The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has lifted its ban on onboarding new customers imposed on five prominent fintech startups: Paga, OPay, Kuda, Palmpay, and Moniepoint with immediate effect

Opay in a statement on Monday through its official X handle announced that the apex bank has lifted the ban.

“We are thrilled to announce that the Central Bank of Nigeria has given OPay
the thumbs up to resume onboarding new users,” Opay stated.

This is coming after the expiration of a May 31 deadline given to the fintechs to meet Know Your Customer, KYC, and other regulatory requirements.

The governor of CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, had, at the end of the 295th Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting, hinted that the ban on four fintech banks will be lifted soon.

Cardoso added that the central bank did not revoke any fintech banks’ licenses.

The development comes after CBN on April 30 restricted the four banks from onboarding new customers over allegations of being used for illicit foreign exchange transactions.

Spanish La Liga giants, Real Madrid have finally announced the signing of French football star, Kylian Mbappe earlier today, June 3, 2024.

Real Madrid made the announcement by posting a video highlights of Kylian Mbappe across all their social media platforms. The one posted on their Instagram page came with the hashtag: #WelcomeMbappé.

A statement from the club’s official website added: “Real Madrid CF and Kylian Mbappe have reached an agreement whereby he will be a Real Madrid player for the next five seasons.”

As for Kylian Mbappe, the 25-year-old France international, took to his X page to write: “A dream come true. So happy and proud to join the club of my dream @realmadrid. Nobody can understand how excited I am right now.

“Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support.
¡Hala Madrid!”

Mbappe reportedly entered a verbal agreement to move to Real Madrid in February 2024. Afterwards, he informed Paris Saint Germain of his decision to leave them on a free transfer at the end of the 2023-2024 season.

The 25-year-old Mbappe whose childhood dream has always been to play for Real Madrid is expected to be unveiled as the club’s new signing at the Santiago Bernabéu before the commencement of Euro 2024.

Naija News gathered that Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid will earn the Frenchman around 15 million euros per season and it will last until June 30, 2029.

Aside from the agreed salary, Mbappe will keep a percentage of his image rights and he is entitled to a whopping 150 million euro signing-on bonus. Real Madrid are expected to complete the payment of the signing-on bonus within the space of five years.

Note that since Kylian Mbappe joined PSG from Monaco on an initial loan in 2017, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has only failed to win the French Ligue 1 once. In his time at PSG, he scored a club-record 256 goals in all competitions.

The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum has said that the party wants the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former members to return to its fold.

Damagum stated this during an appearance on AIT’s ‘Nigeria Right Now’.

Recall that Obi’s recent meeting with PDP 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and other party chieftains had sparked speculations of an alliance.

When asked to speak about Obi’s recent visits, Damagum was evasive.

The PDP chieftain said, “He (Obi) hasn’t visited me. I am not a poke-noser to be going about trying to know what the visits are all about.”

Asked if he would want Obi back in the PDP, the party chair said, “Not only him. Every other person that has been in this party, we want them back. The party like I told you, is a brand that you cannot take away. It will accommodate all of us. We are making steps in that direction.

“The true position is that the party has not been approached (for a merger). Maybe individuals are talking about that but as of today, we have not had any discussions as a party with any group. PDP has structures all over the country. Look at our performance. PDP can stand alone and win this election. PDP is a solid party and they can come in and join us. But I don’t think for now we are contemplating changing our name for any political party that would not add value to us.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has reacted to reports that soldiers had surrounded the venue of its meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SFG, George Akume.

 Labour via its official Twitter handle now X Platform, warned that any attempt to intimidate its leaders will worsen the situation.

“Any attempt to intimidate, provoke or blackmail our leaders at the negotiation table would worsen the issue and further prolong our action indefinitely. Our leaders are acting in accordance with the directives of our organs. Viva! Organized labour. Viva! Working people of Nigeria”, Labour said on it handle.

Vanguard had reported how SFG, George Akume, summoned the leadership of the Organised Labour for a meeting.

Though the source did not reveal the reason for the meeting, it won’t be unconnected with the minimum wage and ongoing strike across the country.

As labour unions shut down critical sectors of Nigeria’s economy to press home their demands for a N494,000 minimum wage, an investment banker and economist, Atedo Peterside, has accused the Federal Government of ‘poisoning’ the atmosphere for negotiations on a new minimum wage for workers.

THE WHISTLER reported that negotiations between the organised labour and Federal Government’s representatives broke down after they failed to reach a consensus.

The government had insisted that the demand was not in tune with the current economic realities, arguing that implementing such a high minimum wage may lead to job losses.

Currently, the minimum wage is set at N33,000 and the government is offering to double it to N60,000.

Reacting, Nigerians took to micro-blogging platform X (formerly Twitter) to air their thoughts on the proposed minimum wage.

Peterside wrote “The Nigerian minimum wage negotiations were going to be unnecessarily difficult because FG ‘poisoned’ the atmosphere for responsible negotiations by approving a reckless N90bn Hajj Subsidy, Luxury SUVs for Legislators etc thereby creating the false impression that FG was rich”

An X (Twitter) user, Aziz Bakare, tweeted, “A government that can subsidize Hajj with almost N100 billion can pay 200k minimum wage. If you have to scrap all the religious pilgrimage agencies to afford it, do it.”

He added, “A govt that gave 469 lawmakers N150 million each to buy luxury cars that their forefathers did not use while millions of Nigerians slip into poverty CAN pay N200k minimum wage.

“If National Assembly members have to sell those vehicles & slash their emoluments in half, do it.”

Benkingsley Nwashara, another X user, wrote, “You’re worried about the national grid more than the fact that someone is being paid 30-40k as salary in 2024. This issue of Minimum wage has been on for nearly 10yrs. Nothing tangible has been done. Meanwhile N90billion was released for Hajj. Shutting down National grid is necessary.”

Ibrahim Shuwa wrote, “Billions for VP’s residence renovation, Billions on NASS carport, 47 ministers appointed, Presidential yacht & expensive travels with hundreds of aides. But you want the public to believe the govt can’t afford the requested minimum wage.”

However, some Nigerians argued that the private sector would struggle to pay such a high wage, considering the state of the economy.

David Onyemaizu wrote, “Nigeria has an inflation problem. Even if the Nigerian government can magically approve the 494k minimum wage demand, it will only increase the inflation rate.

“I believe NLC and TUC pegged it high, so there can be room for negotiations. A more realistic minimum wage will be around 100-150k.

“And they should work heavily on lowering the inflation rate and for God’s sake, bring back the fuel subsidy. Tinubu’s failed policies have gone on long enough.”

Another user @fozadoza wrote, “NLC really thinks 494k minimum wage will fly? Lmaooo. You want a further unemployed and overworked economy? Everyone shouting it won’t affect private sector are hypocrites.”

Mark Amaza wrote, “It is unrealistic. I’m saying it with my full chest. You people think the minimum wage is only for govt to pay but even the govt itself cannot pay that. But can the private sector pay that either? Can you pay your security man, your cleaner, etc this wage? I’m guessing it’s a no”

@odogwu_cc wrote, “A 400k minimum wage is an unrealistic ask. However, we should remember that the National Assembly earns tens of millions monthly for doing absolutely nothing. Cut their earnings and use it to fund a new minimum wage pay scale.”

The Presidency on Monday accused the Nigerian Labour of playing politics with its ongoing nationwide strike.

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said the organised Labour in Nigeria is harming the people it should be fighting for.

He lamented that sick people cannot have access to medical care at government hospitals due to the nationwide strike.

Posting on X, Onanuga wrote: “It’s saddening that Labour could go to this extreme. But it is not surprising to the perceptive minds. Labour is harming the Nigerian people they claim to be fighting for. Today, many sick Nigerians cannot access medical care at government hospitals.

“Not even those with critical medical conditions. It appears labour is playing politics by other means. Many of the affiliates of the two central unions, NLC and TUC are members and supporters of the Labour Party.

“They logically bear ill will and grudges against the Tinubu administration. Otherwise, the issue they claim to be fighting for cannot be resolved by blackmail or sabotage, they cannot even be resolved by the Federal Government unilaterally, the Labour leaders will still have to return to the negotiating table.”

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.”

Nigerian music sensation Patoranking has taken to social media to proudly announce his graduation from Harvard Business School.

The celebrated artist took to his Instagram page to share the exciting news with his fans and followers.

In a post that quickly garnered attention, Patoranking posted a photo of himself standing proudly behind the renowned Harvard Business School.

Accompanying the photo was a heartfelt caption expressing gratitude and acknowledging the role of a certain Professor Anita Elberse in his academic journey.

The second slide of his post featured Patoranking holding his hard-earned certificate alongside Professor Elberse.

Captioning the post, Patoranking humbly wrote;

“Welcome the new @harvardhbs Alumnus ❤️ God runs this Show…Thank You @anitaelberse ❤️”,

The news of Patoranking’s graduation from Harvard Business School has sparked an outpouring of congratulations and well-wishes from fans and fellow celebrities.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), stated that the 2023 general elections have proven that the Yorubas do not hate the Igbos.

Obi made this statement while receiving the 2024 Courageous Citizen Award from the Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy (NACJD) in Abuja on Saturday.

The former Anambra State governor emphasized that the election was not a Christian or Igbo agenda. He highlighted that Nigerians united across tribal and religious lines during the election, which corrected the impression that Yorubas hate Igbos.

Obi noted that the significant shift in voter behavior indicated a widespread desire among Nigerians for a change from the status quo.

“It was a time that Nigerians united and spoke with one voice regardless of tribe, tongue or religion. The 2023 election wasn’t a Christian or Igbo project.

“It was a Nigerian project. I saw our legends and elder statesmen come together for the first time. I was glad to see people like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and others stand their ground.

“I am saying this to correct the impression that the Yorubas hate Igbo people. A lot of people made certain sacrifices because we just wanted to say ‘Enough is enough’ in Nigeria. Imagine those who had lost their lives for the cause of a new Nigeria,” he said