The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has dispelled rumours, making the rounds that he would leave the party.

Obi who reacted through his X platform noted that he remains a faithful, committed and loyal member of the Labour Party.

Recall that the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julious Abure had announced a decision by the party’s National Working Committee to set up some Directorates among which was the “Obidient Directorate” to coordinate the seamless integration of members of the movement into the LP.

The party went further to name some individuals as directors. This move angered several members of the movement who issued a strongly worded statement denouncing the party and dissociating themselves from the new body.

However, reacting to the Julious Abure’s decision, Obi opined that the Obidient Movement, “is beyond a political party and cannot be cubbyhole into one.”

Having said that, rumours spread that Obi would leave the party.

On Thursday, the former Anambra State governor, said: “ I have just been confronted by a Journalist at Abuja airport wanting to know if my statement on Obidient Movement yesterday is a signal of my leaving the Labour Party. For the attention of all those holding such an impression and for the general public.

“I remain a faithful, committed and loyal member of the Labour Party. Indeed, as a Leader of the party, my aspiration, and desire working closely with other Leaders is to reconcile our valued members, and partner with like minds, and parties all over the country to build a strong and better Party that will catalyze and commence the rebuilding of a new Nigeria.

“My statement yesterday was intended to clarify some issues that are of concern to our teeming supporters some of whom are not members of any political party but are desirous for a new Nigeria. Our goal and aspirations remain that a new Nigeria is Possible”.

The Federal Government has debunked the online report that it has offered N105,000 as the new national minimum wage.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga made the denial via his X account (formerly Twitter).

The presidential aide said, “The Honorable Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun has not proposed N105,000 minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false.”

There has been a report on some online platforms to the effect that the minister presented a proposal of N105,000 to President Bola Tinubu.

Recall that the Tripartite Committee meeting on the new national minimum wage was stalled on Wednesday due to the failure of the federal government team to present a new figure to the organized labour after the initial N60,000 offer was rejected by labour.

The minister of Finance alongside the Minister of Budget presented a figure to the President on Thursday which is expected to be presented at the Tripartite Committee meeting today.

The meeting involves the federal government, the organized private sector and the organized labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has explained why it rejected the helicopter landing levies for stakeholders.

In a statement on Thursday by Obiora Okonkwo, its spokesperson, AON said regulators do not provide any service to helicopter operators that would justify the imposition of the fee.

On May 31, the ministry of aviation and aerospace development announced that the helicopter landing levy was temporarily suspended after pushback from stakeholders — one month after approval of the levy.

Speaking on the issue, the AON said the collection of the fee by Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited negates the legal frameworks of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

“AON rejects the imposition of the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee for the following reasons: NAMA does not provide any additional service to helicopter operators to justify the imposition of the fee at all helipads, oil rig platforms, FSPOs, FSOs, etc. in Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“The approval and imposition of the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee at private helipads, oil rig platforms, FSPOs, FSOs etc when no service is provided at those locations to the helicopter operators by NAMA is contrary to the provision of section 7 (1) (r) of the then applicable NAMA Act as well as to section 1, paragraph 2 (1) of ICAO Document 9082.

“NAMA did not adhere to the policies, principles and guidelines contained in ICAO Documents 9082 (ICAO’s Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services) and 9161 (Manual on Air Navigation Services Economics) before imposing the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee.”

Citing part 18, Section 18.8.1.1 (e) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, the association said NAMA is required to adhere to the policies, principles, and guidelines contained in the documents.

The AON added that NAMA did not obtain the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) before imposing the new fee on operators.

The group said the NCAA has the statutory power to regulate the charges made with respect to air traffic control and for the use of aerodromes and services provided at such aerodromes.

According to AON, NAMA did not consult “the helicopter operators and other stakeholders before imposing the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee”. 

‘HELICOPTER FEE CHARGED IN DOLLARS INSTEAD OF NAIRA’

According to the association, the fee is charged and requested in dollars, contrasting the provision of Section 15 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which is “clear that the unit of currency in Nigeria shall be the Naira”.

“There is nowhere in the world where the Air Navigation Service Provider does not provide any service to helicopter operators but charges landing and take-off fees for landings and take—off on and from private helipads, oil rig platforms, FSPOs, FSOs, etc.,” the association said. 

“The examples given by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in the Press Release of 13th May 2024 of where landing and take-off fee is paid are all of airports.” 

The engagement of Naebi Dynamic Concepts, AON said, “did not follow due process” as it failed to comply with the requirements of the Public Procurement Act for the procurement of the services of consultants.

The group thanked Festus Keyamo, aviation minister, for temporarily suspending the levy and for his leadership of the aviation industry and support for the growth and sustainability of Nigerian air operators.

…says national grid shutdown treasonable

…warns Labour against destructive strikes, others

FCT, Abuja-The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has called on Nigerians to remain calm amidst economic challenges, assuring them that President Bola Tinubu is working diligently to improve the economy.

Addressing the National Executive Council of CAN, on Thursday, June 6,  Akume outlined several measures the government is taking to address current hardships and also cautioned labour not to make decision that would jeopardize the efforts of the Tinubu-led administration.

Akume also hinted that the current administration took over a turbulent country, citing that the country’s foreign reserves and many other sectors were poorly managed.

“We took over in a very turbulent weather. Foreign reserves were zero, but there have been massive reforms carried out by the president. One of them, which appeared to be a little bit tough for people to understand, is the subsidy removal of fuel. People should stop shouting; they need to know the actual truth,” Akume stated.

He emphasized that the current administration has taken swift actions in implementing palliatives to cushion the effects of these reforms.

“We are all aware of the 35,000 naira wage award for workers, which means a 30,000 naira minimum wage with 35,000 on top of that. Additionally, 100 billion naira for CNG fuel buses will help reduce transportation costs and food prices,” he added.

Akume also highlighted the government’s efforts in supporting various sectors, including the allocation of 125 billion naira in conditional grants and financial inclusion for medium and small enterprises, and 150 billion naira in palliative loans to states to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal. “

We are providing 200 billion naira to support the cultivation of hectares of land, which is even more now,” he added.

Addressing recent disruptions, Akume condemned the shutdown of the national grid, labeling it as a treasonable offense.

“Nowhere in the world has labor ever tampered with the national grid. It is treason! Treasonable felony is economic sabotage, you don’t do that.

“We are trying to rebuild the economy. The president is picking up, and they want to destroy it. Of what use is that to all of us? That is not the way”, he said.

Reflecting on the process of setting the minimum wage, Akume explained, “In 2019, the minimum wage was legislated up to 30,000 naira. It is an exclusive issue in the constitution, not on the concurrent list, but on the exclusive legislative list. That is why it is the federal government, working with organized private sector and labor, that recommends it to the president for the national assembly’s attention.”

Reassuring the public, Akume stated, “It is not that we are not working. We are working, and that is why we implemented the 35,000-naira wage, which is more than the minimum wage. There are buses ready to be distributed, and soon, rice and other essentials will be available.”

Akume stressed the importance of collaboration between the church and the government in providing essential services such as education, health, and agriculture.

“The church must collaborate with the government in providing facilities for people whether it is in education, health, or agriculture. We don’t separate; we combine. There is a symbiotic relationship that can never be destroyed,” he said.

He concluded by emphasizing the government’s focus on productivity and economic stability.

“Our people must rise up and have something in their pockets. It is not about demanding 100,000 naira without productivity. We are looking at controlling inflation and ensuring a balanced economy,” he asserted.

The Yobe Microfinance Bank says it has launched a “ram loans scheme” for Sallah celebrations.

Sheriff Almuhajir, the bank’s chief executive officer (CEO), disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Damaturu on Thursday.

The financial institution is a state-licensed microfinance bank in Yobe state, north eastern Nigeria.

Almuhajir said the bank has initiated a N150 million facility to enable its customers to purchase animals for sacrifice during the Eid el-Adha celebration, slated for June 16.

Eid el-Adha, also known as the ‘feast of sacrifice’, is the second of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command.

The sacrifice of animals such as rams, sheep, cattle, and goats is a symbolic ritual performed by Muslims across the globe to celebrate the day.

“This loan scheme is designed to support civil servants in Yobe, especially those working with state and local councils during the festive season,” Almuhajir said.

The bank’s CEO said the facility would be carried out under the Sallah ram loans scheme and divided into categories A and B for disbursement.

According to Almuhajir, customers in category A would receive N150,000, while those in category B would receive N75,000.

He said the loan would be repaid monthly, with customers in category A paying N6,000; while those in the second group would pay N3,300.

Almuhajir said the conditions for obtaining the loan include having an account with the bank with a minimum balance of N2,500 for automated teller machine (ATM) cards and other services.

The CEO said applicants must purchase a form from the banking hall for N1,000 and be civil servants on the payroll of the state or local government councils.

Other requirements include the provision of two passport photographs, the national identification number (NIN), a payment slip and other relevant documents.

He said the initiative aims to assist individuals and families who may not be able to immediately afford a ram for the festivities.

Seventy-five percent of the clients at Thornaby’s Sprouts Community Food Charity (SCFC) are now Nigerian students grappling with financial difficulties, charity manager Debbie Fixter revealed. The charity, which offers food, clothes, and household items, has experienced a surge in Nigerian students seeking help.

Fixter told BBC News that the charity has reached its “maximum capacity.” SCFC reported a shift in its clientele in recent months, with the majority of visitors being Nigerian master’s degree students from Teesside University.

Nigerian students in the United Kingdom have recently been making headlines, with some being blocked from continuing their studies and ordered to return to Nigeria due to unpaid tuition fees. The devaluation of the Nigerian currency has reportedly wiped out some students’ savings, forcing them to cut back on essentials.

Fixter noted that an increasing number of Nigerian students in the UK are turning to community charities and organizations for much-needed assistance. “They’re really struggling, they need help, and they’re part of our community,” she said.

Boluwatife Elusakin, a Nigerian student in the UK, told the BBC that he has had to “dive deep” to afford the cost of living and studying in the UK. “Things are no longer the same, I’ve had to cut costs because of the currency crash. It hit my savings as I’d already budgeted funds to come here. It makes me feel sad, but I hope I can endure just one year and all will be well,” he said.

Another student, who wished to remain anonymous, criticized the university for changing its payment plans from seven installments to three, exacerbating the problem. He also pointed out that students hoping to find jobs to fill funding gaps are limited by the number of hours they are legally allowed to work.

“When I was applying, the exchange rate was around 600 naira per pound, but by the time I arrived, it was 1,400. At the time we filled out forms, we had proof of funds to cater for nine months. But the money is not enough; you don’t have a job or the means to get one. The little you have is depleting, and a lot of us are facing difficulties. When you don’t have funds in your pocket, frustration sets in and many are experiencing mental health issues. Some wish they had never come.”

Fixter emphasized that more needs to be done to address the crisis, stating that SCFC is currently at “maximum capacity” and struggling to meet the demand for assistance.

A Federal High Court in Kano has postponed the ruling on jurisdiction in the ongoing legal battle concerning the Kano emirate dispute.

The case, which has captured widespread public interest, will see its next significant development on June 13, as confirmed by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman during Thursday’s session.

The legal contest stems from a petition filed by Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, known as the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate.

The applicant is challenging the actions of various state entities and security agencies, including the Kano State Government, the Kano State House of Assembly, and law enforcement authorities, regarding the implementation of a repealed law that impacts the governance of the Kano Emirate.

During Thursday’s proceedings, heated exchanges were noted between the representatives of both sides, reflecting the case’s high stakes. M.S Waziri, the counsel for the applicant, indicated that a written address had been submitted on June 6, seeking judicial intervention to halt the enforcement of the contentious state actions.

The respondents in this significant legal confrontation include the Kano State Government, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, the state’s Attorney General, the Kano Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“On the issue of jurisdiction, in compliance with the order of the court, we have filed a written address dated 6th June and hereby adopt same and maintain that the court has jurisdiction to entertain the matter because the issue is of fundamental human rights.

“The applicant as a member of Kano emirate Kingmakers ought to have been involved in the reinstatement of the new emir. My lord, breach of fundamental rights has no timeline. I urge the court to proceed with the case.”

Responding, counsel for the first and fourth respondents, Mahmoud Abubakar Magaji (SAN), urged the court to decline the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

He argued that the law had gone through legislative processes, the order came only after the action was taken, and his client was only served on Monday of the following week.

He therefore urged the court to decline to entertain the matter on the issue of jurisdiction.

“We filed a written address dated June 3 and filed June 6. In the constitution, only the Kano State House of Assembly has the authority and power to make law.

“The applicant is neither a member of the House of Assembly or the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs. The applicant may not need to be consulted,” he said.

On his part, counsel for the second and third respondents, Ibrahim Isah Wangida, aligned himself with the submission of the first and second respondents, arguing that the applicant cannot claim his right was breached as the 2024 law was repealed and accented to before the applicant filed action.

“The 2019 Kano emirate council law, which gave the power to the applicant at the time of filing his action, was abolished, so he seized to be a kingmaker as of the time he filed the action because the governor has already accented to the law.”

For their part, counsel for the fifth and sixth respondents, Sunday Ekwe, told the court that they did not file any issue bordering on jurisdiction because the police’s duty is to maintain peace and wait to carry out the court’s order.

The judge adjourned the case to June 13 for ruling on jurisdiction.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on Thursday, held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu against the backdrop of ongoing discussions on a new national minimum wage.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, was also in attendance at the meeting which held at the State House in Abuja.

It was gathered that during the meeting, Edun presented a new minimum wage template to President Tinubu, meeting the 48-hour deadline earlier issued to him.

According to sources quoted by WesternPost, the template proposes a new minimum wage of ₦105,000 (approximately $220 USD) per month for Nigerian workers.

The source added that Tinubu is currently reviewing the proposal, and an official announcement would be made soon.

Our correspondent gathered that the government team may unveil the new proposal during today’s meeting of the tripartite committee on minimum wage, which is made up of the government, organized labour, and the organized private sector.

The urgency of these orders underlines the government’s commitment to resolving the contentious minimum wage issue, which has repeatedly stalled negotiations.

Previously, the government and the Organized Private Sector had proposed a minimum wage of ₦60,000, which was outrightly rejected by organized labour representatives and resulted in the nationwide strike action which rocked the country on Monday and was eventually suspended on Tuesday after interventions in which some agreements were signed between the government and the labour.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has indicted former Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and key members of his administration for alleged corruption linked to contract awards and the management of loans during his eight-year tenure.

This conclusion followed a thorough investigation by an ad hoc committee tasked with probing El-Rufai’s governance from May 2015 to May 2023.

The report, delivered to the Assembly by the committee’s chairman, Henry Danjuma, outlines multiple instances of alleged corruption within the state’s government, ministries, departments, and agencies.

The committee specifically scrutinized the handling of both domestic and foreign loans, finding significant discrepancies and mismanagement.

The committee’s key recommendation is the withdrawal of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account currently held at Zenith Bank. This account had been used as security for a ₦20 billion loan guarantee in 2023.

The committee has asked Zenith Bank to refund all deductions made from this account, including accrued interest, citing the guarantee as illegal.

It also recommended that all the commissioners of finance of the state from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023 be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation; and that all the accountant generals of the state from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023 be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation.

The lawmakers also recommended suspending the commissioner of finance, Shizzer Bada, to allow for a proper investigation into the ministry’s activities from May 29th, 2015, to May 29th, 2023.

The House also recommended that El-Rufai breached his oath of office contained in the 7th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended and failed to exercise due discretion in the administration of the state.

It recommended that El-Rufai be referred to anti-corruption agencies for a thorough investigation and necessary prosecution for plunging the state into unwanted, unjustified, and fraudulent domestic and foreign debts, diversion of funds, and money laundering contrary to all extant laws and regulations.

Other recommendations included “That, the Chairmen of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for a thorough investigation. That, the current Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) do step aside to allow for a thorough and proper investigation into the activities of the Board from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023.

“That, the current Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau do step aside to allow for proper investigation into the activities of the Bureau from 29th May, 2015 to 29th, May, 2023.

“That, all the Managing Directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd from 29 May 2015 to 29th May 2023 be referred to the relevant law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation into their handling of the affairs of the company.

“That, the coordinator of the Kaduna State Government’s Irrigation Programmes for the cultivation of Wheat at Ruwan Sanyi, Kubau Local Government Area in 2016 or thereabout, be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation.

“That, Ms. Dolapo Popoola, the immediate past Managing Director of AlL KAPSCO whose where about is not known, be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for an investigation into her handling of the affairs of the company and the recovery of all government properties in her possession.

“That, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna .. State on Media and Communication from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023 be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation on his involvement in the contracts in Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).”

The house further recommended that all the managing directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from 11th October 2017 to November 2021 except for Engineer Amina Ja’afar Ladan who only spent a month in office, be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for an in-depth investigation into their roles in the award and poor execution of contracts during their tenure, while management and senior staff of the agency be redeployed to other relevant ministries and agencies.

It also recommended that all loans (Domestic and foreign) obtained by the Kaduna State Government between 29 May 2015 and 29 May 2023 and found by the committee to have been obtained without due process are not binding on the State, and the State Government should henceforth stop honouring all limits and obligations arising from them.

It also directed some contractors to refund to the Kaduna State Government a total sum of ₦36,351,126,811.65, which was monies paid for work either not done, overpaid or diverted.

The House also indicted El-Rufai ‘s former senior Adviser—counsellor, Jimmy Lawal, who was saddled with coordinating the activities of government ministries and agencies, albeit without any constitutional role, for abusing the trust bestowed on him.

The House alleged that Lawal used the opportunity to introduce dubious companies to which he secured the award of several contracts at outrageous amounts, which contracts were abandoned after payment of substantial contractual sums, and diversion of funds meant for project execution. Therefore, the House referred him to the relevant law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation and necessary action.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended nine suspects involved in crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

The operation was carried out by the NSCDC Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS).

The CG, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the squad for their dedication and effectiveness during the operation.

According to the information made available to THE WHISTLER on Thursday by CSC Babawale Afolabi, the National Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, the arrests were made in the dense forest area of Ommuma/Owaza, located at the boundary between Rivers and Abia States.

The SIS Commander, DC Appolos Dandaura, who gave details of the operation, revealed that the squad had conducted strategic surveillance based on sustained intelligence on the crime scene.

He noted that the suspects were caught in the act of refining stolen crude oil from a vandalized oil wellhead, adding that during the operation, a local refinery under construction, with the capacity to produce 60,000 liters of crude oil, was also discovered.

“Based on sustained intelligence we placed strategic surveillance on the crime scene and apprehended 9 suspects caught in the act of illegally refining stolen crude extracted from a vandalized Oil Well Head; we also discovered an ongoing construction of a local refinery with the capacity to produce 60,000 litres of crude at once.

“While on operational tour across the terrain, we uncovered about 3 well constructed illegal local refineries where crude is being siphoned through the vandalized well head with large hoses connected to transmit crude to Cooking ovens and later channelled to reservoirs after processing; thereafter loading is finally done.

“Visibly at the massive illegal bunkering site you will notice how large hoses and galvanized metal pipes were laid to transfer stolen crude across the processing channels; the site occupied over 15 Modular ovens with 4 fabricated reservoirs and 30 pits dug out to store processed AGO,” said DC Dandaura

The arrested suspects were identified as, ”Oghene Wede (M) 32years, Moses James (M) 25years, Chidi Nwosu (M) 53years, Samuel John (M) 24years, Emmanuel Paul (M) 20years, Oghenevo Nwebi (M) 43years, Martina Whinnypeter (F) 38Years, Nwabuchi Nwogu (M) 41 years and David Okere (M) 20years.”

Dandaura further stated that some exhibits recovered during the operations are: RWD 5.0 GFE-6500 Power Generating Set, 2 Yellow Colour Pumping Machines, Metal and Plastic buckets, Cutlasses, Saw, Mats, Welding Machine, Galvanized metal pipes, different heavy-duty hoses, Head flashlights, some Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) illegally processed in cooking ovens.

He said an investigation is underway to determine the level of involvement of each suspect and identify their sponsors and upon completion of the investigation, the suspects will be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar activities.