The organized private sector has accepted the Federal Government’s proposal for a new minimum wage of ₦60,000.

The Director-General of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Ajayi Kadri, confirmed this development during a recent interview, stressing that the private sector is constrained by microeconomic, infrastructure and security challenges and that anything more than the federal government’s proposed minimum wage is not feasible for the sector at the moment.

Ajayi emphasized that the ongoing negotiations between the government, private sector, and labour primarily focus on establishing a minimum wage rather than a living wage, representing the lowest possible payment for any worker in the country.

He further highlighted the significant economic challenges faced by both labour and private businesses, making it exceedingly difficult to meet the wage demands of labour unions.

“To start with, this is a very difficult time for anyone to negotiate minimum wage. From the perspective of government, labour and organized private sector, we operate in an environment where there is general acceptance of the fact that the macroeconomics are not right, even the global economy is experiencing a lot of shakeups and the aftermath of government necessary reforms.

“From the beginning of the negotiations of the minimum wage, it’s evident to the tripartite— that is, the government, labour, and organized private sector— that we are going to operate in a difficult terrain.

“Incidentally, the organized private sector and government have offered ₦60,000 as the minimum wage and I think it is very important for us to understand that what we are talking about is the minimum wage. That is what some people have called the walk-in wage. That is the amount we will pay the least workers in the country. It is the minimum wage we are negotiating, not a living wage,” Ajayi while on a Channels Television programme on Saturday.

Ajayi revealed that significant obstacles are being faced by both the government and the private sector in meeting the proposed N419,000 living wage demand.

He pointed out that the private sector, particularly, is struggling with economic difficulties and inflation, making it unfeasible to meet such a high wage.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the current period is not conducive for organized labour to engage in discussions regarding a new minimum wage. Rather, they should work together with other parties to bolster the economy.

“All of us in the tripartite— the government, the labour, and the private sector — we all knew that we were operating in a very difficult environment. The government itself realized that it had limited capacity to pay. The private sector is constrained by microeconomic, infrastructure and security challenges. So, we are also constrained to pay.

“Labour, on its part, is under intense pressure from its constituencies to ask for a higher wage because inflation has hit the roof and the operating environment is tough.

“Throughout the negotiation process, we made it known that this is not the best time to negotiate minimum wage. This is the time for us to agree, the crew behind the government, and grow the economy in such that we will bake a bigger cake, and then we’ll be able to share,” the director general added.

He urged the organized labour to rethink their choice of initiating a nationwide strike, emphasizing that leaving negotiations and resorting to strike action would not be beneficial.

He emphasized the importance of organized labour reconsidering their decision to go on a nationwide strike, highlighting that rejecting the N60,000 offer from the government and private sector was regrettable.

“We cannot afford to cripple the economy when all we needed to do was continue to build it. I think President Tinubu was very clear when he emerged as president that these are not going to be easy times, and I think we needed to tighten our belts to deliver on economy that we know has been seriously battered,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

He added: “Of course, the government on its own side has to demonstrate leadership, sensitivity and sense and sense of mind as well as the sense of occasion of the period that we are in. So, government expenditure, government choices of what needs to be done, how much to be spent, the cost of governance itself, all of it has to come to the table.

“I think what labour is actually worried about is that they appear to be the ones on the brunt of it but we needed to be able to engage, walking out on the process and declaring a strike, I do not think that that is what is going to solve this issue.”

Naija News reported earlier that the labour unions, on Friday, announced a nationwide strike without a specified end date due to the Federal Government’s rejection of increasing the proposed minimum wage of N60,000.

They asserted that the strike was initiated after the previous appeal to the Federal Government to finalize all discussions regarding a new minimum wage by the end of May had expired.

Suspended police chief, Abba Kyari, received a warm welcome from his family members after being released from detention.

Photos that emerged online captured Kyari in the company of his family members, with a design on the wall that reads, “Welcome back.”

See the photos below:

Top Nigerian celebrities have condoled with award-winning Nollywood actor, Wale Ojo over the demise of his mother.

This comes after Mr Ojo, via his verified Instagram page on Saturday announced the demise of his mother with a photo of himself and mother, saying his world had crashed.

Expressing his grief, the British Nigerian star said he would miss his mother terribly.

“My world has crashed all around me. Mama is gone. Goodnight Mum. I will miss you terribly, terribly,” he wrote.

Reacting, celebrities stormed the comment section of the post to console with award winning actor.

Actor Chidi Mokeme wrote: “My condolences brother. So sorry to hear this. May mama’s soul rest in perfect peace.”

Actor, a_yinna wrote: ”My condolences to you and the family.”

Ace Nollywood actor, Kingsley Ogbonna, aka Dauda, who took comedy to another level, has revealed why he dumped law to transition into skit- making.

Following his unexpected exit from the entertainment industry, Dauda delved into politics, serving as a Special Adviser to former Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, before embarking on academic journey to study law.

Now, he has rekindled his love for acting, this time dedicating himself to content creation, particularly skit-making.

Speaking with The NATION in an interview, Dauda shared insights into his decision to relinquish the legal profession, along with addressing other relevant topics.

Responding to questions about his absence from the spotlight since leaving government, Dauda clarified whether he had forsaken acting for a career in law.

He said, “The truth of the matter is that law is a good profession. It was to add to my profile but you also know that my first love is the entertainment industry with a bias for Nollywood and comedy if you like.

“With what is happening in the industry now, Law is good but it is usually very hard for you to start practicing when you are 50 and above as a new wig. The least is 10 years before finding your bearing.

“The best thing is to go back to what you know how to do best, what the world knows you for, which is entertainment, and going by the trend of events as the industry has left the normal Nollywood television.

“Though those come sparingly, the real thing now is the skit, the online entertainment. I am talking about content creation and people will like it. My first course was marketing. There is this definition of marketing, it is a management process responsible for identifying, satisfying, and anticipating consumer wants efficiently and profitably.

“That profit is very important. Whatever thing you are doing and it is not profiting, leave it. I’m not saying that Law won’t profit, but I am looking at the age bracket and what the Nigerian legal system is all about right now.

“I am not seeing Law as something I will rely on, I will keep the wig and gown aside. It wasn’t easy after 7, 8 years, going to Law School, and coming out, but I liked it. It has exposed me to many things. It has opened my eyes. I see myself as educated, learned.

“I can handle any organisation anywhere. I can fit into any organization. I know how to make money right now. I know what company, establishment means through Corporate Law I learnt in school. I can fit in anywhere.

“But that is not the thing. The thing is that whatever thing you do at this age, it must be profitable because you have kids growing. They are all in school and you want to achieve a lot before you get to a particular point in life where you will not be able to do anything again.”

Dauda emphasized that at 50 years old, having just completed law school last year, he felt the weight of responsibilities at home, including caring for his parents and younger siblings.

He expressed the belief that law was more suited for individuals with established profiles, and at his age, he preferred to focus on entertainment, particularly content creation, which he had already begun.

When asked about his return to entertainment and whether it was due to the favorable social media landscape for content creation rather than passion, Dauda remarked, “I am very blunt when I say this. What people like to paint, I don’t paint it.

“The Igbo man says, ‘I am not dancing now to be seen but to get something from it.’ If it is being popular or being a celebrity, we have tasted that, we have tasted stardom. We are talking about the end result, we need to make money.

“Yes, it is a passion but the passion that is not yielding anything is useless. Do I need to die because it is a passion? And I can tell you that, that is what ridiculed a good number of people in this industry.

“Those who said they are directors, scriptwriters, especially the directors, have the passion to do this job without looking at the business side of it. This is showbiz. I don show finish, na business I want do now.

“A lot of people are falling by the roadside. Some are suffering, some do not even have accommodation right now. I don’t want to mention names.

“Those who started in the 90s, into 2000 actors, and directors who so much love this business and would want to get it right at all times have still not found their feet because of the influx of the Idumota unto Alaba people who saw it as business and not what you are doing that you love. They are talking about doing it and making money and they are making money. That is the business in it.”

Dauda emphasized his lifelong passion for entertainment, which began in kindergarten, where he danced for his school and impressed the school proprietor, leading to his education being sponsored.

He also recalled his involvement in various entertainment activities, including dancing on NTA Channel 6 and serving as a junior choirmaster at a local church.

“The world knows me, but the problem we are talking about now is not only about knowing you but what you got out of it for tomorrow and legacy’s sake. I have a legacy in the entertainment business. I had love for it and I got into it.

“Thanks to the internet. When we started, the kind of money in entertainment now wasn’t there then. And I know I am funny. I now thought to myself, why not go into the internet world for the younger generations who perhaps don’t know me?” He added.

Dauda expressed his desire to return to the entertainment industry to establish a lasting legacy for the upcoming generation, acknowledging that there will come a time when he may no longer want to appear on television or engage in extensive comedy.

Drawing parallels with veteran comedian Ali Baba, he noted that legends evolve their craft over time, eventually stepping back to make way for younger talent.

Dauda anticipated a future where he too would retire from entertainment, possibly within the next decade.

…Bayelsa, Borno, Gombe Record Low Enrollment As 70,603 Candidates Compete For Admission Slots

…Sponsor Exams Of Students In Your Constituencies, Senate Committee Chairman Urges Lawmakers

A total of 70,603 candidates on Saturday, sat for the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination, NCEE, conducted by the National Examinations Council, into the 110 Unity Colleges nationwide.

Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while monitoring the exercise on Saturday, at Model Secondary School, Maitama and Government Day Secondary School, Wuse 2 Abuja.

He added that the examination was conducted in 599 centres across the country.

While giving a breakdown of candidates’ participation by gender, Wushishi said 33,335 males registered for the 2024 NCEE, while 37,268 females registered for the exercise totalling 70,603.

He lamented that the 2024 registration was lower than that of 2023 which had 34,064 males and 38,801 females, totalling 72,865.

Data released by the council showed that Lagos came top with the highest number of candidates, totalling 17,751, while FCT came second with 10,209 candidates and Anambra in third place with 4,972 candidates.

Bayelsa, Borno and Gombe had the least number of candidates participating in the exercise, after registering only 133, 138 and 174 candidates respectively.

The NECO boss attributed the low registration in 2024 to economic factors as the exam body had slightly raised the registration fee and parents, who are grappling the effect of the economy, were responsible for sponsoring candidates at this level.

“For the males and females, last year’s registration was higher than this year’s registration this could be attributed to so may factors; economic factor is the most prevalent factor that maybe could hinder this large registration,” he said.

Wushishi also refuted claims of NECO registering underage children for the National Common Entrance Examination, clarifying that students participating in the examination were either 10 years old or left with a month or two to be 10.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, who gave a general assessment of the conduct of the exercise, expressed satisfaction with what NECO has put in place to ensure a smooth and seamless exercise.

Walson-Jack disclosed that there were 55 centres writing the NCE in the FCT, stating that everything went on smoothly and students were placed in conducive examination halls to sit for the exercise.

Also speaking, the Chairman Senate Committee on Education, Basic and Secondary, Sen. Lawal Adamu, said he rolled out NECO and JAMB sponsorship in the state and contributed over N250 million for parents to be able to pay for NECO and JAMB examinations.

Adamu, who also called on National Assembly members to provide an educational foundation for every child in their constituencies, lauded NECO for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

The Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has said that 107,646 produced passports remained uncollected nationwide.

The Service Public Relations Service (SPRO), Mr Kenneth Udo, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The CG appealed to applicants whose passports have been produced to go for pick-up at the various Passports Issuing Centres across the country.

Nandap lamented that efforts being made at reaching out to the owners had proved abortive.

“Applicants are therefore strongly advised to always provide verifiable addresses and phone numbers when filling their online passport application forms for easy contact, “she said.

This, she said would enable officials attend to applicants coming for the collection of their produced passports only.

“Therefore, those concerned are hereby informed to take advantage of this opportunity.

“For further enquiries, complaints or feedbacks, the Service can be reached through the following channels:

“Twitter: @nigimmigration, Instagram: @nigimmigration, Official Website: http://www.immigration.gov.ng, Contact centre: 09121900655;09121556359;09121477092, “she said.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero has described the minimum wage negotiation with the federal government and other tripartite committee members, as a “helpless situation”.

Ajaero’s assertion was revealed during a press briefing shortly after an earlier meeting with the federal government which ended in a deadlock in Abuja on Friday.

THE WHISTLER had earlier reported that NLC and its counterpart the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024.

The strike was to press home their demands for a new minimum wage, reversal of electricity hike, and the removal of electricity consumers from various bands announced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

However, Ajaero said “In the meeting today we told them we have to be here and allow them to go and get the mandate and come back to this meeting, we also told them we are ready to sleep here. But they said no, we should allow them that it is difficult to see Mr. President as they don’t have access to him.

When asked if the strike would be called off if the federal government calls for another negotiation with a new proposal, Ajaero responded, “The federal government can only call for a continuation of the negotiation, not by awards.

“You can’t say come we are giving you N10, N20. No, we have to sit down and negotiate, calling us doesn’t mean agreement. Until you sign an agreement to what is mutually agreeable by the parties involved, our action will not stop negotiations.

“Because the two parties are going to negotiate under duress now, that is the meaning of this strike, so the earlier they respond the better for all of us.

“I am not sure where you have the labour centres in a country and they are embarking on a strike for one month and you don’t listen to them.

“So, I think what you will be praying for, is for the people who are suffering so much and these are some of our people, that was why we were reluctant, and why we were virtually telling them that we needed to find a solution.”

South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos has said the Super Eagles are a different team under the new head coach, Finidi George.

Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro was in charge of the Super Eagles the last time the West Africans confronted South Africa at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Finidi took charge of the Super Eagles in an interim capacity in the friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March. 

Broos claimed that he saw a different Super Eagles team from the friendlies compared to the side that played at the AFCON.

The Belgian claimed he has to work out a way to stop the Super Eagles like he did at the AFCON.

“We will try to shock them again. It’s a little bit different than the team of AFCON,” Broos told SABC

“With Finidi George they have a coach who thinks more offensively. Peseiro was a little bit more defensive and I saw that certainly in the game against us, he was always telling the team to go back.

“Also in the final they didn’t really play offensively, they just tried to be good defensively and then hoping on a counterattack or a situation in front of the goal where they could score.

“I saw two games against Mali and Ghana, it’s different. They take a little bit more initiative. It’s not the team anymore who went back and waited.

“They also try to make pressure early in the game and close to the goal of the opponent, so we have to look for something now that we can shock them again like we did for the game in Ivory Coast.”

Bafana Bafana will be up against the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo next Friday.

The Ogun Government has said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is set to begin oil and gas exploration in the state.

In a statement on Friday, the government said the development would make its quest to become an oil-producing state materialise soon. 

The statement noted that stakeholders in the oil and gas industry were received at the office of Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor, and Noimot Salako-Oyedele, his Deputy, to discuss the prospect.

Speaking at the meeting, Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister Of State For Petroleum Resources (Oil), said Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey basin with the prospect of having a huge deposit of hydrocarbons.

“We decided that we are going to resume exploration in the different Basins; we decided to come to Ogun State to reassure the people that we have very high potential of discoveries here,” he said. 

“Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey Basin and our presence underscore the seriousness the federal government attaches to the exploration activities that we want to carry out in Ogun State.”

Lokpobiri said the visit was also to demonstrate the commitment of the federal government to bolster its revenue through the oil and gas sector.

“Today we are here to tell the people of the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that we continue our campaign and exploration activities across the country,” the minister said.

“We are doing this exploration activities in several places across Nigeria and today we are in Ogun after which we will proceed to Sokoto State.”

On his part, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC, said Ogun state is blessed to be in the Dahomey basin corridor, with expected high deposit of oil.

He assured that the company would return in earnest to commence exploration activities.

Kyari also expressed hope that oil would be found in commercial quantity in the state.

In his remarks, Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said the team’s visit was to further indicate the commitment of the federal government to growing oil reserves and enhancing federation revenue.

Komolafe said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) makes provision for funding the development of the frontier basins.

He added that in line with the commitments of the government, the NUPRC is collaborating with the NNPC to leverage on the PIA to carry out oil exploration in the Dahomey basin.

“The Dahomey Basin stretches up to Delta, Edo, Ogun and Ondo states. We intend to in the course of this exercise, cover all those states leveraging on the provision of Section 9, Subsection 4 of the PIA,” he said.

In his response, Governor Abiodun said Ogun state is part of the oil prospecting leases (OPLs) 302, 303, 306, and 307.

He said numerous studies show the potential of the basins, highlighting the state’s potential for commercial success and economic benefits from exploration and production within a short timeframe.

“It is noteworthy that this is a region of the country that provides ease of access, low entry and operating costs, a safe and welcoming community and a very active state government support and participation,” Abiodun said.

“Ogun State therefore presents some unique opportunities towards the realization of the full intentions of the PIA section 9 on frontier exploration as it will contribute to guarantee additional petroleum production of additional petroleum products for the country and afford more supply to potential refineries in the area.”

The Governor said the area presents an opportunity for Bitumen extraction, reducing import dependency and reducing foreign exchange expenditure on a single line item.

Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in Kano State, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa has said detractors can’t stop the destiny of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Dungurawa said those fighting Kwankwaso were behind reports that he’s being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Reports had it that the anti-graft agency was probing Kwankwaso over alleged N2.5 billion fraud.

However, addressing journalists in Kano, the NNPP chieftain described the reports as lies, stressing that Kwankwaso is a man of integrity and capacity.

He said: “We have been seeing this kind of rumour several times on different occasions.

“Let them continue with the rumour. Whether they like it or not, Kwankwaso remains the only person with integrity, respect, popularity, and capacity to govern this country.

“The rumour came from an enemy, shared by ignorance, and accepted by a fool. Thank God that we are not all three. We are his lovers, we are not ignorant of his doing, and we are not fools.

“All these will not stop his destiny. But they should be mindful that rumours don’t add any value; instead, they will generate popularity for him.”