FEATURES

FEATURES

Joseph Aloba, the father of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, made an emotional plea to Nigerians in a viral video after receiving an invitation from the Alagbon police station.

Scheduled to appear at the police station in Ikoyi, Lagos, Joseph expressed his uncertainty about the reasons behind the invitation. He speculated that it might be an attempt to silence or detain him.

Joseph emphasized that his primary concerns are seeking justice for his late son and obtaining a DNA test for his grandson, Liam.

 

In the video, he said:

 

“I just received a petition now and I have been asked to come to Alagbon Police station at 10am tomorrow. I don’t know whether they want to silence or detain me there tomorrow. Do they want to k!ll me like they k!lled Mohbad? All I am asking for is to know what k!lled my son and to have a DNA test done to be sure the baby is for my son. I still insist that DNA was the reason why they k!lled my son. Nigerians help me”

 

In light of this, An invitation letter from Alagbon police station, which has been trending online, confirmed the summoning of Mohbad’s father. The letter detailed that the invitation was based on allegations against him, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and criminal defamation.

See below:

 
 
 

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

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso has said that the introduction of Islamic Banks in Nigeria was spearheaded by an assistant pastor.

Cardoso disclosed this weekend at a reception organised to honour the Secretary-General, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre, Dr Umar Oseni in Abuja.

According to him, it was now clear to Nigerians that the introduction of Islamic banks in Nigeria was not to Islamise the country but for small and medium-scale businesses.

 

Cardoso, represented by the CBN Director of Legal Services, Kofo Salam-Alada, said that more Shariah-compliant banks are being considered for approval due to the immense benefits it has brought to the citizens.

He noted that Islamic banks like Jaiz, Tajj, and Alternate Bank have stood the test of time since their establishment.

“Some years back, the Central Bank of Nigeria started a journey for the introduction of the Islamic Banking and Financing in Nigeria.

“It came when a young man was appointed governor of CBN. But most people never knew that the first person who spearheaded the journey was to be a pastor of the church.

“He was also a part-time pastor when this journey started. So it was never an attempt to Islamise Nigeria or Islamise financing in Nigeria. When the Prince (Emir Sanusi) came, he continued the journey”, he stated.

Recall that the first Islamic Bank in Nigeria, Jaiz was established during the reign of Chukwuma Soludo as the apex bank governor.

Nigeria currently has four Islamic banks out of 43 Deposit Money Banks, according to CBN’s recently updated list of approved banks in Nigeria.

Last modified on Monday, 03 June 2024 09:45

The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, is significantly decreasing, providing much-needed relief to consumers in several states, including Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo.

Recent interactions with consumers revealed to Punch that the current average cost of 1 kilogram of cooking gas is around N1,000 or below, depending on the location and seller.

 

This decrease is a stark contrast to the prices observed between February and March when the cost of LPG had soared to around ₦1,300 per kilogram in some areas.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the price of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas had increased by 46.88% over one year, reaching ₦15,060.38 in February 2024 compared to ₦10,253.39 in February 2023.

The NBS further noted that the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of LPG rose by 28.33% within just one month — from ₦11,735.72 in January 2024 to ₦15,060.38 in February 2024.

Among the states, Ogun recorded the highest average retail price at ₦16,375, closely followed by Delta at ₦16,333, and Edo at ₦16,321.

However, recent checks indicate that prices are gradually decreasing nationwide, which some attribute to the rebound of the naira in April from about ₦1,900 per dollar to about ₦1,500 currently.

While the Federal Government has committed to taking further measures to reduce the domestic price of LPG, industry operators express concerns that prices may rise again.

Speaking to Punch, Adedokun Ojo, a resident of Abule Egba in Lagos, reported purchasing 1kg of LPG at ₦940 at a local Mobil station.

“LPG is now ₦940 per kg. I still bought it yesterday evening at Mobil in Abule Egba,” Ojo said.

Also, a resident of Enugu, Uzor Nneka, disclosed that she got a kilogramme of the gas for ₦1,000 at the Romchi plant in Enugu.

“1kg of cooking gas used to be ₦1,300 before, but now it is ₦1,050. The price is coming down,” Jonathan Igbowu, a resident of the Idiroko border community of Ogun State, revealed

It was observed that the prices are different in Idiroko based on the seller. Nojim Ajani stated that 1kg of LPG was ₦750 in the Aferiku area of the town lately.

One Mr Ibrahim Ogunleye mentioned that the product sold for ₦1,200 in Offa, Kwara State, saying it used to be ₦1,400 some weeks ago.

Similarly, Mr Quadri Yusuf, who lives at Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, said the price of cooking gas is now ₦800/kg, down ₦1,200 in April.

However, Muraina Akintunde in Ayetoro regretted that LPG sellers now charge ₦1,200/kg in the area, stating that it used to be ₦1,400 until the last week of May.

In Ilaro, Folake Ogunwemimo said a kilogramme of LPG costs ₦1,100, while Kazim Ajose bought it for N970 at Sango-Ota, Ogun State.

Speaking on the development, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the reduction in the price of LPG was a result of the efforts being made by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) with the full support of relevant regulatory agencies in the sector and even operators to increase the volume of domestically produced cooking gas coming into the local market.

Ekpo, who spoke through his media aide, Louis Ibah, said the domestication of LPG export has reduced the dependence on imported LPG, and of course, its attendant added costs due to foreign exchange fluctuations.

He said, “You will recall that the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, some months back had ordered the domestication of all LPG produced within the country with the target of stabilising the price of cooking gas in the domestic market for consumers.

“So, the reduction in the price of LPG being witnessed is as a result of the efforts being made by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) with the full support of relevant regulatory agencies in the sector and even Operators to increase the volume of domestically produced LPG/cooking gas coming into the local market.

“This has reduced the dependence on imported LPG, and of course, its attendant added costs due to FOREX fluctuations.

“And you also must recall and note the positive impact that the federal government’s decision to waive VAT and Customs duties on gas and gas equipment must have had on the price of LPG.”

He stressed that the minister has “assured that prices will go down further in the months ahead as more volumes of LPG domestically produced is released into the domestic market,” saying he is working round the clock with his team to achieve this.

However, the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers expressed concerns that the price of LPG may surge again in the coming weeks.

The Executive Secretary of NALPGAM, Bassey Essien, revealed that the reduction occasioned by the naira rebound was being eroded because gas is priced in dollars.

According to Essien, even if the Federal Government boosts local LPG production, the price will not be stable because gas producers sell in foreign currency.

“I won’t say it has come down, because it is going up again. And it is an interplay of the foreign exchange. Everything is priced in foreign exchange, very soon even the air we breathe will be priced in foreign exchange.

“Even the LNG that a domestic gas, how do they price it? It is still being priced at the international price, and the international price is dependent on the dollar. Whether you have it in abundance or not, it is still being sold at the international price. The bottom line is everything is priced in forex,” Essien said, asking the government to look into local pricing of gas.”

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has declared that Nigeria’s economy is experiencing an appreciable growth that may see the high inflation in the country come down in few months.

Edun spoke on Sunday when he featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

The National Bureau of Statistics had reported in its April’s consumer price index that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.20 per cent in March 2024 — up from 31.70 per cent in February

According to the bureau, food inflation also surged to 40.01 per cent in the month under review.

Meet Samuel Odugbesan who lost his arms working with an electricity company0:00 / 1:01

But the minister said on Sunday that the situation was under control, saying the reforms and economic policies of President Bola Tinubu were gradually paying off.

He said, “Mr President has achieved relative growth and stability in his first year in office. The necessary fallout of the measures that had to be taken were higher interest rates to fight inflation and attract foreign currencies, which was successful. In terms of inflation, it is coming down. It is expected and projected to come down over the next few months.

“On the other indices, the important thing is that the economy is actually growing. It is very rare to have a situation where authorities, particularly the monetary authority set their target fighting to bring down inflation and prices generally and at the same time striving to keep the economy growing. We do have that.


“Quarter by quarter when compared to the first quarter of last year, the growth is up by virtually three per cent per annum above population growth compared to about the two per cent achieved by this time last year. So, we do have the economy going the right direction. We just need to stay that course. In staying the course, help and amelioration must be given across the board.

“I have talked about help that should be given to farmers and consumers. There is also help for small and medium scale businesses. By Monday, the economy stabilisation plan that deals with the factors affecting big businesses and industry will be on Mr President’s table so that they too can stabilise, begin investment again, create jobs and grow the economy.”

The Government of Germany has launched what it terms as ‘Opportunity Card‘ for skilled individuals outside the European Union (EU) to search for work opportunities in Germany. 

The portal where applicants were asked to apply showed Nigeria as one of the countries of residence of intending applicants. 

This was announced on Germany’s Federal Foreign Office Consular Services Portal on June 1, 2024. 

The Opportunity Card is a residence permit that allows workers from third countries to enter Germany to seek employment. 

Third countries are nations that are not part of the European Union. 

About Opportunity Card 

The Opportunity Card is issued for a period of up to one year but if one finds qualified employment during one’s stay, such a person can obtain a subsequent residence permit for the purpose of further searching (follow-up Opportunity Card) or taking up gainful employment from the local foreigners’ authority in Germany. 

The Government stated that when applying, one will need proof that his or her professional qualification is recognised by the state either in Germany or in the country in which it was obtained.  

“Proof that you will be able to support yourself for the duration of your stay in Germany can be provided in the form of a blocked account or a declaration of commitment, for example. At least 1,027 euros per month (as of 2024) are generally required. 

“During your stay for the purpose of finding a job, you have the opportunity to work up to 20 hours a week in a part-time job. In addition, you can take up trial jobs for up to two weeks at a time to familiarise yourself with potential jobs,” it added. 

Eligibility 

The following basic requirements must be fulfilled for the Opportunity Card on a points basis among others,  

“Completion of a degree or at least two years of training that is recognised by the state in which it was obtained, 

“German language skills at least at level A1 or English language skills at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), 

 “Sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses for the duration of your stay in Germany.” 

A Guide for Nigerians 

For Nigerian applicants, the German government advised they follow up on Germany’s diplomatic mission in Nigeria for a visa. 

“You can only apply for your visa at the German mission responsible for you. The responsibility depends on the district in which you reside. If the online application is not available at your competent German mission, please apply for your visa on-site. You will find further information on the website of your German mission,” it stated. 

The call by Germany is the latest among foreign countries’ search for expertise around the world. 

Reports indicate a substantial increase in the number of Nigerian healthcare workers migrating to countries like the UK, Canada, and the US. 

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Oru, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Chukwunenye has raised the alarm that “Nigeria is gradually sliding into a total collapse and the government appears to have lost every idea on how to stop the slide.” 

The alarm was part of the 77-page presidential address he delivered, weekend, during the first session of the sixth synod of the diocese, held at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Nempi, Oru West local council area of Imo State.

 

His words: “The nation, Nigeria, is gradually sliding into a total collapse. The present government seems to have lost every idea on how to stop this downward slide and revamp the economy. 

“Everything now looks like trial and error, or if you like, a case of try your luck. All the policies that are being churned out by the policymakers seem to be aimed at harming the people more.

“They all smear wickedness in content and outlook. A very good example is the increase in the electricity tariff to whatever percentage, they have pushed down our throats.

“From our experience in this part of the country, it is purely an increase in the darkness tariff. We have been here for the past 16 years as a diocese but in all these years, we have never enjoyed electricity for 20 minutes.

“All these times, we have only run on diesel and fuel. Now, the diocese has been sent a bill based on the increased tariff.

“The distribution company is insisting that the diocese must pay with or without supplying electricity or face the unsavoury consequence of disconnection.

“The question I have not ceased to ask the distribution company and government, which they have not answered is: Is it fair to the citizens to pay for darkness instead of light? 

“I think that the proper thing for this government and its distribution and generating companies should have done first is to ensure a steady supply of electricity before the increase in tariff. What they have done now is simply anti-people.

“Because the leaders of this country called Nigeria have never cared for the masses, they will always put the cart before the horse. 

“If they have achieved what Geometrics and Professor Barth Nnaji achieved in Aba, and increased the tariff, no sane person will ever complain, rather Nigerians will gladly pay any amount they are asked to pay.

“Let this government listen to the cries of Nigerians and always seek to do the right things for the benefit of the people. We passionately and graciously plead with this government not to kill this nation with taxes.

“As it is said, no nation on earth grows its economy through taxation. Economies are grown through production. This is where the government must focus its policies and energy production.

 

“A word is enough for the wise; a good and caring government. The government should realize that it is in power for the good and protection of the lives and properties of the citizens.”

Addressing the seeming tension and insecurity in the South East geo-political zone, the bishop said: “We thank some of our brothers for seeing reasons to give up on their anger.

“No matter how genuine and justified their anger is, I believe it is now time for them to calm down completely. This will enable us to rebuild the land and the economy that is almost in ruins.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike starting on Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage above N60,000.

Despite the government’s final offer of N60,000, which included a recent increase from an initial N57,000, the labour unions found the proposal insufficient, setting a new proposal at N494,000.

 

The Evolution of Nigeria’s Minimum Wage

 

The concept of a minimum wage in Nigeria dates back to the 1950s. The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as Premier of the Western Region, implemented the first minimum wage policy in 1954. Western Nigerian workers received a minimum wage that was double the amount paid to their counterparts in other regions. This initial wage policy set a precedent and sparked ongoing discussions about fair labor compensation in the country.

 

Following Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the push for a national minimum wage continued. In 1959, Awolowo, then the President of the Action Group, campaigned vigorously for a five-pound minimum wage for federal workers. Although he lost the 1959 elections to Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the issue of a national minimum wage remained a significant political agenda.

The First National Minimum Wage Law

The first National Minimum Wage Law was enacted by President Shehu Shagari in September 1981, spurred by the advocacy of the Nigerian Labour Congress led by Hassan Sunmonu. The law set a minimum wage of 125 naira per month, equivalent to approximately US$204 at the time.

Subsequent Revisions

Over the years, the minimum wage has undergone several revisions:

2000: Increased to N5,500.

2011: Under President Goodluck Jonathan, it was raised to N18,000.

2019: The National Minimum Wage Act signed by President Muhammadu Buhari established a new wage of N30,000 per month.

The Current Debate

In January 2024, the federal government formed a 37-member tripartite committee to review the National Minimum Wage. However, the committee has not yet reached an agreement. The NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have set a deadline of May 31 for the government to establish a new wage policy. The unions are demanding a minimum wage of at least N60,000.

 

Some states have unilaterally announced new minimum wages. For example, Edo State approved a new wage of N70,000 effective May 1, 2024, while Lagos State has been paying a wage award of N35,000 since January 2024.

The discussions about the minimum wage are fraught with tension, particularly between state and federal governments. State governments often argue they cannot afford higher wages, while the federal government usually proposes higher rates. This discord reflects a long-standing issue in Nigeria’s wage policy, where economic realities and political promises often clash.

A host of government offices, buildings, and institutions risk being thrown into darkness if they fail to settle their electricity bills before the deadline issued by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

According to the AEDC, the affected buildings are owing huge electricity debts which have accumulated over time.

Power House building, located in the Maitama District of Abuja, which houses the office of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is part of the building listed in a notice of disconnection issued by the AEDC.

More than 20 other government institutions risk disconnection, according to the ultimatum issued by the distribution company in a statement addressed to its customers on Friday, 31st May.

 

The acting Managing Director of AEDC, Victor Ojelabi, in a statement, said the deadline for all outstanding payments is Monday, June 3, 2024.

Below is the full list of customers owing AEDC as released by the Disco:

1. Nigeria Army
2. Nigeria Airforce
3. Defence Headquarters (HQ)
4. Federal Capital Development Authority
5. Kogi state government
6. Niger state government
7. Nigeria Police Force HQ
8. Nigerian Army Barracks
9. Federal Ministry of Industry
10. Nigeria Police Force HQ
11. Nigerian Army Barracks
12. Power House
13. Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) House 1
14. Head of Service
15. Ministry of Education
16. Ministry of Women Affairs
17. Ministry of Industry
18. Ministry of Trade
19. Ministry of Interior
20. Ministry of Water Resources
21. National Stadium
22. Goodluck Jonathan Athletics Hall
23. Ministry of Finance
24. Ministry of education
25. Ministry of Trade
26. National Planning Commission (budget)
27. Ministry of Works
28. Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Abuja.