Edo North senator, Adams Oshiomhole, on Sunday declared that the All Progressives Congress, APC, will return to power at the end of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tenure in November.

Oshiomhole said Edo State will rise again starting November 12 when APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, succeeds Obaseki.

He spoke at the new APC secretariat on Ikpokpan Road, off Boundary-Sapele Road in Benin, while welcoming a PDP chieftain, Nosa Adams, along with thousands of PDP members into APC.

According to Oshiomhole: “We will work very hard to ensure the defeat of PDP, Labour Party, and the 13 other participating political parties in Edo.

“APC will return to governance of Edo State on November 12, 2024, when the second tenure of PDP’s Godwin Obaseki will expire.

“Okpebholo, a grassroots politician, will re-ignite the engines of growth and development in this great Edo State, without speaking big grammar, consultancy or memoranda of understanding.

“We need a governor who can do, not a governor who can talk. Okpebholo, the incoming governor, will work very hard for Edo residents.

“The way to keep a political party together is to respect the elders. I am very excited with the transparent manner in which Nosa Adams meticulously identified and presented the defecting members of the executive at the ward and local government levels in Egor LGA of Edo State. No PDP member is left in Egor LGA.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Super Eagles started preparations for the qualifiers on Sunday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British heavyweight boxer, Daniel Dubois, has called out Anthony Joshua for a fight after beating Croatian boxer Filip Hrgovic in Saudi Arabia.

Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic participated in the 5 v 5 tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, June 1, with the IBF interim world title on the line.

After a very shaken start from the British heavyweight boxer, the 26-year-old star bounced back to give Hrgovic a fight to remember. Dubois grew so strong into the bout that he landed some punches that left Hrgovic bleeding.

The British boxer continued to inflict pain on the Croatian boxer, especially in the seventh round to the extent that referee John Latham had to halt the bout for Hrgovic to receive medical attention.

Following the medical examination, the bout officials concluded that the Croatian boxer couldn’t continue with the game and Daniel Dubois was declared the holder of the IBF interim world heavyweight title.

After the bout, Dubois stressed that he is looking forward to fighting Anthony Joshua who is looking forward to fighting the newly crowned undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury.

But Joshua might have to face Dubois in September at the Wembley Stadium this year before he can face Usyk or Fury.

Dubois said, “I hope the next opponent will be AJ so bring it on. This is my era and this is my time.”

He added, “I have full respect for the guy, to come through that was a learning experience. I’m glad I got the belt and on to the next. I was a bit cold to start with, I had the corner advice, Frank Warren and my dad.

“I ate some shots but it was only to wake me up. The first few shots stung but they woke me up. I’m so proud of myself. It is all a learning experience. We are back on top. It has felt like a rollercoaster.”

Electricity workers have shut down the National Grid as the strike action called by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress began at midnight. 

Checks on grid data posted by the Independent System Operator showed that generation at midnight was 2,805.59 megawatts but dropped gradually to 28 MW at 6 a.m. on Monday with only Ibom Power on the grid. 

Reacting to the situation, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, disclosed that workers unions chased away its workers.

A statement by TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah read: “TCN hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in blackout nationwide. The national grid shutdown occurred at about 2.19 a.m. this morning, June 3, 2024.

“At about 1:15am this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control room and that staff that resisted were beaten while some were wounded in the course of forcing them out of the control room, and without any form of control or supervision, the Benin Area Control Centre was brought to zero.

“Other transmission substations that were shut down by the Labour Union include the Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba, and Osogbo Transmission Substations. Some transmission lines were equally opened due to the ongoing activities of the labour union.

“On the power generating side, power generating units from different generating stations were forced to shut down some units of their generating plants; the Jebba Generating Station was forced to shut down one of its generating units, while three others in the same substation subsequently shut down at very high frequency. The sudden forced load cuts led to high frequency and system instability, which eventually shut down the national grid at 2:19 a.m.

“At about 3.23am, however, TCN commenced grid recovery, using the Shiroro Substation to attempt to feed the transmission lines supplying bulk electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. The situation is such that the labour union is still obstructing grid recovery nationwide. 

“We will continue to make efforts to recover and stabilize the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission of electricity to distribution load centres nationwide,” she added.

After several years of being involved in one of the most twisted transfer saga in football history, former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi said he had been forgiven by legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, PUNCH reports.

Back in 2005, Mikel was a highly-rated youngster at Norwegian side Lyn Oslo with United tracking him.

The Nigerian starlet was seemingly snapped up by the Devils from the Norwegian club with a deal subsequently announced.

Mikel was pictured in a United shirt and they even went as far as to hold a press conference. But the move sensationally broke down after Chelsea waded in and Mikel said he felt pressured into the move.

“I signed a contract with Manchester United and I didn’t do that of my own free will,” Mikel told Sky Sports News in 2006.

“I was put under a lot of pressure to do that. I was denied advice from my agent and people I trust and I didn’t get much time to think about that.

“I did something I did not want to do. Because of the pressure from Mr Morgan (Andersen, Lyn’s sporting director) and a representative of United it became too much.

“I was pushed and I had nobody on my side so I had to do it.

“I was denied a chance to have a week to think about it and get some independent advice from people so the pressure was too much.

According to several reports, Ferguson was due to fly to Norway for crisis talks but had to cancel his trip after he was told that the Nigerian had gone missing from training in Norway, and was thought to be heading to London for talks with Chelsea.

Eventually, he became a Blues’ player and would spend 11 trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge.

Years later, on his podcast, Mikel revealed that when Chelsea played Manchester United, he was afraid of meeting Ferguson on the touchline. And when they eventually met each other, the retired Scottish manager had a dreadful look on his face.

Nineteen years later, the retired footballer met with Ferguson on the night of the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley where both parties had a nice time.

On his Instagram post, Mikel shared a picture of himself with Ferguson with the caption, “He has forgiven me.”

Coming off the 2005 Under-17 FIFA World Cup with Nigeria, Mikel was one of the best young football prospects in the World.

During his time with Chelsea Mikel won two Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League trophy, one Europa League title, four FA Cup, two League Cup and one Community Shield title.

42.6% higher than the preceding year

Poverty and staggering debt remain the albatross on the shoulders of the federal government, 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the 774 Local Government Areas, despite sharing a whopping N17.9 trillion as the cumulative Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue under President Bola Tinubu.

The figure, which is the highest by the Nigerian government in history, represents a 42.6 per cent surge when compared to N12.56 trillion it was a year earlier.

The increase sprang from the removal of petrol subsidy which freed more funds for monthly FAAC payouts.

The revelation came from a recent FAAC report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Widening poverty 

Regardless of the higher monthly subvention, a report from the World Bank indicates that Nigeria’s poverty rate rose from 40 percent in 2018 to 46 percent in December 2023. It means that the number of poor people increased from 79 million to 104 million.

According to the report, more people have fallen below the poverty line due to sluggish economic growth and rising inflation.

“Sluggish growth and rising inflation have increased the poverty rate from 40 percent in 2018 to 46 percent in 2023, pushing an additional 24 million people below the national poverty line,” the World Bank said.

The report added that the number of poor people in urban areas (more exposed to inflation) increased from 13 million to 20 million, while the number of poor people in rural areas rose to 84 million from 67 million within the same period.

The worst five states in poverty headcount rate for 2019, according to Statista are; Sokoto, 87.73%, Taraba, 87.72%, Jigawa, 97.02, Ebonyi, 79.76% and Adamawa, 75.41%

The lowest five states are; Lagos, 4.5%, Delta, 6%, Osun 8.5%, Ogun 9.3% and Oyo, 9.8%

Analysts say the figures have not improved because the factors responsible for the worsening poverty, like terrorism, climate change crisis, lack of farm input, inflation and others, are yet to abate.

The World Bank, however, predicted a silver lining, explaining that the increase in poverty rate will be undone by the recent reforms of President Bola Tinubu from 2024 onward, reversing the rise to 44 percent in 2026.

High sovereign debt 

Figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO) show that Nigeria’s total public debt stock as of December 31, 2023, was N97. 34 trillion or $108.229 billion.

Sub-national domestic debt stood at N5.863 trillion, while external debt stock was $4.61 billion.

Topping the debtor list is Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial hub, had an external debt of $1.24 billion in 2023. However, this figure is slightly less than the $1.25 billion in 2022. The slight decline is likely due to a dependance on more domestic debt, which is about N1.05 trillion. Following closely is Kaduna State, which has an external debt of $587.07 million in 2023, climbing from $573.74 million in the previous year. Also exposed to offshore lenders is Edo State with external debt jumping to $314.45 million in 2023 from $261.15 million in 2022.

Highest and lowest FAAC receivers 

An analysis by the whistler shows that Delta, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Lagos and Kano states got the highest FAAC allocation under Tinubu.

On the flip side, Gombe, Ekiti, Ogun and Cross-River States for the lowest.

Despite the fatter monthly FAAC income, there are genuine concerns as 15 Nigerian states have yet to implement the N30,000 minimum wage for their workers since it was signed into law in 2019.

Considering the humongous funds available to states, the organized labour is insisting on a monthly minimum wage of about N600,000 as millions of Nigerians battle multi-dimensional poverty.

According to BudgiT, even though 15 states are 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 N1.75 trillion in 2022 from N1.54 trillion in 2021.

Also, these states grew their overhead bills by 23.42 per cent to N1.24 trillion in 2022.

Under the current administration Delta, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Lagos and Kano states got the highest FAAC revenue during the period.

However, at the end of the 10 months of February 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Lagos and Kano states received the highest revenue.

Further breakdown showed that Delta state despite being the state with the most allocation in both periods, saw a decline of 3.77 per cent to N326.64 billion as against N339.44 billion it got under Buhari.

Rivers, which is the second state with the highest allocation under Tinubu, dropped by 0.88 per cent to N261.48 billion against the N263.79 billion which it got under Buhari.

Experts preach frugality 

Experts have pushed for more frugal management of resources across the three tiers of government so that the gains of good governance can cascade down to all nooks and crannies of the society.

The Director General, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) Muda Yusuf, said it was disheartening that development at the sub-national level has remained appalling, calling on governors to look beyond the state capital to develop the rural areas where the bulk of the citizens reside.

He said: “It’s not nice that poverty has continued to ravage the citizens despite higher FAAC disbursements.

“The additional revenue should be spent on projects that positively impact the lives of the people.

“It’s not about governors building flyovers at state capitals and neglecting many parts of their states.

“Look at what your citizens are predominantly engaged in. Are they farmers, fishermen, traders and so on? You invest in what they do so you make the state more inclusive, not just building airports, flyovers etc.

“Corruption is a major issue actually. The more money available, the more the corruption component of it.

“People should be made accountable. A system carrying too many parasites cannot grow.

The citizens should demand accountability and not just lament and go to bed after voting”, he said.