The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced an indefinite strike starting today, Monday, following a disagreement with the government over a new minimum wage. The unions had warned of a strike on Friday if their grievances were not addressed. The labour unions rejected the government’s proposed minimum wage of 60,000 Naira and demanded an increase, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The government’s failure to attend a meeting on Friday to discuss the issue angered the unions. On Monday morning, workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC),…
Author: Oyewole Oluwafemi
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken a significant step to promote a sound financial system in the country by revoking the banking licence of Heritage Bank Plc with immediate effect. According to a statement signed by the bank’s Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi, the action was taken in accordance with the CBN’s mandate to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria. The CBN exercised its powers under Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Act (BOFIA) 2020 to revoke the licence of Heritage Bank Plc due to the bank’s breach of Section 12 (1) of BOFIA,…
Chilean President Gabriel Boric has announced the country’s decision to support South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. In a speech that lasted over two-and-a-half hours before the National Congress in Valparaiso, Boric declared that Chile would join South Africa’s case against Israel under the UN Genocide Convention. He emphasized, “I have instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare a brief with our arguments.” Criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza has intensified, especially since operations focused on Rafah. This week, three European countries recognized a Palestinian state, and another international court’s…
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was humiliated and ordered out of his vehicle by soldiers at a military checkpoint in Abia State. The incident occurred after unknown gunmen, identified as members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), killed five soldiers at a checkpoint in Obikabia junction. Abaribe was on his way to a funeral ceremony when his vehicle was stopped at a military barricade. Despite his police security detail’s attempts to explain, the soldiers insisted that Abaribe must get out of his vehicle. He was delayed for some time before being allowed to proceed. The senator was stopped again by…
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abbas Byakagaba, has suspended all National Unit Platform (NUP) rallies, effective immediately. This decision comes just two days after the rallies were cleared, and follows a chaotic procession on Masaka road on Friday, which resulted in three deaths and multiple crashes. According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the police management has decided to halt all further consultative activities of NUP as a party until the matter is conclusively investigated and resolved. IGP Byakagaba cited NUP’s “lawlessness” and disregard for public safety as the reason for the suspension. He noted that the party’s convoy caused…
Africa’s largest oil refinery, Dangote Refinery, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful shipment of its first jet fuel cargo to Europe. This marks another first for the new complex, which has been rapidly scaling up production since its launch in April 2023. The inaugural shipment which was loaded onto the “Doric Breeze” vessel, departed from the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos on May 27th and is currently en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands. According to S&P Global Commodities at Sea data, the cargo contains 45,000 metric tons of jet fuel. The jet fuel cargo was awarded to BP as…
The House of Representatives has distanced itself from a circulating draft bill that proposes a return to regional government. The draft legislation which has become popular on social media is attributed to Dr. Akin Fapohunda, who is not a member of either the Senate or House of Representatives, indicating it is a private bill. The document titled: “A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the draft seeks, among others, new extant laws to be cited as “The Constitution of the Federal Republic…
Neville Mutsvangwa, the son of top Zanu PF politicians Christopher and Monica Mutsvangwa, has been granted bail by the High Court. Mutsvangwa was granted $1,000 bail by Justice Rodgers Manyangadze alongside his suspected accomplices Ellis Majachani and Simbarase Tichingana. The three were initially denied bail by Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi. They mounted an appeal, which was initially heard by Justice Esther Muremba, who later recused herself citing personal reasons. The judge said the magistrate erred in denying the trio bail when compelling reasons were given by the State to justify their continued detention. “Bail has been granted. We are happy…
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has taken a significant step towards ensuring the independence of the Central Bank, aiming to shield it from political interference and enhance its control over foreign exchange rates and inflation. The directive, announced on state-owned television (SSBC) on Thursday, is part of efforts to implement the 2018 peace agreement’s provisions on economic reforms and the bank’s independence in monetary policies. The move is also considered an implementation of the 2023 Bank Act, which grants the bank autonomy to execute its statutory and supervision functions without seeking directives from the Finance ministry or the president’s…
President Bola Tinubu has vowed to drop any member of his cabinet who fails to meet the expectations of Nigerians. He made this statement during a meeting with the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. The President emphasized that he would continue to do his best for the country, but would not hesitate to relieve any cabinet member of their duties if they are failing Nigerians. He thanked the cabinet members for their efforts but made it clear that he would not tolerate any underperformance. President Tinubu also appealed to state governments to…