Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, on Wednesday, appealed to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, to set aside his differences and work together with the party leadership for old-time’s sake.

Abure made the plea at his first press conference following the April 3 fire incident that almost claimed his life at his Abuja residence.

Both Abure and Ajaero had been at loggerheads following several attempts made by the congress to take control of the party structure over claims the embattled LP chairman was running a one-man show amid allegations of financial malfeasance.

The LP camp had also made a counterclaim that Ajaero was desperately seeking to evict the Abure-led National Working Committee with an ulterior motive to use the party as a transactional platform ahead of the 2027 election.

Addressing newsmen at the party secretariat in Abuja, Abure described the NLC president as a friend and brother having worked together in the trenches over the years fighting for the welfare of workers.

The LP national chairman therefore urged the union leader to put aside his grievances and support their effort to rebuild the country in the interest of Nigerians.

He said, “Consequently, I want to appeal first to my brother, friend and Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC whom we have worked together in the trenches over the years in the struggle for workers, to put aside whatever may be his grievances. Let’s work in the interest of our people.

“Fighting the Labour Party is uncalled for and unwarranted, especially at this time when the working people of Nigeria are suffering. As we speak today, the minimum wage is still N30,000. There are unfair workers practices by employers across the country. The inflation in Nigeria is unprecedented and nobody talks about workers welfare.

“For us, we need to team up together to be able to fight for better working conditions for our people. We need not waste or dissipate our collective energies in fighting ourselves over nothing. The NLC should know by now that the attempt being made to take over the leadership of the party will not work. It is my appeal that working together is better.”

The Executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, have announced the suspension of the Senator representing Ondo South, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, over alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.

The notice was signed by ward executive members including Omotoye Olusola, Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju and Fabioye Ajoke, among others.

Ibrahim’s suspension is coming on heels of the direct APC governorship primary election in the State in which he lost out.

The party executives said their action to suspend Senator Ibrahim was pursuant to Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.

The 16-member Executive Committee in a letter said the decision to suspend the governorship aspirant and lawmaker was taken during its meeting held on Monday, May 13, 2024.

The party recalled that the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had met with all the governorship aspirants in Abuja on the need for them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The executives noted that despite the development, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proceeded to sue the governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party’s instructions.

The letter made available to journalists in Akure, the state capital on Wednesday, it reads, “We, the members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, convened a meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024.

“During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members.

“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to violate the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities.

“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities By Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.

“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja.

“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions.

“Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NNPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them. Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets.

“For emphasis, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso has been suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, and he is hereby prohibited from participating in any APC activities nationwide.”

THE Organized labour on Wednesday stormed out of the minimum wage committee meeting with the Federal Government over the later’s offer of N48,000 new wage.

Recall that the organized labour had made a demand of N615,000 as the new minimum wage and had given the government up till May 31 to conclude negotiations on new living wage.

The Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage resumed negotiations on Wednesday.

Vanguard was reliably informed that representatives of the organized labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, were enraged over the government offer.

Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, who is one of the representatives of the NLC told Vanguard that, “we asked whether the N45,000 is for transport, food, clothing, housing or for what.

“So we just told them that since they are not serious, we better just leave, so we stormed out of the place.”

He said that the government offer was presented to them by the Permanent Secretary, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Office.

The Nigerian Senate has approved the $500 million World Bank loan request by President Bola Tinubu.

Naija News reports the loan is for the production of electricity meters for the citizens.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) was granted the funds following a thorough review of the report by the Committee on local and foreign debts, which was presented by Senator Haruna Manu, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the Committee.

On November 1, 2023, President Bola Tinubu requested Senate approval for a $7.94 billion World Bank loan package, which included a $500 million loan.

The Federal Government will receive fresh loan funding from the World Bank, with approval expected for loans totalling $2.25bn on June 13, 2024.

Naija News recalls that the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, at the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank last month, had announced that the nation had qualified for processing a loan, described as ‘virtually a grant’ of $2.25bn from the World Bank at one per cent interest rate.

He stated, “We have qualified for the processing just this week to the Board of Directors of the World Bank of a total package of $2.25bn of what you can call ‘the closest you can get to a free lunch’- virtually a grant. It’s for about 10- 20 years moratorium and about one per cent interest.”

The package, approved by the World Bank Board of Directors, offers a 40-year term with a 10-year moratorium and a nominal one-percent interest rate.

According to the latest information on the World Bank website, the funding will be received via two major development projects.

The first project is the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilization to Enable Transformation Development Policy Financing, which is set to receive $1.5bn.

The second project, NG Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms Programme-for-Results, has proposed funding of $750m.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu approved N90 billion to subsidise the cost of the 2024 hajj pilgrimage.

Shettima spoke on Wednesday during the 2024 inaugural hajj airlift at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi capital.

About 430 pilgrims from the state are scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia today.

“You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates,” NAN quoted Shettima as saying.

“President Bola Tinubu also worked round the clock to control the downward spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians.

“A move that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the release of N90 billion to subsidise the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s hajj.”

The vice-president said Tinubu places great importance on religious pilgrimage, noting that it plays a crucial role in changing the social vices of individuals beyond the hajj exercise.

“Due to this high regard, the government took time to carefully select men of integrity with administrative acumen and records of selfless dedication to manage the affairs of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims,” he said

“Government at the highest level monitors all arrangements meant for the well-being of our pilgrims both in Saudi Arabia and within the country before embarking on the journey.

“We are aware of the provision put in place for the safety, security and comfort of the Nigerian contingent to the 2024 hajj of our pilgrims.”

Shettima urged Nigerian pilgrims to pray for the progress of Tinubu’s administration for a better country “we are proud to call our motherland”.

“Indeed, it is through our collective prayers and individual contributions that our country will prosper,” he added.

The naira depreciated to N1,550 against the dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange (FX) market on Wednesday.

The current FX rate signifies a decline of 1.95 percent from the N1,520/$ reported on May 13.

Currency traders, also known as street traders, in Lagos, quoted the buying rate of the local currency at N1,510/$ and the selling rate at N1,550/$ — leaving a profit margin of N40.

At the official window, the local currency appreciated by 4.21 percent against the dollar from N1,520.4/$ on May 14 to close at N1,459.02 on Wednesday.

According to FMDQ Exchange, a platform that oversees the official window, a dollar was sold as high as N1,593 and at a low rate of N1,401 during trading hours.

The daily foreign exchange market turnover was $289.14 million.

On May 14, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said foreign missions based in Nigeria use third parties to transact in foreign currencies.

Speaking during an interview, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s acting director of public affairs, said the commission has a task force whose duty is to fight the abuse of the naira and discourage transactions in dollars within Nigeria — which is against the law.

The meeting called by the federal government on Wednesday to discuss the national minimum wage for workers ended abruptly as leaders of organised labour staged a walk-out.

Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Tommy Okon, deputy president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), represented the workers at the meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the labour at a press conference, Ajaero condemned the federal government’s proposed N48,000 wage.

He said the government was not serious about negotiating with the labour.

Ajaero said the government has until the end of the month to arrive at a decision.

“The government’s proposal of a paltry N48,000 as the minimum wage does not only insult the sensibilities of Nigerian workers but also falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations,” he said.

The NLC and TUC had proposed N615,500 as the minimum wage the federal government should pay Nigerian workers, citing the high cost of living.

Ajaero said the government’s failure to provide data to support the N48,000 it offered exacerbates the situation.

He said the lack of transparency and good faith undermined the credibility of the negotiation process and eroded trust between the parties involved.

“The organised private sector proposed an initial offer of N54,000, though it is worth noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000, as clearly stated by the OPS, highlighting the stark disparity between the proposed and prevailing standards,” the NLC president said.

“This further demonstrates the unwillingness of employers and government to faithfully negotiate a fair national minimum wage for Workers in Nigeria.

“As representatives of Nigerian workers, we cannot in good conscience accept a wage proposal that would result in a reduction in income for federal-level workers who are already receiving N30,000 as mandated by law, augmented by Buhari’s 40% peculiar allowance and the N35,000 wage award, totalling N77,000 only.

“Such a regressive step would undermine the economic well-being of workers and their families and is unacceptable in a National minimum wage fixing process.”

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.69 percent in April, as prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages soared.

The NBS shared the inflation data in its consumer price index (CPI) report on Wednesday.

“Looking at the movement, the April 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.49% points when compared to the March 2024 headline inflation rate,” the NBS said.

“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.47% points higher compared to the rate recorded in April 2023, which was 22.22%.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in the month of April 2024 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., April 2023).

“Furthermore, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in April 2024 was 2.29%, which was 0.73% lower than the rate recorded in March 2024 (3.02%).

“This means that in the month of April 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level is less than the rate of increase in the average price level in March 2024.”

NBS said the top five contributors to the increase in inflation rate are food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel, clothing and footwear, transport, as well as furnishings, household equipment and maintenance.

The bureau said on a year-on-year basis, the urban inflation rate rose to 36 percent in April, “which was 12.61% points higher compared to the 23.39% recorded in April 2023”.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Urban inflation rate was 2.67% in April 2024, this was 0.50% points lower compared to March 2024 (3.17%),” NBS said.

Also, NBS said the rural inflation rate in April was 31.64 percent on a year-on-year basis, compared to the 21.14 percent recorded in April 2023.

On a month-on-month basis, the bureau said the rural inflation rate in April was 1.92 percent, falling below the 2.87 percent reported in March.

PRICES OF BREAD, GARRI DRIVE FOOD INFLATION RATE UP

NBS said food inflation rose to 40.53 percent in April, compared to the 24.61 percent reported in the same month last year — indicating an increase of 15.92 percent points.

The bureau said millet flour, garri, bread, wheat flour prepacked, semovita, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, vegetable oil, yam tuber, water yam, and cocoyam, contributed to the year-on-year increase in the food inflation rate.

Other contributors are dried fish Sadine, catfish dried, mudfish dried, beef head, beef feet, liver, frozen
chicken, mongo, banana, grapefruit, Lipton tea, Bournvita, and Milo.

However, on a month-on-month basis, NBS said the “food inflation rate in April 2024 was 2.50%, which shows a 1.11% decrease compared to the rate recorded in March 2024 (3.62%)”.

NBS said the fall in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by a decline in the rate of increase in the average prices of Yam, Water Yam, Irish Potatoes (under Potatoes, Yam & Other Tubers
Class), Beer, Local Beer (under Tobacco Class), Milo, Bournvita, Nescafe (under Coffee, Tea, and Coco Class), Groundnut Oil, Palm Oil (under Oil and Fats Class)”.

Other food items mentioned are egg, fresh milk, powered milk, tin milk, soft drinks, Malt Guinness, Coco-cola, Spirit (Local Production), Chelsea, Seaman Schnapps, wine and fruit, water melon, pineapple, banana, and pawpaw.

The Kano Hisbah Board has arrested 20 men and women for engaging in gender-inclusive bathing in the state.

Following complaints from locals, members of Operation Kau Da Badala conducted the arrest at a recreation centre on Ring Road.

According to Mujahidin Aminuddin Abubakar, the deputy commandant general of the board, the offence was against the Hisbah legislation, which prohibits bathing in water with people of either gender in the same space.

He expressed his concern about the act, saying that it could have been substituted with something better that would have brought them blessings from God.

In addition to urging parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s whereabouts, he stated that the suspects would face appropriate punishment when the investigation is concluded.

Justin Dean has called out his ex-wife, Korra Obidi for scamming netizens with a GoFundMe account, after she claimed to be in need.

He revealed that she needs only $5000 not $55,000 she received.

This comes after Korra called on her online community members, seeking for their monetary support to provide her legal fees to fight Justin in court.

Her ex-husband had sued her for posting videos and images of their daughters on her social media page.

He stated that he did not want their faces online, especially associated with the kind of content she shares.

Korra then reached out to her fans who donated a whopping sum of $55,000 for her legal fees.

Justin insists that she scammed her followers of their hard earned money, revealing that she bought 2 cars and 2 houses over the last two years.

He also stated that if she truly couldn’t afford the fees, how was she able to go on a vacation in Hawaii if not with the donated money. 
A claim Korra Obidi debunked after her fans called her out, she stated that she had also paid for the vacation in Hawaii prior the GoFundMe account was set up. She added that the whole amount is still intact, because she hasn’t touched a dime from it.

The doctor further buttressed his claims by sharing a voice recording of the dancer’s sister where she was heard saying Korra had the money but needed a different one from her fans to fight against Justin.

The sister also said Korra’s fans love to be scammed. See video below: