The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has dismissed Athletics Integrity Unity’s (AIU) appeal against the clearance of Tobi Amusan’s anti-doping rule violation.

The court announced the decision in a statement published on its website on Friday.

In July 2023, AIU handed Amusan a provisional suspension for allegedly “missing three tests in 12 months”.

The case was transferred to a disciplinary tribunal. A month later, a “majority decision” of the tribunal ruled that the 27-year-old “has not committed an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) of three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period.”

Amusan was cleared of the charge by the disciplinary tribunal.

Later that year, AIU announced that it had filed an appeal against the tribunal’s decision before CAS.

In its ruling on the case, CAS judged that although Amusan “committed two filing failures,” the appellant “did not confirm the existence” of a third missed test “which would have been the third whereabouts failure committed within a 12-month period”.

The court ruled that the athlete did not violate any Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) rule and that the “challenged decision should be confirmed.”

“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeals filed by World Athletics (WA) and by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the decision issued on 17 August 2023 (the Challenged Decision) by the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal (WADT) in relation to the hurdler Oluwatobiloba (Tobi) Amusan (Nigeria),” the statement reads.

“In their respective appeal to CAS, WA and WADA had sought the imposition of a two-year period of ineligibility. The CAS Panel held a hearing on 19 January 2024. Having deliberated, the CAS Panel has issued its decision today dismissing both appeals. The CAS Panel unanimously acknowledged that the athlete committed two filing failures but did not confirm the existence of a missed test, alleged by WA and WADA, which would have been the third Whereabouts Failure committed within a 12-month period. Accordingly, the CAS Panel concluded that the athlete did not commit an ADRV and that the Challenged Decision should be confirmed.”

With the latest decision, Amusan is cleared and is expected to represent Nigeria at the Paris Olympics next month.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has responded vehemently to recent statements by some Nigerian governors regarding their intention to determine what they deem fit as the minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

According to the NLC, this stance is dictatorial and undermines the established model for creating a national minimum wage in Nigeria.

In a press release issued by Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs at NLC, the Congress emphasised that the national minimum wage is not an arbitrary figure but a collective agreement designed to ensure a minimum standard of living for every worker in the country.

The governors’ desire to unilaterally set the minimum wage contradicts this principle and threatens the welfare of Nigerian workers and the national economy, NLC maintained.

“The concept of a national minimum wage represents a national wage floor, a baseline below which no worker should be paid,” Upah stated.

He reminded the governors that the minimum wage is separate from the individual pay structures of states, which already reflect their unique financial capabilities and circumstances.

This flexibility, he noted, allows states to reward their workers in alignment with their financial realities.

The NLC also criticised the inconsistency in the governors’ stance, pointing out that political office holders across the nation receive uniform salaries as determined by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission without similar objections.

“This double standard pits a few privileged individuals against the majority poor, which should concern anyone who loves this country,” the release stated.

The NLC expressed deep concern over what it described as a “blatant display of ignorance” regarding global best practices for national minimum wage by some governors. Despite frequent travels abroad, these governors, according to the NLC, have failed to educate themselves on fundamental issues crucial to successful governance. The Congress recommended that these governors “return to school for proper education” to avoid posing a threat to democracy.

The NLC commended the governors who prioritize workers’ welfare and urged the federal government to address the issue of the national minimum wage without yielding to pressure from “selfish governors.” The Congress reiterated that workers’ salaries are not charity but hard-earned income that drives the economy.

“Allowing numerous companies and organizations in Nigeria to pay workers whatever they like is akin to what the governors are asking for,” the NLC argued. “While these companies may not pay the same salaries, they must adhere to the national wage floor, and the same should apply to state governors.”

The NLC called on President Bola Tinubu to uphold his promise of a living wage and not be influenced by unpatriotic governors. The Congress urged the governors to abandon any inclination towards dictatorial practices and to embrace policies driven by equity and fairness. Ensuring a fair minimum wage, they argued, is not only a matter of economic justice but also a fundamental aspect of maintaining social stability and national cohesion.

“Nigerian workers should not be reduced to beggars! Enough is enough!” the NLC declared. The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers, advocating for a fair and equitable wage system that reflects the nation’s values. They called on the governors to join them in this commitment for the benefit of all Nigerians and to let democracy flourish.

The Central Bank Governor, Yemi Cardoso, says Nigeria has done relatively well in its efforts to stabilize the Naira. 

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Cardoso said his office is pleased with how far they have gone so far with regards their efforts to ensure the Naira is stable. He also stated that the exchange rates how more or less are merged now to ensure that Nigeria operates a single exchange rate. 

In his words;

‘’We feel that a number of things have happened, one of which is that more confidence has come back into the market, a lot inflows have come back because there was very little liquidity at the time and potential players within the market, both on the buy and the sell side are more confident in the future. When I talk about the buy side, bear in mind that in the past, what used to happen is people were panicking and frontloading their request. A lot of that has also calmed down and there is no inclination to do that because liquidity has come back into the market.

We are relatively pleased with how far we have gotten to up till now. In the past two-three weeks after a period of volatility, we have seen a lot of stability within the market. There is hardly been any movement in the currency. The rates have been merged. In the past we had two different rates , right now, we have more or less one rate and we believe that this is good. It allows companies to plan and again it gives an idea of where the potential  road of travel is for people who are investing in our economy. I am relatively pleased with where we are . We don't believe that we have gotten to the position we want to stay at, it is continuous work in progress and we will do everything possible to ensure that we continue to manage the macroeconomic fundamentals that affect that market in such a way that it will improve.''

Watch a video of him speaking below

A 65-year-old pastor, Mr Francis Ogwu, has been arrested for allegedly defiling his seven-year-old domestic help in Awka, Anambra State. 

The suspect, a native of Imo State, was arrested after concerned residents raised alarm about his activities. 

Ogwu, the General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church, Awka, is accused of raping the minor three times.

Narrating her ordeal, the seven-year-old victim told the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, that the suspect rapes her and then gives her money.

She said: “He usually gives me money, from N500 to N1000, after each experience. 

“Sometimes, his wife accuses me of snatching her husband from her. 

“What prompted my leaving the house was the repeated beating I received from the daughter over irrelevant issues."

The victim’s mother, Destiny Nwabueze, a native of Awka, said she handed the daughter over to the Ogwu family because of the long-standing relationship they had enjoyed. She however said she was shocked when her daughter returned to her to report the ugly incident. 

She said: “I quickly invited the Oga to my house. But when he came, he denied the allegations, which made me to raise the alarm that attracted other persons."

During interrogation, the suspect denied allegations of penetration as claimed by the victim.

He said: “I just fingered the girl once.” 

Asked why he defiled the girl, the suspect said, ” I was tempted because my wife usually gives excuses that she’s fasting whenever I want to have quality time with her."

Reacting, the Commissioner vowed to ensure the victim got justice. 

She, however, advised women to always be vigilant and stop starving their husbands of sex. She further charged women to always protect their children at all costs.

The suspect's family begged the Commissioner’s office for pardon but the matter was reported to the police.

The Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Hashimu Dungurawa, has said the former governor of the state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, appointed the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero and four other first-class Emirs in pursuance of political gains ahead 2023 elections.

He stated this amid the controversies that trailed the Kano Emirate tussle.

Dungurawa made this known while fielding questions from newsmen in his office, explaining that it was a gamble that was arranged to expire with the tenure of the former governor, who eventually lost the elections.

According to the NNPP Leader, the Emirs enjoyed the status of appointed Commissioners by Ganduje, stressing that it was a matter of public good that they ceased to be recognized after the tenure of the former governor.

He said, “The five first-class Emirs we met on the throne were only commissioners appointed by Ganduje to assist him in winning elections. They were sustained to 2023 and they lost. And so their tenure came to an end.

“The fact remains that immediately Ganduje lost the elections and stepped down as Governor of Kano State, they ought to have also vacated their seats because none of them occupied the vacant seat of Emir of Kano since Muhammadu Sanusi II left.

“But maybe they didn’t accept that their tenure had expired after their benefactor lost the elections which witnessed Dr. Ganduje’s exit from the seat of power in the state.”

He posited that the decision to relieve them of their traditional status was rooted in public outcry over the vacant position of the Emir of Kano.

While reacting to the hoisting of flags at the Nasarawa palace, Dungurawa said, “Don’t forget Nasarawa mini palace is a guest house for the Emir. It is all about the Kano Emirate, it shows the SA Emir of Kano is doing his job faithfully by overseeing the graveyard of their forefathers laid to rest in the mausoleum.”

The Nigerian Federal Government says the disbursement of N150 billion in loans to micro, small and medium enterprises and manufacturers would commence by the end of July 2024.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, disclosed this in a statement through her official X handle on Thursday.

Uzoka-Anite said that 60 percent of the proposed one million beneficiaries of the Presidential Conditional Grant had received a financial grant of N50,000 without repayment obligations in the 774 local government areas of the country.

She said, “To all applicants of the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme who are yet to be paid, thank you for your continued patience. The disbursement process is still ongoing, and we have allocated about 60 percent of the 1 million grants.

“You can track the number of beneficiaries per LGA paid so far on grant.fedgrantandloan.gov.ng/learn-more/dis.

“We are also at the final stages of vetting for the MSME and Manufacturing loans. Applications remain open, and disbursement will begin by July ending.”

Recall that in December 2023, the Federal Government unveiled the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme as part of the Presidential Palliatives Programme aimed at supporting businesses to navigate the economic crunch caused by government policies.

Accordingly, the fund dedicates N75 billion to MSMEs and another N75 billion to the manufacturing sector to help businesses in Nigeria navigate the harsh economic realities.

DAILY POST reports that at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Thursday, President Tinubu approved an N50,000 uplift grant for 3.6 million families in Nigeria.

Sharon Ooja, the Nigerian actress, has revealed how she met Ugo Nwoke, her husband.

Ooja, who got married to her partner in an Abuja traditional ceremony on Thursday, shared how they met during a chat with Bella Naija.

She recounted how her sister introduced them shortly after she had gone through a severe heartbreak.

Ooja stated that she was initially hesitant but Ugo persistently tried to reach out to her.

She added that they got engaged within two and a half months and legally married two months later.

“My love story is one I will say is short of a miracle,” she said.

“I will say I had just recovered from what I consider the worst heartbreak of my life.

“I was filming, and my sister said to me, ‘Oh, a friend of mine wants to speak to you’.

“I was like, ‘Please, I’m not really in the mood. I do not want to talk to anybody’.”

“Anyways, she gave this person my number. We did not speak much. Months passed, and he kept on trying to reach me.

“We dated for two and a half months, and I was engaged in the third month. We married two months after that.”

Ooja’s traditional marriage hosted Nollywood stars including Jemima Osunde, Funke Akindele, Beverly Osu, Nancy Isime, and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, among others.

Bisola Aiyeola served as the maid of honour.

Ooja rose to fame with her role as Shalewa in the web series ‘Skinny Girl in Transit’.

She has also starred in notable Nollywood films including ‘Oloture’, ‘Bad Comments’, ‘Glamour Girls’, and ‘Dead Serious’.

On June 26, 2024, Nigeria’s external reserve reached a record high of $34.07 billion.

This is according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s latest FX data on its official website.

The figure represents the highest level since March 2024.

Recall that last week the external reserve reached a three-month high when it rose to $33.5 billion.

Reserves have continued to surge since then, topping $34 billion for the first time since March 21, when it was $34.2 billion.

The external reserves have increased by a substantial $1.3 billion since June 2024.

The development comes as the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso said its reforms attracted $24 billion inflow in the first quarter of 2024.

Meanwhile, despite the rising FX reserves, the Naira depreciated to N1510.10 per Dollar at the forex market according to FMDQ data on Thursday.

Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), a former Head of State, has spoken about the requirements to sustain democracy in the country.

Represented by Gen. Adamu Jidda on Thursday in Abuja at the second edition of ThisNigeria Newspaper Gold Prize and Annual Lecture Awards on the theme of the lecture; “25 Years of Nigeria’s Unbroken Democracy – Prospects and Possibilities”, Abubakar noted that electoral integrity, human rights, economic development and social justice remained critical areas that demand the country’s collective attention and action.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he believed that the nation’s democratic journey had not been without its trials.

Veteran Nollywood actor, John Okafor, better known as Mr Ibu, has been laid to rest in his hometown of Amuri, in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Naija News recalls that Mr Ibu died on 2nd March 2024 at the age of 62 after a prolonged battle with illness.

The Nigeria Actors Guild (AGN), alongside the family of the late comic actor, has been involved in a series of events to pay tribute and last respect to him.

Videos that emerged online show moments from the ongoing funeral ceremony in Enugu as friends and family members bid farewell to the late thespian.

Watch the videos below.

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