...without Matching Production
The federal government on Wednesday disclosed that the policy of the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari which resulted in free printing of Naira for eight years without corresponding production is one of the major errors responsible for the country’s current economic situation.
Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said this in Abuja while appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance chaired by Senator Sani Musa.
Speaking on measures to revamp the economy among other issues, Edun said the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had done a lot, including efforts to stabilise the naira against the dollar and the implementation of a more transparent social welfare scheme for the citizenry.
According to him, free printing of the naira for eight years up to N22.7trillion by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari without a corresponding improvement in productive activities was one of the major errors of the past.
“The inflation is due largely to eight years of printing the naira, which was not matched by production”, Edun stated.
There are strong indications that organised Labour will push for N500,000 as the minimum wage as the zonal public hearing on the new wage structure begins on Thursday (today) in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Abuja.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, in an interview on Arise TV on February 11, had stated that if the ongoing inflation continued, organised labour might push for a new minimum wage of up to N1m for Nigerian workers.
However, a top official of the NLC, who confided to our correspondent on Thursday, said that based on proposals submitted by state chapters to the congress’ headquarters, the organized labor might push for N500,000 at today’s meeting.
The public hearing on the new minimum wage, which will be held simultaneously in all six geopolitical zones, is expected to receive inputs from organised Labour, state governors, ministers, civil society groups, and the organised private sector on a new minimum wage reflective of the current economic realities and the workers’ aspirations.
Our correspondent learnt that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, will chair the meeting in the North-East taking place in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, will preside over the South-West hearing taking place in Lagos.
President Bola Tinubu through his deputy, Kashim Shettima, on January 30, 2024, inaugurated a 37-member panel on the new minimum wage at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.
With its membership cutting across the federal and state governments, the private sector, and labour, the panel is to recommend a new national minimum wage for the country on or before April 1 following the expiration of the current N30,000 minimum wage as provided by the law.
Though the tripartite committee met a few times in Abuja, it has yet to deliberate on any figure for the minimum wage.
However, the President of the NLC, Ajaero, in an interview on Arise TV on February 11, stated that if the ongoing inflation continued unabated, organised labour might push for a new minimum wage of up to N1m for Nigerian workers.
Ajaero said the demand from organised labour would be influenced by the cost of living which has been increasing since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, notably due to the removal of the fuel subsidy and other policies.
He said, “This N1m may be relevant if the value of the naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues unchecked because the demand of labour is equally dependent on what is happening in the society.
“You will remember that by the time we were contemplating N200,000 (as minimum wage), the exchange rate was about N800/N900 (to a dollar). As we talk today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more.
“Those are the issues that determine the demand and it is equally affecting the cost of living. And we have always said that our demand will be based on the cost of living index. You will agree with me today that even a bag of rice is going for about N60,000/N70,000 or more.
“A bag of locally produced corn is about N56,000 or more. Foodstuff is getting out of reach, now are we going to get a minimum wage that will not be enough for transportation even for one week?’’
Actress Adunni Ade has explained why she doesn’t grant interviews.
She said it is because her words were always being misconstrued and twisted to fit the desired narrative of people.
Adunni’s annoyance is spurred by her recent interview on Channels TV on the program Morning Brief’, where she spoke about how she gets pressured to speak the Yoruba language.
The actress was born to a German-American mother and a Nigerian father of Yoruba descent.
The mother of two said that she prefers English which is the official language, stressing that all the other languages should be put aside.
Adunni Ade said in a now viral clip: “Speaking Yoruba is draining, sometimes it irks my nerves. The first language that we know in Nigeria is English. Let’s put all the other languages aside.”
“Some are even rude with it. I really know what it is. I don’t see how that will make them feel better. Maybe they just want to hear me speak Yoruba,”
She appreciated her father who brought her to Nigeria to learn the culture, language and everything Nigerian.
Adunni’s words were however misinterpreted by a blogger who reported that she said: “Speaking Yoruba is draining and hurts her nerves.”
Clearing the air on Wednesday, Adunni Ade reposted the video on instagram.
She wrote: “These are the issues. This is one major reason why I avoid interviews. Everything I say is always twisted and interpreted negatively. The full interview is on @channelstelevision YouTube channel.
“A few minutes of your time to watch would have cleared this. @omalians_crib is this what you got from the video you posted? Why change the narrative? Why cut the clip to favor your page? I never said speaking Yoruba erks my nerves.
“I said people asking me randomly (most times rudely) erks my nerves. If you’ve ever come in contact with me and do speak Yoruba, you can attest to it that I’d rather communicate with you in Yoruba but when in a certain gathering, I prefer to stay professional and speak in the the country’s first language. One thing I have always avoided saying publicly is the fact that a lot of y’all h@te me for no reason.
“A lot of yall have an issue with my existence good or bad. Please note, I am not dragging position, title, culture, nationality or language with anyone. I’m just living my life trying to be the best being and mother to my children. @channelstelevision what I told yall I was avoiding still happened. Please watch full interview on their YouTube channel. It’s always love from this end.”
[TheNation]
Africa’s highest ranked table-tennis player, Aruna Quadri on Wednesday won a second medal for Nigeria at the ongoing 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana.
This was after the 35-year-old Quadri fell 4-3 to Egypt’s Omar Assar in the final of the men’s table tennis singles event.
The contest between the two rivals lived up to expectations as they thrilled the audience with breathtaking skills.
Assar took the first set 11-8, while Quadri who is currently the world number 14 ranked player, bounced back to claim the second and third 11-2, 11-2.
The Egyptian clinched the fourth set 11-7 before Aruna won the fifth set 11-9.
Assar then won the last two sets 11-9, 11-0 to claim the gold medal.
Offiong Edem won Nigeria’s first medal on Tuesday when she clinched the bronze medal in the women’s singles event.
(NAN)
LEICESTER City manager Enzo Maresca is a very happy man following the return to fitness of Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.
The Foxes claimed their first win in four Championship matches last night, beating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light as Ndidi was introduced in the second half.
The Nigeria midfielder had been out since December, missing out on the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Cote d’Ivoire.
Ndidi’s muscle injury also ruled him out of 10 Leicester City fixtures, four of which they lost.
Last night’s away victory kept Leicester City on top of the English second-tier, three points clear of second-placed Ipswich and five of third-placed Leeds United, with the first two spots guaranteed promotion to the Premier League.
“It’s an important win,” Maresca said in his post-match interview. “Especially after three defeats in a row. Sometimes you have to win games in an ugly way. [In the] first half we were quite good, in the second half we suffered, but in this moment, the win is so important.
“The first half, especially the first half an hour, was unbelievable. We had many chances, we missed and we have struggled to score goals in these games. But at the end, it was important to win the game.”
It was a welcome return for Ndidi in midfield, the Nigeria international managing 20 minutes in his first appearance since the end of December.
“I’m very happy. We need him, Wilf is so important to us so it’s good to have him back,” Maresca added.
[NaijaTimes]
Jude Bellingham has been banned for two LaLiga games for “contemptuous or disrespectful attitudes towards a referee” after he received a red card in the aftermath of Real Madrid’s controversial 2-2 draw at Valencia, Spain’s competition committee confirmed on Wednesday.
The England international was shown a red card for arguing with referee Jesús Gil Manzano, who had already blown his whistle moments before Bellingham scored what would have been a game-winning header.
The referee’s post-match report said Bellingham had shown an “aggressive attitude” and allegedly shouted “It’s a f—ing goal” repeatedly.
The Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee handed Bellingham a two-game ban – the minimum possible for the offence, under its rules – on Wednesday, for what it called “attitudes of disrespect or a lack of consideration towards the referee,” with a €700 fine for the club, and €600 for the player.
In evidence to the committee, Madrid argued that Bellingham had not displayed an aggressive attitude, saying that the player had only spoken once to the referee, and denied that his words were offensive or insulting.
The committee found that the club had not proven their case beyond doubt based on the evidence presented, and so the body consequently had to accept the referee’s interpretation of Bellingham’s conduct.
Bellingham will miss Madrid’s LaLiga games against Celta Vigo on Sunday and Osasuna on March 16, returning for their match with Athletic Club on March 31.
He is set to feature for Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, as they host RB Leipzig in the second leg at the Bernabéu.
Bellingham is also one yellow card away from a possible one-match suspension in the Champions League after picking up two already this season.
[Leadership]
Mohamed Salah has given Liverpool a major boost after the Egypt star travelled to Sparta Prague for Thursday’s Europa League clash following his recent injury lay-off.
Salah joined his Liverpool teammates on the flight to Prague after missing the previous four games due to muscle fatigue.
The 31-year-old has played just 46 minutes for Liverpool since leaving the Africa Cup of Nations early when he sustained a hamstring injury in a group-stage game against Ghana in January.
Salah’s substitute appearance came against Brentford on February 17, the forward scoring at the Gtech Community Stadium before subsequently being sidelined with a muscle issue.
He trained with the rest of the Liverpool squad on Wednesday and could feature in the last 16 first-leg meeting with Sparta.
Salah’s availability is significant for Reds boss Jurgen Klopp ahead of Sunday’s seismic showdown with Manchester City in the Premier League.
Second-placed City will arrive at Anfield one point behind leaders Liverpool in a tense title race.
Quadruple-chasing Liverpool won the League Cup final against Chelsea without Salah and also beat Luton, Southampton and Nottingham Forest in his absence.
But having Salah back is a huge lift for Liverpool heading into the decisive final weeks of Klopp’s last season in charge.
The Egyptian has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, including 15 in 21 league games.
Klopp has taken his strongest available squad to Prague, with the likes of Darwin Nunez and Wataru Endo in contention to start after coming on as substitutes in last weekend’s win at Forest.
[DailyTrust]
Actress Biodun Okeowo, popularly known as Omoborty, has humorously considered giving her daughter, Ifeoluwa, up for adoption over her excessive birthday wish list.
In anticipation of her daughter’s upcoming birthday, the mother of two shared a video of herself and her daughter having a chit-chat concerning her birthday.
In the video, the mother and daughter were seen arguing over the price of the customised gold chain she wanted for her birthday.
Captioning the video, Biodun questioned if she was Dangote as she lamented over the wish list.
She asserted that she is done being a Nigerian mother again, adding that she is ready to give Ifeoluwa away.
She claimed that her daughter, Ifeoluwa, is too expensive and that she is contemplating getting pregnant and having another daughter.
“How come I never posted this video? It’s going to be my favourite person’s birthday in a few days, Omo! You guys need to see the wish list this girl sent to me. When I’m not Dangote, @okeowoifeoluwa_
She wrote: “Please, I’m not doing Nigeria mother again; I’m giving her away for free. I’m planning on getting pregnant and having another baby girl. Madam Ifeoluwa is just too expensive for me. She’s up for adoption. Let me see your hand in the comment section if you’re interested in adopting her.”
[TheNation]
Nigerian music icon, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia, and his manager, Efe Omorogbe, have announced the end of their partnership of over 20 years under the latter’s ‘Now Muzik’ management company.
The formal separation was revealed through Now Muzik’s Facebook page on Wednesday, and it takes effect immediately.
Omorogbe, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Now Muzik expressed gratitude for the collaborative journey with 2Baba.
“I am grateful to 2baba for the trust, and for the friendship. I am proud of the brands we built together, the music we made; the fans we entertained. 2Baba is one of the greatest Nigerian musicians of all time and it really is an honour to have had the opportunity to walk side by side with him, watching and helping him make magic over the past two decades.
“My team and I look forward to now supporting from the sidelines, and continuing to advocate for any and everything 2Baba,” Omorogbe stated.
Omorogbe acknowledged the milestones achieved during their collaboration, resulting in a significant contribution to the growth of Nigeria and Africa’s entertainment industry.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to achieve major milestones working with 2Baba over the last two decades. These achievements have defined an era and validated our collective contributions to the growth of the entertainment industry in Africa. For this, we are extremely proud,” he added.
2Baba, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to Omorogbe and the Now Muzik team for their role in his career success.
“I know it’s a cliche but every good thing must come to an end. I owe a lot of my career success to Efe and his team at Now Muzik.
“Everything I’ve been able to achieve is as a result of the support of so many people and organisations working with me to bring my talent and vision to life. Now Muzik is one of such companies and I couldn’t be more grateful to them.”
The music icon, who joined Now Muzik in 2004 after departing The Plantashun Boiz, will now be managed by his own imprint ‘Hypertek Digital.’
Now Muzik was founded by Omorogbe in 1994 during his days at the University of Lagos, in partnership with Sammy Odins-Odihirin and the late Fredrick Ayalogu.
Touched by the pitiable state of three children whose mother ran into a moving vehicle and was crushed to death, the wife of Enugu state governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, has undertaken to sponsor their education.
She announced that the scholarship is to be undertaken through her Custos Care Foundation, when she paid an unscheduled visit to Ogui Police station, Enugu, where the children were kept in custody.
It was gathered that the woman, whose identity was not known and was obviously suffering from depression, dropped her three children at the Police station, stripped herself naked and ran into a moving vehicle which crushed her to death, leaving the children who are below six years.
The eldest of the children, when asked about their father, said their father got lost. She could not give any other information about their family, their town or residential address.
It was also gathered that Mrs Mbah, on getting the information, went straight to Ogui Police station after the celebration of the 2024 International Women’s Day held on March 2, to see the children. She announced sponsorship of the children’s education from nursery school to university level and directed the immediate relocation of the children from Ogui Police station to a home where the state government will take care of them.
Mrs Mbah urged people who were depressed to seek help and go for counseling to avoid taking drastic decisions. She also urged the Commissioner for Ministry of Children, Gender and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih,to intensify sensitisation and counselling of people, especially depressed persons to help them come out of the situation.
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The ex-Cool FM OAP counselled his gender not to look for a praying spouse.
Men have mouth to pray for themselves, he said, giving reasons.
Instead, he advised them to look for a lady who is sincere, devoted, kind, ambitious, and morally upright.
According to him, it helps reduce prayer points.
This is coming following the marital crisis between Israel DMW and his estranged wife Sheila Courage.
Taking to his Instagram page, he wrote,
“When searching for a wife stop searching for a praying wife, you have a mouth, pray for yourself (Mat 6:6) Instead search for an Honest, Faithful, Considerate, Driver, and righteous wife. E dey reduce prayer points”.
See some reactions to his post,
Bitcoin Chief wrote, “You’ve said it all
Oge Snazzy wrote, “You didn’t say it on time, juju already found Sheila and she has left him to be shouting online
Fikun Ademii wrote, “I used to tell people don’t put religion before life choices. Look for more qualities……”.
Avenue Official wrote, “First thing this man has ever said I’ll agree with. And probably the last thing. Although it is imperative a woman covers her husband in prayers. But that’s not the only criteria for choosing a partner. There are other crucial factors to consider.
A cloud of despair and grief has enveloped Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, following the untimely death of a brilliant fresh graduate of the tertiary institution.
The deceased, one Ezekiel Mary Ogechi, met her end on Tuesday in the most unfortunate and tragic circumstance after she was crushed to death by a tanker.
The incident happened in front of the institution just after the deceased, who studied accounting at the Polytechnic, completed her academic clearance that would see her get mobilised for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The joyous Ogechi, who was already relishing the prospect of serving her fatherland before the grim reaper struck, was said to be a straight-A student as she graduated with distinction in accounting and was also a source of inspiration for a her contemporaries.
It was learnt that she already received a scholarship from an organization to do a post-graduate course.
Narrating what transpired, a source who was privy to the incident disclosed that the deceased was knocked down by a tricycle before she was subsequently crushed to death by a fast moving heavy-duty truck.
“Unfortunately, she was hit by a tricycle while trying to cross to the other side of the road; before she could get up, she was then crushed by a fast moving truck,” the source said.
The incident has created apprehension and uncertainty in the school as other enraged students of the Polytechnic mobilised for a protest.
The tension was douse and frayed nerves were calmed after the students’ union stepped in to placate the seething students.
“The management of the Abia State Polytechnic and the Students Union Government of the institution saved the day as the angry students were begged to calm down,” Daily Post quoted the source to have said.
The Polytechnic has not yet issued a statement about the development as of the time of filing this report.
The spokesperson of the Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, has also not reacted to tragic incident.
Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor, has been served an impeachment notice from the Edo State House of Assembly.
Shaibu’s impeachment notice maybe connected to do with his confrontation with state governor Godwin Obaseki, which ended with him losing the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primary.
Earlier, Shaibu had said there was a plot to remove him from office and blamed it on his desire to become governor
He was elected during a parallel primary election conducted in his residence in Benin City, the state capital.
Asue Ighodalo was also announced winner of another PDP primary exercise which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
The embattled deputy governor had said: “Even as we speak, my team has been calling me that, ‘Look at what these people are doing’.
“They are saying they are going to impeach you, that you have gotten too far.’ They are threatening to impeach me.”
Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris has distributed 24 Toyota Jeeps to members of the House of Assembly.
Nasir Idris made this known as he shared photos on his X handle on Wednesday, March 6.
He wrote: “I am honored to fulfill my promise by distributing 24 First Class Toyota Jeeps to the dedicated members of the Kebbi State House of Assembly for their official engagements. Today, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, I personally presented these vehicles, expressing gratitude for the Assembly’s cooperation and understanding. The harmonious working relationship between the Executive Arm and the Assembly has been paramount.
“In the spirit of collaboration, I joined the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usman Muhammad Ankwe, in a test drive of the Jeep allocated to him. Let this be a symbol of our commitment to serving the people of Kebbi State diligently.”