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Hoodlums have just attacked a bus, loaded with palliatives, belonging to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council.
The Pen Professionals, upon receiving information from the Director of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Rev. James Anam, as beneficiaries of the present phase of distribution, hurriedly moved to the government warehouse and successfully conveyed the food items.
The palliative-laden vehicle, en route to the NUJ Secretariat, was attacked, about an hour ago, with hoodlums raining hales of stones on the slowly moving vehicle, carting away food items from the broken windows.
The bus driver, Joseph Akpaenin, whose phone was stolen and himself left with a battered shoulder from the attack, narrated that their saving grace was when the booth of the bus flung open with several bags of rice and garri dropping off. He said the mob’s focus shifted from the bus to the items dropped off, giving enough way for him to scamper to safety.
[BusinessDay]
A total of 369 irregular migrants comprising more than one hundred women and children have been deported from Libya to Nigeria and Mali.
The head of the Libyan Interior Ministry organisation tasked with halting irregular migration, Mohammed Baredaa said two repatriation flights took place transporting 204 Nigerians and 165 Malians.
A Libyan official told AFP on Tuesday that nine babies, 18 minors, and 108 women were among the Nigerian irregular migrants.
Baredaa added that the flights were carried out “in coordination with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)”.
The United Nations agency provides free return flights to migrants and helps reintegrate them into their home countries with its “voluntary humanitarian return programme”.
Some migrants told AFP on Tuesday that they were being forcibly deported.
Libyan authorities “came at night and broke down the door”, said Hakim, 59, a Nigerian who has lived in Libya for 25 years and declined to give his surname.
Hakim said they confiscated his passport before detaining him and his wife ahead of their repatriation.
Libya is still struggling to recover from years of war and chaos after the 2011 NATO-backed overthrow of longtime dictator, Moamer Kadhafi.
Smugglers and human traffickers have taken advantage of the climate of instability that has dominated the vast country since.
Libya has been criticised over the treatment of migrants and refugees, with accusations from rights groups ranging from extortion to slavery.
Situated about 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Italy, the country is a key departure point for migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan African countries, risking perilous Mediterranean Sea journeys to seek better living conditions in Europe.
But with mounting efforts by Libya and the European Union to curb irregular migration, many have found themselves stranded in Libya.
Earlier this month, Libyan authorities said up to four in five foreigners in the North African country were undocumented.
“It’s time to resolve this problemme”, Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi had said at the time, adding that Libya has turned from a “transit country to a country of settlement”, something he deemed “unacceptable”.
[Leadership]
Some suspected thugs, on Tuesday, took to the street in Lagos State to threaten residents not to come out for the hunger protest scheduled for Thursday, August 1 to 10.
In a viral clip on Tuesday, the people whose voices were only heard were chastising the market women and men to desist from the planned protest as it might lead to more destruction than that witnessed in the #EndSARS protest.
The men in the video warned, “Anybody that is confident should come out on Thursday to protest. Are you the only one hungry?
“If you dare come out for the protest, you will be mercilessly dealt with.”
This development comes amidst the directive by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordering senior police officers to protect participants of the planned #EndBadGovernance protest.
Naija News reports that Egbetokun gave this directive in a letter to the request of human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had, on July 26, 2024, written the IGP to provide police coverage for protesters.
The senior lawyer had written the IGP on behalf of the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups planning the #EndBadGovernance protest in August.
The IGP, in his response letter dated July 29, 2024, directed senior police officers to attend to the request of the senior lawyer.
Watch the video below:
Media
Bank customers have thronged their banks to reactivate their dormant accounts in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines on the management of dormant accounts and unclaimed balances.
Some of the customers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, said they had activated their bank accounts to avoid mop up of their little savings.
Mrs Ugonne Akputa, a business woman, said that she paid in some money into her six year old Access Bank account which she had left for some time to reactivate it.
Akputa said she still needed to operate the account to save some money which she rarely withdrew.
”I went to my bank to make enquiries about my account which I have left for some time now.
”They told me that I should just pay in money into the account to activate it and I did,” she said.
Mr Cyprian Yusuf, another customer at First Bank, said he was at the bank to make enquiries on his late brother’s account.
Yusuf said that although he was not abreast of the amount in the account, he would not forfeit the money.
”When I heard of this dormant account thing, I decided to quickly come to my late brother’s bank to ask them how I can retrieve the money.
”He died three years ago and I don’t think the account has been in operation.
”So, I want to see what I can do so that his wife and children can use the money at least to feed,” he said.
Another bank customer, Mrs Chinny Olaedo, appealed to banks and the CBN to ensure the safety of customers’ monies, especially those abroad.
”I live abroad but I came back to Nigeria for something very important to my family.
”I have a savings account in one of the banks and I have my savings there. I transferred some money into the account recently so that it will still be active but I know that many people abroad might not know about this or do this.
”The CBN and other banks should make things easier for us abroad so that many of us will still be operating our Nigerian accounts,” she said.
A bank official who pleaded anonymity said it would take six months of no activity in an account before it would be declared dormant in their bank.
The official said the bank would notify customers whose accounts were dormant in line with the CBN’s guideline.
The source said the bank was preparing reports to also notify the CBN on the status of their dormant customers’ accounts.
Another bank official who also preferred anonymity, called on customers whose accounts were dormant to pay in monies into them to activate them.
According to CBN, eligible accounts are dormant accounts with balances that have remained with the financial institutions for a period of 10 years and beyond.
The apex bank said eligible dormant accounts/unclaimed balances and other financial assets including current, savings and term deposits in local currency, domiciliary accounts and unclaimed salaries and wages, commissions, and bonuses, among others.
The apex bank said the aim of the guidelines were to identify dormant accounts/unclaimed balances and financial assets with a view to re-uniting them with their beneficial owners, hold the funds in trust for the beneficial owners.
The bank said the objective was also to standardise the management of dormant accounts/unclaimed balances and financial assets and establish a standard procedure for reclaim of warehoused funds.
The CBN said it would open and maintain an account earmarked for the purpose of warehousing unclaimed balances in eligible accounts.
According to the CBN, the account would be called “Unclaimed Balances Trust Fund Pool Account”.
NAN reports that the CBN had also cleared Next-of-Kin (NoK), legal representative, or beneficial owner to make claims on unclaimed balances or funds in dormant accounts.
The bank said the NoK to dormant account owner could now make claims on unclaimed balances or funds in dormant accounts by submitting applications for the reclaims to the financial institutions.
(NAN)
Prominent journalist and publisher Chief Dele Momodu has criticized former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose over his recent comments that poor men having multiple wives and children is a hindrance to Nigeria’s growth.
Fayose in an interview with Channels TV on Monday, claimed that poor men having many wives and children, citing his experiences in the North, is a problem to Nigeria’s growth.
Responding to these comments, Momodu questioned Who is more destructive to the nation, the poor man with plenty of wives and children, or the politician with one wife and many high-maintenance girlfriends, who wastes public resources on extravagant lifestyles.
He also asked who is more productive, the politicians and the poor in society, challenging the notion that the latter group is less productive.
Momodu urged Fayose to acknowledge that they have all failed the country and need an urgent reset, rather than engaging in blame games.
He wrote, “My dear Brother AYO FAYOSE, I have just two questions Sir: who is more destructive to the nation, the poor man with plenty wives and children or the politician with one wife and many high maintenance girlfriends, who waste public resources on extravagant lifestyles including private jets?
“Who is more productive, the politician who steals the sweat and resources of the citizens or the poor man who sends his many poor wives and children to the farmlands to grow crops for every one of us!!!
“Your Excellency, my dear Brother, please, let’s all accept that we’ve failed this country and we need an urgent reset. We cannot afford the blame games at this perilous time
“May God forgive our transgressions…
Warmest regards always, CHIEF DELE MOMODU”
[Punch]
TWO days before a planned protest against hardship in the country, a coalition of civil society groups and pro-students’ organizations in Oyo State have declared their total support for a peaceful rally.
Leaders of the organizations including a former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Ademola Aremu decided at a meeting in Ibadan on Tuesday.
After declaring their support for the rally, they asked the Federal Government to look into these demands.
The groups at the meeting included the Joint Action Front (JAF), Socialist Labour, All Workers’ Convergence, Centre for Popular Education (CEPED), Campaign Against Tuition Fees, CSATF Pan African Movement, PAM and others.
In a statement jointly signed by all the groups, they said, “The coalition wholeheartedly supports the protest against hunger and hardship. This is even though none of the constituent organizations in the coalition was involved in the call for the protest.”
“The coalition, therefore, notes that the prevailing condition of mass misery and poverty amidst abundant wealth largely occasioned by various anti-poor capitalist policies of the Nigeria government is more than enough and a sufficient justification for a call for the protest.”
The coalition warned persons or groups with the intention for violence to “stay off the peaceful action as there will be no room for looting, destruction of property or any form of violence in our protest. We hereby inform the general public that this protest is not based on religion, ethnicity or political party affiliations but to demand for a better Nigeria”.
“As much as the coalition is committed to a peaceful protest, it holds that it is not the responsibility of the prospective protesters but that of the Nigerian government and the security agencies to assure the general public that the protest will not degenerate into violence.”
The groups then asked for “immediate reversal of all of the anti-poor policies specifically the pump price of petrol to N197”.
“Immediate repositioning of all of the public refineries and end to importation of petroleum products; reversal of the decision to hike the electricity Tariffs; renationalisation of the power sector under the control and management of the elected representatives of the working people and that political office holders should be placed on the salary and allowances earned by the civil servants”.
Other demands are that “Nigeria Police and Armed forces must be accorded the rights to form and belong to trade unions for adequate defence of their economic rights; Free education at all levels as constitutionally guaranteed and reversal of current regime of fee hike across the Nigeria public tertiary institutions; national minimum living wage which is constitutionally guaranteed, which rises as inflation rises and that the National Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and Trade Union Congress ( TUC) should convene a joint National Executive Committee meeting to declare a 48hours nationwide strike and street protest to support the hunger protest.”
[Vanguard]
The federal government has declared all its 256 correctional centres across the country as “red zones” ahead of the planned nationwide protests.
In a statement on Tuesday, Haliru Nababa, controller general of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), said any person or group who has no business at the prisons should stay away.
He said attacking the correctional centres may lead to the breakdown of law and order and may exacerbate insecurity in the country.
“In view of the purported national protest scheduled to be held on August 1, the service wishes to inform the public that the Custodial Centres have been designated as red zones,” the statement reads.
“Furthermore, the service wishes to enjoin the public that custodial and non-custodial centres are critical national assets which are germane to public safety as well as national security.”
Nababa added that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that no correctional facility is attacked.
He enjoined the public to align with the service to protect correctional facilities.
He added that the ministry of interior joint taskforce (MOIJTF) has been activated to provide extra security in and around custodial facilities.
[TheCable]
WhatsApp, Meta Platforms list 22 reasons why Nigerian Tribunal should quash FCCPC’s $220 Million penalty, others
Admin
Story Highlights
- WhatsApp and Meta Platforms Incorporated argue that the FCCPC’s $220 million penalty should be overturned, citing 22 reasons including vague directives, unjustifiable data-sharing orders, and procedural errors.
- They claim the FCCPC’s demands are vague, technically impossible to implement within the given timeframe, and not supported by Nigerian law.
- The fine follows an investigation into alleged violations of data protection and consumer rights by Meta, with similar large fines imposed on tech giants by European regulators.
WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta Platforms Incorporated, have cited 22 reasons why the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) order imposing a $220 million penalty should be set aside by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, among others.
This is detailed in their notice of appeal against the FCCPC, which was exclusively seen by Nairametrics.
Nairametrics previously reported that the FCCPC, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), had imposed a $220,000,000 penalty on Meta Platforms Incorporated over alleged discriminatory practices against Nigerian data and consumers.
Why FCCPC penalized Meta platforms, WhatsApp
In a statement signed by Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC on July 26, 2024,the penalty followed a joint investigation by the Commission and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta Platforms’ conduct, privacy policies, and practices between May 2021 and December 2023, a period of 38 months.
According to the statement, in May 2021, the Commission had directed WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly called Facebook Inc.) to defend themselves regarding its investigative report, which detailed how their conduct allegedly violated relevant data laws.
Meta was said to have provided some information in response to the requests and summons under the joint investigation.
However, the Commission disclosed that the investigation concluded that Meta Platforms had engaged in conduct constituting continuing infringements of Nigeria’s consumer protection and data laws over an extended period.
It expressed concerns about Meta’s allegedly abusive and invasive practices affecting data subjects and consumers in Nigeria.
These included unauthorized use of personal data, discriminatory treatment compared to other regions with similar regulations, and the exploitation of market dominance to enforce privacy policies that collect personal information without giving consumers the option to consent or refuse.
“The Final Order of the Commission mandates steps and actions Meta Parties must take to comply with prevailing laws and cease the exploitation of Nigerian consumers and market abuse, as well as desist from future similar or other conduct/practices that do not meet nationally applicable standards and undermine the rights of consumers,” the FCCPC statement partly reads.
WhatsApp, Meta platforms grounds of appeal
In the social media giants’ 22 reasons listed in their notice of appeal seen by Nairametrics, their legal team argued that the FCCPC erred in all the findings, directions, and decisions contained in its orders.
They are leveraging their appeal to ask the tribunal to quash the FCCPC’s orders in their entirety.
Here are the reasons listed by WhatsApp and Meta Platforms:
Vague Rights of Nigerian Users
Meta Platforms insisted that the FCCPC’s directive to “immediately reinstate the rights of Nigerian users to self-determine and control the use, processing, sharing, or transfer of their data” is unreasonably vague, creating excessive uncertainty.
According to Meta, the obligation requested by the FCCPC does not consider the operational complexities inherent in the WhatsApp service, thereby imposing an impossible burden on the appellants.
Ambiguous privacy policy order
Meta insisted that Nigerian users are fully at liberty to reject its privacy policy by declining to accept WhatsApp’s Terms of Service and not using the WhatsApp service.
Furthermore, it argued that the privacy policy order by FCCPC is ambiguous because WhatsApp had updated its privacy policy in a format that allows Nigerian users to fully express their legitimate rights prior to the initiation of the FCCPC’s investigation.
Unjustifiable order on data sharing between platforms
Meta insisted that it is unjustifiable for the FCCPC to order it to immediately halt sharing WhatsApp user information with other Facebook companies and third parties until users have voluntarily consented to each aspect of how their data will be used.
It submitted that forcing WhatsApp to rely on consent for its data sharing is discriminatory, contrary to the express provisions of the law, and disregards industry-standard practices.
Meta privacy policy not subject to FCCPC approval
WhatsApp and Meta insisted that Nigerian law does not require that the privacy policy of a data controller be approved in advance by either the Commission or the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), nor does the law authorize any of the agencies to insist on such prior approval.
Meta can’t revert to its data sharing practices of 2016
Meta insisted that there is no legal basis for the Commission to direct the appellants to revert to the “data sharing practices adopted in 2016” (which allowed users to consent or withhold consent).
It maintained that the companies’ data practices do not violate Nigerian law and, therefore, do not warrant such a directive from the Commission.
Unclear blockage of WhatsApp data transfer to Facebook
The appellants submitted that the instruction to stop transferring data from WhatsApp to Facebook and other third parties without explicit consent from users is unclear, as one can make full use of the WhatsApp messaging service without signing up for a Facebook account or any other Meta product.
No need for written assurance to FCCPC
The appellants stated that they had not taken any steps detrimental to the interests of their Nigerian users and that there was no need for the FCCPC to mandate them to submit a “written assurance” assuring it would not infringe on consumers’ rights.
Erroneous proposed remedy package for consumers
The appellants argued that they have no remedy “package” to comply with.
Furthermore, they contended that the 15-day timeframe stipulated by the order for the execution of the “Proposed Remedy Package” for consumers is inadequate and does not provide an adequate period for implementation.
Meta can’t pay FCCPC $35,000 as investigation cost
The appellants submitted that the Commission erred in law when it ordered that the “Meta Parties shall reimburse the Commission the cost of the investigation in the sum of Thirty-Five Thousand U.S. Dollars only ($35,000.00) (at prevailing exchange rate where applicable) under Section 23(2)(f) of the FCCPA.”
They argued that there is no legal basis for the Commission to direct the appellants to reimburse the costs of conducting its investigation, as they are not obligated by or liable in law to pay these costs.
$220 million penalty is hefty
The appellants also argued that the FCCPC denied them a fair hearing by imposing a hefty penalty without giving them an opportunity to understand the means by which the penalty would be calculated and to respond to the calculation of the proposed amount.
Impossible to build Data Consent Mechanisms
The appellants argued that contrary to the FCCPC’s order on compliance, it would be impossible to identify and build a consent mechanism for each data point processed by Nigerian consumers. They added that doing so would be “extremely expensive.“
FCCPC can investigate Meta without requiring the presence of Its personnel
The appellants argued that FCCPC experts can always conduct data handling compliance audits of Meta, without needing its personnel.
“Further, the appellants have no physical presence in Nigeria, thus negating any need for, or point in having, an audit from the Commission,” they stated.
Meta Can’t be compelled to obtain FCCPC prior approval
The appellants stated that the Commission has no powers to compel them to obtain the approval of the Commission or the NDPC prior to the publication of its privacy policy within ten days.
They further argued that updates to its privacy policy require extensive engagement with stakeholders across WhatsApp, and substantial amendments can take months to implement.
Proposed remedy package will take time to implement
The appellants argued that it is not technically possible to implement any proposed remedy package for Nigerian consumers (whose rights have been allegedly infringed upon) within 15 days, as directed by the FCCPC.
WhatsApp, Meta does not coerce Nigerian consumers
The appellants argued that if FCCPC’s Order Number 5 of the Final Order is intended to reference “tying in the sense of coercion by an allegedly dominant party of a consumer to accept a tied product as a condition of receiving a tying product, leading to the foreclosure of competition,” no such thing exists in WhatsApp or Meta.
Meta wasn’t formally probed by FCCPC
The appellants argued that the Commission erred when it ordered Meta to produce information in the investigation of WhatsApp without formally initiating an investigation of Meta.
They argued that WhatsApp is a distinct legal entity from Meta.
No need to penalize Meta
The appellants further argued that there was no evidence before the Commission showing that WhatsApp was acting on behalf of Meta, and therefore no evidence to warrant treating Meta as a target of the Commission’s orders.
Fair hearing
WhatsApp and Meta argued that the Commission erred in issuing the Final Order because it failed to consider the submissions made by the appellants before issuing the final order, thereby violating their right to a fair hearing.
WhatsApp, Meta was not allowed to query the calculation of the penalty
The appellants urged the tribunal to hold that the Commission was in error because it did not afford them an opportunity to make representations on the feasible period required for compliance with its decisions, the amount of the penalty imposed, or the methodology employed in calculating the penalty.
FCCPC made no findings against WhatsApp, Meta
The appellants’ legal team also argued that the Final Order issued by the Commission is fundamentally flawed due to its failure to disclose any findings of fact or law or to provide reasons for the decisions or penalties.
FCCPC fined WhatsApp and Meta without the signature of its Executive Chairman or Vice Chairman
The appellants argued that the position of the Executive Vice-Chairman of the FCCPC was allegedly vacant at the time the Final Order was signed.
It stated:
“To be clear, while President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr. Olatunji Bello on June 24, 2024, as the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission, his appointment had, at all material times, not been confirmed by the Senate in accordance with Section 5 of the FCCPA.
“Thus, it effectively means that the position of the Executive Vice-Chairman was vacant on the date shown on the face of the Final Order.”
Unreasonable orders
WhatsApp and Meta believe that the Final Order of the FCCPC “is unreasonable and against the weight of evidence.”
They urged the Tribunal to allow their appeal and set aside all of the decisions reached in the Final Order of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
What you should know
Per data from Statista, there were nearly 41.6 million Facebook users in Nigeria as of May 2023, which is 18.5% of the country’s population.
Following the FCCPC’s orders, WhatsApp reacted, saying, “In 2021, we went to users globally to explain how talking to businesses, among other things, would work. While there was a lot of confusion then, it has actually proven quite popular.”
Meanwhile, fines such as the ones imposed against Meta are not uncommon. Last year, the European Data Protection Agency fined the tech giant Facebook a record €1.2 billion for not complying with the EU’s privacy regulations.
The Irish Data Protection Commission stated that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by transferring large amounts of European Facebook users’ personal data to the United States without adequately protecting it from U.S. data surveillance practices.
Amazon had previously been fined €746 million by Luxembourg, and the Irish regulator imposed four fines on Meta’s platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—ranging from €225 million to €405 million between 2021 and 2023.
Over the past five years, Big Tech companies Amazon, Meta, and Google have faced some of the largest fines imposed under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) privacy laws.
The legality or illegality of the recent penalties and orders against WhatsApp and Meta Platforms is now a matter for the courts to determine.
[Nairametrics]
Transport Fares Rise As Fuel Scarcity Persists In Lagos, Ogun, Independent Marketers Shut Down
Admin
Fuel scarcity has continued to plague Nigeria, with many filling stations shut down in several states, including Abuja, Niger, and Nasarawa.
Naija News understands that the few stations that are open have long queues of motorists waiting to buy petrol, leading to frustration and gridlock in major cities.
In Abuja, several NNPC and Conoil filling stations had long queues, with some motorists waiting for hours to buy fuel. Others, such as Salbas, Gegu Oil, and Eterna, were closed due to lack of product.
The situation was similar in Niger State, where many filling stations, including NNPC retail outlets, were shut, leading to massive queues at the few stations that were open.
In Lagos and Ogun states, only filling stations owned by major marketers were dispensing fuel, with long queues reported at many outlets. Independent marketers were unable to get fuel supply, leading to closures and a rise in transport fares.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited retail outlet in Iyana-Woro had a long queue of vehicles waiting to buy petrol. The NNPC Retail outlets usually sell PMS at prices below N600/litre in Lagos, but dispense it at N617/litre in Abuja and environs.
Also, the Heyden filling station along Iyana-Woro, MRS at Alapere, Conoil, TotalEnergies, and Mobil along Alahusa Secretariat all had long queues as they sold a litre of PMS between N617 and N650.
Drivers who could not wait in the queues said they had to patronise the independent marketers who sell between N700 and N900/litre.
The scarcity has also led to an increase in black market activities, with petrol being sold at exorbitant prices, up to N1,500 per liter.
Depot operators confirmed that they were rationing petrol due to low supply, and it may take up to a week to restore normalcy.
“Nothing has changed as of Monday. The depot owners have started rationing the little they have. Depots are loading, but at snail speed, and this was occasioned by the paucity of product,” a depot operator told The PUNCH.
Another source hinted that the planned hunger protest might worsen the situation.
“This scarcity will be with us till the weekend because supply dislocation takes a minimum of one week to get to normalcy. If the movement of trucks during protest is affected, it will get worse,” he added.
The NNPC has attributed the fuel scarcity to a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.
However, despite assurances, the situation has continued to deteriorate. The company said it was “working round the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy in the operations.”
Many Nigerians are skeptical about the NNPC’s assurances, given the persistent fuel scarcity.
“We have heard this before, and nothing has changed. The NNPC needs to do more to address this scarcity,” said a motorist waiting in line to buy fuel.
The fuel scarcity has also had an impact on businesses, with many shutting down due to lack of fuel. “We can’t operate without fuel, and it’s affecting our business,” said a business owner.
[NaijaNews]
The special adviser to the president on Senate matters, Senator Basheer Lado, has said the prompt signing of the Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill into law by President Bola Tinubu is both a promise kept and a demonstration of his love for Nigerian workers.
In a statement, Lado said: “The signing of the minimum wage bill into law by his Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is both a promise kept and a demonstration of his people-centric governance model.
“Tinubu promised to pay a living wage to Nigerian workers during his electioneering campaigns, and he has kept that promise.
“He did not stop there; he ensured that there is a provision in the Minimum Wage Act that now makes it mandatory to review the national minimum wage every three years as against five years in the amended Act.
“This shows that workers’ take-home pay will continue to take them home under the present administration.”
He commended President Tinubu for keeping his promise to pay Nigerian workers a living wage, which became a reality just a little over one year after his administration in office.
“The president deserves the commendation of all for staying true to his promise,” Lado said.
Lado commended Nigerian workers for their resilience and contribution to nation building over the years and urged them to redouble their efforts to deliver effective services for the betterment of the citizenry.
He also commended the organised labour movement in the country led by the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) president, Comrade Festus Osifo, for their painstaking, mature and peaceful negotiations that led to the over 100 percent increase in workers’ wages from N30,000.00 to N70,000.00 by President Tinubu.
Lado further lauded all members of the 10th National Assembly, ably led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abass, for their swift passage of the Minimum Wage Bill, which has now been assented to by the president.
He noted that their dedication to the cause of the Nigerian workers and unflinching support for the people-oriented policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration mark them out as a patriotic lot with nationalistic zeal to ensure the welfare of Nigerians since 1999.
He commended the leadership of the Organised Private Sector and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for keying into the president’s vision for an enhanced pay package for Nigerian workers in agreeing to pay workers the new minimum wage.
He assured workers in particular and Nigerians in general that the empathy, love and care already demonstrated by the President in ensuring the overall welfare of Nigeria in the last year is just the
tip of the iceberg compared to when the many economic policies he has initiated take root and bear fruit.
[Leadership]
More...
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, urged youth and other aggrieved Nigerians to shelve their planned protest, saying their grievances were being addressed.
Some individuals have mobilised to start a protest tagged #EndBadGovernance beginning from August 1.
As the plan gathers momentum, the federal government, its agencies and the security establishment have been calling for restraint, even as regional and religious groups have also called on citizens to give the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration more time to address their grievances.
Addressing reporters after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the information minister said: “While you are thinking of protesting, government is appealing to you to first shelve it because it has the great likelihood that this protest may be hijacked and may turn violent by unscrupulous elements, and Nigeria will not be good for it.
“Of course, we know that people are saying that there is no intention for violence in this, but our history has shown that there is the possibility that this protest can be hijacked and could turn violent.
“The president is already protesting on their behalf by doing those things that they want a government to do. For example, the effort that government is making in ensuring that food is being made available. The last council meeting here at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks, 20 precisely, had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to the poorest of the poor in society and those who are actually in need.
“Government did not stop; there is also rice that is being sold at about 50 per cent of its cost, a bag of rice is being sold as we speak now. This rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation, and is being sold at N40,000. Centres have been created so that those who need this rice can go there and buy.
“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states and indeed, this is just the beginning. I know that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough. Government has not pretended that these supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made and more of such interventions are being made in the interim. Of course, this is like I said an interim measure because there is so much investment that is going into the agricultural sector”, he said.
Remain on campus, FG tells students
The federal government also on Monday asked students in tertiary institutions to remain on campus and focus on their academic pursuits.
In a letter to the universities, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, advised students in Nigerian universities to remain on campus during the planned nationwide protests to avoid risking their lives.
The minister, through the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, made this known in a letter addressed to vice-chancellors of universities in the wake of the planned protests slated for August 1 to 10, 2024.
The letter read: “The Honourable Minister of Education has directed that the attention of vice-chancellors of all Nigerian universities be formally drawn to the plan by unknown groups to embark on nationwide protests.
“The federal government is not unaware of the right of any Nigerian to peaceful protest, but is concerned about the safety of staff, students, and university property should there be any protest action.
“Consequently, the Honourable Minister has directed that vice-chancellors of all Nigerian universities should take proactive steps to ensure the security and safety of the university community, including staff and students.
“In addition, vice-chancellors are to please issue specific statements to assure staff and students of their safety. It is also advisable that students remain on campus to focus on their academic pursuits to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protests.”
Senators, Reps to hold emergency sessions
Also in relation to the planned protest, the two chambers of the National Assembly will convene emergency sessions tomorrow.
The Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Yahaya Danzaria, announced this in separate internal memos on Monday.
The National Assembly members had recently started their annual recess, originally set to resume on September 17.
This is as Senate President Godswill Akpabio said while individuals have the right to protest, they do not have the right to destabilise the country.
He accused politicians who lost in the 2023 general elections of being behind the planned protest in an attempt to take over the government through the backdoor.
He spoke during the signing of the new Minimum Wage bill by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
EFCC begins probe
Meanwhile, it was revealed on Monday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigations into the bank accounts of some individuals and organisations sponsoring the protest, an official disclosed this to Daily Trust.
“Details of those sponsoring the planned nationwide protest slated to begin on Thursday have been fully acquired,” the official said, speaking anonymously.
“We have begun investigations on them in earnest. We want to know the real intention of why some monies were sent into those bank accounts”, the source said.
Protest not solution– Defence Chief
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Monday urged the youth to refrain from participating in the protest.
He spoke on the Hausa radio programme “Barka da Warhaka,” broadcast on Freedom Radio station in Kaduna, as monitored by one of our correspondents.
He reminded the youth of a foreign country’s failed prediction in 2015 that Nigeria would cease to exist, cautioning them against allowing such nations and others to exploit protests to undermine Nigeria.
Security agencies in show of force nationwide
Daily Trust reports that security operatives were yesterday engaged in a show of force in Abuja and other major cities across the country ahead of the planned August protest against hardship.
This is just as some protesters yesterday blocked the Kaduna-Abuja highway that passes through Niger State.
Also on Monday, police and military officers, including Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel, were stationed at the entrance to the National Assembly complex and Eagle Square in Abuja, where protesters plan to gather.
Meanwhile, some commuters on the Keffi-Abuja expressway were left stranded on Monday as military officers conducted stop-and-search operations on vehicles entering the nation’s capital.
Daily Trust also observed a significant security build-up at other entry points to Abuja city centre. Military checkpoints that were earlier dismantled returned, with the deployment of more soldiers, as well as gadgets, like armour tanks. There was a heavy security presence in some parts of Lagos, Ondo and Benue states too, with policemen stationed along major highways.
Police spokesperson in Benue, Catherine Anene, said the increased police visibility on the streets of Makurdi was intended to deter troublemakers, not to intimidate law-abiding citizens.
Earlier on Monday, the protesters in Niger State carried placards and marched through the road linking Kaduna and Abuja, chanting anti-government slogans.
The police spokesperson in Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, said police operatives swiftly dispersed the protesters after they were sighted.
Abiodun, in a statement, said, “Some boys were sighted along Kaduna Road in Suleja (local government area) attempting to block the road. The Area Commander Suleja swiftly moved with his team to the scene, and the boys were dispersed peacefully.”
Boko Haram plans to infiltrate protest – Police
In the meantime, the Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Ahmed Garba, on Monday, warned that Boko Haram insurgents were planning to infiltrate the planned nationwide protest in the state.
Represented by DSP Dungus Abdulkarim at a youth stakeholders meeting and symposium in Damaturu, the state capital, Garba revealed that intelligence suggests foreign mercenaries have been hired to disrupt the protest and cause harm.
He noted that recent insurgent activities, including an IED explosion in Gujba LGA, had heightened concerns.
IGP orders protection for genuine protesters
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday, directed police officers nationwide to protect genuine protesters participating in the upcoming demonstrations against economic hardship. The directive was issued in a letter dated July 29, 2024, signed by his Principal Staff Officer, Commissioner of Police Johnson Adenola, in response to a request from human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had earlier sought police protection for hunger protesters.
In a statement by the Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP said Nigeria cannot afford violent protests due to their severe negative impact on society.
NSCDC to deploy 30,000 personnel across Nigeria
The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Abubakar Ahmed Audi, said the corps would deploy 30,000 personnel across Nigeria to protect critical national assets and infrastructure during the protest.
He spoke during the opening session of his meeting with Commandants and Zonal Commandants of the Corps at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja, on Monday.
Audi said criminals were planning to hijack the protest and unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians as well as national assets and critical infrastructures.
Afenifere warns against Kenya’s experience
The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Monday, kicked against the planned protest in the country, warning Nigerians against the experience in Kenya.
In a statement, Afenifere said the people have the right to vent their grievances at the government but noted that the #EndBadGovernance protests were taking a clear sinister dimension against President Tinubu’s government.
The group, in the statement signed by its national organising secretary, Kole Omololu, urged securities agencies to safeguard the lives of the citizens from hoodlums and anarchists from unleashing destruction on the nation during the protest.
Traders hire vigilantes, hunters to guard shops in Jos
Traders and warehouse owners in Jos, Plateau State, on Monday, enlisted the help of vigilantes, neighbourhood watch groups and other local security outfits to safeguard their shops and businesses.
This was in response to fears of looting during the nationwide protest.
Alhaji Jamilu Kabiru, Chairman of Kasuwan Dare, a section of the Yankwalli market, said the decision to hire additional security followed rumours that hoodlums might target the market during the protests.
[DailyTrust]
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, said there is no longer a need for protest.
According to Idris, the planned protest should come to a halt because President Bola Tinubu-led government is already addressing the demands made by aggrieved Nigerians.
Idris, while addressing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting, said, “Many of the issues that those planning the protest are putting forward is being addressed. Government is putting efforts to make sure that food is made available.
“Rice has been taken to various centers across the country and it is being sold for ₦40,000. This is just the beginning and necessary first step. Other efforts are underway.
“There is so much investment that is going into the agricultural sector and we believe that as we move forward, the price of food will come down.”
The Minister said the President believes that the government is answering the questions being asked by the youths, “The student loan is making sure that no youth that wants to go to school will be left out. By the time the CNG takes full course, the transportation issues will be resolved.”
Naija News understands that aggrieved Nigerians are planning to hit the streets on the 1st of August due to the level of hardship in the country
Oil and gas experts have said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent order to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on sale of crude oil in Naira to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries will not end the 650,000 barrel per day refinery’s challenges in the sector.
DAILY POST reports that in a major decision on Monday at the Federal Executive Council, Tinubu approved NNPCL to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in Naira.
The move was aimed at ending the crude crisis being experienced by local refineries.
Recall in the last months, Dangote Refinery has continued to lament the crude oil supply crisis and other challenges experienced in Nigeria’s oil sector.
This is as it approached the US and Brazil for crude import despite Nigeria being Africa’s largest crude producer.
Dangote Refinery had accused International Oil Companies in Nigeria of sabotage over the supply crisis. The company later had a dispute with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority over regulatory compliance.
As the crisis raged, the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, alleged that NNPCL officials own a blending plant in Malta, a southern European island.
However, on Monday, Tinubu ordered NNPCL to sell crude in Naira to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement on his X account.
Onanuga said the move was to ensure the stability of the pump price of refined fuel and the dollar-naira exchange rate.
Accordingly, he said the country’s 450,000 barrels of crude meant for domestic consumption should be sold in Naira to Nigerian refineries with Dangote Refinery as a pilot.
This becomes expedited as “Dangote refinery currently requires about 15 cargoes of crude oil at about $13.5bn yearly. NNPC has committed to supply four”, he said.
In a further analysis of the development, the President’s Special Adviser on Revenue, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, who also serves as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, said Monday’s move mitigates Nigeria’s heavy reliance on foreign exchange for crude oil imports, accounting for roughly 30 to 40 percent of its forex expenditure.
According to him, the decision will save the country an estimated annual savings of $7.3 billion and will reduce monthly forex expenditure on petroleum products by an estimated $660 million.
“Monthly, we spend roughly $660m in these exercises, and if you analyze that, that will give us $7.92bn savings annually,” he stated
Meanwhile, experts within the oil sector have expressed divergent views on the implications of Tinubu’s order and its impact on the Nigerian economy.
Experts React
The Managing Partner, BBH Consulting and Convener, Public Interest Advocacy Network, PIAN, Barr. Ameh Madaki believes that Tinubu’s order on crude oil sale in Naira will not solve Dangote Refinery’s crisis.
He said this was because the country had no spare crude oil to sell to any refinery.
According to him, the crude oil forward sale contracts secured for Nigeria by NNPCL meant that there was barely any production from the current 1.2 million barrels per day to sell to local refineries.
Ameh said the best way out was to sell the crude oil for domestic consumption at the wellhead cost of production.
“It will not solve the Dangote Refinery’s crisis. Because the country had no spare crude oil to sell to any refinery. With all their forward sale contracts, there is barely any production from the current 1.2 million barrels a day to sell to anyone.
“The only policy which will make some sense is to sell the crude oil for domestic consumption at the wellhead cost of production.
“Otherwise, we will be chasing shadows and people will be pocketing millions of dollars in fraudulent subsidy payments”, he told DAILY POST.
Similarly, an energy expert, Joseph Eleojo said: “Where is NNPCL getting the crude to sell to Dangote and other refineries from? This goes to tell Nigerians why the local refineries have not worked for 35 years.
“The decision to sell crude to Dangote in Naira is a wonderful decision as it will lessen the pressure on Dangote and the other refineries from sourcing FX to buy crude.
“Nigerians should not expect drastic price discounts because crude oil is sold to the local refineries in Naira”.
Meanwhile, Group Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr Diran Fawibe said Tinubu’s decision to allow crude oil sale in Naira to Dangote Refinery will help the refinery to price its product properly.
He said that the indirect impact of the decision will reduce pressure on the Naira and importation of fuel.
“It is a good decision on the part of the Federal Executive Council and the President.
“About 300,000 to 400,000 bpd has been allocated to domestic, which has been the case for many years based on the capacity of Nigeria’s refineries. It makes a lot of sense to approve crude oil sales to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in Naira.
“This will assist the refinery to price its product properly for the benefit of Nigeria. Hitherto, crude has not been sold in Naira.
“The indirect benefit is that petrol import with the operation of Dangote Refinery will be reduced. Similarly, the FX used for fuel import will be reduced to a reasonable extent.
“This will benefit the FX market. You can imagine if there is no fuel in the country, even the queue we are currently experiencing may reduce. I expect that a Naira crude oil price regime will impact sustainable product pricing in Nigeria and stem the importation of fuel”, he said.
On his part, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE, said the decision will ease the current pressure on petroleum products pricing in Nigeria.
However, Muda noted that the major challenge may be the capacity of NNPCL to supply the crude.
“This is surely a welcome development and will go a long way to easing the current pressure of pricing of Petroleum products in Nigeria, especially given the capacity of Dangote Refinery.
“The major challenge now is the capacity of NNPCL to supply the crude. It is one thing to give a liberal payment condition (that is paying for the crude in Naira), it is another thing to make the crude available.
“I think this remains a major challenge. If the NNPCL can make the crude available for Dangote refinery and other local refineries, it will be a great idea.
“The benefits will be transmitted to the citizens in terms of more supply of petroleum products, and moderation in the price of the product.
“Because we are in a situation where we worry about the cost of living, social stability, economic development, and the issue of production; in all these things, access to energy is central. It is paramount that NNPCL can provide the crude”, he told DAILY POST.
[DailyPost]
The National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, has ordered Ecobank Nigeria Limited to pay N1, 086,611,589.11 to 1,742 ex-staff of Oceanic Bank who were denied their entitlements.
Justice R. A. Gwandu gave the order in a judgment in suit NIC/LA /231/2012 filed by the former employees of defunct Oceanic Bank, which merged with Ecobank Bank Limited in 2012.
Babajide Bayode, Yemisi Adesote, Adeboyejo Oladimeji, Seun Aina, Yusuf Kadiri, Segun Alasan, Adetayo Familugba and Lolade Olaribigbe sued for themselves and as representatives of 1,733 other ex-employees.
The representative action suit was filed by their counsel Mr Nwabu Okoye.
They sought “an order directing Ecobank Nigeria Limited to pay the outstanding sum of N1,146,470,393,.62 being the sum total of their savings in the Staff Savings Investment Trust Fund, SSITF, scheme contributed by 1742 ex-employees of Oceanic Bank made up of those transfered to Ecobank upon merger of the two banks through the merger of February 15, 2012, and those whose employment were determined before or upon the said merger which remain unpaid till date”.
The claimants said the amount outstanding as their contributions to the SSITF scheme, which the defendant (Ecobank) refused to pay to date, stands at N926,901,065,.60.
Justice Gwandu dismissed the bank’s counter-claim on the ground that it failed to put credible evidence before the court.
The judge held that upon the consummation of the merger, Ecobank fully acquired all the assets and liabilities of Oceanic Bank and could not repudiate or push some of the liabilities on its employees, more so when it was the bank that was in control of the SSITF scheme.
The judge held that Ecobank cannot deny that there were contributions to the SSITF or show evidence that the claimants were paid the sum they claim.
“I therefore, hold that the claimants have proved their case and are entitled to the payment of the sum of N926,901,065.60 being the sum total in the account of the Staff Savings Investment Trust Fund being contributions of 1,742 ex-employees of Oceanic Bank made up of those transferred to Ecobank upon the merger and whose contract of employment were determined on February 15, 2012 and those whose employment otherwise were determined before or upon the merger,” Justice Gwandu held.
On unpaid gratuities, the judge held: “I hold that the defendants are liable to the claimants in the sum of N159,710,523.51 being the total sum due on the basis of years of service of the employees.”
The claimants had also asked for an order directing Ecobank to pay the sum of N159,710,523.51, being the total sum due as gratuities to 48 of the claimants and another sum of N59, 858,804.51 being the short payments of severance or redundancy paid by the defendant to 74 of them.
The court was further asked to grant an order directing the bank to pay 22 per cent interest per annum on the sums of money being claimed from February 15, 2012, until judgment and thereafter at the rate of 12 per cent per annum until the liquidation of the judgment sum.
Ecobank through its lawyer, S.C. Arubike filed a statement of defense to the suit as well as counter-claim.
It demanded N967,529,765.38 being the excess of severance and or redundance benefits paid to the ex-staff of Oceanic Bank, at 24 per cent interest from October 30, 2014, until any judgment is delivered in its favour and interest of 10 per cent until fully liquidated.
Justice Gwandu refused the plaintiffs’ claim of N59,858,804.51 being the total sum of short payment of severance or redundancy package paid by Ecobank to 74 of the claimants.
The judge said it would be unfair for the court to hold Ecobank responsible for any lapses that may have occurred under the agreement brokered by ASSBIFI since some of the ex-staff benefitted under the agreement and are happy under the same agreement moreso the intervention of ASSBIFI had the consent of the ex-staff.
The court granted 10 per cent interest on the judgment sum from 30 days after the judgment was delivered till it was fully liquidated.
[TheNation]