The organized private sector has accepted the Federal Government’s proposal for a new minimum wage of ₦60,000.
The Director-General of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Ajayi Kadri, confirmed this development during a recent interview, stressing that the private sector is constrained by microeconomic, infrastructure and security challenges and that anything more than the federal government’s proposed minimum wage is not feasible for the sector at the moment.
Ajayi emphasized that the ongoing negotiations between the government, private sector, and labour primarily focus on establishing a minimum wage rather than a living wage, representing the lowest possible payment for any worker in the country.
He further highlighted the significant economic challenges faced by both labour and private businesses, making it exceedingly difficult to meet the wage demands of labour unions.
“To start with, this is a very difficult time for anyone to negotiate minimum wage. From the perspective of government, labour and organized private sector, we operate in an environment where there is general acceptance of the fact that the macroeconomics are not right, even the global economy is experiencing a lot of shakeups and the aftermath of government necessary reforms.
“From the beginning of the negotiations of the minimum wage, it’s evident to the tripartite— that is, the government, labour, and organized private sector— that we are going to operate in a difficult terrain.
“Incidentally, the organized private sector and government have offered ₦60,000 as the minimum wage and I think it is very important for us to understand that what we are talking about is the minimum wage. That is what some people have called the walk-in wage. That is the amount we will pay the least workers in the country. It is the minimum wage we are negotiating, not a living wage,” Ajayi while on a Channels Television programme on Saturday.
Ajayi revealed that significant obstacles are being faced by both the government and the private sector in meeting the proposed N419,000 living wage demand.
He pointed out that the private sector, particularly, is struggling with economic difficulties and inflation, making it unfeasible to meet such a high wage.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the current period is not conducive for organized labour to engage in discussions regarding a new minimum wage. Rather, they should work together with other parties to bolster the economy.
“All of us in the tripartite— the government, the labour, and the private sector — we all knew that we were operating in a very difficult environment. The government itself realized that it had limited capacity to pay. The private sector is constrained by microeconomic, infrastructure and security challenges. So, we are also constrained to pay.
“Labour, on its part, is under intense pressure from its constituencies to ask for a higher wage because inflation has hit the roof and the operating environment is tough.
“Throughout the negotiation process, we made it known that this is not the best time to negotiate minimum wage. This is the time for us to agree, the crew behind the government, and grow the economy in such that we will bake a bigger cake, and then we’ll be able to share,” the director general added.
He urged the organized labour to rethink their choice of initiating a nationwide strike, emphasizing that leaving negotiations and resorting to strike action would not be beneficial.
He emphasized the importance of organized labour reconsidering their decision to go on a nationwide strike, highlighting that rejecting the N60,000 offer from the government and private sector was regrettable.
“We cannot afford to cripple the economy when all we needed to do was continue to build it. I think President Tinubu was very clear when he emerged as president that these are not going to be easy times, and I think we needed to tighten our belts to deliver on economy that we know has been seriously battered,” Ajayi-Kadir said.
He added: “Of course, the government on its own side has to demonstrate leadership, sensitivity and sense and sense of mind as well as the sense of occasion of the period that we are in. So, government expenditure, government choices of what needs to be done, how much to be spent, the cost of governance itself, all of it has to come to the table.
“I think what labour is actually worried about is that they appear to be the ones on the brunt of it but we needed to be able to engage, walking out on the process and declaring a strike, I do not think that that is what is going to solve this issue.”
Naija News reported earlier that the labour unions, on Friday, announced a nationwide strike without a specified end date due to the Federal Government’s rejection of increasing the proposed minimum wage of N60,000.
They asserted that the strike was initiated after the previous appeal to the Federal Government to finalize all discussions regarding a new minimum wage by the end of May had expired.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero has described the minimum wage negotiation with the federal government and other tripartite committee members, as a “helpless situation”.
Ajaero’s assertion was revealed during a press briefing shortly after an earlier meeting with the federal government which ended in a deadlock in Abuja on Friday.
THE WHISTLER had earlier reported that NLC and its counterpart the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, 2024.
The strike was to press home their demands for a new minimum wage, reversal of electricity hike, and the removal of electricity consumers from various bands announced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
However, Ajaero said “In the meeting today we told them we have to be here and allow them to go and get the mandate and come back to this meeting, we also told them we are ready to sleep here. But they said no, we should allow them that it is difficult to see Mr. President as they don’t have access to him.
When asked if the strike would be called off if the federal government calls for another negotiation with a new proposal, Ajaero responded, “The federal government can only call for a continuation of the negotiation, not by awards.
“You can’t say come we are giving you N10, N20. No, we have to sit down and negotiate, calling us doesn’t mean agreement. Until you sign an agreement to what is mutually agreeable by the parties involved, our action will not stop negotiations.
“Because the two parties are going to negotiate under duress now, that is the meaning of this strike, so the earlier they respond the better for all of us.
“I am not sure where you have the labour centres in a country and they are embarking on a strike for one month and you don’t listen to them.
“So, I think what you will be praying for, is for the people who are suffering so much and these are some of our people, that was why we were reluctant, and why we were virtually telling them that we needed to find a solution.”
The Ogun Government has said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is set to begin oil and gas exploration in the state.
In a statement on Friday, the government said the development would make its quest to become an oil-producing state materialise soon.
The statement noted that stakeholders in the oil and gas industry were received at the office of Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor, and Noimot Salako-Oyedele, his Deputy, to discuss the prospect.
Speaking at the meeting, Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister Of State For Petroleum Resources (Oil), said Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey basin with the prospect of having a huge deposit of hydrocarbons.
“We decided that we are going to resume exploration in the different Basins; we decided to come to Ogun State to reassure the people that we have very high potential of discoveries here,” he said.
“Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey Basin and our presence underscore the seriousness the federal government attaches to the exploration activities that we want to carry out in Ogun State.”
Lokpobiri said the visit was also to demonstrate the commitment of the federal government to bolster its revenue through the oil and gas sector.
“Today we are here to tell the people of the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that we continue our campaign and exploration activities across the country,” the minister said.
“We are doing this exploration activities in several places across Nigeria and today we are in Ogun after which we will proceed to Sokoto State.”
On his part, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC, said Ogun state is blessed to be in the Dahomey basin corridor, with expected high deposit of oil.
He assured that the company would return in earnest to commence exploration activities.
Kyari also expressed hope that oil would be found in commercial quantity in the state.
In his remarks, Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said the team’s visit was to further indicate the commitment of the federal government to growing oil reserves and enhancing federation revenue.
Komolafe said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) makes provision for funding the development of the frontier basins.
He added that in line with the commitments of the government, the NUPRC is collaborating with the NNPC to leverage on the PIA to carry out oil exploration in the Dahomey basin.
“The Dahomey Basin stretches up to Delta, Edo, Ogun and Ondo states. We intend to in the course of this exercise, cover all those states leveraging on the provision of Section 9, Subsection 4 of the PIA,” he said.
In his response, Governor Abiodun said Ogun state is part of the oil prospecting leases (OPLs) 302, 303, 306, and 307.
He said numerous studies show the potential of the basins, highlighting the state’s potential for commercial success and economic benefits from exploration and production within a short timeframe.
“It is noteworthy that this is a region of the country that provides ease of access, low entry and operating costs, a safe and welcoming community and a very active state government support and participation,” Abiodun said.
“Ogun State therefore presents some unique opportunities towards the realization of the full intentions of the PIA section 9 on frontier exploration as it will contribute to guarantee additional petroleum production of additional petroleum products for the country and afford more supply to potential refineries in the area.”
The Governor said the area presents an opportunity for Bitumen extraction, reducing import dependency and reducing foreign exchange expenditure on a single line item.
Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in Kano State, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa has said detractors can’t stop the destiny of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Dungurawa said those fighting Kwankwaso were behind reports that he’s being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Reports had it that the anti-graft agency was probing Kwankwaso over alleged N2.5 billion fraud.
However, addressing journalists in Kano, the NNPP chieftain described the reports as lies, stressing that Kwankwaso is a man of integrity and capacity.
He said: “We have been seeing this kind of rumour several times on different occasions.
“Let them continue with the rumour. Whether they like it or not, Kwankwaso remains the only person with integrity, respect, popularity, and capacity to govern this country.
“The rumour came from an enemy, shared by ignorance, and accepted by a fool. Thank God that we are not all three. We are his lovers, we are not ignorant of his doing, and we are not fools.
“All these will not stop his destiny. But they should be mindful that rumours don’t add any value; instead, they will generate popularity for him.”
The Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, has disclosed that electricity distribution companies have disconnected over 100 manufacturing firms.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH at the annual general meeting of the MAN’s food, beverage and tobacco sector, on Thursday in Lagos, he revealed that 10 of the association’s members had been disconnected in Kano.
“We do not favour legal action against the Discos and NERC. We do not want to go there. One of our branches has done so, and that subsists. The Disco in Kano is still disconnecting our members despite the injunction. As an association, we do not want to engage in such (legal action) but it comes as a last resort.
“You can imagine that as of today, more than 100 of our members have been disconnected, which means that their workers have been asked to go home. It means that their production processes have been halted. It means that they are not able to fulfil their obligations to their suppliers, and they have started to lose money,” he explained.
According to the MAN DG, the crux of the matter is that manufacturers are asked to pay electricity bills that will take manufacturers out of business.
“A company told me that it was paying N7-8m before, now it is paying N32m. The calculation is that the profit you could have made, you are not able to make it. So, you need to decide to go ahead and produce and pay an electricity bill that is more than the profit you would have made or shut down.
So, we are gradually seeing a situation where more and more industries are shutting down, because if you disconnect an industry that does not have an alternative source of power, it practically goes out of business,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Chairman of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Sector of MAN and Managing Director of Intercontinental Distillers Limited, Patrick Anegbe, stated that the spate of insecurity in the country was hampering backward integration in the food industry.
“How do you backwards integrate when you are talking about insecurity? The insecurity in the country poses a very serious threat to backward integration,” he averred.
He added that multiple taxes had also eaten deep into the profit margins of manufacturers, noting that production costs had continued to skyrocket.
“Multiple taxation is really affecting our business. Taxes here and there. The cost of production has gone up very high to the extent that margins are so low. We are just barely surviving.
“The government should look for a way of reducing these multiple taxations and eliminating some of them,” he asserted.
He revealed that the food, beverage and tobacco sector’s production value rose by 68.2 per cent or N614.0bn in the first half of 2023 compared to N900.45bn recorded in the second half of 2022.
“The sector’s local raw material sourcing for the period under review saw a decline from 70 per cent in H2 2022 to 66.8 per cent in H2 2023, though this is an improvement from 62 per cent in H1 2022 (MAN H2 Economic Review),” he explained.
The newly elected Chairman of the sector of MAN, and Managing Director of La Casera Company, Chinedum Okereke, noted that the importance of the food sector cannot be undermined, as it guarantees the country’s food security and plays a vital role in job creation.
“We will collaborate and engage more with the government. Most time, the government may have good intentions but the lack of engagement with stakeholders is a problem. So, we will not sit back and wait for them to engage with us, but we will proactively go to them for engagement,” he stated.
The Deputy Director of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Olugbenga Aina, who was one of the speakers at the AGM, advised manufacturers not to see regulation as a burden.
He noted that the best form of regulation is self-regulation, adding that manufacturers must be innovative.
“Fostering competitiveness in the food, beverage and tobacco industry with regards to ensuring that local content production meets international best practices for increased export demand and national revenues, is key to the Renewed HOPE Agenda and revitalising the Nigerian economy.
“The significance of the food, beverage, and tobacco sector in Nigeria cannot be overstated. Food, beverage and tobacco is the greatest contributor at N3,814.50bn or 52 per cent of the Nigerian manufacturing sector total in 2013, according to National Bureau of Statistics,” he stated.
According to Aina, aligning with global standards opens up new export opportunities and enables manufacturers to tap into new markets and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification.
Also, the Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Rite Foods Limited, Ekuma Eze, who was one of the speakers at the event, stressed the need for food industries to invest in research and development to create innovative technologies and solutions that differentiate.
He added that they must build strong partnerships to combine strength and resources to create value-adding products.
Donald Trump’s campaign said Friday it had raised nearly $53 million in online small-dollar donations after he was convicted in his New York hush money trial, boasting that the verdict had galvanized his support “like never before.”
The record haul was equivalent to more than $2 million raised per hour, it said.
Senior campaign aides Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles said in statements that more than a third of the total came from new donors to the campaign and hailed an “outpouring of support from patriots across our country.”
Calling the Thursday court decision a “sham trial verdict” the advisors reported that the “digital fundraising system was overwhelmed with support” despite temporary online delays “because of the amount of traffic” from small-dollar donors.
As of Friday evening, the day’s total had climbed to a whopping $52.8 million.
A jury convicted Trump Thursday on all 34 charges of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal in the final stages of the 2016 presidential campaign.
Prosecutors said Trump had sex with porn actress Stormy Daniels soon after his wife Melania had given birth in 2006, and then paid hush money a decade later to avoid the fallout and deceive voters, before creating false paperwork to conceal the payment.
He is due for sentencing on July 11 but is expected to appeal the verdict.
“Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrats with their election interference political witch hunt have awakened the MAGA movement like never before,” LaCivita and Wiles said.
President Joe Biden has been at pains to avoid commenting on the trial and there is no evidence that he or his administration had any involvement in the investigation, which was launched by New York state, not the federal government.
Trump has a long record of turning scandal to his advantage, and his campaign website began redirecting visitors to a fundraising page declaring he was a “political prisoner” moments after he was convicted.
The page crashed for around an hour within minutes of launching, however, as the surge of Trump supporters overwhelmed WinRed, the official Republican Party donation platform.
Trump regularly characterizes his legal woes as a battle against the evil forces of the “deep state” and Biden’s White House, casting himself as a martyr willing to sacrifice his liberty to stand up for his supporters.
In April he compared himself to South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela for the second time, and he has also likened himself to Jesus Christ.
“WITCH HUNT! IF THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ME, IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE!,” Trump posted on his platform Truth Social on Friday.
[DailyTrust]
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Saturday, said the conditions for ending the war in Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu said Israel’s condition to ending the war is the destruction of Hamas military.
He also reiterated the freeing of all Israeli hostages.
A statement by Israeli’s Prime Minister’s Office, said these conditions must be met before a permanent ceasefire.
“Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
“Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent ceasefire is put in place.
“The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter,” the statement reads.
[DailyPost]
- •Seek expert legal advice from AGF, IGP
- •Calm as Sanusi, Bayero hold parallel Friday prayers
The Kano State Police Command is in dilemma over the number of court orders it has received on the emirate crisis rocking the state.
The command said the conflicting court directives have created a complex situation and consequently appealed to the media for support in navigating the emirship tussle.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, made the call during a meeting with the heads of media organisations in Kano yesterday.
The CP revealed that the command had received five different court orders from federal and state high courts regarding the emirship dispute and has forwarded them to the Minister of Justice for interpretation.
His words: “I have forwarded the five court orders related to the emirship tussle to the Inspector General of Police who has subsequently contacted the Minister of Justice for clarification and interpretation.
“We are currently awaiting guidance on which order to comply with as the conflicting court directives have created a complex situation.
“Once we receive the necessary interpretation, we will take appropriate action to resolve the emirship dispute in accordance with the law.”
Gumel lamented a radio station’s unprofessional reporting on the issue, urging the media to verify facts and balance their reports before disseminating them to the public.
He encouraged the media to seek clarifications from the police before publishing reports, to ensure accuracy and avoid aggravating the situation.
Meanwhile, the ancient city of Kano has returned to its bustling but peaceful nature as the 16th Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi and his predecessor Aminu Bayero did not clash during Juma’at prayer.
Governor Abba Yusuf had through a repealed chieftaincy law dethroned Bayero and four other first class emirs and reinstated Sanusi. But Bayero returned to the state to reclaim his position.
While Sanusi is consolidating on the throne, having occupied the main palace, Bayero is waiting anxiously for the decision of the court as he now stays at the Nasarawa palace.
Tension rose yesterday morning following reports that the two contending emirs had made announcements to lead the Juma’at service at the Central Mosque located at the main palace. The people of Kano, divided, were bracing up for the clash that never was.
The Nation gathered it was all rumours as Bayero later denied making announcement that he would lead prayers at the central mosque close to the palace where Sanusi is staying.
Before the prayer time, police advised residents to “disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Aminu Ado Bayero would lead Juma’t prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.”
The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel, assured that all necessary security arrangements were made for Bayero to observe his Friday prayers in the mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa palace.
Gumel also assured that the police and all other state security agencies would provide adequate security at the palace where Lamido Sanusi, also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II, was expected to observe his Juma’at prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation.
“The police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property,” the police commissioner said.
Thus, Sanusi prayed at the Central Mosque, while Bayero observed his prayers at the Nasarawa Palace Mosque.
While Sanusi led the two units Friday service, Bayero only observed his prayers as the service was led by another Islamic leader.
Police Commissioner, Gumel, hailed the two monarchs for their cool headedness, saying the Friday prayers were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere across the state.
“I am very pleased with the orderly manner faithful residents conducted themselves before, during and after the prayers without rancour in all parts of the state.
“This is a testament to the effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community.
“The police command looks forward to continued partnership in maintaining peace and order in the state”, he said, praising residents for their cooperation with police personnel deployed in and outside the metropolis, which paved the way for peace.”
As the emirship tussle rages on, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, has warned against questioning divine will.
He urged his followers to accept divine decisions without question.
Emir Sanusi gave the counsel in a sermon at the Kofar Arewa Central Mosque during Jumma’t prayer yesterday.
Addressing congregants, Emir Sanusi highlighted the significance of belief in God’s omnipotence, especially as the Islamic calendar approaches Zhul Hijja, a month known for its spiritual benefits.
He said: “Whoever believes that Allah alone gives everything must take the decision of Allah wholeheartedly. No one asks Allah’s reasons for anything,” the monarch said.
He further elaborated on the concept of destiny in Islam, stating, “We were told that whoever did not accept destiny is from Allah, his belief is not complete.
“One should be thankful in times of good and bad situations.
“We must believe that whatever happens to us is predestined from God and what we couldn’t have is from Him.”
After the sermon, Emir Sanusi led the congregation in prayers.
[TheNation]
The Lagos State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party has applauded the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, for his efforts at preserving the cultural heritage of the state.
The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Richard Benson, stated this in a statement in Lagos on Friday.
Benson said that the reinstatement of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano was noteworthy in keeping the tradition sacred.
Benson also applauded the former governor of the state and the 2023 presidential candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for his efforts at ensuring the preservation of tradition.
“We, the New Nigeria People’s Party, Lagos State chapter, hereby commend the effort of the amiable Governor of Kano Abba Yusuf, and our indefatigable National Leader Sen.Rabiu Kwankwaso and the entire House of Assembly of Kano in ensuring that the cultural heritage of the people is preserved based on truth.
“This is what was just exhibited in Kano to prove that the cultural heritage of the ancient city of Kano is preserved and the generality of the people are happy to see that their tradition and core values are intact,” he said.
He added that the state is now experiencing a drastic change in governance due to the unwavering commitment of the state governor.
He noted that the development being witnessed clearly shows the pro-activeness of the governor and the National Leader, Kwankwaso.
“We are delighted with the efforts to restore and preserve the values, traditions and heritage of the people as well as the commitment to put everything back in place and restore the lost glory of the ancient city of Kano,” he added.
Benson said that some politicians were playing politics with the core traditions and cultural heritage of the people to score cheap political points.
He said that the chapter was still looking forward to seeing more progress entering Kano, the only state being controlled by NNPP.
He, therefore, urged all the NNPP gladiators in the state including, Yusuf, Kwankwaso and the state House of Assembly to collectively work to make the state an example to other states.
On May 23, the state governor signed the amended Kano State Emirates Council bill into law.
The bill, which was passed by the Kano State House of Assembly a few hours earlier, dissolved the Emirate Council and sacked the five Emirs appointed by his predecessor, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje.
He also approved the return of Sanusi, former Kano Emir, who was deposed in 2020, to the seat.
The abrogated Kano State Emirates Council Law 2019 signed by the then-governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje created five Emirates – Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye.
Sanusi was deposed by the state government on March 9, 2020, citing insubordination and was replaced by Aminu Ado Bayero.
NAN
How village head collected N700,000 bribe from bandits, allowed invasion, killing of 30 villagers
Admin
We arrested him, 364 others, killed 35, and rescued 565 kidnap victims – Katsina Gov. Diko Radda
When the Katsina State Governor, Dr Umaru Dikko Radda recently described banditry as a business venture for some highly placed individuals in the country, some felt the governor of the Northwestern State was merely exaggerating issues out of context.
But he didn’t stop there as he also said poverty and injustice are major factors fuelling insecurity in the country.
At an interface with Saturday Vanguard sometime in October last year, Dr Radda had said with his newly launched Katsina Community Watch Corps, he was determined to rid the state of banditry.
Recalling how bandits had killed his biological brother, the governor said he wouldn’t spare anyone, including state appointees who connive with Fifth Columnists to destabilize the state.
He said: “In our efforts, we have come up with the intelligence unit within the Katsina Community Watch Corps. This intelligence unit, even the Corps members don’t know them. The reason for setting it up is to check the excesses of the Corps and also to gather information.
“There are some traditional rulers who are identified and those ones are already under scrutiny. So, we are not sparing anybody even commissioners in my regime, we are not going to spare anybody found to be involved in one criminal activity or the other. We are talking about the lives of over 10 million people not one single individual. No single individual is more important than 10 million people or the lives of an innocent person in the village. We are trying as much as possible to gather a lot of information together with the intelligence we are getting from the DSS so that we can build a network that we can arrest and prosecute any person found wanting”.
Seven months later when Saturday Vanguard took him up on the issue, the governor who gave an account of his stewardship in the last year, explained how a village head was paid N700,000 by bandits, to allow free access to his village, and the consequent killing of about 30 of his subjects.
He said his administration was fiercely addressing poverty having discovered how it fuels insecurity. According to him, it was disheartening that for as little as N2,000, some persons would volunteer information to bandits about their neighbours or relatives.
On the village head, the governor said; “I will say yes, that we have arrested a village head in Guga village in Bakori local government of the state because of his involvement with the bandits.
[Vanguard]
More...
The United Kingdom (UK) is set to begin a “match-making” service called the cancer vaccine launch pad (CVLP), which can match patients with suitable trials.
In the project, which will be run by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU), based at the University of Southampton, thousands of patients will be able to access “ground-breaking” cancer vaccines as part of an NHS trial.
The programme aims to improve patient access to clinical trials to test new investigational immunotherapies by speeding up the development of personalised cancer vaccines.
The vaccines are created by analysing a patient’s tumour and using that information to create a vaccine tailored to that individual.
The vaccines aim to create an immune “memory” that can prevent cancer from returning after surgery or chemotherapy.
The first trial will be testing a vaccine under development by the biotech company BioNTech SE.
Simon Crabb, SCTU clinical director, said the new scheme would “bring together different academic and industry partners who are developing cancer vaccines and allow patients across England to access trials of treatments that may not have previously been an option for them”.
“Cancer vaccines have the potential to improve the way we treat the disease, particularly for those cancers where treatment options are currently limited or very demanding on patients’ bodies,” Gareth Griffiths, director of the Cancer Research UK SCTU, said.
[TheCable]
The Abia League of Professionals Initiative (ALPI) strongly denounces and condemns the recent brutal killing of soldiers in Abia State by unidentified gunmen. We urge the military high command to kindly restrain from retaliatory actions that may result in more innocent lives being lost. Instead, we recommend a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend all individuals directly or remotely responsible for the heinous murder of these soldiers, whose duties are to protect the nation's territorial integrity.
ALPI calls for peace and condemns the disturbing trend of targeting soldiers and other security officials. This criminal behavior must be unequivocally condemned in all its ramifications.
Sonny Iroche
Director General
Abia League of Professionals Initiative
(ALPI)
May 30, 2024
Renowned singer, Kizz Daniel, has dedicated his latest single titled, ‘Double’, to his wife, who also stars as a vixen in the accompanying music video.
A statement sent to Saturday Beats noted that the new song showcases Daniel’s signature blend of afrobeat rhythms, infectious choruses and soulful melodies, while creating a vibrant and romantic anthem that resonates with fans worldwide.
It added, “The song is a celebration of love, partnership, and the double joy that comes from sharing life’s journey with someone special. The music video, set to premiere on the same day as the audio release, features intimate and joyful moments between Kizz Daniel and his wife, offering fans a glimpse into their beautiful bond.”
Emphasising the reason for dedicating the song to his wife, Daniel said, “I wanted to create a song that not only celebrates my love for my wife, but also speaks to the beauty of partnership and family. Having her grace the screen with me makes this project even more special to me. I hope that song will resonate with everyone who listens to it, and it will remind them of the importance of love and togetherness.”
With over four billion streams under his belt, two Shazam chart-topping singles, sold-out tours across Africa, North America, and Europe, and over 25 million social media fans, Daniel is undoubtedly one of the leading afrobeats artistes in the world.
There was palpable fear in Abia State on Friday following the declaration of the Nigerian military that the killers of five soldiers in the state would not go scot-free.
The five slain soldiers were killed at an Army checkpoint in the Aba area of the state on Thursday in a manner many people have described as wicked and unacceptable.
However, in a press release issued by the Army Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the military authorities vowed that the killers of the slain soldiers would be apprehended and punished.
The military said the slain soldiers, deployed to enforce peace in the state, met their death when some terrorists, who came in three Prado Toyota SUVs, attacked them at the checkpoint.
The Army stated that while investigations have since commenced on the attack, it would retaliate the dastardly act against the troops by launching overwhelming military pressure on the terrorists to ensure their total defeat.
The NA stated, “Troops of OP UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State were attacked and sadly killed by terrorists of IPOB/ ESN.
“The troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were mass-attacked by the terrorists. The terrorists, in three tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint.
“The attack sadly took the lives of five personnel of the armed forces killed in action. The Armed Forces mourn the death of these troops as every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing concerning the attack.
“Overall, it must be reiterated that the lifeline of the terrorists is the people and this situation is no exemption. Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible. The IPOB capitalised on this to perpetrate attacks on the troops. The situation leaves more to be desired.
“Accordingly, it is imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops. The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” it added.
However, the decision of the Nigerian military has thrown the state into deep panic, just as key stakeholders therein have condemned the attack, describing it as wicked and barbaric.
Reacting, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation and former Governor of the state, Dr Orji Kalu, condemned the killing of the soldiers, calling on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the ugly act because “the personnel of the armed forces don’t deserve to be maltreated given the role they play in national security”.
The former governor, while calling on residents of the state to be calm and law-abiding emphasised that peace is a panacea for development and commiserated with the Nigerian army on the sad development.
He said, “The killing of soldiers at a checkpoint in Aba is barbaric. The perpetrators must be identified for appropriate actions. For the sake of growth and progress of the South-East, all hands must be on deck to fish out criminals in the region.”
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe also described the attack as “disheartening and barbaric”.
In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, Abaribe called on the security authorities to immediately apprehend the killers and ensure that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
Senator Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the Senate, said, “There is no justification whatsoever for anybody or group of persons to harm any security officer not to talk of killing any in whatever guise.”
He called on the Army authorities to “mitigate the ugly situation for the sake of other Innocent civilians, who are going about their respective businesses oblivious of the heinous conduct of demented souls that are bent on bringing society to its knees”.
“I am at a loss as to the evil motives of those responsible for the killings. It can never be the character of our people and such devilish tendencies does not reflect who we are. Nothing on earth can justify what has happened. It is sorrowful and stands condemned. However, I appeal to the authorities to look beyond and consider the oblivious innocent civilians while going after the culprits for ultimate justice,” Abaribe said.
Similarly, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa has described the attack as “very unfortunate and regrettable”.
The speaker, in a statement issued by his press secretary, Ujoh Okechukwu, condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric, reprehensible and generally untoward”.
Emeruwa noted that “The administration of Dr Alex Otti would not further tolerate such uncivilised acts”, assuring that efforts would be intensified to fish out the perpetrators of the crime.
The Speaker further added that the state would not be a haven nor henceforth harbour criminals and evil-minded persons or groups.
In his reaction, a member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia at the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha, also described the incident as a “regrettable and unnecessary incident”, saying “It further delays our peace process and efforts aimed at the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”.
Meanwhile, the state government has placed a N25m bounty on the perpetrators.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu.
The statement partly reads, “To underscore its resolve, the state government is offering an N25m reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the location and arrest of any of the criminals connected to the unfortunate killings, and the subsequent state of apprehension across the city of Aba and environs.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie has assured that the law will take its course on the perpetrators of the killing of soldiers at Obikabia junction, Aba on Thursday.
Briefing newsmen on Friday after a marathon and expanded meeting of the State Security Council and the newly inaugurated members of the Abia Advisory Council, Onwuemelie described the killing as “unfortunate and condemnable”.
He said, “The point is that it is a very unfortunate incident and it’s highly condemnable and indeed it’s cowardly but it happened yesterday.
“All I can tell you is that the security agencies, the government of Abia State, and all well-meaning Nigerians feel very bad about what happened, and everything that needs to be done will be done to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. And even as it happened that the course of the law will take place”, he added.