The former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido has stated that the Nigeria Government is rich enough to afford any amount as the new national minimum wage.

Recall that Organised Labour, which initially demanded ₦494,000, later reduced its demand to ₦250,000, while the government offered ₦62,000.

Amid the ongoing negotiations, state governors had declared that they couldn’t pay the ₦62,000 proposed by the government.

Reacting to the development on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television, Lamido argued that if the government could spend ₦17 trillion for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway without passing through the National Assembly, then it can afford to pay any amount as minimum wage.

He said, “Nigeria is very rich with resources and can overcome any problem and pay any amount we feel is responsible for Nigerians.

“If the government can embark on an N17 trillion project that is not in the budget, not advertised, not tendered for, or did not go through due process, it means that Nigeria got the money.

“How can a government execute a budget of N17 trillion without a budget or passing through the National Assembly, it means the money is there; there is money in Nigeria.

“If they can carry out such a project then they can pay any minimum wage.”

Some passengers travelling along the Maiduguri/Kano highway have been kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

Reports obtained by Naija News on Tuesday morning revealed that the insurgents carried out the abduction between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari village near Auno, which is located along the Damaturu highway, at approximately 5:50 pm on Monday.

Daily Trust quoted a source to have disclosed that the terrorists barricaded the highway and forcibly took away several passengers.

As a result of this incident, numerous travellers and commuters found themselves stranded on both ends of the usually bustling road.

Consequently, many of the commuters were left with no choice but to return to Benishek and Auno, respectively.

“There was an incident between Mannanari and Garin Kuturu where some Boko Haram fighters came out to block the upcoming vehicles and some passengers were abducted.

“We are not sure of the number as we speak but certainly there was an abduction on Monday evening,” the source noted.

Some residents who spoke to journalists on the development narrated how many commercial drivers took refuge in their community momentarily when the insurgents were operating between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari villages.

“They came out with three wheelbarrow and I believe they were looking for food stuff. We don’t know how many people abducted but some commercial drivers came back and later returned to Maiduguri before reinforcement of military arrived,” the residents noted.

A passenger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that he, alongside others were stranded for hours.

“We were heading for Kano from Maiduguri when the driver got hinted about the attack and took a detour.

“We have been waiting for the military to clear the road but we don’t know when. We are stranded here,” he said.

Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has said the continuous spraying of foreign currencies like the US dollar during parties is anti-democratic and sends wrong signals in the direction the country’s democracy is headed.

Jonathan stated this on Tuesday while speaking at the 25th Anniversary Democracy Day Public Lecture in Abuja.

Jonathan advised actors to stick to the rule of the game noting that citizens cherish and prefer civilian rule to military rule.

He advised that Nigerian democracy must be protected at all costs and commended the country for 25 years of unbroken democracy.

Details later…

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, June 12, as a public holiday to commemorate the 2024 Democracy Day celebration.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja in a statement signed by Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.

Dr. Ndayako conveyed the declaration made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Nigerians on the occasion.

Tunji-Ojo was quoted as saying, “As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us all reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains a united, secure, peaceful, and indivisible entity.”

He emphasized the importance of unity and security, urging Nigerians to appreciate the progress made and look forward to a brighter future for the nation’s democracy.

The minister also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to implementing positive reforms aimed at reviving the economy and enhancing security.

Historically celebrated on May 29, former President Muhammadu Buhari changed the date to June 12 in honour of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by the then military president, Ibrahim Babangida.

Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had won the election against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

However, Abiola was never declared the winner and died in detention while striving to actualise his mandate.

The Nigeria Police Force said it has commenced a thorough investigation into the alleged killing of self-styled British/Nigerian businessman, Andrew Ochekwo accused of luring a married woman and a young girl with N1m, whose whereabouts have been unknown for the past 45 days.

The official reaction from the police on Monday night followed the controversies and varying narratives surrounding the disappearance of the ladies who left their base in Port Harcourt to visit Ochelwo in Aba, Abia State for the weekend on the condition of paying the said sum.

Since April 27, when the duo left for Aba, their whereabouts have been unknown even as the major suspect was allegedly killed while being transferred in the company of police operatives to Abuja.

The police said, “In light of the public interest and the gravity of the allegations, the IGP has deemed it necessary to institute a meticulous investigation into the roles played by the team which carried out the initial investigation in Abia State, and the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT), to unravel the veritable facts of the matter.”

“The Monitoring Unit has been given a two-week timeframe to complete its investigation and present a comprehensive report.”

Despite the call to investigate the death of Ochekwo and the disappearances of the ladies, the suspect was reportedly declared wanted by the United Kingdom government in June 2019 over sexual assault on a woman.

He, however, returned to Nigeria and settled in Aba city where he conveniently flaunted his wealth on social media with claims to run a company that recruits people.

Meanwhile, when the said ladies appeared to have been missing, the case was reported to the police in Aba, where Ochekwe was arrested and detained for the possession of the missing ladies’ belongings.

While in detention, the suspect was said to remain mum on the whereabouts of the ladies but had allegedly functioned freely.

He was then transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Aba, then to Umuahia, and then to Abuja following a petition to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun requesting the suspect’s transfer to Abuja.

Sadly, Ochekwo was allegedly gunned down for attempting to escape while en route to Abuja in the company of police officers. Those who allegedly killed him are said to be in police custody.

While many Nigerians have called for a thorough investigation of all parties including the police in Abia State on the matter, his death has also raised eyebrows on the possibility of a syndicate who may have wanted him dead.

Reports revealed that he attempted to escape in Benue State where he was killed, and his body was later deposited in a mortuary.

Residents in the suspect’s vicinity told security operatives during a search operation that a dismembered human was disposed of in a deserted area and covered with a curtain which was later discovered to match the design of curtains at Ochekwo’s apartment.

However, the Nigeria Police has assured that the case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity, urging Nigerians to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference.

“Similarly, all persons/groups with relevant information regarding this case are encouraged to come forward and assist with the investigation, and all such information provided will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality, reach us via email at pressforabuja@police.gov.ng, and our social media accounts.

“The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the cooperation and support of the public and hereby reassures that timely updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” the police said.

A special task force of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to commence a full-scale investigation into the alleged fraud case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Naija News understands the task force held a long session on Monday, during which it considered the content of the Ad-Hoc Committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which indicted the former Governor for alleged misappropriation of N423 billion.

According to a source quoted by The Nation, the EFCC is set to invite El-Rufai and others who worked with him during his administration for questioning.

Others set to be questioned include individuals who held the position of Finance commissioners between May 29, 2015, and May 29, 2023; all the accountant generals during his eight-year tenure, and the chairpersons of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023.

Others include all former managing directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd within the period from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, and the former managing directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from October 11, 2017, to November 2021, with the exclusion of Amina Ja’afar Ladan, an engineer who had a brief one-month tenure.

“We are in receipt of a petition from an NGO. So, we have started investigation in the matters raised in the petition.

“The report of the Ad-Hoc Committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly is also handy. We will soon invite el-Rufai and some members of his team for interrogation.

“The Special Task Force on Monday (yesterday) held a long session on the contents of the petition and the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee.”

“The report of the House of Assembly has actually laid a solid foundation for the probe by our team,” the source said.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach, Finidi George, has stressed that there is “no special formula for winning” after leading the team to suffer an unexpected 2-1 defeat at the hands of Benin Republic.

Finidi George, who spent over 20 months as the assistant coach of the Super Eagles, was expected to have it easy as the head coach since he is conversant with the team.

However, the former Enyimba of Aba manager has proven to be finding it difficult to come up with a winning strategy for the highly talented and star-studded Super Eagles squad.

Recall that when he served as the interim coach of the Super Eagles in March, he beat Ghana in an international friendly and then lost 2-0 to Mali in another friendly match.

Despite the defeat to Mali, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) deemed him fit for the permanent coaching role.

Under his watch as the team’s head coach, the Nigerian team came from behind to draw 1-1 with South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, June 7.

As if that was not bad enough for Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Finidi George and his boys allowed Benin Republic to come from behind to defeat them 2-1 in Abidjan.

After the defeat, coach Finidi George said: “There is no special formula for winning, we have to see how we can get the best out of the players.

“Everybody must be committed and with that commitment, I believe we will win games and if we can win games, the battle will still be there. We can’t throw in the towel because we have only three points, we have to find a way to get these players back in a way they can perform.”

Note that the Super Eagles of Nigeria are currently sitting in the 5th spot out of 6 teams in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They are four points away from first placed Benin Republic.

The ongoing dispute over the new minimum wage and electricity tariff hike in Nigeria is reaching a critical juncture as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) approach the end of their five-day strike relaxation period.

The organized private sector, represented by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), has issued a stern warning to its workforce about the potential enforcement of the ‘No Work No Pay’ rule if the strike action resumes.

The Director General of NECA, Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, highlighted this position while speaking at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

He emphasized that employers are legally backed by the Trade Dispute Act, Section 43, which allows for the withholding of pay for days not worked during strikes.

“The employers in the Trade Dispute Act Section 43 have the right not to pay for work not done. It is part of our law,” Smatt-Oyerinde stated.

This announcement comes amidst heightened tensions as the labour unions have provided the Federal Government with a five-day ultimatum to meet their demands, which include an acceptable new wage for workers and a retraction of the new electricity tariffs.

However, the government’s offer of a ₦62,000 minimum wage has not satisfied union leaders, prompting threats of renewed strike action.

Smatt-Oyerinde questioned the practicality of paying employees during a strike, especially when no production activities are taking place.

“Where would the employer get the money to pay when work is not done? It is a rule of justice. Where do I get the money to pay from?” he queried.

Moreover, the NECA director general pointed out that both international and local industrial laws regulate the right to strike. He mentioned that the issue of strike rights is currently being contested at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) level and has been referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for further interpretation.

“The context of ultimatum, context of strikes, these rules were guided by law, were guided by framework, in the ILO, it is the convention. In Nigeria, it is the Trade Dispute Act. We will wait for ICJ to come back.”

He said all parties must work within the legal framework, adding that a subsisting order exists at the National Industrial Court (NIC).

“We saw the letter by the attorney general of the federation, and our view is this, if you don’t align with it, you will go back to the court where he gets the order to contest it, but the moment I don’t context it, then I have gone way beyond the legal framework,” he said.

He said all parties must work within the legal framework to have an equilibrium society devoid of anarchy.

According to him, the International Labour Convention 87 gives the right to organise, “but workers felt it includes the right to strike and that is what we are demanding interpretation from the ICJ.

“Our position is that we cannot be party to rubbish those institutions created to regulate the industrial process, we have the NIC and the Industrial Arbitration Panel (AIP), we must follow those institutions before escalating issues.”

The NECA boss said the employers aligned with the Federal Government on N62,000 because that is what is feasible for the members of the OPS.

“After going back and forth, the employers painfully came to N62,000. I say painfully, judging by the current state of employers in the country, business closing shops, business relocating. Two objectives inform our decision, can we afford to pay, jobs and create jobs and three, it is a deeper economic reason for us.

“Even in the ILO, the importance is to make sure that the developing economy is not left behind. This is done through transiting those in the informal to formal sector.”

Oyerinde said anything above N62,000 would be detrimental to the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) that form the bulk of the informal economy.

He said though both the governors’ forum and organised labour have different proposals, the NECA director general said the president would have the final say.

“The work of the committee is to make recommendations to the Federal Government and not force anything down the throat of the Federal Government. What we are to negotiate is minimum wage. The economy must be able to drive it.

“It is now left for the President to make his recommendation to the National Assembly. It is not compulsory that all the tripartite members should submit the same amount,” noting that in 2019, only labour and employer agreed on N30,000, while the governors’ forum said N22,000, but N30,000 was eventually approved by the National Assembly.

Canadian singer, Celine Dion, has disclosed that she has been battling with Stiff Person Syndrome for 17 years before revealing it to the public.

Naija News reports that the ‘Think Twice’ crooner made the revelation in an interview with Hoda Kotb on the Today Show this week.

The singer revealed that she was secretly battling the illness while managing her late husband, Rene Angelil’s cancer battle and raising their children.

According to the 56-year-old singer, who first opened up about her ailment in 2022, she had been experiencing symptoms way back in 2008 but was holding on to her dreams.

Celine Dion explained that she eventually spoke about her illness because keeping it from “the people who got her to where she was” was a huge “burden”.

She said, “We did not know what was going on [with me]. I did not take the time… I should have stopped, took the time to figure it out.

“And like it wasn’t enough, my husband as well is fighting for his own life.

“I had to raise my kids, I had to hide, I had to try to be a hero – while feeling my body leaving me, ‘[I was] holding on to my own dreams.”

Meanwhile, Celine Dion recently stated that her Stiff Person Syndrome feels like she is ‘being strangled,’ adding she often suffers from cramps and even has broken some ribs.

The Nigerian Customs Service, Sokoto/Zamfara Command has intercepted vandalised train tracks in kajiji along kebbi road.

The train tracks which were vandalised from Kaduna were being transported in a 20- feet loaded container vehicle

While addressing newsmen over the interception, Comptroller of Customs, Sokoto/Zamfara Command, Kamal Muhammed, said three suspects were arrested by the command’s monitoring team at Kajiji along Kebbi Road.

He said the suspects could not tender evidence of allocation from the Federal Ministry of Transport, instead made an overture to bribe the officers with N1.5m while making an advance cash offer of N300, 000.

He said the officers rejected the brive “out of patriotism and integrity.”

He stated that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence is the agency mandated to secure critical national assets, conforming with the collaboration policy thrust of the CGC, the Area Command will hand over the suspects, the truck, and its content and the N300,000cash to the Commander of NSCDC Sokoto Command for further investigation and prosecutions.

The Commandant, NSCDC Sokoto appreciated the synergy between the two security agencies and assured of his agency’s readiness to make the suspects face the law

In another development the
Nigerian Customs Service, Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command said, its officers of the whirlwind tactical team intercepted 11,270 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

According to the Controller Kamal Muhammad, the gesture is in compliance with the orders of the Comptroller General of Customs to seal up routes used by smugglers to smuggle contraband,

“The maritime and cross border smuggling of PMS has a negative impact on the overall supply chain of the product in addition to the possibility of funding of criminal activities with the proceeds”.

The seized PMS has been auctioned to residents of Sokoto at a paltry price of N180 per litre.