As the nation awaits the new minimum wage promised to be sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, the burden of implementing the minimum wage may make many states bankrupt.

The Federal Executive Council, at its meeting last Tuesday, stepped down a memorandum on the report of the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage, to allow for more consultations among the federal and state governments on one part, the private sector and the labour unions on the other part.

Last Thursday, Tinubu met with the governors at the National Economic Council meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The meeting, which was expected to deliberate on the national minimum wage, was, however, silent on whether or not it considered the issue.

Also last Thursday, the Southern Governors’ Forum released the communiqué of its meeting held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the governors asking that each state should negotiate minimum wage with its workforce.

So This Happened (EP 254) Reviews Tinubu's Order To Civil Servants Abroad To Refund Salary, Others0:12 / 1:01
The labour unions have, however, reacted to the stance of the Ni¬geria Governors’ Forum over their overbearing influence on the minimum wage negotia¬tions.

In a document, titled, “Analysis of State FAAC inflows and state expenditure profile,” of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat, the NGF report warned that implementing the new minimum wage could push states into bankruptcy due to increased recurrent expenditure.

According to the report, the burden of recurrent expenditure already left Abia, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Katsina, Kogi, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara in deficit in 2022.

The report predicted that if the recurrent expenditure increased by 50 per cent, 13 states would fall into deficit, with only 10 remaining financially stable.

The tripartite committee’s recommendation of a N62,000 minimum wage would necessitate over a 100 per cent increase from the current N30,000, potentially leaving only a few states like Anambra, Bayelsa, Borno, Ebonyi, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Lagos, and Rivers with positive net revenues, based on the 2022 fiscal data.

A net revenue is the deduction of recurrent expenditure from the total revenue of the state. When it is positive, it means a surplus, but when negative, there is a deficit.

Also, the total revenue of states is calculated from the monthly revenue from the Federal Account Allocation Committee, internally generated revenue, aids and grants and constituency development funds.

According to the documents, sighted by The PUNCH, Abia, with an employment size of about 58,631 workers, pays N5,837,899,980.40 as wage monthly. Anambra has a 20,541 employment size and pays N1,824,851,308.96 monthly as wages, apart from N894,480,399.62 as pension obligation and N579,694,680.33 for debt servicing.

Bayelsa boasts of 48,213 workforce, paying N5,802,435,178.58 monthly, with N1,194,528,784.40 as pension obligation and N3,535,787,992.48 as debt servicing, totalling N10,532,751,955.46 as total recurrent expenditure monthly.

Benue has about 13,366 workers in its workforce and pays N2,040,184,471.85 as monthly wage, N76,838,634.62 for pension, and N64,685,126,826.08 for debt servicing, totalling N66,802,149,932.56 monthly.

Delta has about 50,871 workers, offering N8,973,081,853.50 as wages, N1,499,886,303.39 as pension, and N72,417,433,139.00 as debt servicing, accumulating to N82,890,401,295.89 in a month.

Jigawa has about 44,831 workers in its employ and pays N2,795,662,113.02 as wages, and N345,987,843.12 as a pension, totalling N3,141,649,956.14 monthly on recurrent expenditure.

Katsina, Kwara and Niger have 19,062, 36,048 and 22,225 workers, with accumulated N139,294,944,565.27, N4,457,268,675.54 and N2,653,614,213.35 monthly recurrent expenditure respectively.

According to the document, Abia has a total recurrent expenditure of N111,983,979,958.62, against a total revenue of N147,637,730,867.73.

For Adamawa, the recurrent expenditure stands at N70,369,399,885.57, against a total revenue of N109,722,949,684.65, while Akwa Ibom boasts of a high revenue of N444,288,683,000, with recurrent expenditure of N235,144,539,000.

Of the states, Lagos has the highest total revenue, amassing N1,243,778,878,170 in 2022, with a recurrent expenditure of N621,043,036,000, followed by Delta, with N702,020,717,460.08 and a recurrent expenditure of N377,905,100,451.83.

Rivers amassed N525,588,159,714.88 in 2022, with recurrent expenditure of N186,974,715,774.87; Kaduna had a total revenue of N222,349,875,000 and expenditure of N95,987,999,472.10; Ogun, N297,249,009,626.83, recurrent expenditure of N178,519,010,628.42 and Oyo, with total revenue of N247,156,776,739.70 and recurrent expenditure of N152,077,804,384.65.

Kebbi State had the lowest total revenue in 2022, raking in N92,132,444,588.16 and spent N57,601,464,374.96 on recurrent expenditure, followed by Taraba, with a total revenue of N101,177,283,069.87 and recurrent expenditure of N75,055,201,412.62.

Aside from FAAC allocation, some states recorded poor IGR in the 2022 data compiled by the NGF Secretariat.

Zamfara State generated N6,513,960,477.20; followed by Kebbi, with N8,630,767,122.96; Taraba, N9,744,331,840.01 and Yobe State, with N9,940,554,642.00.

The IGR of Katsina (N12,821,119,042.64), Adamawa (N13,175,774,969.53), Niger (N14,427,373,136.00), Benue (N15,021,223,729.38), Plateau (N15,927,001,739.90) and Imo (N16,711,346,111.18) also showed a poor revenue standing.

The PUNCH reported on October 19, 2023, that 15 states have yet to implement the N30,000 minimum wage for their workers since it was signed into law in 2019.

According to BudgiT, though the 15 states were yet to implement the minimum wage of N30,000, the 36 states of the federation grew their cumulative personnel cost by 13.44 per cent to N1.75tn in 2022 from N1.54tn in 2021.

The civil society organization, in a release, ‘The States of States Report 2023,’ highlighted that the 36 states of the federation grew their revenue by 28.95 per cent from N5.12tn in 2021 to N6.6tn in 2022.

“Put together, the IGR of the 36 states appreciated by 12.98 per cent from N1.61tn in 2021 to N1.82tn in 2022, denoting a strengthened domestic revenue mobilisation capability.

“Nonetheless, the IGR to GDP ratio remained very low at 1.01 per cent. The increase in IGR did not reflect across the board as 17 states experienced a decline in their IGR from the previous year, while 19 states recorded positive growth,” BudgIT said.

The Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, Chris Onyeka, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on minimum wage and its implementation, claimed that many state governors were flouting the Minimum Wage Act and listed the states of Abia, Enugu, Bayelsa, Delta, Nasarawa, Gombe, Adamawa, Niger, Sokoto, Imo, Anambra, Taraba, Benue, and Zamfara as defaulting.

Reacting, the Enugu State chairman of TUC, Ben Asogwa, said the state commenced payment of N30,000 minimum wage and its consequential adjustment in February 2020 for state government workers, while local government workers and primary school teachers were paid 25 per cent consequential adjustment.

He, however, said Governor Peter Mbah, on assumption of office, approved the full implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage for both the LG workers and primary school teachers in the state.

The PUNCH reports that the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, announced during a meeting with the leadership of the labour unions that the state would begin payment of N30,000 minimum wage effective June 2024.

Tems is the only Nigerian winner of a conferred category at the 2024 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.

The results from two viewer’s choice categories, which are fan-voted, are yet to be announced as of this reporting.

The 2024 BET Awards aired live from Los Angeles at 8 pm ET/PT on Sunday (01:00 WAT on Monday).

Tems snagged the ‘Best Gospel/Inspirational Song’ category with her 2024 release ‘Me & U‘.

The singer defeated Halle Bailey and Kirk Franklin, both of whom were nominated for their respective works ‘Angel‘ and ‘All Things‘.

Burna Boy, Asake, Ayra Starr, Tems, and Seyi Vibez were all earlier nominated for the 2024 BET Awards.

Ayra Starr had led with three nominations for ‘Best New Artiste’, ‘Best African Act’, and ‘Best HER’.

Burna Boy secured two nominations in the ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artiste’ and ‘Best Male R&B/POP Artiste’ categories.

Tems also bagged two nominations for ‘Best Video Director’ and ‘Best Gospel/Inspirational Song’.

Davido and Lojay were nominated in the ‘Viewers Choice Award’ category for their roles in Chris Brown’s ‘Sensational’.

Asake and Seyi Vibez got one nomination each in the ‘Best International Act’ and ‘Best New International Act’ respectively.

Apart from Tems, none of these Nigerians has been named a winner in their respective categories.

Noteworthy is that Usher was recognised with the honourary ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.

The BET Awards celebrate black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports, and philanthropy.

See the full list of winners below.

Album of the Year

• 11:11 – Chris Brown
• A Gift & a Curse – Gunna
• American Dream – 21 Savage
• Coming Home – Usher
• For All The Dogs (Scary Hours Edition) – Drake
• Jaguar II – Victoria Monét
• WINNER: Michael – Killer Mike
• Pink Friday 2 – Nicki Minaj

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

• Beyoncé
• Coco Jones
• Doja Cat
• H.E.R.
• Muni Long
• WINNER: SHA
• Silence
• Victoria Monet

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

• Brent Fayaz
• Bryson Tiller
• Burna Boy
• Chris Brown
• Drake
• Fridayy
• October London
• WINNER: Usher

Best Group

• WINNER: ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign
• 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
• 41
• Blxst & Bino Rideaux
• City Girls
• Flo
• Maverick City Music
• WanMor

Best Collaboration

• WINNER: “All My Life” – Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
• “America Has a Problem (Remix)” – Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar
• “Barbie World” – Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (with Aqua)
• “Bongos” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
• “Carnival” – ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign feat. Rich The Kid & Playboi Carti
• ‘Don’t Play With It (Remix)’ – Lola Brooke feat. Latto & Yung Miami
• “Everybody” – Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Uzi Vert
• “Good Good” – Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage
• “Rich Baby Daddy” – Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

• Cardi B
• Doja Cat
• Glorilla
• Ice Spice
• Milk
• Megan Thee Stallion
• WINNER: Nicki Minaj
• Sexyy Red

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

• 21 Savage
• Burna Boy
• Drake
• Future
• Gunna
• Cole
• WINNER: Kendrick Lamar
• Lil Wayne

Video of the Year

• “Agora Hills” – Doja Cat
• “All My Life” – Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
• “Barbie World” – Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (with Aqua)
• “Bongos” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
• “First Person Shooter” – Drake feat. J. Cole
• “Good Good” – Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage
• WINNER: “On My Mama” – Victoria Monét
• “Rich Baby Daddy” – Drake Feat. Sexyy Red & SZA

Video Director of the Year

• Benny Boom
• Child
• WINNER: Cole Bennett
• Dave Meyers
• Janelle Monáe & Alan Ferguson
• Offset
• Tems
• Tyler, the Creator

Best New Artist

• 41
• 4Batz
• Ayra Starr
• Bossman Dlow
• Fridayy
• October London
• Sexyy Red
• WINNER: Tyla

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

• “Award All of the Glory” – Shirley Caesar
• “All Things” – Kirk Franklin
• “Angel” – Halle Bailey
• “Come Jesus Come” – Cece Winans
• “Do You Believe in Love?” – Erica Campbell
• “God Problems” Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore
• WINNER: “Me & U” – Tems
• “Try Love” – Kirk Franklin

Viewer’s Choice Award

• “Agora Hills” – Doja Cat
• “All My Life” – Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
• “Fukumean” – Gunna
• “Lovin on Me” – Jack Harlow
• “Made for Me” – Muni Long
• “On My Mama” – Victoria Monét
• “Rich Baby Daddy” – Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA
• “Sensational” – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay
• “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyoncé
• “Water” – Tyla

Best International Act

• Asake (Africa)
• Aya Nakamura (France)
• Ayra Starr (Africa)
• BK’ (Brazil)
• Cleo Sol (U.K.)
• Focalistic (Africa)
• Karol Conka (Brazil)
• Raye (U.K.)
• Tiakola (France)
• WINNER: Tyla (Africa)

Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act

• Bellah (U.K.)
• Crystals (UK)
• Duchess (Brazil)
• Holly G (France)
• Jungle (France)
• Makhadzi (Africa)
• Oruam (Brazil)
• Seyi Vibez (Africa)
• Tyler Icu (Africa)

BET Her

• “16 Carriages” – Beyoncé
• “Blessings” – Nicki Minaj feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard
• “Commas” – Ayra Starr
• “Fly Girl” – Flo feat. Missy Elliott
• “Hiss” – Megan Thee Stallion
• WINNER: “On My Mama” – Victoria Monét
• “Saturn” – Sza
• “Yeah Glo!” – Glorilla

Best Movie

• American Fiction
• WINNER: Bob Marley: One Love
• Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse
• The Book Of Clarence
• The Color Purple
• The Equalizer 3
• The Little Mermaid

Best Actor

• Anthony Mackie
• Colman Domingo
• Damson Idris
• WINNER: Denzel Washington
• Donald Glover
• Idris Elba
• Jeffrey Wright
• LaKeith Stanfield

Best Actress

• Angela Bassett
• Ayo Edebiri
• Coco Jones
• Danielle Brooks
• Fantasy
• Halle Bailey
• Issa Rae
• WINNER: Regina King

YoungStars Award

• Akira Akbar
• WINNER: Blue Ivy Carter
• Demi Singleton
• Heiress Diana Harris
• Jabria McCullum
• Jalyn Hall
• Leah Jeffries
• From Van

Sportswoman of the Year Award

• Ah, Wilson
• WINNER: Angel Reese
• Coco Gauff
• Flau’jae Johnson
• Juju Watkins
• Naomi Osaka
• Sha’Carri Richardson
• Simone Biles

Sportsman of the Year Award

• Anthony Edwards
• Gervonta Davis
• WINNER: Jalen Brunson
• Jalen Hurts
• Kyrie Irving
• LeBron James
• Patrick Mahomes
• Stephen Curry

Akin Abayomi, Lagos state commissioner for health, says 25 cases of cholera have been recorded at the Kirikiri medium security prison.

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, spokesperson of the Lagos state ministry of health, quoted the commissioner in a statement on Sunday as saying that urgent interventions have been taken at the prison.

Abayomi noted that while no new cholera-related deaths have been reported in the last 72 hours, the state government is intensifying measures to contain the outbreak.

“However, he reported that a small outbreak of 25 cases of severe gastroenteritis occurred at Kirikiri medium security prison, confirmed to be caused by cholera, adding that urgent medical and environmental intervention measures have been implemented with success,” the statement reads.

The commissioner said there is evidence of ongoing low-grade community transmission, despite the reduction in new daily cases and deaths in the state.

He advised the public on safety measures and the need for early presentation to health facilities when symptoms develop.

“We were able to supply Kirikiri medium prison with intravenous fluids, infection prevention, and other health consumables,” Abayomi said.

“Additionally, the World Health Organisation has donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals which have been delivered to the prison to support prison health facilities with prevention strategies for about 3,200 inmates if required.

“Immediate water and sanitation issues have been corrected, and there are ongoing inspections of other correctional facilities in the state.”

Abayomi said the outbreak has been traced to unregulated street beverages and contaminated water supplies.

He added that many of the samples taken from popular street beverages purchased by undercover environmental officers showed the presence of Vibrio cholera bacteria, which is the cause of cholera.

“All of the containers had no NAFDAC accreditation numbers, indicating they are small cottage backyard informal production units,” he said.

“Identifying the precise location of manufacture has proven difficult, and the directorate of environmental health is planning to seal any such unregulated manufacture and make arrests of anybody involved with the manufacture or distribution of beverages without NAFDAC numbers.”

A members of the House of Representatives, representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has sought the intervention and support of former President Muhammadu Buhari over the release of Nnamdi Kanu from detention.

Aguocha’s who visited Buhari at his country home in Daura, Katsina State sought for his intervention and elicit his support for a political dialogue and constructive engagement that could engender a resolution of the salient issues surrounding the continued detention and trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and that could lead to his release on pragmatic national reconciliation considerations.

“For the missteps, utterances, and ill gestures of the past, especially on the part of my constituent and brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I am deeply sorry.”

Aguocha further expressed his belief that a political resolution would not only address the grievances of parties on all sides but promote greater understanding and unity within the country.

In response, former President Buhari welcomed Hon. Obi Aguocha and commended his humility and dedication to serving his people.

He assured him that his approach was welcomed and that he would not be opposed to any political solution for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

Recall that Hon. Aguocha recently led a group of fifty (50) House of Representatives legislators across the political and ethnic divides to sign a letter appealing to President Bola Tinubu to direct the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, Alhaji Lateef Fegbemi, SAN, to invoke section 174(1)(c) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic as amended and section 107 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, in setting the pathway to reaching the desired outcome.

This meeting is part of a broad-based initiative aimed at securing a speedy political resolution of the issues surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s detention and trial, and securing his subsequent release in the spirit of engendering dialogue and non-contentious approaches to resolving thorny national issues, in the understanding that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is willing, ready and able to embrace the new dynamic in joining hands across the country in building a new Nigeria where peace, equity, justice and prosperity shall reign.

Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna central, says politicians from the northern part of the country have not used political power for the benefit of their people.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, Sani said the current situation in the north is a “product of the failure of governance and leadership” in the region.

The former senator said the northern region is battling the problems of insecurity, poverty, and out-of-school children despite the political power that the region has enjoyed in the country.

“The situation in the northern part of Nigeria today is a product of the failure of governance and leadership that has happened in the country for over four to four decades,” Sani said.

“Political power that ought to have been used by people who come from our own part of the country to improve the economy, better the lives of people, and address the problems of poverty, destitution, and underdevelopment has actually not been utilised for such purposes.

“We have some of the richest businessmen and politicians in the country, but the level of poverty you have seen is a reflection of what leadership and opportunity were used for.

“In all indices, the north lacks behind. Sometimes you ask what all these powers are being used for.

“If any person will compare what is happening in the north and the southern part of Nigeria will wonder what power is being used for.

“Power has been toxic to our people. It has not been used for the benefit of our people for a very long time.”

Despite leaving Nigeria for the UK two years ago, Sabitu Adams gets paid each month as a junior official at a government agency back home.

Adams, who now works as a taxi driver in the UK, had his name changed by a BBC report to protect his identity.

The taxi driver has yet to resign from his job in Nigeria.

Adams is one of the thousands of ghost workers, a rampant issue in the Nigerian civil service.
Each year, the government carries out biometric verifications and reels out numbers representing discovered ghost workers, and money saved.

But no one is ever announced to have been arrested or prosecuted.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu directed that all civil servants drawing salaries from the government after relocating abroad should be made to refund the money.

Tinubu also ordered that the culprits’ supervisors and department heads be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud while they were in charge.

Adams told the BBC that he was not worried about the president’s directives because he earned better as a taxi driver in the UK.

“When I heard about the president’s directive, I smiled because I know I am doing better here – and not worried,” the 36-year-old said.

The cab driver said he did not resign “in case I choose to go back to my job after a few years”.
Adams was quoted as saying he had an arrangement with his boss in Nigeria who is a “relative”.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC, has said over 71,459 Nigerians obtained Canadian citizenship between 2005 and 2024.

IRCC is a department of the government of Canada responsible for matters relating to immigration to the North American country, refugees, and Canadian citizenship.

The number places Nigeria in the 10th position on the list of new Canadian citizens by country of birth.

The data released by the immigration office showed that while new Canadians come from at least 196 countries and territories, the top 10 places account for nearly half of all new citizens.\

IRCC said the data highlighted the diversity of Canada’s new citizen population.

Irene Bloemraad, political sociologist and migration expert, told CTVNews that high levels of citizenship were good.

Bloemraad said research showed a correlation between holding citizenship and better economic outcomes.
“Canada stands out among other immigrant-receiving countries in the very high level of citizenship among immigrants in the country.

“High levels of citizenship are a good thing: research shows a correlation between holding citizenship and better economic outcomes, a greater sense of belonging to Canada and, of course, the ability to participate in elections and have a say in policy,” Bloemraad said.

The IRCC data revealed India as the leading source of new Canadians since 2005, with 536,279 individuals obtaining citizenship.

The Philippines follows closely behind with 395,694 new citizens, and China takes third place with 292,325.

Beyond these top three, a diverse range of countries contribute significantly to Canada’s growing citizen population.

Pakistan comes in fourth with 180,999 new citizens, followed by Iran (130,998), the United States (99,652), the United Kingdom (98,837), Syria (72,706), South Korea (71,939), and Nigeria with 71,459 new citizens rounding out the top 10.

Al Parsai, a Toronto-based immigration consultant, said the data underscored Canada’s commitment to multiculturalism and diversity.

Parsai said: “The consistent number of new citizens from countries like India and the Philippines reflects their significant contributions to the Canadian labour market and society.

“The rise in new citizens from countries experiencing conflict, like Syria and Ukraine, highlights Canada’s role in providing refuge and support to those in need.

 

“The fact that new citizens come from nearly 200 different countries and territories showcases Canada’s global appeal and inclusive immigration policies.”

In November 2023, Canada announced a new immigration-level plan for skilled workers, caregivers, families, and other classes.

In a statement released by the citizenship and immigration Canada (CIC), the North American country will target the admission of 485,000 new immigrants.

“In 2025 and 2026, Canada will look to welcome 500,000 new immigrants in each year,” CIC added.
The Canadian government said the immigration plans will be for economic, family, refugee, and humanitarian classes.

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, CDWR, has called on Ogranised Labour to immediately mobilise and declare a nationwide strike over the minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariff.

According to CDWR, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, as the next step in the minimum wage struggle, should declare and mobilise widely for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a minimum wage not less than N200, 000 and the reversal of all anti-poor policies (privatization, deregulation, subsidy removal, electricity tariff hike etc). 

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Bosah, CDWR recalled that NLC and TUC had been at loggerheads with the government and private sector over a new minimum wage, and negotiation has been deadlocked for over three weeks and still counting, saying Government and Private Sector insistence on paying N60, 000 provoked the declaration of an indefinite strike which started on June 3rd 2024 but was suspended on the 4th of June, 2024.

The group contended that “The mass protest of mostly young people has just forced the Ruto-led government in Kenya to withdraw the IMF/World Bank-inspired tax increment policy. This example shows that it is also possible for Nigerian working people and youth to force the Tinubu-led government to reverse the prices of petroleum products, electricity tariffs, fee hikes in public schools, and all other neo-liberal capitalist policies, policies which would give some immediate respite to most Nigerians.

“CDWR calls on the leadership of NLC and TUC, as the next step in the minimum wage struggle, to declare and this time mobilise widely for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a minimum wage not less than N200, 000 and the reversal of all anti-poor policies (privatization, deregulation, subsidy removal, electricity tariff hike etc).

“However, given the recent failures of the NLC and TUC to seriously mobilise trade unionists and activists must themselves take steps to organise a campaign at grass roots level to both build support for the struggle and for the trade unions to have leaders who take their responsibilities seriously.
“Amongst the immediate demands should be the call for the inclusion of a demand that the minimum wage must be automatically adjusted in line with the rate of inflation and rising cost of living, minimum wage need not wait for four or five years before adjustment.”

This may forestall needless long negotiations and ensure wages do not fall behind the inflationary rate and poverty line. However, we should add that it will require a serious struggle to force the capitalist elite to agree to this and actually implement it as they will try to take back any concessions they have been forced to make.”

Nigerian singer, Burna Boy has again sold out the 80,000-capacity stadium in London.

The Grammy-winning singer on Saturday thrilled his audience with a spectacular performance at West Ham United’s London Stadium.

Burna Boy performed some of his hit songs including ‘City Boys’, ‘On Form’, and ‘Last Last’ while bustling concertgoers sang along.

The London concert was opened with comedy performed by Nigerian skit maker and comedian, Sabinus.

Also performing at the concert were several Nigerian music stars including Omah Lay, Phyno, Shallipopi, Odumodublvck, Seyi Vibez, BNXN, and Pheelz.

The Malian singer Salif Keita and the Swedish singer Snoh Aalegra were the international guest performers at the concert.

This is not the first time Burna Boy will be selling out a concert at the London Stadium.

In 2023, Burna Boy became the first African artiste to sell out the 80,000-capacity stadium.

Born Damini Ogulu, Burna Boy started to gain fame after releasing ‘Like to Party’, the lead single from his debut album ‘L.I.F.E’ (2013).

In 2021, the singer set a record in Nigeria after his fifth album ‘Twice As Tall’ won the ‘Best World Music Album’ category at the Grammy Awards.

Over the years, Burna Boy has performed and sold out some notable venues across the globe.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), “to account for and explain the whereabouts of the over N100 billion ‘dirty and bad notes’ and ‘other large sum of cash awaiting examination’ which are kept in various branches of the CBN.”

SERAP, which made the call through a statement issued by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the allegations are documented in the latest annual report recently published by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

SERAP also urged him to “explain the whereabouts of the N7.2 billion budgeted for the construction of the CBN Dutse branch in 2010 and the N4.8 billion budgeted for the renovation of the CBN Abeokuta branch in 2009, and to publish the names of the contractors who collected the money but failed to complete the projects.”

SERAP urged him “to explain the whereabouts of the allegedly missing outstanding loan of N1.2 billion granted to the Enugu state government in 2015 and the outstanding loan of N1.9 billion granted to the Anambra state government between 2015 and 2016 and to fully recover and remit the public funds to the treasury.”

SERAP also urged him “to refer these grave violations of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the CBN Act and the country’s national and international anticorruption obligations to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, as appropriate, and the recovery of the public funds.”

In the letter dated 29 June 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest grave violations of the public trust, the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the CBN Act, and national and international anticorruption obligations.”

SERAP said, “These grave violations also reflect a failure of CBN accountability more generally and are directly linked to the institution’s persistent failure to comply with its Act and to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.”

According to SERAP, “These grave violations have seriously undermined the ability of the CBN to effectively discharge its statutory functions and the public trust and confidence in the bank. The CBN ought to be committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.”

The letter, read in part: “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the CBN to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“Explaining the whereabouts of the missing public funds, publishing the names of those suspected to be responsible and ensuring that they are brought to justice and the full recovery of any missing public funds would serve the public interest and end the impunity of perpetrators.”

“According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has since 2017 been keeping over N100 billion [N100,672,999,000.00] ‘dirty and bad notes’, and other large sum of cash awaiting examination in various branches of the CBN.”

The Auditor-General fears that the ‘dirty and bad notes’ initially planned to be destroyed may have been ‘be diverted and re-injected into the economy.’”

“The CBN in August 2010 also reportedly budgeted N7.2 billion [N7,286,500,476.76] for the construction of Dutse branch building. The Dutse branch was due to be completed in November 2012 but the contractors have failed to complete the project.”

“The Auditor-General is concerned that the project may have been ‘awarded to incompetent contractor,’ and wants the ‘job completed without further delay.’”

“The CBN in 2009 reportedly budgeted N4.8 billion [N4,812,608,028.10] for the renovation of the CBN Abeokuta branch. The Abeokuta branch was due to be completed in 2012 but the contractors have failed to complete the project.”

“There is no significant renovation work on the site, several years after the proposed completion date. The Auditor-General is concerned that the project may have been ‘awarded to incompetent contractor,’ and wants the ‘job completed without further delay.’”

“The CBN also reportedly failed to account for the missing outstanding loan of N1.2 billion [N1,294,453,887.83] granted to the Enugu state government in 2015 and the outstanding loan of N1.9 billion [N1,994,383,561.64] granted to the Anambra state government between 2015 and 2016.”

“The Auditor-General fears the public funds may have been diverted. He wants the money fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.”

“Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, ‘on no account should payment be made for services not yet performed or for goods not yet supplied.’”

“Section 35(2) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 provides that, ‘once a mobilization fee has been paid to any supplier or contractor, no further payment shall be made to the supplier or contractor without an interim performance certificate.”

“Section 16(6) of the Public Procurement Act states that ‘all bidders shall possess the necessary professional and technical qualifications to carry out particular procurements; the financial capacity and adequate personnel to perform the obligations of the procurement contracts.’”

“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.” Section 13 of the Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the CBN to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”

“Paragraph 3112(ii) of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, “Where a public officer fails to account for government revenue, such officer shall be surcharged for the full amount involved and such officer shall be handled over to either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).”

“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the CBN to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.”

“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the public funds. Taking the recommended measures would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”

“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public institutions’ activities.”