Nigerian music sensation Patoranking has taken to social media to proudly announce his graduation from Harvard Business School.

The celebrated artist took to his Instagram page to share the exciting news with his fans and followers.

In a post that quickly garnered attention, Patoranking posted a photo of himself standing proudly behind the renowned Harvard Business School.

Accompanying the photo was a heartfelt caption expressing gratitude and acknowledging the role of a certain Professor Anita Elberse in his academic journey.

The second slide of his post featured Patoranking holding his hard-earned certificate alongside Professor Elberse.

Captioning the post, Patoranking humbly wrote;

“Welcome the new @harvardhbs Alumnus ❤️ God runs this Show…Thank You @anitaelberse ❤️”,

The news of Patoranking’s graduation from Harvard Business School has sparked an outpouring of congratulations and well-wishes from fans and fellow celebrities.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), stated that the 2023 general elections have proven that the Yorubas do not hate the Igbos.

Obi made this statement while receiving the 2024 Courageous Citizen Award from the Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy (NACJD) in Abuja on Saturday.

The former Anambra State governor emphasized that the election was not a Christian or Igbo agenda. He highlighted that Nigerians united across tribal and religious lines during the election, which corrected the impression that Yorubas hate Igbos.

Obi noted that the significant shift in voter behavior indicated a widespread desire among Nigerians for a change from the status quo.

“It was a time that Nigerians united and spoke with one voice regardless of tribe, tongue or religion. The 2023 election wasn’t a Christian or Igbo project.

“It was a Nigerian project. I saw our legends and elder statesmen come together for the first time. I was glad to see people like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and others stand their ground.

“I am saying this to correct the impression that the Yorubas hate Igbo people. A lot of people made certain sacrifices because we just wanted to say ‘Enough is enough’ in Nigeria. Imagine those who had lost their lives for the cause of a new Nigeria,” he said

The Federal Government has admonished workers to refrain from partaking in the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the Labour Union.

It warned that any worker who joins the industrial action risks six months jail term.

In a statement on Sunday, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said there is a subsisting valid court injunction restraining the Labour Union from embarking on any strike.

Fagbemi also noted that Section 18 of the Trade Disputes Act mandates a worker employed in any essential services to give their employer 15 days notice before ceasing their services and any who did not comply would be liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment for six months.

He said the fundamental importance of the 15-day notice is underscored by the fact that Sections 41 and 42(1)(b) of the Act criminalize non-compliance with the provision.

He noted that the federal government had been engaging stakeholders in the tripartite committee to determine a new national minimum wage and had not declared an end to negotiation.

The AGF further noted that the proposed strike is a violation of an order of the National Industrial Court and ongoing mediators’ settlement efforts to resolve the minimum wage impasse.

“You are further invited to recall the pendency of the interim injunctive order granted on 5th June 2023 in suit no: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 — FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR VV. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR, which order restrained both Nigeria Labour Congress und Trade Union Congress from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature,” he said.

“While the government assures that it would continue to adopt a conciliatory approach to resolving matters pertaining to workers and citizens welfare in the spirit of collective bargaining, I would like to urge you to kindly reconsider the declaration of strike action and return to the ongoing negotiation meetings, which has been adjourned to a date to be communicated to parties.

“This would be a more civil and patriotic approach and will enable your Congress pursue its cause within the ambit of the law and avoid foisting

The Nigerian Labour Congress has ordered Nigerian workers to remain at home as the Nationwide strike commences today June 3.

 The NLC made this known in a post shared on its X handle this morning June 3.  

The decision of the Organised Labour to continue with its nationwide strike followed the deadlock meeting it had with the Federal Government and the National Assembly leaders over a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs. 

The labour unions argue that the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 can no longer cater to the wellbeing of an average Nigerian worker, lamenting that not all governors are paying the current wage award which expired in April 2024, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act should be reviewed every five years to meet up with contemporary economic demands of workers. 

Labour later handed the Federal Government a May 31 deadline for the a new minimum wage. On May 31, the Labour union declared a nationwide strike beginning from Monday, June 3, 2024 over the government committee’s inability to agree on a new minimum wage and reversal of electricity tariff hike. 

During the failed talks with the government, Labour rejected three government’s offers, the latest being N60,000. Both the TUC and the NLC subsequently pulled out of negotiations, insisting on ₦497,000 as the new minimum wage.

The Police in Anambra State says it has deployed its operatives to strategic parts of the state to ensure that any attempt to enforce the strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is thwarted.

A press release by the spokesperson of the state command, SP Tochukwu stated that the command stands with the federal government which has declared the strike as illegal, and will stop at nothing to thwart its enforcement, including any attempt by unscrupulous elements to hijack the enforcement and cause breach of peace.

Ikenga in the release said: “The Federal Government has declared the planned strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress as illegal and premature.

“The Anambra State Police Command reiterates the command’s commitment to enforce the legal recommendations and calls for caution to prevent a breach of public safety and peace.

“Police operatives have been deployed to different strategic areas, and tasked with the responsibility against any miscreants using the opportunity to cause any breach of public safety and peace in the state.

“The Command understands the right of organized labour to engage in such actions to advocate for the interests of all workers, but noted the importance of adherence to the existing laws governing such activities.

“To this end, the command encourages the good people of the state to go about their lawful businesses and be law-abiding, vigilant, and security-conscious.”

The command called on residents of the state to use their helplines to report any security-related incident for prompt response.

“The ‘npf rescue me app’ is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and iPhone users respectively,” the command said.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso has said that the introduction of Islamic Banks in Nigeria was spearheaded by an assistant pastor.

Cardoso disclosed this weekend at a reception organised to honour the Secretary-General, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre, Dr Umar Oseni in Abuja.

According to him, it was now clear to Nigerians that the introduction of Islamic banks in Nigeria was not to Islamise the country but for small and medium-scale businesses.

Cardoso, represented by the CBN Director of Legal Services, Kofo Salam-Alada, said that more Shariah-compliant banks are being considered for approval due to the immense benefits it has brought to the citizens.

He noted that Islamic banks like Jaiz, Tajj, and Alternate Bank have stood the test of time since their establishment.

“Some years back, the Central Bank of Nigeria started a journey for the introduction of the Islamic Banking and Financing in Nigeria.

“It came when a young man was appointed governor of CBN. But most people never knew that the first person who spearheaded the journey was to be a pastor of the church.

“He was also a part-time pastor when this journey started. So it was never an attempt to Islamise Nigeria or Islamise financing in Nigeria. When the Prince (Emir Sanusi) came, he continued the journey”, he stated.

Recall that the first Islamic Bank in Nigeria, Jaiz was established during the reign of Chukwuma Soludo as the apex bank governor.

Nigeria currently has four Islamic banks out of 43 Deposit Money Banks, according to CBN’s recently updated list of approved banks in Nigeria.

Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey are expected to arrive at Super Eagles camp on Monday (today) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Also expected in camp are Bright Osayi-Samuel, Frank Onyeka, Semi Ajayi, Maduka Okoye and Paul Onuachu.

15 players are already at the team’s camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The Super Eagles started preparations for the qualifiers on Sunday.

The team had two training sessions (Monday and evening) at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Finidi George’s side will entertain South Africa on Friday before traveling to Abidjan for a clash with Benin three days later.

Toni Kroos has insisted that he is happy with his decision to leave Real Madrid.

Kroos spoke as Real Madrid players celebrated during the Champions League trophy parade at the Cibeles square in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday.

The German midfielder played his match for Real Madrid in the Champions League final victory against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.

Kroos had recently announced his decision to retire from professional football after this summer’s Euro 2024.

“I am going to miss you [Real Madrid fans] a lot,” Kroos was quoted by Madrid Zone as saying.

“I am happy with my decision. I enjoyed every single minute of these 10 years.

“I will miss a lot of things, no doubt. I am happy with my decision. The Bernabeu is my home. Real Madrid fans are the best in the world.”

The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, is significantly decreasing, providing much-needed relief to consumers in several states, including Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo.

Recent interactions with consumers revealed to Punch that the current average cost of 1 kilogram of cooking gas is around N1,000 or below, depending on the location and seller.

This decrease is a stark contrast to the prices observed between February and March when the cost of LPG had soared to around ₦1,300 per kilogram in some areas.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the price of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas had increased by 46.88% over one year, reaching ₦15,060.38 in February 2024 compared to ₦10,253.39 in February 2023.

The NBS further noted that the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of LPG rose by 28.33% within just one month — from ₦11,735.72 in January 2024 to ₦15,060.38 in February 2024.

Among the states, Ogun recorded the highest average retail price at ₦16,375, closely followed by Delta at ₦16,333, and Edo at ₦16,321.

However, recent checks indicate that prices are gradually decreasing nationwide, which some attribute to the rebound of the naira in April from about ₦1,900 per dollar to about ₦1,500 currently.

While the Federal Government has committed to taking further measures to reduce the domestic price of LPG, industry operators express concerns that prices may rise again.

Speaking to Punch, Adedokun Ojo, a resident of Abule Egba in Lagos, reported purchasing 1kg of LPG at ₦940 at a local Mobil station.

“LPG is now ₦940 per kg. I still bought it yesterday evening at Mobil in Abule Egba,” Ojo said.

Also, a resident of Enugu, Uzor Nneka, disclosed that she got a kilogramme of the gas for ₦1,000 at the Romchi plant in Enugu.

“1kg of cooking gas used to be ₦1,300 before, but now it is ₦1,050. The price is coming down,” Jonathan Igbowu, a resident of the Idiroko border community of Ogun State, revealed

It was observed that the prices are different in Idiroko based on the seller. Nojim Ajani stated that 1kg of LPG was ₦750 in the Aferiku area of the town lately.

One Mr Ibrahim Ogunleye mentioned that the product sold for ₦1,200 in Offa, Kwara State, saying it used to be ₦1,400 some weeks ago.

Similarly, Mr Quadri Yusuf, who lives at Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, said the price of cooking gas is now ₦800/kg, down ₦1,200 in April.

However, Muraina Akintunde in Ayetoro regretted that LPG sellers now charge ₦1,200/kg in the area, stating that it used to be ₦1,400 until the last week of May.

In Ilaro, Folake Ogunwemimo said a kilogramme of LPG costs ₦1,100, while Kazim Ajose bought it for N970 at Sango-Ota, Ogun State.

Speaking on the development, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the reduction in the price of LPG was a result of the efforts being made by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) with the full support of relevant regulatory agencies in the sector and even operators to increase the volume of domestically produced cooking gas coming into the local market.

Ekpo, who spoke through his media aide, Louis Ibah, said the domestication of LPG export has reduced the dependence on imported LPG, and of course, its attendant added costs due to foreign exchange fluctuations.

He said, “You will recall that the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, some months back had ordered the domestication of all LPG produced within the country with the target of stabilising the price of cooking gas in the domestic market for consumers.

“So, the reduction in the price of LPG being witnessed is as a result of the efforts being made by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) with the full support of relevant regulatory agencies in the sector and even Operators to increase the volume of domestically produced LPG/cooking gas coming into the local market.

“This has reduced the dependence on imported LPG, and of course, its attendant added costs due to FOREX fluctuations.

“And you also must recall and note the positive impact that the federal government’s decision to waive VAT and Customs duties on gas and gas equipment must have had on the price of LPG.”

He stressed that the minister has “assured that prices will go down further in the months ahead as more volumes of LPG domestically produced is released into the domestic market,” saying he is working round the clock with his team to achieve this.

However, the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers expressed concerns that the price of LPG may surge again in the coming weeks.

The Executive Secretary of NALPGAM, Bassey Essien, revealed that the reduction occasioned by the naira rebound was being eroded because gas is priced in dollars.

According to Essien, even if the Federal Government boosts local LPG production, the price will not be stable because gas producers sell in foreign currency.

“I won’t say it has come down, because it is going up again. And it is an interplay of the foreign exchange. Everything is priced in foreign exchange, very soon even the air we breathe will be priced in foreign exchange.

“Even the LNG that a domestic gas, how do they price it? It is still being priced at the international price, and the international price is dependent on the dollar. Whether you have it in abundance or not, it is still being sold at the international price. The bottom line is everything is priced in forex,” Essien said, asking the government to look into local pricing of gas.”