President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Minimum Wage Bill into law. 

The signing ceremony took place during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, disclosed Tinubu’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. 

The new law establishes a minimum monthly salary of N70,000 for workers across Nigeria, which is 133 percent increase from the previous amount of M30,000.

The legislation also includes a provision for review every three years to ensure that wages can be adjusted to reflect changing economic conditions.

“President Tinubu signed the bill midway into the Federal Executive Council meeting. Head of Service said the new law will undoubtedly reassure the workers that the President cares about their welfare. 

“Senate President Godswill Akpabio led National Assembly leaders to the signing ceremony. 

“President Tinubu thanked the National Assembly for accelerating the passage of the law,” said Onanuga. 

More details to follow… 

Some youths in Niger State have trooped to the streets to protest the ongoing cost of living crisis in Nigeria, despite the effort of the Federal and State governments to stop the protest, saying hoodlums and enemies of democracy could hijack it.

Naija News learnt that the protesters were seen on the streets chanting anti-government songs and holding placards such as ‘Enough is Enough’; ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies’; ‘We Are Not Slaves In Our Country’; ‘Hardship Is Unbearable’, ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back’, among others.

According to Daily Trust, some of the protesters on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway declined to speak with journalists who approached them.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the party would not fold hands and watch President Bola Tinubu’s government toppled before 2027 general election.

The Chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said they have strong intelligence that the planned August protest was orchestrated to oust President Tinubu.

Addressing newsmen at the APC national secretariat, on Monday, in Abuja, the chairman of the Cross River State chapter and Secretary of the APC States Chairmen Forum, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, said the ruling party would organize party supporters across the nation to hold solidarity rallies across the country.

The APC chairmen called on Nigerians across all political parties to join the party in its support rally for President Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement, Eba said, “As the ruling party, we are prepared to meet every contestant in 2027 but we will not fold our arms and allow undemocratic forces to topple the government we worked so hard to elect into office. That will be a disservice to the good people of Nigeria who freely gave us this mandate.

“We call on all patriotic Nigerians to resist any attempt by anyone or any group of persons to intimidate them into unorganized protest likely to endanger the peace we currently enjoy as a nation. We call on patriots to join forces with security agencies to report any criminal element who attempts to carry out any act of violence.

“Against this background, in the next two weeks commencing from today 29th July to 11th August 2024 and from this press briefing, which shall follow with a solidarity rally by all structures of our party across all political wards, LGAs and states capital including Abuja FCT, we shall embark on peaceful rally to re-echo the laudable projects and the programs of President Tinubu with greater vigor to protect and defend our democracy from any attack by hoodlums or some criminal elements who wants to carry out violent protest.

“All our party men and concerned Nigerians in other political parties, are enjoined to stand firm in protection of democracy. It should be noted that violent protest being contemplated by the faceless group as contained in their charter of demand will annihilate the democratic ideals which all political parties subscribed to.”

Eba said while protest is a constitutional right of the citizens, it must be done through the law.

APC said security intelligence further showed that some hoodlums plan to hijack the protest.

“This is unacceptable and we must resist it in the most civil manner by sensitizing innocent and peace loving people of our country about the plans of failed politicians who want to get power through every illegitimate means by inciting ignorant Nigerians to embark on violent protest.

“Protest is a constitutional right when done through the rule of law. However, security reports have shown that it is counterproductive to embark on this protest this time as there are sinister arrangements by some unpatriotic persons to hijack the protest for the sole purpose of unleashing nefarious agenda to perpetrate violence and indulge in high level criminality reminiscent of the 2020 Endsars protest and the recent experience in Kenya.

“It is our humble view that this will worsen our already challenging socio-economic situation and that is why we have decided to join our voices to make this appeal to all Nigerians,” APC added.

Nigeria’s oil and gas sector recorded zero foreign capital investments in the first quarter of 2024 amid the crisis.

This is according to the National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria’s Capital Importation data for Q1.

Meanwhile, other sectors saw the country’s capital import rose by 210 percent to 3,376.01 million from $1,132.65 million recorded in Q1 2023. 

This coming despite the oil and gas sector being Nigeria’s main source of revenue.

Further analysis showed that in the period under review, the Africa Largest Oil Producer failed to attract Foreign Direct Investment, and portfolio investment in the oil and gas industry such as investments in financial assets like stocks, bonds, and securities.

Meanwhile, the banking sector received the highest capital importation to Nigeria in the period.

This coming despite the oil and gas sector being Nigeria’s main source of revenue.

Further analysis showed that in the period under review, the Africa Largest Oil Producer failed to attract Foreign Direct Investment, and portfolio investment in the oil and gas industry such as investments in financial assets like stocks, bonds, and securities.

Meanwhile, the banking sector received the highest capital importation to Nigeria in the period.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE said the planned 1-10 August hardship protest could cost Nigeria an estimated daily loss of N400,000 if not properly managed.

CPPE Director, Muda Yusuf disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the protest posed a grave danger to Nigeria’s already fragile economy.

According to the economic think-tank group, the organizers of the planned protest should not offer a platform for elements in the country who have criminal intentions and whose agenda is to inflict pain on innocent citizens and corporate organizations and destroy public assets.

It also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to expeditiously implement its economic stabilization plan to ease production costs and ultimately reduce inflationary pressures.

“The proposed nationwide protests portend grave dangers for an economy which is already in a very fragile state. The protests could inflict an estimated daily loss of N400 billion, if not properly managed.

“The consequences of such a huge loss for the country and the citizens would be very severe. “There is a high risk of shutdowns and disruptions in major sectors of the economy. These include trade and commerce, manufacturing, entertainment, transportation, logistics, financial services, the hospitality industry, agriculture, aviation, ICT, and construction sectors.

“This is in addition to risks to the lives and properties of innocent citizens and corporate bodies. The safety of government assets is also at risk.

“We cannot fix a problem by promoting such negative tendencies.

“Over 90 percent of employed Nigerians are in the informal sector. Employees in this space are dependent on daily income and any disruption to their economic activities beyond 24 hours could snowball into major social unrest. This underlines the country’s vulnerability to prolonged protests”, CPPE stated.

DAILY POST reports that a group known as the Take It Back Movement announced a planned Nationwide protest amid the rising cost of living and hardship in Nigeria.

TIB movement, through its solicitor, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa wrote to the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Service seeking protection during the protest.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun had asked protesters to provide details as a condition to ensure protection.

In the last weeks, there have been calls for and counter for the planned protest.

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Kingsley Moghalu, has explained why African countries can’t create prosperity.

Moghalu said Nigeria and other African countries have weak governance capacity, including foundational philosophical worldview, knowledge of public policy framing and execution, Monitoring and evaluation framework, amongst other.

He posted on X: “Why African countries can’t create prosperity: weak governance capacity. Absence of:

1. Foundational philosophical worldview (EVERY prosperous developed country has one).

2. Knowledge of public policy framing and execution.

3. Monitoring and evaluation framework.

4. Decision Science (data-based policy making).

5. Basic macroeconomic knowledge (as DepGov @cenbank this was obvious from interactions across @NigeriaGov and @nassnigeria ).

6. Strategy and risk management.

7. Understanding of the role of the private sector and the right balance between the state (regulation and policy) and the market.

8. Accountability (in reality) for corruption, thus allowing corruption (which exists everywhere) to become systemic and completely divert away from a true focus of governance on development.

9. Nationhood. Too much atomistic thinking along identity (ethnic and religious) lines. This completely destroys any inclination to objectivity in decision making. In the absence of a true worldview many African countries are “governed” by small views.”

Nigeria’s D’Tigress made history after winning their first-ever game at the Paris 2024 Olympics by beating Australia on Monday morning.

D’Tigress finally won a game at the Olympics after beating Australia 75-62 in the opening game.

They were unfancied heading into the game but sprung a surprise result to kick-start their campaign.

Ezzine Kalu, who plies her trade in France, oozed class on the court, scoring 19 points.

Nigeria recovered from a slow start to win the first quarter 18-17.

They had an even better second quarter, winning 23-11.

D’Tigress will next play hosts France before wrapping up their group-stage campaign against Canada on August 4.

The federal government has directed the Vice Chancellors of universities to tighten security in their various campuses ahead of planned nationwide protests being organized bodies over the growing economic hardship in the country.

Chris Maiyaki, the Acting Executive National Universities Commission (NUC), in a letter to the Vice Chancellors on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, asked the Vice Chancellors to take other proactive measures to protect the school environment, its properties and staff.

The letter reads: “The Honourable Minister of Education has directed that the attention of Vice-Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities be formally drawn to the plan by unknown groups to embark on nationwide protests.

“The Federal Government is not unaware of the right of any Nigerian to peaceful protest, but is concerned about the safety of staff, students and university property should there be any protest action.

“Consequently, the Minister has directed that Vice-Chancellors of all Nigerian Universities should take proactive steps to ensure the security and safety of the university community, including staff and students.

“In addition, Vice-Chancellors are to please issue specific statements to assure staff and students of their safety. It is also advisable that students remain on campus to focus on their academic pursuits so as to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protests. Please accept the renewed assurances of my highest considerations and best wishes.”

Tension is rising across the country as organizers of the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1 to 10 have vowed not to back down.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians, who are irked by the prevailing economic situation ravaging the nation, vowed to stage mass protests in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, next month.

The demonstration, according to the organizers, is aimed at drawing the attention of the governments at various levels to the hardship bedeviling the citizens. 

The agenda is also to possibly persuade the current administration into reversing some policies that birthed the current economic reality.

This has triggered tension across the country with some government officials, business owners, security agencies fidgeting over possible attacks on them.

Hardship

DAILY POST reports that the nation has been clouded in the plague of hunger since President Bola Tinubu announced the end of fuel subsidy era in 2023.

On Wednesday, the National Bureau of Statistics disclosed in its June report that prices of some food items skyrocketed as high as 250 percent recently.

According to the data obtained by DAILY POST, one kilogram of white Garri (sold loose) went up by 181.66 percent on a year-on-year basis from N 403.15 in June 2023 to N1,135.51 in June 2024, while there was an increase of 1.86 percent on a month-on-month basis.

Also, the price of 1kg of beans brown (sold loose) stood at N2,292.76 indicating a rise of 252.13 percent from N651.12 recorded in June 2023.

Similarly, 1kg of Yam tuber increased by 295.79 percent on a year-on-year basis from N510.77 in June 2023 to N 2,021.55 in May 2024.

The report added that there was also a notable price increase of Irish potato by 288.5 percent on a year-on-year basis from N623.75 in June 2023 to N2,423.27 in June 2024.

According to the organizers of the looming protest, the inability of Nigerians to afford the food items and other basic needs is what stimulated the move for the ten days nationwide protests titled the “Days Of Rage”.

Security concerns

There are concerns that the proposed protest may worsen the security crisis already facing the nation.

The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters and the Department of State Services have all raised the alarm that the planned protest may result in anarchy.

DAILY POST recalls that the Defence Headquarters on Thursday warned that the planned protest has the potential of degenerating into anarchy and a reign of terror.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, who spoke while briefing journalists in Abuja, said that there were signs of status-related violence such that persons with things as basic as smartphones and cars were targets, not leaving out those who own houses and shops.

Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force issued a cautionary alert, citing credible intelligence about potential manipulation by foreign mercenaries and the involvement of malicious groups aiming to disrupt public order.

Olukayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police IGP, expressed concerns about the involvement of external actors in the protests, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to exercise caution before joining any protest groups.

In the same vein, the Department of State Services, DSS warned the organisers of the protests against proceeding with their plans.

The service alerted the general public that it uncovered a plan by some criminal elements to hijack the protest and cause unrest in the country.

DSS, in a statement by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, described the motive behind the protest as political

He claimed that plotters of the protest intended to use the violent outcome of the demonstration to smear the federal and sub-national governments.

Organizers vow not to back down

Despite the warnings, cautions and concerns raised from different quarters, the organizers of the proposed protest said there is no going back.

A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, who is one of the key organizers, told DAILY POST on Saturday that the protest will hold as scheduled.

He said, “The #EndBadGovernmnetInNigeria #DaysOfRage will take place on August 1st 2024 as scheduled; Organizers are under pressure to start earlier”.

Asked if he would be physically present during the protest, Sowore who as of the time of this report is in the United States, said “the revolt will occur globally; yes, I will participate fully”.

On the controversy surrounding the inclusion of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in the 15 key demands recently reeled out by the organizers, Sowore said demanding Kanu’s release “is the right thing to do”.

He said, “We understand that as an ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse country, some may find the inclusion of free Nnamdi Kanu a bit challenging but it is the right thing to do to address the monumental injustices intertwined in the legally tangled conundrum the federal government has found itself in sustaining Kanu’s unjust incarceration.

“When Free Elzakyaky was included in 2019, some people frowned at it but today, he is a free man and the heavens did not fall”.

Stakeholders beg organizers to shelve protest, embrace dialogue

Politicians, groups, organizations, business owners and other stakeholders have continued to call for dialogue in place of the planned protest.

Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere on Saturday told DAILY POST that rather than embarking on a protest that may eventually lead to destruction of lives and properties, the organizers should engage in dialogue.

Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere national publicity secretary, in a chat with our correspondent, said memories of the destruction that marred the 2020 EndSARS still remained fresh.

He said, “like we have said, the experience of what happened during the EndSARS in 2020 is still fresh in our minds. Scars of the protests can still be felt in various places.

“The nonpareil modern laboratory in Lagos that was destroyed then could not be replaced up till now. A laboratory that had nothing to do with what the protesters were venting their anger against.

“The destruction of the laboratory has meant that tests that could be routinely done in Lagos now have to be taken to the United States of America. Instances abound in other parts of the country.

“Since, dialogues would be employed to resolve conflicts, it’s better to engage in dialogues rather than allowing conflicts to degenerate into street protests that stand the chance of being hijacked by irate mobs.”

Planned protests lack well-defined objective – Arewa Youths

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, says it won’t participate in the planned nationwide protests, saying the objective of the organizers is not well defined.

The President General of AYCF, Yerima Shettima told DAILY POST on Saturday that though protest is a legitimate right of citizens, violence should not be an option.

He said, “The right to peacefully assemble and voice grievances is a fundamental right that is enshrined in the constitution of many countries, including Nigeria.

“However, the effectiveness and appropriateness of the protests that are being planned in Nigeria have sparked a debate on many issues.

“While protest is a legitimate and vital tool for citizens to gather and raise their voices in unity, it is essential that protests are conducted in a peaceful and organized manner.

“Violence and destruction during protests can have negative consequences, leading to harm to individuals and property and undermining the message that the protesters are trying to convey.

“It is crucial that protests are aimed at sparking dialogue, raising awareness, and enacting positive change, rather than inciting chaos and harm.

“It is essential that the North and other regions in Nigeria are advised against participating in protests that do not have well-defined objectives and may potentially lead to unrest and instability”.

Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum has attributed his side’s defeat against Spain to poor marksmanship.

The West Africans suffered their second consecutive defeat at the 2024 Olympic Games, going down 1-0 against the world champions on Sunday.

The Super Falcons were pinned back by the Spaniard for the majority of the game but still created enough scoring chances to get at least a point.

Waldrum confessed his side’s failure to put their chances to bed was responsible for the defeat.

“We had three to four good opportunities today, regrettably, we did not convert them”, the American said after the game.

“We had one in the first half, a breakaway and Asisat and Rash (Rasheedat Ajibade) missed those chance. We had chances, regrettably, the Spanish converted theirs.”

Waldrum, however, said his team have shown they can compete with any team in the world.

“We lost to two of the best teams in the world. Spain is the best team in the world right now and Brazil are in the top 10,” he added.

“We have shown that we could have gotten something out of those matches. It shows we can play against anybody in the world. So I am proud of the players.”