Organizers of the Big Brother Naija, BBNaija , reality TV show have announced that the 8th edition of the show will premiere on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

Tagged’ All Star season” the winner of the show will walk away with the grand prize pegged at N120 million Naira among other consolidation prizes.

According to the organizers, the housemates will battle for the grand prize in the next 70 days. The show ends on the ,1st of October.

Ebuka Obi- Uchendu is returning again as the host of the show.

As a reward for fans this seasons, 30 lucky fans will win one million each in the fan lock challenge where they have the opportunity to lock in their top three favorite housemates all through season.

The Federal Government has faulted the irregular practice of state governments establishing ministries and departments of Labour, and implementing parallel guidelines and policies to those developed at the federal level.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the ministry’s Spokesperson, Olajide Oshundun.

According to the statement, the Permanent Secretary, the Labor Ministry, Kachallom Daju, criticized this trend by states while flagging off the 2023 Session of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC), taking place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from 13th to 14th July.

She said NLAC would critically discuss that emerging trend, which if left unchecked, could destabilize the already challenged Labour administration system in Nigeria.

Daju described that practice as counter-productive, and pointed out that it went against Section 34 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which placed labour matters on the Exclusive List, thereby reserving the power to legislate on labour-related matters exclusively to the Federal Government.

According to her, another crucial item for discussion by the Council would be the need for state governments to embrace a uniform implementation of the Minimum Wage Act, 2019.

She noted the need to align the minimum wage with the current economic realities, as well as the International Labour Standards that serve as the bedrock of the legal framework for labour administration in Nigeria.

Daju also remarked that Nigeria needed to develop strategies to bridge the gaps identified by the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEARCR), on the application of Conventions No. 26 on Wage Fixing Machinery, 1928; and No. 95 on Protection of Wages, 1949.

She noted that this has become crucial in the face of the impact of the recent removal of subsidy on petrol on the Nigerian workers.

The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the Council was established in 1955 to offer advisory services to the Minister of Labour in the areas of Labour Administration, Employment Relations and Labour Productivity, and it also plays the critical role of promoting and ensuring a Labour Administration System in line with international best practice.

She added that the Council was inactive between 2013 and 2021, when it was revived, and a new Council was inaugurated.

Earlier, Director, Productivity Measurement and Labour Standards department of the Ministry, Juliana Adebambo, stated that the revival of the NLAC was evidence of Government’s political will to increase collaboration between social partners and governments (Federal and State) to ensure lasting industrial harmony, socio-economic development, as well as national growth.

Membership of the Council comprises the Federal, the thirty-six states and the FCT governments, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the country representative of the International Labour Organisation, and other stakeholders.

Approves 35 Billion For National Judicial Council

The National Assembly, on Thursday, passed an amendment to the N819.5 billion 2022 supplementary budget, approving N70 billion to support the “working condition” of new lawmakers.

The amendment, among others, seeks to provide N500 billion palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

The amendment was passed in both the Senate and the House of Representatives a day after President Bola Tinubu sent the request to the parliament.

The breakdown of the amended N819.5 billion supplementary budget showed that N500 billion is for palliatives to cushion the effect of recent subsidy removal policy, which will be domiciled in Finance ministry.

The detail also showed that N185 billion is for Ministry of Works and Housing to alleviate the impact of the severe flooding experienced in the country in 2022 on road infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones.

The sum of N19.2 billion is allocated to Ministry of Agriculture to ameliorate the massive destruction to farmlands across the country during the severe flooding experienced last year; N35 billion to National Judicial Council; N10 billion to Federal Capital Territory Administration for critical projects and N70 billion to National Assembly to support the working conditions of new members.

Mr Tinubu, during his inauguration on 29 May, announced the removal of fuel subsidy, a decision that saw the price of petrol jump three-fold across the country.

Following the announcement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) directed its outlets nationwide to sell fuel between N480 and N570 per litre, an over 200 per cent increase from the initial price below N200.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had initially planned a nationwide strike to protest the removal. However, the planned strike was suspended following a parley between them and the government, with some agreements reached.

While the administration has been commended for taking swift action on petroleum subsidy, there are still concerns about the impact of the removal, especially as it relates to the increase in the price of petrol and its multiplier effect on almost every sector of the country’s economy and impoverished households.

An Umuahia Magistrate court on Wednesday found a 37-year-old HIV-Positive man, Mr. Chiemela Victor Ekeke guilty of defiling a 4-year-old girl in Umuahia, Abia State and has pleaded guilty to the three count charge bordering on defilement.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Okezuonu Obioma an official of the Ministry of Justice told newsmen that the accused person did not deny any of the 3-count charges.

According to the counsel, the facts were laid before the magistrate court in order to convince the court that the accused persons committed the crime.

The court presided over by Chief Magistrate N. Lekwa found the accused guilty and adjourned till July 21 for sentencing.

Upon interrogation, the accused person said his doctor told him he has a small load of HIV that has been flushed out of his system.

Ekeke who is a labourer and a farmer on Friday narrated how he had gone to the victim’s home in search of a woman that is related to the victim’s family to pay her the sum of N3,000 he had earlier borrowed from her.

He said upon arrival at the home of the victim located at Ogbulafor Street in Umuahia, he met the children playing in the parlour.

According to him, while two of the children left the parlour, he was left with the youngest one, the 4-year-old old girl, stating that he put her on his lap, playing with her.

He confessed that he laid her on the bed where his hand mistakenly touched her on the private part but denied having carnal knowledge of the victim despite blood stains around her legs.

“Maybe it’s through the touching”, he stated defending why the blood gushed out from the baby’s private organ.

“I only touched her for a while. When she said she wanted to go inside the room, I left her”, he stated.

Mr Ekeke who after committing the act went to the bedroom of the children’s mother to have a rest said he was weak and needed to rest.

The gathering of 32 European countries and their North American first cousins in Lithuania under the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, NATO, is the clearest indication yet, that they want to put humanity on the path to another World War.

British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, made a truthful summary of the July 11-12, 2023 NATO Summit in little Lithuania, one of the first bolts to loosen from the defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which led to its collapse. He said what the summit achieved was to strengthen the military alliance, put it in its most combat-ready form since the Cold War, work out its “comprehensive war-fighting plans”, scale up defence production to “boost our stockpiles” of weapons and reaching a minimum defence spending of two per cent.

He also celebrated the full membership of Finland which has a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia, the longest by any European Union member. This means that NATO is fully peeping into Russia, and Finland would soon warehouse NATO weapons.

Sunak added with glee: “…And very soon we’ll be doing the same with Sweden. We are stronger with them by our side… and in time we will be stronger with Ukraine as a NATO ally too.”

In reiterating British commitment to the military defeat of Russia in the Ukraine War, the British leader announced: “Together with our G7 partners we have agreed to provide the long-term bilateral security commitments that Ukraine needs.”

The more recent commitments of the United States, US, for instance, was President Joe Biden’s Friday, July 7, 2023 announcement to provide Ukraine with cluster bombs which represents perhaps the most dangerous escalation in the war. This move, further shuts the doors against peaceful negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

Cluster bombs are bombs that disperse and scatter huge number of mini- bomblets over wide areas some of which fail to explode on impact and thus become like landmines, lying in wait for years after a war, to explode when stepped upon by innocent civilians.

Since cluster bombs are ‘steel rain’ designed to fall on targets spread over wide areas, it means they do not have an accuracy and can therefore hit unintended targets such as civilian populations. The US military documents, reveal that the CBU-97 cluster bomb, for instance, “provides multiple kills per pass” against a wide range of tanks, armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles. Cluster bombs are weapons and crimes against humanity.

These bombs are so dangerous that 111 countries, including NATO members: Germany, UK and Canada, have signed and ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, banning its use, production and stockpiling.

The US last used them 20 years ago when in April 2003, in collaboration with the UK, it fired about two million cluster bombs, most of which were called Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions, in Iraq.

The outcry against the US was so much that on March 11, 2009 President Barack Obama signed into law a permanent ban on nearly all cluster bomb exports by the US.

Biden, this July 8, in rationalising his decision to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs said: “This is a war relating to munitions. And they’re running out of that ammunition, and we’re low on it and so, what I finally did, I took the recommendation of the defence department to – not permanently – but to allow for this transition period, while we get more 155 weapons, these shells, for the Ukrainians.” The logic in Biden’s argument is that if the US also runs low on cluster bombs, it can supply Ukraine with nuclear weapons.

Biden in this dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine claims that Ukraine has assured him that the cluster bombs would not be used against Russian territory. So against what will it be used? Ukrainian territory? Does it make sense for Ukraine to use these dangerous weapons against its own territory when it knows that like mines, they can remain concealed and unexploded for years? If Biden thinks the rest of us are so thick headed as to believe such assurances are the Ukrainians so silly as to plant mines they would be unable to detect on their own territory?

In continuing in Biden’s illogical decision, his National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, said: “We recognise that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance… But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians because Ukraine does not have enough artillery.” Silly rationalisation.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is sure to liberally use the new weapons, responded excitedly that the new package is a “timely, broad and much-needed defense…that(would) bring Ukraine closer to victory over the enemy”. He added that: “The expansion of Ukraine’s defence capabilities will provide new tools for the de-occupation of our land and bringing peace closer.”

The tragedy in all these is that Russia will respond in like manner and the world will get closer to a new World War in which all, including nuclear weapons, would be game.

Sunak’s reminder that from all practical purposes, Sweden, the dove of Europe, has become a member of the hawkish NATO alliance following the successful bribing of Turkey to drop its objections, is a sad one.

Sweden has for centuries kept its head while others were losing theirs. Apart from building a humane society based on a wide range of social security measures and promotion of social justice, it had been a pacifist nation. Shedding its war-like garb after its July 27, 1814 war with neigbouring Norway, Sweden in 2014 celebrated 200 years of peace during which it did not take part in any war. Even during the madness of the First and Second World Wars, it refused to be drawn into conflicts. Despite this, it made it its duty to rescue Jews endangered by Nazism in Europe.

It also refused to be aligned during the Cold War. Most importantly for us in Africa, when big powers like the US and UK shored up the evil racist and Apartheid regimes that held down our people in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa, Sweden stood by the oppressed. It also refused to join its European and American brothers in supporting the on-going Israeli genocide against the Palestinians. Equally, It supported the Saharawi against re-colonisation by their Moroccan neighbour.

The Swedes also gave humanity Olof Palme, one of the most compassionate, thoughtful and reliable leaders the world has ever produced. In his assassination on February 28, 1986 when he was Prime Minister, Olof Palme became a true martyr and symbol of peace in a highly fractured world. In Sweden joining NATO, Olof Palme will be turning in his grave.

THE Federal Government, on Thursday, announced that the 11 power distribution companies in Nigeria have applied for the review of their various electricity tariffs in order to incorporate the changes in the macroeconomic parameters across the country.

It disclosed this through a notice published by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission. It added that the Discos also stated their reasons for the rate review were premised on factors affecting the quality of service, operations and sustainability of the companies.

In the notice, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, the NERC stated the application for rate review by the power firms was in line with the rules contained in the Electricity Act 2023.

Recall that some power distribution companies had announced in June that there would be a hike in tariff, projected to take effect from July 1, 2023.

The Discos, however, backtracked the next day after widespread criticisms, as they stated that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had yet to approve the hike.The development caused apprehension among power users at the time, as many prepaid consumers rushed to buy more electricity units in their meters, while anticipating a possible hike in tariff.

It was, however, observed on July 1, 2023, that the Discos did not raise the tariff, an indication that they had yet to get the approval of the power sector regulator.

But on Thursday, the NERC announced that the power firms had applied for a review of their respective tariffs, though it described it as an application for rate review.

In the notice from the regulator, it said, “Pursuant to Section 116 (1) and 2(a&b) of the Electricity Act 2023 and other extant rules, the 11 successor electricity distribution companies have filed an application for rate review with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The judicial systems of different countries vary in terms of structure and composition. One crucial aspect of any judicial system is the number of justices in its highest court. Let me briefly compare the Nigerian and the United States Supreme Courts, focusing on the number of justices in each of these courts.

By examining the similarities and differences between these two systems, one can gain a better understanding of how the composition of a supreme court can impact its functioning and decision-making processes.

The Nigerian Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court are both the highest judicial bodies in the two countries. However, they differ significantly in terms of the number of justices. While the Nigerian Supreme Court consists of a fixed number of justices, the United States Supreme Court has a variable number of justices. There are however reasons behind these differences which also have implications for the judicial systems of both countries.

First, the Nigerian Supreme Court is composed of a fixed number of justices, which is set not to exceed 21. But currently 13 justices including the Chief Justice of the Federation. This number has remained unchanged since the establishment of the court in 1963. The rationale behind this fixed number is to ensure a diverse range of perspectives and expertise among the justices. With 21 justices, the Nigerian Supreme Court expected to handle a significant caseload and provide a fair and balanced decision-making process. Additionally, a fixed number of justices ensures stability and consistency in the court's functioning. But the reality is the dearth of adequate resources to discharge their responsibilities. 

Secondly, the United States Supreme Court, in contrast to the Nigerian Supreme Court, does not have a fixed number of justices. The number of justices is determined by Congress and has varied throughout history. Currently, the United States Supreme Court consists of 9 justices. This number has remained constant since 1869. The variable number of justices in the United States Supreme Court allows for flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances and ensures that the court can effectively handle its caseload. Moreover, it allows for a balance of power among the justices, preventing any single justice from having excessive influence.

The fixed number in Nigeria ensures ethno-religious diversity, gender inclusion, stability, and consistency in decision-making, while the variable number in the United States allows for flexibility and a balance of power. Both systems have their merits, and the choice of the number of justices depends on the specific needs and circumstances of each country's judicial system. Understanding these differences provides valuable insights into the functioning and composition of supreme courts worldwide.

Based on available reports, it has been revealed that the caseloads of the Supreme Courts in the USA and Nigeria reflect the legal complexities and societal challenges faced by each nation. While the USA's Supreme Court handles a lower number of cases annually, Nigeria's Supreme Court grapples with a substantial caseload due to a number of reasons, ranging from abuses of the Court’s process to complexities associated with some of the cases that are escalated to it. Other factors contribute to these caseloads and their implications for the judicial systems of both nations.

The Supreme Court of the USA is renowned for its caseload, reflecting the nation's complex legal system and the court's role in interpreting the Constitution. Each year, the court receives thousands of petitions, but only a fraction of these are granted certiorari (a writ or order by which a higher court reviews a case tried in a lower court), resulting in a caseload of around 100-150 cases. The court's caseload is influenced by various factors, including the significance of the legal issues involved, the lower courts' conflicting decisions, and the court's discretionary power to select cases. Notable examples include landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade, which have shaped American jurisprudence.

Whereas the Nigeria Supreme Court, equally the final appellate court, faces a substantial caseload due to the country's complex legal framework, and some lawyers penchant of seeking unnecessary injunctions and grossly abusing court’s process. The court receives appeals from lower courts across the country, dealing with a wide range of legal issues, including constitutional matters, criminal cases, and civil disputes. The caseload of the Nigeria Supreme Court has increased over the years, with the court handling around 1,000-1,500 cases annually. This high caseload poses challenges to the court's efficiency and timely delivery of justice.

The contrasting caseloads of the USA and Nigeria Supreme Courts have significant implications for their respective judicial systems. In the USA, the limited number of cases heard by the Supreme Court allows for thorough deliberation and detailed opinions, ensuring the court's decisions have a lasting impact on American law. However, the high caseload in Nigeria's Supreme Court poses challenges, including delays in the resolution of cases, potential backlogs, and the strain on judicial resources. These challenges can hinder access to justice and erode public confidence in the legal system.

From the foregoing, It is clear that the Nigerian Supreme Court justices are overworked. It is therefore crucial for judiciary reforms and for the country to evaluate and address the caseloads and other challenges confronting the courts’ system to ensure the fair and timely administration of justice.

Sonny Iroche is an Investment Banker of over 30 years experience and a 2022-2023 Senior Academic Visitor at the African Studies Centre. University of Oxford. 

Paris Saint-Germain are preparing to launch a second bid of €120m for Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen.

The French champions had their initial offer of €100m for Osimhen rejected in June. While the new bid falls short of Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis’ valuation, it still surpasses the offers put forth by other interested clubs.

Reports indicate that Napoli value Osimhen at €150 million, a price tag that no other club is currently willing to meet. De Laurentiis, believing PSG to be the only team capable of affording the talented striker, has dismissed other suitors such as Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, all of whom have expressed interest in acquiring Osimhen’s services.

“The only club that could afford Victor Osimhen is Paris Saint-Germain,” De Laurentiis revealed to Mediaset.

“If (PSG president) Nasser Al Khelaifi wants to send in a bid around €200 million, we wait and see what happens. I personally think that Victor will stay here.”

Meanwhile, according to Calciomercato, the negotiations between Osimhen and Napoli for his contract extension are underway, with the club aiming to introduce a release clause that would only become valid in the summer of 2024 for a fee exceeding €100m.

De Laurentiis told Osimhen’s agent that he would only entertain offers close to €200m in this summer’s transfer window. Despite the gap in negotiations, Napoli remain determined to please their star player with a suitable contract.

Bayern Munich has shown considerable interest in Osimhen, but they consider Napoli’s economic demands outrageous and have chosen to halt negotiations. As of now, PSG pose the biggest obstacle for the Azzurri, as they have identified the Nigeria international as the ideal replacement for World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé.

French sources indicate that PSG are on the verge of submitting an offer of around €120m.

Osimhen netted 26 goals and provided five assists in 32 league appearances last season, which played a pivotal role in Napoli clinching the Serie A title after more than three decades.

Osimhen also became the first African player to secure the prestigious Capocannoniere award, given to the top scorer in Serie A.

The Nigerian forward is scheduled to resume pre-season training on July 19, as he eagerly awaits the developments surrounding his future.

Joseph Daudu, lawyer to the suspended and detained Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has said his client’s case will test President Bola Tinubu’s respect for the rule of law.

The senior lawyer stated this on Thursday, shortly after the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja gave the Department of State Services (DSS) a seven-day ultimatum to either release Emefiele, who has been in detention since June 10, or arraign him in court if they have a case against him.

Justice Hamza Muazu gave the order while ruling on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Emefiele, through Daudu, to challenge his arrest and continued detention by the DSS.

The judge held the continued detention of Emefiele by the secret police without trial amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

Addressing journalists after the proceedings, Dauda lauded the court for its courageous pronouncement, adding that he expected the DSS to obey the order.

He also called on the President to demonstrate to Nigerians that under his watch, government agencies would not be disobedient to lawful court orders.

He said, “Seven days has been given to the DSS to either charge him (Emefiele) to court or release him on administrative bail.

“We expect him to be released on administrative bail today (Thursday) as we speak in obedience to the court order.

“I don’t think that the President would like to start his administration with organisations under him disobeying court orders.

“He was at the forefront to chastise the military government for disobeying court orders. Now, power is in his hands, we will see if he will obey court orders.”

Meanwhile, the DSS has said the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, had been charged to court.

Reacting in a statement by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the DSS said it had in 2022 applied for a court order to detain Emefiele but he got another order stopping the DSS from arresting him.

Former Kaduna Central lawmaker, Shehu Sani has reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s plan to pay N8,000 palliatives to 12 million Nigerian families.

Naija News recalls that in a letter read in the House of Representatives during plenary on Thursday, the Federal Government had announced that 12 million households will get N8,000 for six months to ameliorate the hardships faced by Nigerians as a result of subsidy removal.

Tinubu said the initiative was designed to enable indigent and vulnerable Nigerian people to cope with the cost of meeting basic needs.

The President explained that it would have a multiplier effect on about 60 million individuals.

He stated that to ascertain the credibility of the process, digital transfers would be made directly to beneficiaries accounts.

The President said, “Under the conditional cash transfer window of the programme, the Federal Government of Nigeria will transfer the sum of N8,000 a month to 12 million poor and low-income households for a period of six months with a multiplying effect on about 60 million beneficiaries”

Reacting to the development via a post on Twitter, Sani warned the proposed recipients of the N8,000 to pray before receiving it, as the 10,000 introduced by the previous administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari plunged people into deeper poverty.

According to him, “People who collected Buhari’s ‘jazzed’ 10k ended up in deeper poverty.Pray before you collect the next 8k.”