The governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that he is not obsessed with power.
According to him, he does not exercise absolute power in controlling the people of the state but plays the role of a watcher over its affairs for the betterment of its citizens.

The governor opined that those who seek absolute power, eventually become obsessed with it and end up trampling on the rights of the people.

He stated this at a child’s dedication service at the Royal House of Grace International Church in Rumueme Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State on Sunday.

According to him, “For us, by the special grace of God, He has placed us, today, to watch over the affairs, not to control, but watch over the affairs of this State. I am not controlling, but watching the affairs, and I will watch through the fear of God.

“I will watch, understanding that one day, I will leave and account for the way I had watched over the affairs for all of us.

“It’s when you are of the mind of controlling power, that you will become obsessed. But when you are watching, you know that one day, you will leave, and another will take over.

“So, I will watch with the fear of God, and I will make every one of you proud. I will make a difference in leadership, and that difference will be to give everybody the opportunity to be free in this State.”

Fubara asserted that no administration in the State has ever been subjected to the ordeals it is experiencing but stressed that the confidence to pull through is rooted in the spirit to stand in the strength of God continually.

“No man is more powerful than God. And even the heart of that wicked and heartless man, or whatever you want to call it, is in the palm of God’s hand.

“It’s like a water that God turns in directions He wants. So, it’s only God that will continue to help us. And I know that He will lead us to a successful end.

“Nothing happens without God. He is a perfect designer. Before anything happens, He knows the end from the beginning. He already knows where he is going,” he added.

Governor Fubara, who urged the church to continue to pray for his administration because God has already taken charge, said Rivers State and its people are truly liberated by God.

The Governor, while assuring of upholding what is right and just for the interest of the State, on behalf of the State Government, donated the sum of ₦100million support to the church.

Former Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, on Sunday, reacted to the viral video of Victor Osimhen on social media, where he denied accusations of faking an injury to avoid participation in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Naija News had earlier reported that Osimhen, on Saturday, in an Instagram Live, disclosed that the claims about him staging an injury to skip national team duties were false.

In the video, Osimhen addressed some rumours linked to Finidi George, claiming that the former Enyimba gaffer said that he won’t beg him [Osimhen] to play for the Super Eagles.

Osimhen attacked the former Super Eagles coach, stating that he has lost respect for him.

The controversy prompted Nigerian sports journalist, Colin Udoh to seek clarification from both the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and Finidi George.

Udoh reached out to senior NFF officials, who confirmed that Finidi never accused Osimhen of feigning an injury.

Udoh also revealed that he reached out to Finidi, who refuted ever making such a statement and expected Osimhen to have handled the situation differently.

Udoh said on Instagram, “So I called a couple of people who were at that meeting between Finidi, the NFF, and the minister to find out if what is alleged to have been said was actually said, and so these people are usually very, very senior and reliable people and I was told categorically that Finidi did not say the things he’s alleged to have said.

“He did not say he wasn’t going to beg Osimhen. He did not say that Osimhem was not committed. in fact, he did confirm when he was asked about Osimhen’s absence that he called him from Germany, and that’s why he was excused.

“It was when the issue of player’s commitment was raised; that’s why he said he would not beg anybody to play for the Super Eagles, but he did not mention any player by name, specifically.

“And so, I also called Finidi himself to ask him if that was the case and he also confirmed to me that he never said any of those things.

“In fact, he corroborated what the other gentleman had told me and that he would have no reason to call out any player, whether in public or in private, and that he would address issues with the players themselves if there were any issues.

“And then, as soon as the video was brought to his attention, he said he reached out to Osimhen and let him know that one, he never said those things, and two, even if he had, Osimhen should have reached out to him first to find out if he did say, what he was alleged to have said, rather than going, public with such disrespect.”

The Presidency has reacted to a report published in the New York Times criticising the Nigerian economy as facing the worst trajectory in a generation.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, responded on Sunday to the report by Ruth Maclean and Ismail Auwal.

According to the Presidency, the feature story, titled ‘Nigeria Confronts Its Worst Economic Crisis in a Generation’ and published on June 11, reflected the typical predetermined, reductionist, derogatory, and denigrating way foreign media establishments have reported on African countries for decades.

Onanuga stated that due to the ‘misleading’ slant of the report, the government needed to clear up some misconceptions conveyed by the reporters regarding the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which took office at the end of May 2023.

He noted that the report painted a dire picture of some Nigerians’ experiences amid the inflationary spiral of the last year and unfairly blamed it all on the new administration’s policies.

He argued that the report, based on several interviews, is at best jaundiced, portraying all gloom and doom without mentioning the positive aspects of the economy or the amelioration policies being implemented by the central and state governments.

Onanuga emphasized that Tinubu did not create the economic problems Nigeria faces today but inherited them.

“As a respected economist in our country once put it, Tinubu inherited a dead economy.

“The economy was bleeding and needed quick surgery to avoid being plunged into the abyss, as happened in Zimbabwe and Venezuela,” he noted.

He explained that this context led to the policy direction taken by the government in May/June 2023, including the abrogation of the fuel subsidy regime and the unification of the multiple exchange rates.

Onanuga highlighted that Nigeria had maintained a fuel subsidy regime for decades, which consumed $84.39 billion between 2005 and 2022 from the public treasury, in a country with significant infrastructural deficits and a high need for better social services.

He also alleged that the state oil firm, NNPCL, had accumulated trillions of Naira in debts due to unsustainable subsidy payments.

He noted that when Tinubu took office, no provision was made for fuel subsidy payments in the national budget beyond June 2023.

“The budget itself had a striking feature: it planned to spend 97 per cent of revenue servicing debt, with little left for recurrent or capital expenditure. The previous government had resorted to massive borrowing to cover such costs.”

Onanuga further explained that like oil, the exchange rate was also subsidized by the government, with an estimated $1.5 billion spent monthly by the CBN to defend the currency against the unquenchable demand for the dollar.

“This low rate led to arbitrage and failures to fulfil remittance obligations to airlines and other foreign businesses, drying up foreign direct investment and investments in the oil sector.

“To address these issues, Tinubu rolled back the subsidy regime and floated the naira on his first day”, Onanuga said.

Despite initial challenges, Onanuga noted that some stability is being restored, with the exchange rate now below N1500 to the dollar and prospects for further appreciation.

He cited a trade surplus of N6.52 trillion in Q1, as opposed to a deficit of N1.4 trillion in Q4 of 2023, and renewed interest from portfolio investors as indicators of improving economic confidence. Loans from the World Bank, AfDB, and Afreximbank are also contributing to Nigeria’s renewed bankability.

Onanuga highlighted efforts to control inflation, especially food inflation, through increased agricultural production and state-led initiatives to sell food at lower prices.

“The Tinubu administration has invested heavily in dry-season farming and provided incentives to farmers.”

He concluded by comparing Nigeria’s economic challenges with those faced by the USA and Europe, emphasizing that the Tinubu administration is working hard to overcome these difficulties.

“Our country faced economic difficulties in the past, an experience captured in folk songs. Just like we overcame then, we shall overcome our present difficulties very soon.”

A 45-year-old woman, Abiodun, popularly known as “Iya Sunday,” poured petrol on her 86-year-old mother and set her ablaze in Ondo State, alleging she is behind her predicament. 

The incident occurred at Surulere, an area opposite Anglican Cathedral Church in the Ondo West local government area of the state on Friday, June 14, 2024. 

It was gathered that the victim, whose name is yet to be confirmed, sustained first-degree burns, affecting her from head to toe and currently receiving treatment in a hospital

According to an eyewitness, the daughter of the octogenarian visited her mother at home around 5 am on Friday, alleging the old woman of being behind her spiritual predicament before setting her mother on fire.

“What happened between them before the incident we don’t know, but the suspect has been arrested by police at the Enu-Owa division for further investigation,” the eyewitness said. 

The suspect, Abiodun, while speaking on the incident confirmed she set her mother on fire and did the act intentionally because she was told that her mother was behind her predicament. 

"I went to my mother’s house around 4 a.m. and sat outside. When it was 5 a.m., I called out my mother from the house. Immediately after she came out, not knowing what was happening, I poured petrol on her body and set her on fire. 

"I went to one pastor for prayer, and he told me that my mother is behind what is happening to me. I did not believe it at first. My mother also took me somewhere to see a woman. After my mother left, the woman also told me the same thing.

“I burnt my mother because of what I heard from the pastor and the woman, that I can only be free from bondage when my mother is dead.”

A police source at Enu-Owa police station who confirmed the incident said the suspect has been arrested and the case would be transferred to the Police headquarters in Akure for further investigation.

The tripartite committee established by the federal government to review the minimum wage has urged labour unions to reassess their wage demands. 

Speaking with NAN on Sunday, Bukar Aji, the committee’s chairman, asked labour to reconsider their position based on economic factors and the non-monetary incentives provided by the government.

Aji highlighted several incentives of the government, including the N35,000 wage award for all treasury-paid federal workers, N100 billion for gas-fuelled buses and gas kit conversions, a N125 billion conditional grant, financial inclusion for small and medium enterprises, and a N25,000 monthly stipend for 15 million households over three months.

He also listed the N185 billion in palliative loans to states to mitigate the effects of petrol subsidy removal, N200 billion to boost agricultural production, N75 billion to strengthen the manufacturing sector, and N1 trillion for student loans, among other interventions.

Aji called on the labour unions to consider accepting the N62,000 minimum wage offered by the federal government.

He said the committee is trying to avert a situation where the minimum wage would lead to further job losses, especially as many businesses are already struggling.

BACKGROUND

In January 2024, the federal government inaugurated a 37-member tripartite committee on the national minimum wage.

The committee was tasked with the responsibility of recommending a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

Over the past few months, the federal and state governments, organised labour and representatives of the private sector have been deliberating on a mutually acceptable sum.

However, the demand by organised labour is yet to be met.

On June 3, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on a nationwide strike to protest the federal government’s inability to meet their demand.

Twenty-four hours later, the labour unions “relaxed” the strike by one week.

Both unions had earlier proposed N615,500 and N494,000, respectively, as the new minimum wage, which the federal government said was unrealistic.

On June 7, the federal government increased its offer from N60,000 to N62,000, while the labour unions insisted on N250,000.

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the church to question the wealth sources of politicians making donations to support evangelism.

Osinbajo spoke on Saturday at the inaugural lecture in honour of the late senior pastor of Fountain Life Church Taiwo Odukoya.

The lecture titled ‘Strengthening the Christian voice in government or public office’ was held at the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Osinbajo admonished the church to teach good values that Christians can hold on to when they find themselves in public service.

“How often do those who receive money from politicians and from other sources ask the source of the money? the former vice-president asked.

“So the question is not how many Christians are in government, business, or professions? The question is, what are they equipped with?

“What are the relevant principles of the gospel that they know and apply in their daily and professional or public lives?”

Tolu Odukoya, associate senior pastor of the church, said the lecture would carry on the legacy of empowerment of her late father.

“It is with great joy and a sense of gratitude that I welcome you all to the inaugural Daniel Odukoya lecture,” Tolu said.

“Today marks the beginning of a significant tradition in our church, a tribute to my father, our father, the founding father of the Fountain of Life Church.”

Ben Akabueze, director-general (DG) of the budget office of the federation, who delivered the lecture, emphasised the need for Christians in power to uphold good tenets.

“In today’s world, governments operate in a diverse and pluralistic society, thus diversity is reflected not only in the cultural and ethnic background but also in the multiplicities of world views,” Akabueze said

“Christianity co-exists alongside other faiths and circular perspectives, these diversities necessitate a respectful and collaborative approach to governance.

“It is important for Christians to engage with respect and understanding towards other faiths, which should not mean compromising one’s belief but rather, finding ways to express such belief.

He urged Christians in power to ask for forgiveness and retrace their step when they derail.

“I encourage each of you to step into leadership roles, your presence and voice in these spaces can make a profound difference,” he added.

“No one is invaluable and leaders will make mistakes, Christians in public office should demonstrate humility and the willingness to seek forgiveness.”

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to “ensure that his government’s proposed bill on new minimum wage for Nigerian workers is entirely consistent and compatible with Nigeria’s international obligations to promote and advance the right of workers to an adequate living wage.”

The president had in his Democracy Day Speech on June 12 stated that “We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine the new minimum wage as part of our law for the next five years or less.”

In the letter dated 15 June 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “the reportedly proposed level of the minimum wage in the executive bill is grossly inadequate and falls short of the requirements of international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.”

SERAP said, “The executive bill should reflect the international standards that Nigerian workers should be provided, at a minimum, with a living wage, in accordance with costs of living.”

According to SERAP, “As you and your government know, Nigerian workers face many human rights challenges. Most of the people living in poverty work, yet they do not earn a wage sufficient to afford an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families.”

The letter, read in part: “Any proposed minimum wage that fails to guarantee a life in dignity for Nigerian workers and their families would be entirely inconsistent and incompatible with international standards.”

“Successive governments have persistently and systematically violated these guarantees. Millions of Nigerian workers remain poor due mainly to low wages and a lack of social security and social protection.”

“If your government sends to the National Assembly any bill which fails to meet the requirements of international standards, and the bill is then passed into law, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“The proposed recommendations are not unrealistic, as they are based on Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. Human rights are not a matter of charity. Upholding Nigeria’s international obligations regarding the right of workers to an adequate living wage would protect the purchasing power of workers in poverty.”

“The preparation of the executive bill provides you and your government an important opportunity to respect, protect, promote and advance the rights of Nigerian workers to an adequate living wage and fair remuneration.”

“We urge you to take concrete steps to defend the rights of Nigerian workers to an adequate living wage.”

“This would ensure that the proposed executive bill protects not only against absolute poverty but also against relative poverty, as a source of social exclusion.”

“Your government has legal obligations to reflect these guarantees in any executive bill on the new minimum wage to be sent to the National Assembly.”

“The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights imposes clear legal obligations on your government to ensure and uphold the right of Nigerian workers to an adequate living wage that would ensure a decent standard of living for the workers and their families.”

“We urge you to put the country’s resources at the service of human rights, and to advance Nigerian workers’ right to an adequate living wage by immediately cutting the cost of governance and implementing bold transparency and accountability measures in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).”

“We urge you and your government to urgently propose cuts in the huge budgetary allocations to fund security votes, jumbo salaries and allowances paid to members of the National Assembly, and unlawful life pensions to former governors and their deputies.”

“We also urge you and your government to immediately and fully recover missing public funds from MDAs, as documented in the several reports published by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

“These would enable you and your government to effectively comply with Nigeria’s international legal obligations regarding workers’ right to an adequate living wage.”

“Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969, to which Nigeria is a state party provides that ‘[A] party may not invoke the provisions of its internal as justification for its failure to perform a treaty.’”

“The minimum wage setting must take into consideration the relative living standards of other social groups and economic factors, including the requirements of economic development.”

“This means that the level of wages to be proposed in the executive bill takes into account the current cost of living in the country, to ensure that it is sufficient to enable the worker and his or her family to enjoy other rights such as health care, education and an adequate standard of living.”

“SERAP urges you to ensure that the proposed executive bill sets the minimum wage at a level that corresponds to the ‘living wage’, allowing Nigerian workers and their families to achieve an adequate standard of living.”

“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are reflected in the proposed executive bill.”

“According to our information, you stated in your Democracy Day Speech on June 12 2024 that your government is finalising an executive bill on the new minimum wage which is set to be sent to the National Assembly.”

“Under article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 7 (a) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, all Nigerian workers have the right to a remuneration which provides them, as a minimum, with fair wages and a decent living for themselves and their families.”

“In the preamble of its Constitution, ILO calls for ‘an adequate living wage’, and in the Declaration concerning the aims and purposes of the International Labour Organization, ILO affirms its ‘solemn obligation’ to promote ‘policies in regard to wages and earnings, calculated to ensure a minimum living wage to all employed and in need of such protection’.”

“In article 3 of the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131), ILO requires that minimum wage setting take into consideration ‘the needs of workers and their families, taking into account the general level of wages in the country, the cost of living, social security benefits.’”

In a recent interview with Vangurd Newspaper, Chief Iyiola Ajani Omisore, the immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), revealed that the party spent approximately N9 billion on legal fees for 10,000 cases arising from its congresses.

Omisore, who served as a senator between 2003 and 2011 and was the Deputy Governor of Osun State from 1999 to 2003, discussed various issues concerning the party and the nation, including the 2022 APC presidential primary and the challenges faced by the party during its congresses.

Addressing the controversies surrounding the 2022 APC presidential primary, where then-National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu allegedly opposed the emergence of President Bola Tinubu as the candidate, Omisore stated that his mandate was to deliver the South-West for the presidency, which he successfully achieved. He emphasized that politics is about upholding one’s interest and delivering on objectives.

Omisore also shed light on the legal challenges faced by the APC during its congresses, stating that the party secretariat had a deficit of about N9 billion and was dealing with 10,000 court cases related to the congresses alone. He stressed the importance of conducting transparent primaries to minimize legal disputes and ensure the party’s success in the general elections.

Despite the numerous court cases, Omisore said the party had to move forward with its presidential convention, focusing on conducting a democratic process within the limited timeframe available. He noted that the APC’s transparency in its primaries contributed to its victory in the governorship elections.

Regarding the ongoing minimum wage negotiations, Omisore advised the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the government to find a resolution through engagement and negotiation. He emphasized that the government must consider the available resources and inflation trends while striving to provide a reasonable wage for workers.

As the nation grapples with various challenges, Omisore expressed optimism about Nigeria’s progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. He highlighted the president’s efforts to engage with stakeholders, make bold decisions, and address issues such as poverty alleviation and power supply.

The family of the late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Super TV, Mr Usifo Ataga, has raised the alarm that some powerful people were out to compromise the outcome of investigations into the circumstances leading to his death.

It was alleged that those behind the moves might be working surreptitiously to extricate the main suspect in the case, Miss Chidinma Ojukwu from complicity in the murder trial.

Ojukwu and one Adedapo Quadri are currently standing trial for the gruesome murder of Ataga in Lagos on June 15, 2021.

Also docked for the murder is the cousin of Ojukwu, one Chioma Egbuchu, who is accused of stealing Ataga’s iPhone 7 after his (Ataga’s) murder.

A source familiar with the court proceedings stated that the general feeling amongst family and friends is the alleged notion that the trial may be compromised with respect to the autopsy and forensic reports, and the investigation generally.

The source claimed that the family’s suspicion became stronger from the testimony of a former Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor John Obafunwa.

Family members monitoring the trial were said to have alluded to the testimony of Prof. Obafunwa at a sitting of a state High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square that the samples he gave to perform a post-mortem examination on the body of Ataga, were possibly manipulated having been delayed for over a year before it was returned to him, setting off alarm signals to their fears.

According to the source, the family felt that the investigators were tardy, and for a long time, the Lagos State Government kept promising that it would do all that was necessary to ensure the proper investigation of the matter including paying for proper forensic analysis outside the country.

“Apparently and to the dismay of the family, this did not happen as the government kept procrastinating and the case only moved ahead after the family of the late Ataga paid for the forensics to be done overseas”, the source disclosed.

Speaking to reporters after the last hearing date, Counsel from A & J law firm, Ms. J. Ugegbe, holding watching brief on behalf of the Ataga family stated that “the family is urging relevant authorities to ensure that justice prevails at the end of the day for their son and brother, who was gruesomely killed in his prime by some heartless and soulless individuals.

“For the family, it is their firm belief that justice can only be attained through meticulous and diligent prosecution of the case and one of the means for attaining that is through forensic approach and this is the reason why the family is calling for caution by all,” she said.