. The directive came from the police high command to eject illegal occupants. The person in question retired two years ago which makes him an illegal occupant.

“He was supposed to leave the building six months after retirement but did not and moved to the East leaving his property locked up in the building. He told me that his valuable documents and jewellery got misplaced in the process but I was not aware of it because I was not around on the day officers went to the building.”

A District Court in the United States, has sentenced a Nigerian man, Victor Uzor, to four years in prison, for his involvement in a $1.1 million business email compromise scheme.

In the judgment handed down by Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge on Tuesday, the sentence went with three years of supervised release and over $1 million in restitution.

United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero disclosed this in a statement on the Department of Justice website on Tuesday.

Romero said, on January 2, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

The scheme typically involved another member of the conspiracy disguising as a legitimate vendor and sending a false invoice to the victim organisation.

As reported on the website, Uzor’s involvement in the offence entailed opening a sequence of bank accounts under the identities of innocent individuals unrelated to the crime.

Another accomplice planned for the victims to transfer money to the accounts established by Uzor.

Subsequently, Uzor promptly withdrew these funds and transferred them to other accounts to avoid detection before the scam was detected.

In all, Uzor aided in the theft of approximately $1.1 million from the victimised businesses and individuals.

In the same vein, he made an attempt to steal another $400,000, which became unsuccessful.

One of the victims of the scheme was a nonprofit mental health care provider situated in Doylestown, PA.

“First, Victor Uzor victimised the people whose identities he stole to facilitate this scheme,” said Romero.

“Then he helped prey upon the primary targets of the business email compromise, including a nonprofit organisation in Bucks County dedicated to providing behavioural health care for the underprivileged and underserved — a safety net for those in need of care.

“In stealing from this provider, he shortchanged its employees, patients, and the community. My office is committed to holding accountable anyone involved in such a clear-cut case of fraud,” said the U.S. attorney.

Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, Wayne A. Jacobs, said, “The FBI works each and every day to dismantle fraud schemes that affect our citizens.

“Alongside our partners, we will continue to bring to justice criminals who orchestrate these scams, and protect the hard-earned assets of our citizens.”

Just like before, all nine Commissioners in the Executive Cabinet of Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State believed to be loyal to the ex-governor, Nyesom Wike, were on Wednesday exited the Government.

The five Commissioners were Chinedu Mmom; Education Commissioner; Gift Worlu, Commissioner for Housing; Inime Aguma, Commissioner for Social Welfare; Austen Ben-Chioma, Commissioner for Environment; and Jacobson Nbina Commissioner for Transport.

It will be recalled that two Commissioners had earlier resigned in protest of their redeployment by Governor Sim Fubara.

They were Isaac Kamalu, who resigned after he was redeployed as the Commissioner of Finance to Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment; as well as Zacchaeus Adangor, a Professor, who resigned as Commissioner after he was redeployed as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Rivers State to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office).

The first two resigned after they were given Federal appointments by President Bola Tinubu; Commissioner of Works, Dax George-Kelly also resigned to take up appointment as the Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA); and Emeka Woke (Wike’s chief of staff) who resigned as Commissioner for Special Projects to take up appointment as the CEO of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.

The remaining Commissioners are adjudged to be loyal to Governor Fubara.

BusinessDay gathered that new Commissioners are expected to be appointed in the coming days and will be presented to the House of Assembly for confirmation.

Now that all the Wike loyalists have left the Fubara cabinet, and the 27 lawmakers have been pushed into the defensive, observers expect two fiercely opposed camps in the State not spare any arrow in the fight.

The cabinet is expected to act and move faster but the detractors with deep inside knowledge may join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State and begin serious attacks in all fronts.

Meanwhile, coming days and weeks promise to be tense, considering tensed situation of things already being experienced in the State.

The Swedish government has disclosed its resolved to return 39 pieces of Benin Artefacts in its museum to the custody of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.

Daily Trust reports that the return followed the Federal Republic of Nigeria Gazette No. 57, Volume 110 issued on March 23, 2023, which recognized ownership and vested custody and management of repatriated Benin artefacts in the Oba of Benin.

The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englund, conveyed the Swedish government decision when she paid a courtesy visit to Oba of Benin in his palace.

Ambassador Hahn-Englund informed the monarch that Sweden and Nigeria are trading partners in infrastructure, telecommunication, energy and other businesses that supported the economies significantly.

“Also, I would like to mention that with cooperation we have in culture, education with Nigeria, I would like to mention the decision of why the Swedish government has to return 39 artefacts to Benin Kingdom,” he said.

Responding, Oba Ewuare II expressed his deepest gratitude to the Swedish government for the intervention, saying “Edo people also welcome this decision”.

He disclosed that the federal government-backed Benin Royal Museum project was on course, and commended partners for their support towards the project.

The Oba also commended the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), responsible for the preservation, promotion and development of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

He said the demand for the return of looted Benin artefacts had been on since the reign of Oba Akenzua II,

“And you are here today (Wednesday) telling us that it has been approved. This has been my request long time ago. God’s time is always the best,” he added.

The Ambassador in the accompany of her husband and a member of the diplomatic mission presented a souvenir to
Oba Ewuare II, who in turn, gave a copy of the federal government gazette on all Benin artefacts to the envoy.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu said the pathologist in his submission in court established that the toxicology test carried out on late music star, Ilerioluwa Aloba popularly known as Mohbad revealed that the singer’s cause of death cannot be ascertained.

Shittu made this revelation while speaking to newsmen after the Coroner Inquest on Wednesday. 

The senior lawyer said, at the time the test was carried out, the body of the singer had already decomposed.  

“According to him, the cause of death cannot be determined,” Shittu told newsmen outside the court.

“He gave a lot of reasons. He said by the time they conducted the test, the body had decomposed and that it is not possible for them to determine the cause of death.

“So the summary he is saying is that the cause of death cannot be ascertained and when you say the cause of death cannot be ascertained, it means it is suspicious, it is not clear, no particular reason.”

The lawyer also said the pathologist also said the cause of the death could be attributed to reaction to certain drugs administered on him before he died.

“He also went further to say that it may be attributed to reaction to certain drugs administered on him before he died. Again he then qualified that to say he does not know whether it is those drugs that actually led to his death,” he added.

Recall that on March 20, the Director of Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Richard Somiari, said that the toxicology result of Mohbad would be ready in the next three to four weeks.

Somiari, while testifying during a coroner’s inquest into the death of the singer said, “We expected to get the first set of autopsy results in three to four weeks and re-confirm to authenticate the cause of the death. 

“We searched for multiple possibilities, to check if poison was involved in the death of Mohbad since no actual cause was mentioned,” he said.

The forensic expert assured the public of adequate security and monitoring of samples for the autopsy.

“We have a place where items are stored for safety and security of results. There is a procedure for monitoring samples moved abroad,” he said.

Mohbad died at the age of 27, on September 12, 2023, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.

A former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022. 

The Lagos State Police Command had, on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.

His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, among others.

The singer’s body was on September 21, 2023, exhumed for autopsy.

Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, on Wednesday, appealed to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, to set aside his differences and work together with the party leadership for old-time’s sake.

Abure made the plea at his first press conference following the April 3 fire incident that almost claimed his life at his Abuja residence.

Both Abure and Ajaero had been at loggerheads following several attempts made by the congress to take control of the party structure over claims the embattled LP chairman was running a one-man show amid allegations of financial malfeasance.

The LP camp had also made a counterclaim that Ajaero was desperately seeking to evict the Abure-led National Working Committee with an ulterior motive to use the party as a transactional platform ahead of the 2027 election.

Addressing newsmen at the party secretariat in Abuja, Abure described the NLC president as a friend and brother having worked together in the trenches over the years fighting for the welfare of workers.

The LP national chairman therefore urged the union leader to put aside his grievances and support their effort to rebuild the country in the interest of Nigerians.

He said, “Consequently, I want to appeal first to my brother, friend and Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC whom we have worked together in the trenches over the years in the struggle for workers, to put aside whatever may be his grievances. Let’s work in the interest of our people.

“Fighting the Labour Party is uncalled for and unwarranted, especially at this time when the working people of Nigeria are suffering. As we speak today, the minimum wage is still N30,000. There are unfair workers practices by employers across the country. The inflation in Nigeria is unprecedented and nobody talks about workers welfare.

“For us, we need to team up together to be able to fight for better working conditions for our people. We need not waste or dissipate our collective energies in fighting ourselves over nothing. The NLC should know by now that the attempt being made to take over the leadership of the party will not work. It is my appeal that working together is better.”

The Executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, have announced the suspension of the Senator representing Ondo South, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, over alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.

The notice was signed by ward executive members including Omotoye Olusola, Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju and Fabioye Ajoke, among others.

Ibrahim’s suspension is coming on heels of the direct APC governorship primary election in the State in which he lost out.

The party executives said their action to suspend Senator Ibrahim was pursuant to Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.

The 16-member Executive Committee in a letter said the decision to suspend the governorship aspirant and lawmaker was taken during its meeting held on Monday, May 13, 2024.

The party recalled that the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had met with all the governorship aspirants in Abuja on the need for them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The executives noted that despite the development, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proceeded to sue the governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party’s instructions.

The letter made available to journalists in Akure, the state capital on Wednesday, it reads, “We, the members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, convened a meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024.

“During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members.

“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to violate the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities.

“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities By Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.

“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja.

“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions.

“Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NNPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them. Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets.

“For emphasis, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso has been suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, and he is hereby prohibited from participating in any APC activities nationwide.”

THE Organized labour on Wednesday stormed out of the minimum wage committee meeting with the Federal Government over the later’s offer of N48,000 new wage.

Recall that the organized labour had made a demand of N615,000 as the new minimum wage and had given the government up till May 31 to conclude negotiations on new living wage.

The Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage resumed negotiations on Wednesday.

Vanguard was reliably informed that representatives of the organized labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, were enraged over the government offer.

Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, who is one of the representatives of the NLC told Vanguard that, “we asked whether the N45,000 is for transport, food, clothing, housing or for what.

“So we just told them that since they are not serious, we better just leave, so we stormed out of the place.”

He said that the government offer was presented to them by the Permanent Secretary, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Office.

The Nigerian Senate has approved the $500 million World Bank loan request by President Bola Tinubu.

Naija News reports the loan is for the production of electricity meters for the citizens.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) was granted the funds following a thorough review of the report by the Committee on local and foreign debts, which was presented by Senator Haruna Manu, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the Committee.

On November 1, 2023, President Bola Tinubu requested Senate approval for a $7.94 billion World Bank loan package, which included a $500 million loan.

The Federal Government will receive fresh loan funding from the World Bank, with approval expected for loans totalling $2.25bn on June 13, 2024.

Naija News recalls that the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, at the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank last month, had announced that the nation had qualified for processing a loan, described as ‘virtually a grant’ of $2.25bn from the World Bank at one per cent interest rate.

He stated, “We have qualified for the processing just this week to the Board of Directors of the World Bank of a total package of $2.25bn of what you can call ‘the closest you can get to a free lunch’- virtually a grant. It’s for about 10- 20 years moratorium and about one per cent interest.”

The package, approved by the World Bank Board of Directors, offers a 40-year term with a 10-year moratorium and a nominal one-percent interest rate.

According to the latest information on the World Bank website, the funding will be received via two major development projects.

The first project is the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilization to Enable Transformation Development Policy Financing, which is set to receive $1.5bn.

The second project, NG Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms Programme-for-Results, has proposed funding of $750m.