Month: August 2024

NLC vows to shutdown economy if Ajaero is arrested and detained

Emporium Reporters

The leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to down tools nationwide if the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) detains its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero. Recall that the Police had last night invited the NLC President to its headquarters for questioning over the allegation of involvement in terrorism financing among others The development led to the convocation of emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at the Labour House where the Congress resolved to write to the Police for extension of time to enable it consult with its lawyers. Briefing…

Japa Syndrome: NASS, Minister, Dabiri-Erewa, others, advise youth to develop skills, stay productive

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigerian youths have been charged to strive towards acquisition of requisite education and relevant skills, prior to contemplating relocating abroad in search of greener pasture.   This was contained in a communique issued by The Companion, association of Muslim men in business and the professions. The communique which was jointly signed by Muideen Adeleke, Tajudeen Balogun and Dr Saheed Adeyemo, was issued at the recent 2024 Conference and 6th National Discourse of the organisation, at the National Universities Commission, Abuja.   The event, the communique indicated, held with the theme:…

Ogun REC Olaniyi Ijalaye dies in Abuja after attending INEC meeting

Emporium Reporters

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ogun State, Barrister Olaniyi Ijalaye, is dead. Ijalaye died on Monday evening after he attended a meeting with other RECs at the INEC headquarters.   Ijalaye had returned to his hotel room when the tragic incident occurred.   The meeting, according to Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, focused on two off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, and seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies. The REC, an Indigene of Ondo State was said to…

Obi Aguocha’s Unwarranted Attack On Deputy Speaker, Futile Attempt To Cover His Poor Performance.

Emporium Reporters

It is a known fact that Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has always been bold, courageous and outspoken in the defence of his values. He is always consistent with facts. Maya Angelou a celebrated poet wrote, ” One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, merciful, generous or honest”.   Yesterday, 18th, August, 2023, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu granted an interview to an online media outfit where he…

JUST IN: Tinubu appoints Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman as new NAHCON Chairman

Emporium Reporters

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).   A statement signed by Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said “Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.   “He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest…

NYSC DG bags 2024 Icon of Human Rights Award

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has conferred the 2024 Icon of Human Rights Award on the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed. Speaking during the award presentation at the National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja today, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko extolled the leadership qualities of General Ahmed especially with regards to the recent expansion of the Scheme and also NYSC’s resistance against the mobilization of unqualified graduates for national service.   He also described General Ahmed as a good ambassador, while he…

NERC grants MTN, SweetCo, others license to generate electricity

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has granted permits to Golden Penny Power Limited, MTN Communications Nigeria Limited, Havenhill Synergy, and several other companies for the generation of electricity through mini-grid systems.   In the first quarter of 2024, NERC issued nine new off-grid generation licenses with a combined capacity of 109.69 megawatts and three new trading licenses.   According to the commission’s report, Golden Penny Power Limited was authorized to construct six off-grid gas plants in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Cross River states, with a total generation capacity of…

In defence of our president By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

How rich is Vice President Kashim Shettima? I ask because twice last week, the big man from Borno described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lion of Bourdillon, Jagaban Borgu, Asiwaju of Lagos, as “this poor man.” To prove that the president is poor, Shettima said since he knew him “he has been using only one wristwatch” and living in a house without swimming pools. And, as a wrap-up of his definition of “poor”, he described himself as a better dresser than Tinubu. “He has overcome all those odds to dress well,”…

Tinubu approves NNPC’s request to spend 2023 dividends on fuel subsidy

Emporium Reporters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a request by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd to utilise the 2023 final dividends due to the federation to pay for petrol subsidy, The Cable reports.   The president also approved the suspension of the payment of 2024 interim dividends to the federation in order to augment the oil firm’s cash flow. Although Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, there have been strong indications that the government still spends billions on subsidy. However,…

Appraising Passage of National Minimum Wage Bill, By Ola Awoniyi

Emporium Reporters

The passage of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the National Assembly is now history. The Bill, which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already signed into law, amended the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 by increasing the Minimum Wage from 30,000 Naira to 70,000 Naira and reducing the time for periodic review of the National Minimum Wage from five years to three years.   In passing the Bill, the National Assembly did what the time demanded. But no one is commenting on the parliament’s responsiveness in the prompt…