State governors and the private sector have reportedly rejected the ₦62,000 new national minimum wage proposed by the federal government.

Naija News earlier reported that the Federal Government had increased its new national minimum wage offer from ₦60,000 to ₦62,000.

On the other hand, organised labour has also reduced its demand from ₦494,000 to ₦250,000.

However, findings by Punch have indicated that while the Federal Government may be ready to accept ₦65,000 as the new minimum wage, governors and the organised private sector insist that any figure above ₦57,000 may not be sustainable.

According to insiders, the governors’ major argument is that the states would be left with nothing for developmental projects if they accepted a minimum wage above ₦57,000, as they would have to pay a large chunk of their resources as wages to workers.

However, the negotiation for a new minimum wage is far from over as Organised Labour and the Federal Government continue to make offers and counter-offers.

A governor from the South who spoke with the aforementioned publication lamented how he would use huge amounts to pay less than 200,000 civil servants in the state, who did not constitute more than five percent of the population.

Organised Private Sector also accused the federal government of making decisions without consulting them.

“The FG has literally shaved our heads in our absence. Though we had nominal representations, they were not allowed to come back to us for proper consultation,” said a manufacturer in Lagos who craved anonymity

Also, documents seen with one of the governors who is a member of the negotiation team show the states’ precarious financial status and their inability to pay anything above the ₦57,000 they proposed alongside the private sector.

One of the documents, which was released by the secretariat of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum and titled, ‘Comparative Analysis of States Gross Allocation Between Subsidy and Non-Subsidy Regimes (January – December 2023)’, showed the gross income received by states from the Federation Account.

A prominent member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assertion of continuing former President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies, describing it as a mere extension of problematic governance.

In a recent interview with Saturday Sun in Abuja, Galadima argued that Tinubu’s commitment to uphold Buhari’s policies contradicts his administration’s current stance of distancing itself from the challenges facing the nation.

According to Galadima, President Tinubu clarified during his campaign that his administration would build on his predecessor’s policies.

Therefore, Tinubu and his cabinet’s recent attempts to blame the previous administration for the current economic woes are deemed misleading.

“President Tinubu should own up to the responsibilities of his office, having stated his intent to follow Buhari’s footsteps. It is unfair to now place the blame on Buhari’s doorstep,” Galadima asserted.

Galadima, a former ally of the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, said: “I don’t want politicians to do blame game. Of course, everybody knew that Buhari has destroyed this country in so many facets, but especially the economy and security. Everybody knows that. It is not news. But equally, Tinubu has told us that he was going to build on what Buhari left behind. So, that is the only promise he made, that he was going to start from where Buhari stopped. He can’t blame Buhari. He has already taken responsibility for what Buhari has done.”

He also explained why he would continue to oppose the establishment of state police in the country. He said: “You know you young men, you thought it is pleasure, including governors, because they didn’t know. Most of them didn’t know when there was native authority police. If you see a Hausa man in China or in the United States who migrated, it was because of the use of state police in Kano and Jigawa against citizens. These governors, when they allow state police to take root, they will be the first victims because their successors will ban them from entering their own states. Just imagine a Fubara or a Ganduje, when he was governor, having state police…”

Galadima said those accusing Tinubu of nepotism were wrong, saying that the presidential system encourages nepotism, even in the United States.

According to Galadima, “As far as I am concerned, we are running a presidential system of government. It is at the pleasure of the man in office that he should hire those that he personally believes can assist him deliver the dividends of democracy. What will be bad is that if those he hires have no knowledge, have no capacity and don’t understand anything and he puts them there to help run the economy or the security of the country aground. But as far as I am concerned, I don’t care, any Nigerian, as I said during Obasanjo, and I said also during Buhari. So, Tinubu is no exception. He can hire anybody that he believes can help him deliver dividends of democracy.

“You don’t know that United States President Kennedy made his brother, same father, same mother, the Attorney-General of the US? Do you know that Bush was an Ambassador under Richard Nixon and when he became President; his son was also a governor in another state? And when he left, his son contested for presidency and became President of the United States? So, if we are doing as it is done in the United States, done in Europe, why do we blame somebody because he appoints his brother, or his people, or his tribe or his religion? What we should demand of them is accountability and good governance.”

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma on Friday expressed optimism that the minimum wage offer of N62,000 jointly proposed by the federal government and Organised Private Sector (OPS) will become law.

Organised Labour on Tuesday (June 4, 2024) called off their industrial action in what they described as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to a higher national minimum wage above the N60,000 earlier proposed.

However, THE WHISTLER reported that although OPS and the federal government proposed the sum of N62,000 a 3.33 per cent increase from the earlier N60,000 rejected.

The Organised labour again rejected the amount, insisting on N250,000 as the new minimum wage for Nigerians.

But Uzodinma while answering questions shortly after the tripartite committee meeting for minimum wage in Abuja said, “We expect what happened in 2018, to repeat itself”. 

Recall in 2018, the OPS and Organised Labour proposed N30,000 while the federal government under the administration of Former President Muhammadu Buhari proposed N24,000.

The two figures went to the president as a recommendation for his consideration for onward transmission to the National Assembly for it to become a law and the majority proposal of N30,000 was enacted.

In the same vein, Uzodinma said, “We were able to engage the critical stakeholders at the committee by the end of the day.

“Out of the three parties involved, the OPS, government and organised labour we met and two parties have agreed to go with N62,000, as of yesterday (Thursday) Labour insisted on N494,000 today they came down to N250,000.

“Among the three parties, two have come to be the majority. So, the majority will always have their way and the minority can have their say.

“Arising from what happened in 2018, when the government lost after offering N24,000 and OPS and Labour offered N30,000. When the recommendation got to the then-president, he approved and took the opposition party.

“In the same margin, we expect when this gets to the president he will also take the majority position”.

Weighing in on the minimum wage disparity, the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on National New minimum wage, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji said the two recommendations would be sent to the president to act on.

He said, “In the last four months, the issue of the new national minimum wage has been the topic discussed everywhere A lot of work has gone into it, the plenary meeting today is our 12th meeting”.

“And the recommendation today came as a deeper understanding and studies of all the economic indices. Caution has been displayed so that a figure that will further throw the country into confusion is not allowed.

“This is because the very moment a party goes into an agreement that it knows it cannot afford, then it is going to create another problem and the federal government and OPS have agreed to the figure of what they term what they can afford”.

The chairman noted that the committee was to recommend a minimum wage but was not bestowed the power to implement or approve a minimum wage.

Five persons have been confirmed dead as a three storey building collapses in Obingwu Asa in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

The 3 storey uncompleted building which has gotten to roofing level sank and collapsed on Friday night.

Seven people were said to be working on the site when the building collapsed.

Abia Assembly Passes Bill On Health Commodities Management Agency

Two workers were able to escape when they heard the sound of the building.

Evacuation is still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.

More Details Later:

Aside from his growing success in the music industry, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has earned a reputation for his affairs with multiple women and his prowess in attracting the opposite gender.

The controversial singer already has five children from different baby mamas, with more seemingly on the way. The 30-year-old singer once stated on social media that he aims to marry 12 wives before he turns 40.

He had said, “I am not up to 30 years old, and I already have six wives with many children. Before I reach 40 (sic), my housewives would be up to a dozen. I want to inform you so you would be aware.”

He also claimed to have slept with 10 out of the 30 women who advised his first wife, Ewatomi, to leave him due to his unfaithfulness.

The singer currently has one wife, and two baby mamas. Saturday Beats takes a look at his women below

Omobewaji Okikiola

Omobewaji Oluwaferanmi, fondly called Queen Portable or Queen Bewaji, is Portable’s first wife, but the second woman to bear him children. Aside from being the mother of Portable’s two sons—Iyanuoluwa and Opeyemi— Omobewaji has continued to show her husband love, respect, and unwavering support despite his history of infidelities and escapades with other women.

The beautiful fair-skinned mother of two attracted attention in 2022 when she took to social media to congratulate Honey Berry, one of Portable’s baby mamas, on the birth of her baby boy.

Honey Berry

Honey Berry is Portable’s second baby mama, and she has a son with him. In December 2022, Portable celebrated the birth of his fourth son with Honey Berry.

Announcing the birth on Instagram, he wrote, “Thank you lord for the gift of life, Akorede Omolalomi Badmus. It is a new bouncing baby boy. Congrats to myself and the mother @honey_berry25, Iyawo IKA. December 10th is the day real fame came, and the same December 10th, I welcomed a new baby boy. God does not disappoint.”

However, a year later, Portable sent Honey Berry packing after accusing her of cheating on him.

Surprisingly, earlier this month, Honey Berry publicly announced her reconciliation with Portable, suggesting a renewed commitment to their relationship. This was after she had earlier stated that she would not give peace amid their ongoing differences.

Ashabi Simple

The fast-rising street-hop artiste also has a baby with actress, Akinyanju Omobolarinde, aka Ashabi Simple. In June 2023, Portable welcomed his fifth child, a baby boy, with the Nollywood actress.

To celebrate their son, Fitilamihan’s birth, Portable declared that she was now his wife during the christening. In a video shared from the ceremony, Portable proudly said in Yoruba, “A stubborn child has eventually become a housewife. She is now a housewife. Praise Allah.”

However, Ashabi later debunked the news that she was married to the singer, though she stated her desire to get hitched to him.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, she had said, “We have introduced our families and hope to get married soon. I am an entertainer, and I have thought about getting married to him properly. I did not get pregnant by mistake. It was planned, and I do not expect to have issues with any of his wives or other baby mamas.”

Recently, there were rumours that Ashabi was expecting the singer’s sixth child. Confirming the rumour, Portable criticised her for travelling abroad without his permission. This came weeks after Portable lambasted Ashabi for not visiting him while he was in detention over a N14m car debt. He also accused of her of competing with him.

He said, “You called my wife and told her you wanted to move on from me, but you are pregnant with our second child. You are very ungrateful. Why are you signing ambassador deals behind me when I already feed you and take care of you? Deals that I’m supposed to be getting and charging higher, you are collecting the jobs. You shouldn’t be doing the same thing I’m doing. This is what I do to bring money home. Brands are signing you as an Ambassador so you can leave your husband’s house. Nobody knows you if not for me…you are not loyal. Even my housewife does not sign ambassador deals. You travelled with your second pregnancy and now you are sucking in your stomach to snap pictures.”

Other women in the picture

Aside from the woman stated above, there are also other ladies in the singer’s life.

In August 2023, Portable had dismissed claims that he slept with or had a relationship with to Queen Dami, one of the wives of the late revered monarch, Alafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi. There were even rumours that he had fathered a child by her while she was still married to the late monarch.

But, while confirming his romantic relationship with Dami, the singer had said in an interview, “After the king is a king. You wouldn’t have seen me with her if the king was still alive. I do not chase people’s wives.”

Meanwhile, Dami, a fan-turned-lover, celebrated Portable’s birthday with loving words. Her post read, “Happy birthday to my amazing man, you bring so much love, laughter, and happiness into my life. Thank you for being my rock and best friend. Cheers to another year of adventures together.”

In his response, Portable wrote, “Thank you, my queen.”

Another woman in the singer’s life is the mother of his first child, Ogooluwa, who is four years old. However, unlike the other women, she has remained in the shadows since Portable gained popularity.

Nigeria’s inflation rate is predicted to stabilize at 14 per cent in 2029, indicating a potential end to the current upward trend according to the latest data from the International Monetary Fund.

This projection comes as a relief amidst concerns over the increasing inflation rate, which currently stands at 33.69 per cent as of April 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics a variation from the IMF’s prediction of 24.6 per cent in the year.

The IMF data suggests that the inflation rate will gradually decline from 23 per cent in 2025 to 16 per cent in 2026, 15.4 per cent in 2027, and 14 per cent in both 2028 and 2029.

This predicted stabilisation is believed to be a welcome development for the Nigerian economy, which has been grappling with rising inflation and interest rates.

Nigeria’s economy has been facing challenges in recent times, with rising inflation and interest rates posing significant threats to economic growth and stability.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has implemented various measures to address these challenges, including the increase in interest rates at the 295th MPC meeting in May 2024.

However, economists have raised concerns over the continued increase in inflation and interest rates, urging the government to address the underlying drivers of inflation, which are primarily food and transportation costs.

The Chief Economist, SPM Professionals, Paul Alaje, who spoke exclusively to PUNCH online via phone decried the increase in the Monetary Policy Rate.

He said, “I do not encourage any increase in MPR because the increase would have implications.

“Already within 4 weeks, we have seen the Monetary Policy Committee increase on 600 basis points, the MPR.

Alaje asserted that Nigeria is getting poorer and the economy is growing at a slow pace.

“We need to look at other tools rather than monetary tools in providing solutions to our economy. Monetary authorities have tried their best and we have seen so many things they have brought, however, despite all of the efforts, the exchange rate is back at 1,500 heading towards 1,600.

“Our solution would go beyond forcing and using monetary tools when we know that it is not just money supply influencing what we have,” he said.

However, another economist Jonathan Thomas said he believed  “the IMF prediction of a stabilised inflation rate in 2029 is a positive indicator for the Nigerian economy. However, the government and monetary authorities must remain vigilant and implement policies that address the root causes of inflation.”

The current increase in inflation and interest rates has significant implications for businesses, households, and the overall economy.

By addressing the drivers of inflation and maintaining a stable economic environment, Nigeria can promote sustainable economic growth and development and possibly meet up with the IMF’s prediction.

Nigeria’s head coach, Finidi George, has shed light on his decision not to field Victor Boniface in Friday night’s encounter against South Africa.

Despite the promising striker’s potential inclusion from the bench, Finidi explained that the circumstances on the field of play prompted a change in plans.

“We thought about bringing him in, he was supposed to come in, but when we had Ajayi complain that he couldn’t continue, we had to reverse that,” Finidi acknowledged in a post-match interview on Friday.

The coach noted a tactical shift, ultimately leading to Boniface’s exclusion from the match.

However, Finidi was quick to reassure fans that the talented forward’s opportunity may still come. “We have another game definitely if he’s up and doing he’s going to play,” he stated.

Addressing the criticism and demands from some quarters regarding player selections, Finidi emphasised the importance of on-field performance over external pressures.

“For me, it’s what you can give to me on the field of play. Everybody wants this player or that player to play, but at the end of the day, if the player is not performing, you guys will still be shouting take him off, so let us do our job. We know who is good to go,” Finidi declared. 

On Friday, the Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Themba Zwane of South Africa opened the scoresheet in the 29th minute of the match played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Equalising after a superb turn, Nigeria’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru slotted in a low shot to the edge of the post in the 46th minute.

The match ended at a stalemate, however.

The results mean that Nigeria is placed fifth in a table of six teams after three matches in the 10-match competition.

Nigeria, in three matches, has drawn all three.

The group winners will qualify for 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and United States; four best-ranked runners-up go into play-offs and winners enter an inter-continental tournament where six nations will compete for two places.

Meanwhile, the game marked Finidi’s first game as Super Eagles coach.

Super Eagles will travel to Abidjan to face third-placed Benin on June 10.

The leadership of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries has debunked claims that it framed up ex-members of the church identified as Femi Jimoh and Caleb Oloruntele over an alleged planned attack against the church.

This was as the three individuals who testified against the former members in court over the alleged act narrated how the duo approached them to solicit their assistance on how to hire a gun to rob the “first fruits” offering of the church in the year 2008.

The individuals identified as Akeem Omojomolo, Tajudeen Usein, and Fatai Adebayo revealed how they played along in the plot, leading to their arrest.

Jimoh had in an interview accused the church of being behind his imprisonment for nine years without trial, over alleged armed robbery.

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He claimed to have been framed by the church, adding that his trial started when he met the chief security officer of MFM founder, Pastor Daniel Olukoya, at a native doctor’s house.

On his part, Caleb, during an interview, said Olukoya wanted him dead because he refused to give false testimony against a pastor he identified as Femi Agboola.

The former MFM usher added that he was prosecuted in 2008 without any concrete evidence to prove the allegation against him.

Addressing journalists on Friday, the Chief Legal Adviser of the church, Davidson Adejuwon, said the duo had created some misconceptions among a section of the public.

He added that their claims of being locked up in jail for nine years for an offence they did not commit was false, mischievous and cruel.

He said, “Let me quickly and briefly address some of the lies being told to the public on this issue which has created some misconceptions among a section of the public.

“One of them is that MFM as a church and its General Overseer, Dr Daniel Olukoya, have no forgiving spirit. Mr Femi Jimoh is a perfect case study to prove that MFM as a church and its General Overseer are unrepentant forgivers.”

Adejuwon further explained that the General Overseer did not keep the duo in jail for nine years despite the plea from Jimoh’s mother.

He added that they were granted bail but failed to perfect their bail conditions.

He said, “Is it not curious to push a narrative that Dr Olukoya, the General Overseer, locked them up when all members of their family refused to get two individuals for nine years to stand as their sureties for them to be released? Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries is a responsible church that takes the welfare, safety and security of all its members very seriously.

“As such a case of planned armed attack on credible intelligence against the church which could have led to the death of any member cannot be treated and handled internally by the church.

“We must report such to the law enforcement agency saddled with the responsibilities to investigate and deal with such issues. And that was exactly what we did as a responsible church.”

Adejuwon remarked that all other events that transpired thereafter at the police station and during the trial were completely out of the control of the church because being a criminal matter, it became a case between the state and the defendants.

Reacting to claims that the arrest followed Jimoh’s contact with the then Chief Security Officer of the church, Olawale Gbadamosi, at a herbalist’s place at Ogbomosho in Oyo State, Adejuwon said, “It is absurd to imagine that a church a big as MFM will go so low to frame up two of its pastors just because of claim (which is false) that a CSO of the church was seen in a herbalist house.”

Gbadamosi, who was present at the briefing described the claim as untrue, adding, “I want to say before man and God that I have never set foot there to see any herbalist.”

Narrating how Jimoh and Caleb allegedly approached him for the operation, one of the three individuals, Akeem Omojomolo, said they planned to execute it in February.

Omojomolo also explained how they allegedly planned to trail the offering from the campground to the headquarters before striking.

He said, “He approached me and said he had a job he wanted me to be part of. He thereafter took me to a bar where he told me that it was MFM’s job and it had to do with their offering money. I asked if he had told anyone, and he did not except someone called Aboki.

“Since I know the Aboki, I later called him and asked how he knew Femi and he said he approached and said they wanted to rob the mountain of fire and that the operation will be carried out in February when the offering will be brought from the camp to the headquarters. I and Aboki decided to inform the police and we were advised to play along.

“When we got there, we said a lot of things. We asked him who was going to finance, and he said Pastor Caleb. He said he had someone called Henry who was also a cultist. He said Pastor Caleb was in Mowe Ibafo.

“We went to meet Pastor Caleb and I asked when he would be available to come to Iwaya so that we could meet but they did not know we were with the police. When he came to Iwaya, I called Aboki and involved another colleague Orji to explain to them.”

On his part, Fatai Adebayo, otherwise known as Aboki, narrated how they played along and facilitated how police arrested them.

He said, “He approached and informed me about the deal and that it involved millions of naira, including dollars and cheques. When Akeem returned from Mowe where Caleb lives, we told the police again that we had met another accomplice. It was after then that we met a member of the church popularly known as Omo IyaNiyi who took us to the father of the GO’s wife in Surulere.

“The elderly man gave us a recording device and during our next meeting, Pastor Caleb and one Henry were also introduced to us as the ones who will sketch the plan were present. That day they gave me 16,400 to rent bullets. The next meeting was scheduled to be held in the morning and we planned with the police to arrest all of us once it is 9 am. On the day of the meeting, Jimoh was present but we were waiting for Caleb. Caleb did not arrive until the police came in, rounded us up and took us to the station. That was where he confessed.”

The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps otherwise called So-Safe Corps has arrested Ibrahim Ogunrinde, a 46-year-old resident of Adu Town, Ajebo Road, Mile 6, Abeokuta, for attempted murder.

According to a statement on Friday by the Corps through its Director of Information and Public Relations, Moruf Yusuf, the suspect was said to have been arrested at Ijaye Garage, Abeokuta on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at about 2.40 pm

The statement partly read, “Ibrahim Ogunrinde, a butcher and farmer, had pretended to be a passenger and asked the victim, Kosu Daniel (aka “Jeje”), to take him to Olubo Town on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at noon.

“He then allegedly stabbed Kosu Daniel in the neck and arm, leaving him in a pool of blood, and escaped with the victim’s motorbike. The suspect confessed that he was motivated by a desire to eliminate the victim, who he believed had an affair with his wife two months prior.

“He believed he had succeeded in killing the victim, not knowing that Kosu Daniel was rushed to the hospital and is currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.”

Yusuf added that the suspect and the recovered motorcycle had been transferred to Magbon, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

The final report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Adhoc Committee set up to investigate the tenure of ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused the former governor of several corrupt practices.

In the 175-page report submitted to Governor Uba Sani on Thursday, the lawmakers accuse the ex-governor of syphoning billions of Naira through proxy companies and individuals.

Under “general findings on all MDAs” the lawmakers said the sum of N11.8 billion was paid to the account of two individuals under the guise of a joint venture for the proposed Kaduna light Rail project said to be a public-private partnership arrangement.

The report says the transaction was authorised by the office of the governor and the commissioner for finance in a move described as “possible diversion of funds through individual bank accounts.”

“Per the committee review of Indo Kaduna MRTS JV a joint venture for the proposed Kaduna light Rail project in public-private partnership with Skipper Nig. ltd.

“Funds were transferred to two (2) individual account as follows: Nuren Mumeen Damola; 10,899,300,000 and Uzosike Chinedu 188,380,906.76 11,087,680,906.76,” the report reads.

The report also accused El-Rufai of further diversion of N18 billion of state funds through the registration of SPV, Indo Kaduna.

“The committee noted that the whole idea of registering an SPV was unclear and misnomer and out of sync with the industry practice. A further significant concern is that KDSG was not represented in the company by way of share allotment and directorship.

“The lead company allotted 99.99% of the company’s shareholding to an unknown entity i.e Indo Kaduna MRT Private Ltd. Additionally, KDSG is not represented in the JV company i.e Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Ltd.,” it stated.

The report also accused El-Rufai of “gross violation of governance” by giving authority to individuals who were not government officials.

The committee noted that “during the previous administration that certain individuals dominated the state affairs such as Mr. Jimmy Lawal who served as senior counsellor to the Governor. He gives approvals and all other government officials report to him for approvals despite the fact he was not holding any constitutionally recognised position.

“He also brought in several companies/contractors to the State, amongst which include Skippers Nigeria limited. These companies were fronts of the Senior Adviser-Counsellor which he used to defraud the State. “

El-Rufai was also accused of using Jimmy Lawal to procure “Unethical and unjustified loan facility resulting to additional debt burden to the state.”

“It was noted, that the council approved a loan facility of 7.5 billion to judiciously finance the KSPL JV Project.

“The facility was initially agreed to be obtained from Zenith bank but there was a change decision to rather take the loan from United bank of Africa whose interest rate was higher than that of Zenith by 2% which resulted to over 600 million interest rates. Additionally, it was gathered that the decision to obtained the loan was solely influence and negotiated by the Senior councillor to the Governor (Mr. Jimi Lawal).”