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I’ll ensure no state pays higher wage than Edo

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I’ll ensure no state pays higher wage than Edo

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the state, pledging that his administration will ensure that no worker in the country earns better than those in the state’s employ.

The governor, who spoke while addressing civil and public servants in the state, at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said the investment in the workers is part of efforts to ensure that the workers are adequately motivated and empowered to deliver effective to Edo people.

Commending the workers for their relentless contributions to the development of the state, the governor said his government has ensured that the workers are provided with a conducive working environment and incentives that are befitting of their immense contributions to the growth of the State.

The governor said that the state government under his leadership has trained over 2700 civil and public servants on digitisation, information technology, and digital transformation, among others, as part of ongoing efforts to drive the government’s digital economy plans and ensure the use of technology in processing government’s transactions and activities.

He further stated that his government has built and strengthened institutions that will ensure the sustainability of the e-governance reforms and other laudable initiatives of his administration in the State’s civil and public service.

Obaseki stated, “The new Edo will be driven by you, using technology. One of the considerations for promotion is that you have taken training on one aspect of technology to enable you to move to the next level. We will retain you in the service by improving your conditions of service and ensuring no state pays wages that are higher than that of Edo State.”

He added, “I will continue to work until my last day as a governor to ensure everything we started in the last eight is sustained.”

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Protest: Critical national assets may become targets of criminals – NSCDC

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Protest: Critical national assets may become targets of criminals – NSCDC

The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has vowed to protect critical national assets in the state from destruction during the forthcoming nationwide protests.
The commandant of NSCDC in Abia State, Usman Ishaq Alfadari, assured the public that the corps is fully prepared to protect lives and properties and all national assets and infrastructure in Abia State, during and after the protest.
He gave the assurances while addressing a gathering of officers and men of the command and members of the press regarding the planned nationwide protest.
He said that credible intelligence and experience have shown that criminal elements may hijack the protest as an opportunity to destroy public and private properties and threaten people’s lives.
“We understand the concerns of the public and want to assure them that we have made adequate arrangements to ensure their safety and security,” said Commandant Alfadarai. “Our officers and men are well-trained and equipped to handle any situation that may arise during the protest.”
He also warned that NSCDC would not tolerate any act of violence or destruction of property and that anyone found engaging in such activities would be dealt with decisively.
“We are committed to maintaining law and order, and protecting the rights of all citizens,” said the NSCDC commandant. “We urge the public to remain calm and go about their lawful activities without fear.”
Alfdarai also assured the public that the corps is working closely with other security agencies to ensure a hitch-free protest.
Protest: Critical national assets may become targets of criminals – NSCDC

WTO chief, Okonjo-Iweala, sounds alarm on global trade

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WTO chief, Okonjo-Iweala, sounds alarm on global trade

The head of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Tuesday, said global commerce was going through troubling times, with protectionism on the rise.

Okonjo-Iweala said the future of trade lay in services, digitalisation and the green economy, in the global trade body’s annual report.

“These are troubling times for global trade. Amid geopolitical tensions and the backdrop of the climate crisis, we see increased protectionism and unilateral policy measures.

“After years of talk of decoupling, trade may be starting to fragment along geopolitical lines,” she said.

Opportunities do remain, she added, pointing to the potential for growth and job creation through digitalisation.

Trade, she said, could also “enhance global food security and accelerate the push towards net-zero emissions.”

The WTO’s annual report looked back at the Geneva-based organisation’s activities in 2023 and early 2024.

The WTO’s 13th ministerial conference was held in Abu Dhabi in late February and ran on into early March, ending with a temporary extension of an e-commerce moratorium but no deals on agriculture and fisheries, highlighting the sharp divisions between members amid geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds threatening global commerce.

– Digital trade hopes –

Okonjo-Iweala said that in 2023, merchandise trade volumes fell by 1.2 per cent, after growing 3.0 per cent in 2022, as many countries dealt with the lingering effects of inflation and high energy prices.

The decline was partially offset by strong growth in services trade, which increased by 9 per cent in value terms, boosted by a post-pandemic tourism surge.

The report said the value of total goods and commercial services trade was $30.4 trillion last year, close to record highs.

Digital commerce is growing far faster than its traditional counterpart.

“The future of trade is services, digital, green,” said Okonjo-Iweala, the former Nigerian Finance and Foreign Minister.

Efforts to draw up global digital trade rules advanced Friday when dozens of nations wrapped up negotiations with a draft text, but more talks will likely be necessary as the United States and several other countries are still not on board.

Protections for online consumers, digitalisation of customs procedures and recognition of electronic signatures are among the measures laid out in the text aimed at promoting and facilitating digital transactions.

European Union trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis called the text “historic,” saying countries had “negotiated the first global rules on digital trade.

“This will facilitate e-transactions, boost innovation and integrate developing countries into the digital economy,” he said.

AFP

Ex-Delta commissioner kidnapped inside church in Asaba

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Ex-Delta commissioner kidnapped inside church in Asaba

A former Commissioner for Higher Education in Delta State, Joan Onyemachi Mrapkpor, popularly known as “Ada Anioma” has reportedly been kidnapped on Tuesday.
The former member of the House of Representatives, who recently resigned her appointment to enable her junior brother to contest the local government council chairmanship election, was abducted inside her church during church service.
Reports disclosed that the ugly incident occurred inside her church, off Delta Broadcasting Service street in Asaba, Delta State.
An eye witness said: “There was a commotion inside her church close to police headquarters, DBS Road. We all ran due to the shooting. It just happened about a few minutes ago. One aide was shot dead and a security personnel is presently unconscious.”
The Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the incident, when contacted, said one of the command’s officers was killed by the abductors.
Edafe, however, said detectives are on the trail of the abductors. He promised to give more details of the incident in due course.
Ex-Delta commissioner kidnapped inside church in Asaba

France, Argentina set for Olympics football quarter-final clash

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France, Argentina set for Olympics football quarter-final clash

France set up a potentially explosive quarter-final showdown with Argentina in the men’s Olympic football tournament after beating New Zealand 3-0 in their final group game on Tuesday.

Argentina had sealed their last-eight spot earlier in the day and France joined them in the knockout phase with Jean-Philippe Mateta, Desire Doue and Arnaud Kalimuendo scoring for the hosts against New Zealand in Marseille.

France finished on top of Group A with three wins out of three and no goals conceded, with the United States going through as runners-up after seeing off Guinea 3-0, Kevin Paredes scoring twice.

That means Thierry Henry’s French side will take on Argentina in Bordeaux on Friday after the South Americans, two-time gold medallists, went through in second place in Group B thanks to a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lyon.

Thiago Almada’s superb strike gave Argentina the lead just after half-time and substitute Claudio Echeverri sealed their victory late on.

It will be the first meeting of the nations since Argentina players were recorded singing racist chants about French players as they celebrated winning the Copa America earlier this month.

FIFA has announced an investigation into the chants, which targeted France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe among others and included racist and homophobic insults.

Argentina players have already been booed by rival fans at the Olympic tournament.

The nations last met in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar which Argentina won on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

However, the men’s Olympic football tournament is an under-23 competition, except up to three over-age players per squad. Only two members of Argentina’s Olympic squad, Nicolas Otamendi and Julian Alvarez, played in the 2022 game, and none of France’s.

Argentina will only face France after missing out on first place in Group B to Morocco head-to-head.

– Egypt surprise Spain –

Morocco beat Iraq 3-0 in Nice in their last group game thanks to goals by Amir Richardson — the son of former NBA star Michael Ray Richardson — Soufiane Rahimi’s fourth of the tournament and a stunning goal from Abde Ezzalzouli, all in the first half.

Morocco and Argentina finished level on six points, and tied on goals scored and goals conceded, but Morocco won 2-1 when the sides met in their opening game.

That was only because a last-gasp equaliser for the South Americans was disallowed after a VAR review before the final minutes of the game were completed in an empty stadium following crowd trouble.

Morocco, winners of last year’s Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, will play their quarter-final tie on Friday in Paris against the United States.

Earlier, Egypt reached the quarter-finals with a surprise 2-1 win over already-qualified Spain, with Ibrahim Adel scoring both goals.

Adel gave Egypt the lead in Bordeaux with a superb strike late in the first half and added another on 62 minutes, pouncing to score after possession was given away by Spain’s Jon Pacheco.

Samu Omorodion pulled one back late on for Spain, but Egypt held on for the win allowing them to leapfrog their opponents and snatch first place in Group C.

Egypt, captained by former Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny, will play their quarter-final on Friday in Marseille against the runners-up in Group D, which contains Japan, Paraguay, Mali and Israel.

Egypt lost in the quarter-finals three years ago to Brazil, who went on to beat Spain in the final.

Spain’s last-eight tie will be in Lyon against the winners of Group D, which will be completed later on Tuesday.

AFP

Make Osun violent-free during protest, Adeleke urges CSOs

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Make Osun violent-free during protest, Adeleke urges CSOs

Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has called on Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders planning to take part in the national hunger protests to eschew any act capable of undermining the peace and security of the state.

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, said Adeleke gave the admonition during a meeting held with members of the Civil Society Organisations and other groups in the state.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kola Adewusi, at the meeting attended by heads of various security organisations in the state, Adeleke, who acknowledged that the protesters have the inalienable right as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to embark on a protest, however, frowned at any act that tends to mortgage the peace and tranquillity of Osun and its people.

The statement quoting the governor further read, “My administration’s commitments, at all times, at making Osun a reference point for other states in Nigeria remains germane.

“I, therefore, implore you to be law-abiding before, during and after the coming nationwide protests, as no act of violence of any kind would be entertained by my administration in Osun State while carrying out your protests.

“In Osun, we are known to be good and peaceful and we should allow that to remain our pride as a state that is always ahead of others in all things that are good and developmental.”

Speaking earlier, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Abba and the Commander,

Engineering Construction Regiment,Ede, Brigadier General Abdul Kareem Aliyu, admonished the protesters to be decorous while carrying out the protests in Osun state.

Defence Minister urges protest planners to embrace dialogue

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Defence Minister urges protest planners to embrace dialogue

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has called on the organisers of the proposed protest to shelve the idea and come to a roundtable to dialogue with the Federal Government.
According to him, President Tinubu’s reforms have started yielding fruitful results, just as the nation’s economy is on a gradual but steady path of recovery.
In a press statement signed on his behalf by the Ministry of Defence’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, on Tuesday in Abuja, he assured Nigerians that President Tinubu’s administration will do more to meet their needs.
He added that the reforms initiated by Mr President have started improving the lives of Nigerians, as the economic growth in Q1 2024 was the second fastest first-quarter growth in the last six years.
“Defence strategy as enshrined in the Renewed Hope Agenda in improving security is yielding results as well. Mr. President is committed to the safety of lives and property through various security interventions.
“There is serious improvement in security as most of the roads and highways hitherto closed due to insecurity have been opened. Herders and farmers clashes have been solved by the creation of Livestock Ministry and many farmers have returned to their farms. Mr President is supporting the farmers and has encouraged state governors to do the same.
“There is massive surrendering of terrorists and high-profile terrorist kingpins have been arrested,” Abubakar said in the statement.
He noted that the creation of an instrument to support students through the introduction of the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme was initiated to increase access to higher education and reduce financial burdens on students.
According to him, the massive increase in funding for infrastructure like roads, rails, energy, and irrigation (dams and channels) through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, RHIDF, is one of the benefits of the present government.
He further stated that the innovation of selling crude oil to indigenous refining companies in naira and the signing of the National Minimum Wage Act into law, which is aimed at enhancing the welfare of Nigerian workers, are all efforts at stabilising the economy.
He also identified the autonomy granted to the local governments as a development that will strengthen governance at the grassroots.
Abubakar, in his statement, also stressed that different levels of palliatives have been given to the state government to support Nigerians to live a better life, in addition to social security intervention to states (sub-nationals), post-subsidy removal presidential grant and loans scheme, Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, NYIF, 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) and Skilled-Up Artisan Initiative, SUPA.
“Since the launch of the Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, initiative by Mr President, it is expected that the cost of transportation will reduce by as much as 50 per cent, and this has unlocked the nation’s huge potential in the gas sector.
“CNG conversion centres are growing exponentially across the country, thereby creating job opportunities,” he said.
Defence Minister urges protest planners to embrace dialogue

23-year-old wife beats husband to death, burns corpse in FCT

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23-year-old wife beats husband to death, burns corpse in FCT

A 23-year-old woman, Rahimat Salaum, has allegedly killed her husband, Shehu, during a fight in the Federal Capital Territory.

According Online reports that Ramatu was planning to run away with her husband’s belongings when operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested her.

A statement on Tuesday by the FCT Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the woman confessed to the crime and led the policemen to an uncompleted building where she dumped her late husband’s burnt corpse.

Adeh said, “The operatives of the FCT police command attached to Pegi police Division, on July 29, 2024, at about 6:00 p.m., acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Rahimat Salaum’F’ age 23yrs of Pegi, Abuja in connection to the killing of her husband.

“The suspect was attempting to flee with the belongings of the paralysed husband and had been reportedly missing for about three days in a mini truck when police operatives swooped in and apprehended her.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to killing her husband after a fight ensued between them. She subsequently led the police operatives to an uncompleted building where she had dumped the gruesomely burned body.

“While the investigation is still ongoing, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth C. Igweh, wishes to affirm that justice will be served in the matter, as he urged residents to be wary of their environment and report suspicious activities through the police emergency lines.”

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Police rally stakeholders against violent protest in Plateau

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Police rally stakeholders against violent protest in Plateau

The police high command in Plateau State on Tuesday met with stakeholders including the Christian Association of Nigeria and the JNI over the planned hunger protests in the state.

It was learnt that the meeting was convened at the instance of the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Adesina, held at the police officers mess in Jos the state capital .

In a statement he issued shortly after the meeting, the spokesman for the police command ,Alfred Alabo, said the meeting was aimed at stopping the planned protest or preventing it from turning violent in the state if it eventually holds.

Alfred who  reiterated the commitment of the police to maintaining law and order in the state said “in view of the upcoming planned protest slated to take place on August 1, 2024, the Plateau state Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Adesina, convened a meeting with various stakeholders across the state today at the Senior Police officers Mess, Jos.

In attendance were the Traditional Council, the women group, JNI, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau Youth Council, Civil Society Groups, Non Government Organizations, the PCRC, Security help groups, members of the media, among others.

“The meeting was aimed at engaging in dialogue with the stakeholders to discuss measures through which the protest can be prevented from occurring in the State, and in the event that it does take place, to ensure that it is conducted in a peaceful manner.

“During the meeting, the stakeholders offered valuable suggestions toward facilitating the peaceful conduct of the protest.

“The CP appreciated the stakeholders for their selfless investment in the business of securing the State, especially in their prompt response whenever the Command seeks their attention.  He further advises the good people of Plateau State to refrain from engaging in any form of violent protest activities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining law and order in all circumstances. He therefore uses this opportunity to call on the protesters to come to his office and discuss how the protest can be carried out in a peaceful manner.

“The Plateau State Police Command remains committed to upholding the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly, while also ensuring the safety and security of all residents within the State. Therefore, the Police will not stand and watch in speculation as lives, properties and critical infrastructures are being vandalised and destroyed.

Adesina also informed the general public that the Command has made available some active response phone numbers through which they can report any suspicious incidents around them during this period.

“Members of the general public are also advised to report any misconduct of our officers within the state,” the statement added

El Chapo’s son pleads not guilty to drug charges

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El Chapo’s son pleads not guilty to drug charges

The son of the former Sinaloa drug cartel leader El Chapo pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a raft of charges linked to one of the world’s biggest illicit narcotics operations, prosecutors said.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez was arrested in a scheme allegedly orchestrated by Washington without the involvement of Mexico, in which he was detained in Texas on Thursday.

The judge in the case denied bail and remanded him in custody, ordering a case management hearing for September 30, the assistant US Attorney’s office said in a statement to AFP.

Many of the details of the arrest operation, in which co-founder of the cartel Ismael Zambada Garcia, known as “El Mayo”, was also taken into US custody, remain murky.

He has also pleaded not guilty and has been remanded in custody.

US media have quoted law enforcement sources as saying that Zambada was unwittingly lured across the Mexico border by Guzman Lopez, one of El Chapo’s four sons.

According to a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) report released in May, the sons were engaged in an “internal battle” against Zambada, their father’s former partner.

Guzman Lopez was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons charges according to court documents previously released by prosecutors.

Broadcaster CNN reported that Guzman Lopez’s lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, told reporters his client faces the death penalty in the case. Lichtman did not return an AFP request for comment.

Guzman Lopez, aged in his 30s, is among El Chapo’s sons known collectively as Los Chapitos, or “The Little Chapos.”

El Chapo was convicted of drug charges in New York in 2019 and is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison.

Guzman, the then-62-year-old former co-leader of Mexico’s mighty Sinaloa drug cartel, was convicted in February 2023 in US federal court on a variety of charges, including trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana to the United States.

DEA chief Anne Milgram said Zambada’s arrest “strikes at the heart of the cartel that is responsible for the majority of drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, killing Americans from coast to coast.”

AFP

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